Metal Fabrication FAQ & Resources

Take one of our beginner welding classes! The welding studio offers a progression of classes in both MIG and TIG. These are taught by a range of professional and amateur welders to begin and advance your skill level. BARN’s classes are generally focused on hobby and art welding.

Knowing there’s no substitute for “hood time” to enhance your skills, we hold open studio events to work on projects or practice to further your competency.

We also offer special classes and workshops. Over time these have included oxy/acetylene (gas) sculpture welding, garden art from found objects, designing and creating a table, creative reuse of tableware, display stands, garden art, gates and trellises, as well as aluminum welding techniques in both MIG and TIG.

Yes! We focus on two primary welding processes: MIG and TIG. MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welding is the easiest to learn and the most versatile. It has wide application from garden art to furniture to structural.

TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding is a bit more challenging, requiring good hand-eye coordination and a delicate touch, but produces beautiful welds with a more finished look. Both MIG and TIG are applicable to aluminum and steel.

BARN offers a progression of classes in both methods taught by a range of professional and amateur metal workers. As with most skills, there’s no substitute for practice. In recognition of that, the Welding and Sheet Metal Studio hosts open studio events so folks may practice and develop their plasma cutting skills.

BARN Metal fabrication uses two types of plasma cutting; hand-held, and CNC (Computer Numerical Control).

• Hand-held plasma cutting is the easiest to learn with immediate reward and wide application including garden art, furniture, structural elements, and much more.
• Where more intricate or repeated design profiles are needed, CNC plasma cutting is the better method. CNC always requires a digital representation. So, while CNC is a bit more challenging, requiring digital skills, this process will produce beautiful cuts with a more finished look. And once you have the code, you can make as many of the same parts as you want.

Plasma Cutting is a technique of cutting electrically conductive metals (steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, titanium, and copper), both thick and thin. Plasma is created with a high-energy electric arc within a nozzle which is forced by compressed gas (typically air) to contact with the metal that the plasma then cuts. Using a finely aimed plasma torch that melts metal in its path that is then simply blown away is an empowering experience. You can do this at BARN, and it’s actually very easy and safe!