About

This is a three session class aimed at beginners and novices. No previous welding experience is necessary. If you are experienced and want to build your own furniture please let Henry Sharp or Carla Grahn know and we can put together a more advanced class.

This class will focus on the fundamentals of furniture fabrication from design through construction. The teaching project will be a small table very similar to the pictures (but with a wood inset top).

These are fundamentals that you will use over and over. They include:

• Basic design and feasibility
• Using measuring tools effectively,
• Making a mitered box out of angle iron or tubing,
• Squaring it up,
• Using clamps and jigs,
• Determining how and where to weld for structural integrity, 
• Preparing for the weld,
• Putting it together step by step,
• Grinding 
• There will also be a discussion of finishing and embellishments.

This class includes material similar BARN's MIG #1, #2, #3 and #4 and is an ample introduction to welding with the added satisfaction of completion of a nice project.  An inset wood top is included in the project.  DIY for those who want to or directly assisted for those who do not. See OPTIONAL session below.

• In session one of this class you will do design, cutting, learn basic welding skills and create the top frame.
• In session two of this class you will be focusing on clamping, welding and abrasives.
• You have the option of cutting a wood top for your table by attending a morning session in our woodshop (from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM) to prepare the wood top. Assistance will be provided for students who haven’t taken the tool safety checkout classes required for use of specific tools in the woodshop. You will then return to the welding studio in the afternoon to complete clamping, welding and working with abrasives. 

  The BARN woodworking studio will be available for making wooden inserts. 

Assisted studios are available to finish projects if necessary. Please see our calendar.

• Personal Protection Equipment will be provided by BARN.
• A $25 materials fee for steel, gas, filler wire and abrasive discs is included in the price of class.  A choice of three species of wood for the tops is included.
• Students must wear natural fiber clothing, long sleeves and long pants, closed toe shoes (preferably leather or cotton), no stretch fabrics. 

Instructor Bio:  Carla Grahn has a 30 year history of metalwork and mixed media, including; sculpture, furniture, installations and sites-specific architectural pieces, both public and private.  She has been teaching Creative Metalworking and Introduction to Welding at Pratt Fine Arts, Seattle for 23 years. Her style is broad and she thrives on discovering/exploring new techniques and combinations of materials. Her work is visible on her web site:  
www.carlagrahn.com