Learning to weld: big ideas, no skills
I've already done a lot with wood. Now it's time for metal. I want to learn how to weld so that I can build my own furniture. Step 1: the course enrolment.
Spattering sparks light up the dark room around me. Glistening heat slowly snakes up my arms. My vision is obscured. Only occasionally do I recognise bright flashes. The cold material coalesces in front of me, slowly taking shape. Two more seams and I finally have my self-created shelf in front of me.
I imagine welding to be something like this. If everything goes smoothly. Because I've never used the process before. In general, I haven't practised much metalworking yet. But I've been fascinated by it for a long time. On the one hand, there's the fire factor. The blazing flames, which change colour depending on the temperature, have fascinated me since I was a child. Then there is the pride of having created something myself. A feeling that my father instilled in me through his didactic DIY courses. And last but not least, I like challenges and learning something new.
The project
I'm imagining self-welded picture frames, a wine rack or maybe even a filigree lamp - at some point. My first project is a black metal shelf for the living room. 130 centimetres high, 30 centimetres deep, 110 centimetres wide. If everything goes well, three of these modules will end up adorning an entire wall. I mainly want them to hold my books. Perhaps also one or two decorative (alcoholic) souvenirs from my holiday. At the top of the frame, I can see colourful dried flowers in antiquated vases.
The design is ready. In my head and on paper. Only the necessary dexterity is still missing. That's why I signed up for a metalworking course. Step one on the steep path to becoming a metalworker. Once I've completed the course, I'll be allowed to use the equipment in the open workshop freely. I'll have to, because I'm supposed to bring my shelf to the course as an idea, but it won't be finalised there.
Are you excited to see how I do in welding? Me too. I'll tell you all about my experiences in the next article. Follow me as the author with the black button below so you don't miss any part of this odyssey.
Header image: Me in a few weeks (symbol image).
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My life in a nutshell? On a quest to broaden my horizon. I love discovering and learning new skills and I see a chance to experience something new in everything – be it travelling, reading, cooking, movies or DIY.
