A Fourth of July Welding Project
Friday, July 2nd, 2010
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| Photo: avlxyz |
While you’re grilling this Fourth of July weekend, here’s a little challenge for you to think about.
For the National SillsUSA Welding Fabrication Competition last week, students were presented with the task of welding a barbeque grill in 6.5 hours.
Students were provided with the following materials:
-Four 1/8” x 36” x 24” mild steel plates
-Two 1/8” x 24” x 24” mild steel plates
-Four Steel Hinges: 4.5” X 4.5”
-Two Caster Wheels Stationary 4″ X 4-1/2″
-Two Caster Wheels Swivel 4″ X 4-1/2″
-Three 1/8” x 1” x 1” 10 ft length angle irons
-One 1/4” x 48” x 24” expanded steel mesh
Welding equipment and consumables were also provided.
Students were required to complete 5 each SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW welds of at least 3” in length. Judging criteria included safety, welding skills, cutting skills, teamwork and fabrication accuracy. And believe it or not, after all that, students had to complete a written test as well.
The payoff was a half tuition scholarship to welding school worth more than $13,500. Not bad a for a few hours’ welding.
So savor those burgers and hot dogs this weekend, and just be glad you didn’t have to build the grill you’re using.
