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Discover the Best Metalworking Classes Near Me
Metalworking is the process of creating objects, tools, and structures out of metal. People have been metalworking for over 10,000 years, with the oldest piece of known metalwork coming from 8,800 BCE in modern-day Iraq. Ancient civilizations used precious metals to create various objects that served as status symbols and denoted religious beliefs. Some metalworking techniques that were used in these times, like soldering and welding, are still used in the metalworking process today.
Metalworkers were, at one point in time, highly valuable to society. Metal became more important over time, and societies needed to keep up with the demand for metal objects. The skills required to work with metal began to evolve and metalworkers became more knowledgeable in the ways to work with metal. Metalworking itself can be split into three basic categories: forming, cutting, and joining. The specific processes that metalwork goes through will be dependent on its final form.
Today, metalworkers work with metals to create jewelry, electronics, and other goods and services. Metalworking is a great hobby for people who like to work with their hands to craft items. The items you can make out of metal range from practical to decorative items. It can be an expensive hobby because of the tools often required to work with metal, but if you start small with your tool collection and gain experience with metalwork, you can add to your collection.
Why You Should Learn Metalworking
Metalworking is an ideal hobby for people who like to create things with their hands. Once you’ve learned the basics of metal processing techniques and how to use the necessary machines and tools, you can get started on projects. Possessing a strong imagination and creative mind is essential to metalworking. As you plan your next metalworking project, you can exercise your imagination and creativity as you come up with ideas and then determine how you’ll create that item.
Anyone looking to make a little extra money should consider taking up metalworking. Although getting started can be expensive, metalworking is a lucrative hobby. Hobbyists create custom products out of metal and sell them online. Once you’ve learned how to start metalwork projects, you can also use your skills to make items for yourself and your family. Custom crafts like jewelry, wall art, and garden decor make for great gifts.
5 Ways to Learn Metalworking
Metalworking is an intimidating hobby to take up. You must learn how to safely and correctly use powerful machinery you may be unfamiliar with and understand how metal processing works. Once you have a thorough understanding of these things you can get started. There are several ways to get started with metalworking. If you’re a beginner, consider one of the following learning methods:
- Take an in-person, formal metalworking class taught by an expert instructor. An in-person class is an ideal way to learn metalworking because an instructor will be with you at all times to supervise and answer questions you might have. This is a very hands-on learning method that also allows you to meet other people with a similar interest in metalworking.
- Sign up for a live online metalworking class led by an instructor. These classes can be taken remotely and are taught by an expert instructor who will guide you through the metalwork project the class is focused around. One caveat of taking an online class is that you’ll likely be responsible for acquiring most if not all materials and tools that are needed to participate in the class.
- Follow along with self-paced, on-demand classes. These free classes are available online and can be followed along with at any time. They are accessible to anyone with internet access, however, because they’re posted online, there is no instructor who you can ask questions of.
- Check out your local library or bookstores for a book on metalworking. Books are a great way to learn the history of a craft you’re interested in. They’ll also typically inform you of the tools you’ll need to get started with metalworking. You can even look for books that contain images to help guide you through your introduction to metalworking.
- Look online for a free guide posted by a metalworking hobbyist or professional. Plenty of hobbyists will publish introductory guides online that can help beginners get started. Although this is an accessible way to get started with metalworking, you should be aware that metalworking may require the use of potentially dangerous machinery. Always exercise caution when following advice from non-professionals.
In-Person Metalworking Classes
In-person metalworking classes are offered for people of all skill levels across the US. They’re taught by expert instructors who will guide you and other participants through crafting an item out of metal. One benefit of being taught by an instructor is that you can ask them questions as the class progresses.
There are basic processes you’ll need to learn to start metalworking, like welding. Welding is the process of joining materials together, like metal, using high heat. It’ll allow you to set pieces together when metalworking. The type of welding you’ll do when creating something will depend on the metal you’re using. Michelle Greene Sculpture, located in Brooklyn, offers several classes for people interested in learning different types of welding.
Metal inert gas (MIG) welding is a welding process used on large and thick materials. If you’d like to learn this type of welding, sign up for the MIG Welding class at Michelle Green Sculpture. This class is welcoming to beginners and experienced welders. You’ll have a truly hands-on learning experience in this two-person class, where you’ll receive one-on-one feedback. By the end of this class, you’ll have learned different MIG welding skills such as setting up your welding machine, that’ll get you started in your metalworking journey.
Gas tungsten arc welding, also known as TIG welding, can be used to weld steel, aluminum, and even gold. If you’re interested in learning to work with these metals, sign-up for the class, Introduction to TIG Welding on Steel. Over the course of two hours, you’ll become familiar with using a TIG machine. This class is focused on technique, so your instructor will cover choosing the right tungsten, setting the gauge on your machine, using the foot pedal, and welding. Although this is a beginner-level class, it’s recommended that you first take the gas or MIG welding class.
Arc or stick welding is an inexpensive type of welding that is commonly used in construction and to build furniture and sculptures. The class Introduction to Arc/Stick Welding is therefore great for those interested in welding for industry or art purposes. This beginner-level class can accommodate two participants over the age of 16. Welding gear and gloves are supplied and there’s no fee for the metal you’ll use in the class.
If you decide to take a welding class, be sure to research what you should wear to the class. Safety should always be taken into account when using powerful machines. It’s recommended that you wear closed-toed shoes, cotton socks, a 100% cotton long-sleeved shirt, and cotton jeans. This material’s far more resistant to sparks than synthetic materials, making it ideal for welding. You should also be sure that the clothes you do wear to a welding class are ones that you won’t mind getting dirty.
Soldering is another means to combine pieces of metal using a filler metal known as solder. During this process, you’ll heat up your surface and melt the solder. Once the solder has completely cooled and solidified, it’ll create a strong joint. Soldering is commonly used to manufacture electronic components as well as jewelry and other decorative objects. While welding is often used to connect metals that will be load-bearing, soldering is only as strong as the solder you use (e.g., silver-copper, tin-copper, and tin-silver-copper).
At Craftsman Ave in Brooklyn, beginning metalworkers can learn how to build a copper lamp. During this three-hour class, you’ll learn the fundamentals of soldering and how to cut copper pipe. Your instructor will guide you through working with unfamiliar tools and materials as you design and create a lamp. There’s also a date-night version of this class, where you and your partner will work together to create a lamp while sharing a pizza and a bottle of wine.
If you and your partner would like to spend date night working on a different project, Craftsman Ave also offers a class where you’ll learn to make a steel planter box. This class is an introduction to welding and metal fabrication, so you and your date will receive in-depth instruction on using a MIG welder, angle grinders, and other hand tools.
Virtual Metalworking Classes
In-person classes are one of the safest ways to receive hands-on instruction in metalworking. These classes provide you with demonstrations and will supply all the necessary tools. In-person classes, however, may not be offered in your area, or they might not fit into your schedule. Luckily, virtual classes are an option for anyone who can’t attend in-person classes.
Virtual classes are taught by expert instructors who will guide you and other remote learners through the class. These classes can be taken from anywhere with a stable internet connection, including your own home, since they’re delivered through an online video platform.
Metalworking frequently requires the use of powerful machinery that can be unsafe to use in certain environments, like inside your home. Metalworking classes offered online are unlikely to require the use of dangerous machinery. If you’re interested in the types of online metalworking classes you can take, see what’s available on CourseHorse.
EatMetal Inc.’s Hammered Earring class is ideal for remote learners with an interest in jewelry-making. In this private class, you’ll receive a demonstration on how to make earrings, how to make a jump ring, how to forge, how to solder, and how to make findings for your earrings. This class includes an open forum, where you can ask questions about the process.
Previous classes, like this mid-century to present-century jewelry class, focus on the history of jewelry making and the role of metal guilds rather than teaching you to create an item. You can check back to CourseHorse periodically to see what new and returning metalworking classes are available for you to take.
Private Group Metalworking Classes
Is your business or organization looking to schedule a metalworking class as a fun team-building activity? Or are you and a group of friends interested in scheduling a hands-on metalworking class to take over the weekend? CourseHorse offers private metalworking classes that they can deliver to you and your group.
If your group is located in the New York City area, Fitzgerald Jewelry in Williamsburg can host a private ring-making party for you. This is an in-person class that can be booked online through CourseHorse. An instructor knowledgeable in the art of metalworking will guide you and your group through the process of fabricating three silver bands. You’ll learn how to measure ring sizes and be taught the process of ring making. Cheese and fruit plates will be provided at this BYOB event.
Like metalworking, woodworking is a great hobby for people who like to express their creativity through hands-on crafts. Woodworking can be used to complement metalwork creations, and some tools are also shared between the activities. If you’re interested in learning more about woodworking, your group can sign up for the virtual beer caddy-making workshop offered by CourseHorse. The decorative wood piece you’ll create in this class can be used to hold drinks, plants, and other objects. After creating your caddy, you’ll be able to add a weathered look to it or paint it in the color of your choice.
You can reach out to CourseHorse through the contact form on their website to explore other private metalworking and craft classes they can remotely deliver to you and your team. They’ll work to accommodate your group size and choose a course that best fits your group’s interests. Online classes will typically require you to supply your tools and materials, but CourseHorse sends all necessary class supplies out to you and all class participants, saving you time and money.
CourseHorse does not charge booking fees and will even allow you to cancel your class for free up to two weeks before the class is scheduled. Zoom is the preferred online video platform for CourseHorse classes, but you can also use Google Meets, Microsoft Teams, and WebEx.
What Will I Need to Learn Metalworking?
The tools you’ll need when metalworking depend on the item you’re trying to make. For example, some projects will require welding, which means you’ll need a welding machine and welding-friendly metals. Other projects may require soldering, which relies on different tools and metal alloys. If you’re determined to learn metalworking, a few basic tools can help you create various types of metalwork.
- Welding Machine—Welding machines are used to set your pieces together. The machine will hold your metal pieces in place, melt them, and then use pressure to join them.
- Angle Grinder—An angle grinder is used to grind, descale, and cut metal pieces. You’ll want a grinder with higher wattage when working on dense materials.
- Metalworking Saw—Metalworking saws are better for cutting through materials like copper, lead, and aluminum than regular saws. If you have a woodworking saw, you can simply replace its blade with a metalworking blade.
- Drill Press or Drill—Beginner metalworkers can rely on a hand-held drill to drill their workpiece, but it’s recommended that you get a drill press to drill through thicker materials. A drill can be used for making holes in your metal for mounting purposes, or to create pilot holes.
- Metalworking Drill Bits—Because metal is dense, you’ll need specific drill bits and tips for your drill.
- Center Punch—A center punch is used to make markings and pre-drill holes by denting your metal material.
- Hammer and Anvil—Hammers and anvils are used to shape metal.
- Clamps and Bench Vice—Metal clamps will secure your metal pieces while you weld, cut, or grind them. A bench vice will also hold your metal in place while you work on it.
- Shears and Nibblers—Shears and nibblers are used to cut sheet metal. These are great tools to use if you need to make curved or intricate cuts to your metal.
- Safety Gear—Metalworking uses powerful machinery and sharp tools. It’s essential that you keep yourself protected with safety gear. If you’re welding, you need to wear a welding mask, gloves, and protective eyewear. You should also wear long sleeves, jeans made of cotton, and closed-toed shoes when metalworking. An apron, jacket, or smock can also keep you protected from sparks and other flying debris.
Is It Difficult to Learn Metalworking?
Metalworking is not difficult if you take the time to learn how to use the necessary specialized tools. It’s also useful to learn about the different properties of the metals you’re using if you plan to get into metalworking. The properties of the metal can affect how it reacts to heat and, therefore, the tools you use to work with it. The basics of metalworking can be learned in about two weeks. Once you’ve learned the basics, gaining experience working with metal should be your goal.
Taking an in-person metalworking class is one of the most thorough and efficient ways to learn metalworking. In an in-person class, an expert instructor will walk you through the different processes of fabricating metal and guide you through creating metalwork pieces.
