“Weekend” welding classes in Detroit area?

[Timothy Massey]

Hello!

I would like to find a 2-3 day welding class for my son (17 yo) and I. Doesn’t have to be an actual weekend, but something on that idea. Not once a week for several weeks, and not just an hour or so. A good couple of days of welding training and experience.

Neither of us have any experience: complete beginners. We’re not looking to become experts, but at least have the opportunity to learn a lot and hopefully have some fun.

I’ve tried to Google for such a thing and have not found anything local. Does anyone know of such a program? I would appreciate any insight you might have.

Thank you!

Tim Massey


Sent from my iPhone

[Raiford, Jody]

Let's chat a bit off the main list. I can probably answer most of what you need.

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[Timothy Massey]

Here’s a reply I sent that better describes what I’m looking for, that might help others to have some ideas, too:

Hello!

My specific goals are, in rough order:

* Have fun with my son in an interesting environment 

* Have the feeling of accomplishment of acquiring some skills in a challenging field

* Have the knowledge of how to weld in a safe manner

* Gain some experience in tools and techniques 

* Ideally feel like when I’m done I could attach two pieces of metal together and have reasonable confidence they will stay put together.

* Ideally leave with the confidence and skills to select and purchase a set of tools and actually know what I’m buying and why, so that I can put two pieces of metal together! :)

This should hopefully give you a rough idea.  I’m looking for more than an exhibition, something where we just watch.  However, I completely understand I’m not getting an internship or certification in welding.

Think something like having a buddy over for a weekend while you both work together on a low-stakes welding project, where you can demonstrate a variety of techniques and let him try his hand as you go along.

Does this make sense?

Tim Massey

Sent from my iPad

On Jun 22, 2026, at 11:25 AM, Raiford, Jody <jody.r...@i3detroit.org> wrote:



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[klemon ospmain.com]

Let me k now if you can squeeze in a 16 yo as well.

---

From: i3detroi...@googlegroups.com <i3detroi...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Raiford, Jody <jody.r...@i3detroit.org>
Sent: Monday, June 22, 2026 11:25 AM
To: i3detroi...@googlegroups.com <i3detroi...@googlegroups.com>; Jody <Wel...@i3detroit.org>
Subject: Re: [i3detroit-public] “Weekend” welding classes in Detroit area?

 

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[samb...@gmail.com]

I would be interested in something like this and I know of at least one other person who might be, maybe two. I have a project coming up that I would really like to learn solid, basic welding skills to make.

Sam McMyler

On Jun 22, 2026, at 1:41 PM, Timothy Massey <tma...@modernmerchant.com> wrote:

 Here’s a reply I sent that better describes what I’m looking for, that might help others to have some ideas, too:

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/i3detroit-public/16546226-B3DC-4288-A9ED-05BB387824AF%40modernmerchant.com.

[Timothy Massey]

lol!

I’ve started a movement! Or at least identified a market.

Can’t wait to see where this goes… :)

Tim Massey

Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 22, 2026, at 2:35 PM, 'klemon ospmain.com' via i3 Detroit Public <i3detroi...@googlegroups.com> wrote:



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[Timothy Massey]

Oh, and just to outline a little more about what I’m looking for:

Like I said, in my original email, I’m looking for a two or three day event. An all day sort of thing. Welding in the morning. Stop for a lunch. Welding in the afternoon. Stop for beer. :-)

I’m looking for this to be a bit of an event. For example, my daughter and wife went away for a three day artist retreat. Laid-back, relaxed, enjoyable. But three days focused around art.

I’m looking to create exactly the same thing for my son and I. Certainly about enjoyment and accomplishment, but with a strong theme of skill building.

Like I said, finding a one or two hour class that happens one day a week for several weeks is fairly easy to find. But that’s more about acquiring skills. Like I said, I’m looking to create an experience. And having the impact of a few days to really immerse and enjoy.

I wasn’t really looking for someone to try to craft a class around my needs, though I certainly would be quite interested in that!  I have found such things, but they we’re quite far away: Colorado, California, Seattle, etc.  I would actually be quite willing to travel even a few hundred miles for such a thing. It would make it even more of an event! :-)  

I just figured that if there were a group of people who might have the experience to know if such a thing as available, I’d probably find it here.

Again, thank you all very much for your interest in my little idea. I really appreciate it.

Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 22, 2026, at 2:44 PM, Timothy Massey <tma...@modernmerchant.com> wrote:

 lol!

[Raiford, Jody]

Ok, since y'all want to keep it on the list, we'll play here until a mod yells at us. Been a while since I posted this publicly anyway.

I offer an Intro to Welding class that's 3 hours of safety, science and practice. I recommend you take that, and if you feel like you need more, I'm willing to book additional classes or guided practice at an hourly rate.

I will say, I'm no longer a professional CWI (certified welding instructor), so if you're looking for a career, I'd recommend taking a formal course at a college, even if you come to i3 to practice. But that doesn't sound like what you are looking for, anyway, at least not right now.

The way I schedule my classes is like this: 

• Someone emails wel...@i3detroit.org requesting a class. 
• We play "schedule ping pong" to pick a date. 
• If it's less than 3 people (and the student is ok with it), I'll open it up for a couple more students. 
• I ask a $10 materials fee and an if-you-can-afford-it recommended contribution of $50, per student. Sliding scale, pay what you can, we'll work it out. (Some folks pay more so that we can do this; feel free to pay more if you can and like this idea; all funds go to welding zone.)
• Gear is provided, though I recommend bringing your own safety glasses and, if you're sensitive to fumes or odors, your own n95.
• Use of the welding zone is around $5/hr. Less of you're just using a hammer or if you're welding using your own consumables, more if you're doing a lot of welding and using shop supplies for it. User discretion, but if we can't afford to keep the zone open then oh well.

So, who's going to email wel...@i3detroit.org and get the ball rolling? I don't book a class until I have at least one confirmed student, and classes fill up fast, so if you just sit back and wait you takes your chances.

Jody

Welding Zone coordinator 

i3detroit 

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/i3detroit-public/9039FB07-F4D8-423D-84BE-EF1F87A7FCBF%40gmail.com.

[Raiford, Jody]

So that's an interesting concept, of doing a mini welding conference...

I'll give it some thought and see if anything makes sense. Maybe we should have a brainstorming session sometime, see if we can't come up with some ideas. 

If you have some links to similar events happening elsewhere, maybe we can crib some inspiration.

Jody 

-probably don't want to spam the very large public list with that, though! Come chat in Slack #welding or else we can make a mini-list for interested parties. But this list goes to THOUSANDS of people, most of whom are not interested in this topic.

[Timothy Massey]

I will, except I’m not a member. I’m on this list because I used to live in Royal Oak. Now I live in Shelton Township. It’s too far to use the maker space, but I like feeling connected. :)

I don’t know what the membership cost is. I don’t remember it being substantial, and would not have a problem if I were required to join.

But just in case, I’m going to forward this email! I am a definite two.

Given that I’m local enough, I would have no problem with doing the safety class, then possibly scheduling a two day type thing.  Ideally, I would do it all at once. But I think, Jody, that we can discuss off-line.

Tim Massey

Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 22, 2026, at 3:04 PM, Raiford, Jody <jody.r...@i3detroit.org> wrote:



To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/i3detroit-public/CADdc9-36dYPCP95L1Sw7tgM-nHEu1i8xFdXKqd4gj0Bv3Cs1%2BQ%40mail.gmail.com.

[Raiford, Jody]

I will throw in, you don't have to be a member to take my classes, nor to use the equipment (though for the latter you will need to arrange someone to sign you in ahead of time.)

Also, if you'd like to join slack as a guest, hit me up and I can facilitate that.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/i3detroit-public/C5830B82-F76C-41F5-B56C-841643330365%40modernmerchant.com.

[Timothy Massey]

On Jun 22, 2026, at 3:18 PM, Raiford, Jody <jody.r...@i3detroit.org> wrote:

> -probably don't want to spam the very large public list with that, though! Come chat in Slack #welding or else we can make a mini-list for interested parties. But this list goes to THOUSANDS of people, most of whom are not interested in this topic.

Understood. That’s why I’ve stayed subscribed to this list for so long even though I’m now out in Shelby Township: it’s low volume yet still keeps me connected. I don’t wanna be the guy that ruins that!

So, just to let everybody else know: I’m going to start communicating with Jody directly. If there are other people who have thoughts and ideas separate from Jody, please feel free to email me: I’m certainly looking to pursue any opportunity.

Again, thank you for letting me hang out!

Tim Massey

[doumkatek Z]

I'd be interested in this kind of class too.  It's hard to commit to a slot on multiple weeks, but a one off couple hours or so would work for me.  I don't have any particular reason to learn it though.  

[Petur Gislason]

Hi, 

I took Jody's ~3hr intro course a while back.  It was solid-- gets you making a few different kind of welds by the time it's done and then it's up to you to practice.  Also, it's free.

I'm interested in the mini-conference if you guys put something together.

Also, I'm getting ads from an outfit called "Eastwood University" that offers intro welding, automotive painting, and other skilled trades intro courses for about $100.  I believe they are virtual-- I have not taken one but they might be worth checking out.

Regards,

Petur Gislason

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[doumkatek Z]

Seems like for something like welding or auto painting you'd really need an in-person Hands-On class unless you just happen to be sitting on all the equipment and not knowing how to use it

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/i3detroit-public/CADcySRVg3eD9u%3DT4N9vJNPxZo%2B6tFZZPCLeGCBX8oOfbFrEigw%40mail.gmail.com.

[Russ Herschler]

I took Jody's 3 hour workshop and Iit was great. Learned the basics and now have my own welding unit.

Russ H

On Mon, Jun 22, 2026 at 11:03 AM Timothy Massey <tma...@modernmerchant.com> wrote:

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[MICHAEL]

Hello Tim, what type of welding are you guys looking to learn? I'm pretty involved in the welding world and I might be open to help get you guys going.

Thanks

-Michael Lahrman

Kavonikov Customs\

On Mon, Jun 22, 2026 at 11:03 AM Timothy Massey <tma...@modernmerchant.com> wrote:

[Timothy Massey]

On Jun 22, 2026, at 7:46 PM, MICHAEL <resd...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello Tim, what type of welding are you guys looking to learn? I'm pretty involved in the welding world and I might be open to help get you guys going.

Thanks

-Michael Lahrman

Kavonikov Customs

Someone else from Kavonikov Customs also emailed me!  What a generous group you are!

After a bunch more thinking and talking to others, I came up with a better description of what I’m looking for. I sent my description to the i3 list, but in case you missed it, I’m including what I wrote below.

The idea I have come up with might not be at all what you were thinking about, and I would completely understand that. But if that does sound like something that is interesting to you, please let me know! Either way, I really appreciate you getting in touch with your offer. Thank you very much.

Tim Massey

Hello! 

tl;dr:  If you are an experienced welder who would be willing to spend a morning to teach a small group of interested students, please get in touch with me, even if you don’t know exactly what you would teach or how you would do it.  And if you are a person who would like to learn how to weld over a couple of days please get in touch with me!  Read below for all of the details of what I am trying to put together.

With all of your help, I’ve been able to do a little more planning. So here is the concept I have come up with.  An evening safety class, followed by two days of welding training and exploration. In the morning, instructor-led training and guidance; in the afternoon, independent work on a specific project. Something like this:

FRIDAY 

Evening: Welding safety class (standard i3 offering)

SATURDAY

Morning: Instructor guided Basic/Practical welding techniques

Afternoon: Student independent work

SUNDAY

Morning: Instructor guided Expanded/Artistic welding techniques 

Afternoon: Student independent work

In order to put this together, I need two things:

1. Experienced welders who want to teach others
2. People who want to learn from experienced welders!

I think the hardest thing to find will be experienced welders who want to teach others.  Even very experienced welders might be intimidated by the idea of teaching an hours-long session of random strangers.  So, to help with that, I’ve thrown together a *very* rough idea of what that might look like.  Remember, I know nothing about welding, so this might not make that much sense.  But it might give you enough of an idea of what I’m thinking of to make it easy for you to figure out what I actually need. And more importantly, that you will have no problem giving it to us! :-)

BASIC/PRACTICAL WELDING

     Instructor led:

Overview of welding techniques: arc, inert gas, torch, etc.

Filler material choices

Temperature, current, voltage, etc. choices

Surface preparation, surface preparation and more surface preparation!

     Instructor guided, student performed:

Weld a box (with different techniques?)

     Student independent project:

Weld a stool/table/barbecue/third hands/desk organizer 

(or maybe all of that is too much, and we simply need to finish welding our box)

EXPANDED/ARTISTIC WELDING 

     Instructor led:

Dissimilar metals

Overly thin/thick materials

Torch welding/cutting/brazing

Issues with found/scrounged/recycled material

Creative ways of using material

Techniques for attractive (not just functional) welds

     Instructor guided, student performed:

Weld a small sculpture: dog/turtle/bicycle

     Student independent project:

Weld a lamp stand / sign / birdhouse (or another sculpture!)

If you are an experienced welder, what do you have to do?  Let’s say 2 hours telling and showing what you already know, and 2 hours helping us to do what you just showed us.  4 hours total.  (If you *want* to stick around for the afternoon after a very fun and tasty lunch, that’s great, but all you have to do is the morning!)  That’s it!  Hopefully, I can find two people: all you need is one weekend morning. And I will *absolutely* help you to figure out how to put together a plan for that morning if you aren’t quite sure.

If that sounds interesting to you, please get in touch.   Let me know what such a session would cost, and any ideas you might have for what it looks like or what projects you would recommend.  I am excited to hear your ideas! 

And now, for those of us who don’t know how to weld but would like to learn how, what do you need to do? Your job is simple: get in touch with me! I’d like to have an idea of whether a weekend long session like this would work for you, and what you would reasonably be willing to pay for such a session. Obviously there will need to be a cost to pay for the instructors’ time, the materials we will need, as well as any fees that I three will need to host us.

Again, please get in touch. Any feedback is appreciated. And in order to keep the traffic down for those who aren’t interested, please get in touch with me directly. Feel free to reply to me directly via email, or feel free to text: 586-945-8796. I look forward to hearing from you.

Tim Massey