Learn in a real world environment.
Gear Included
Courses include all books, equipment, and safety gear.
Flexible Options
Seven classes to choose from.
Small Class Sizes
Personalized instruction in a small group setting.
Abtrex School of Welding: Training for Your Future
At our South Bend, Indiana location, Abtrex Industries School of Welding offers a range of welding classes designed to meet your career goals. Whether you’re looking to take a single class or complete a full course of study, our programs provide the hands-on training and certifications you need to succeed in the welding industry.
Training Process
Our welding school offers flexible scheduling with two classes available each week, either Monday-Wednesday or Tuesday-Thursday, from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM ET. Each course runs for a total of 8 weeks, providing an ideal balance of classroom instruction and practical, hands-on welding experience in our fully equipped fabrication shop.
- Classroom Training: Your day begins with about an hour of bookwork, where you’ll study the Welding Principles and Applications (8th Edition) by Larry Jeffus. Here, you’ll dive into important topics such as identifying welding symbols, reading blueprints, and understanding core welding principles, all tailored to the course level you’re enrolled in. Additionally, you’ll access Miller’s open-book digital training to enhance your learning experience.
- Hands-On Training: After the classroom session, you’ll spend the rest of the day in the shop perfecting your welding techniques. You’ll practice different types of welds, joints, and positions, honing your skills throughout the course. Toward the end, you’ll have the opportunity to create a small personal project using the new skills you’ve learned.
Upon completing the class, you’ll receive a Certificate of Completion, with further certifications available by passing specialized tests.
Small Class Sizes for Personalized Learning
At Abtrex School of Welding, we believe in providing focused, high-quality instruction. That’s why we limit our class sizes to just six students or fewer. This small group setting ensures you receive the personalized attention you deserve, with more time for hands-on training and one-on-one guidance from our expert instructors.
Course Costs
We offer a total of 7 different classes each priced at $1,500.00. This fee includes access to all necessary books, welding equipment, and safety gear to complete the course successfully.
While books are provided for use during the course, they remain the property of the school. If you’d like to keep the materials for future reference, they can be purchased at the current replacement value.
Payment Options: You can pay by check, money order, or credit card (with a 3% transaction fee for credit card payments).
Let Abtrex Industries School of Welding be your first step toward mastering the skills and earning the certifications that open doors in the welding industry. Join us at our South Bend location and start building your future today!
Learn More About Each Class
Apply Online
Welding School Documents
This institution is regulated by:
Office for Career and Technical Schools
10 N Senate Avenue, Suite SE 308
Indianapolis IN 46204
OCTS@dwd.in.gov
http://www.in.gov/dwd/2731.htm
Welding School Classes
Each course consists of 80 hours. Click on a course name below for detailed information.
WELD 100 – Welding Processes
Course Description:
WELD 100 offers a comprehensive introduction to fundamental welding techniques and processes. In this course, students will gain hands-on experience with essential welding practices while also learning important topics such as blueprint reading, welding safety, joint design, welding terminology, and quality control. Designed to prepare students for both further welding education and a successful welding career, this course combines classroom learning with practical lab time in a real-world welding environment.
Course Objectives:
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Understand and interpret welding symbols and blueprints.
- Use proper AWS (American Welding Society) Standard Welding Terms and Definitions.
- Identify the five basic types of welding joints.
- Recognize common welding defects and discontinuities.
- Interpret and understand Weld Procedure Specifications (WPS) and their importance.
- Demonstrate proficiency in Oxy-Fuel cutting and Plasma Arc cutting techniques.
- Understand the fundamental uses of GMAW, SMAW, and GTAW welding processes.
- Identify and understand basic welding positions.
Course Content:
Key topics covered in this course include:
- Effective communication using common welding terminology
- Safety practices for portable powered tools and hand tools
- Recordkeeping and enforcement of welding safety regulations
- Proper storage of fuel gas and high-pressure gas cylinders
- Electrical fundamentals related to welding
- Flammable materials storage and safety guidelines
- Introduction to the ANSI/ASC Z49.1 Code for welding safety
WELD 108 – Shielded Metal Arc Welding I
Course Description:
Weld 108 focuses on the foundational principles of Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), also known as stick welding. In this course, students will gain hands-on experience with electric welding equipment, covering key techniques in welding safety, joint design, heat control, and electrode manipulation. You’ll develop the skills needed to perform single and multipass welds in various positions, using both AC and DC currents, while learning to identify welding electrodes and interpret AWS classifications.
Course Objectives:
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate proficiency in electric welding equipment safety.
- Identify the five basic welding joints and their applications.
- Understand the effects of heat input and metal distortion during welding.
- Describe the key capabilities of electric welding equipment.
- Perform welding with both AC and DC currents.
- Prepare and tack weld welding coupons.
- Make effective single and multipass welds.
- Weld in the flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions.
- Identify SMAW electrodes and explain the AWS electrode classification system.
- Explain DC straight and reverse polarity.
- Master proper electrode manipulation techniques for different electrodes.
- Apply the correct welding techniques for each position and electrode type.
Course Content:
The course covers a wide range of important topics, including:
- AWS electrode identification codes and classifications
- Visual acceptance criteria for weldments based on the AWS D1.1 Structural Steel Code
- Understanding polarities and currents in welding
- Base metal identification, specifically for various types of steel
- Duty cycle of welding machines
- Identifying and preventing weld defects and discontinuities
- The basics of a Welding Procedure Specification (WPS)
- Comprehensive welding safety practices
- Weld joint geometry and design principles
- Techniques for creating weld bevels by hand and machine
- Proper hand manipulation techniques for different weld types and positions
WELD 206 – Shielded Metal Arc Welding II
Course Description:
Weld 206 builds upon the skills learned in the introductory SMAW course, focusing on groove-type butt and fillet welds. This advanced course provides extensive hands-on practice to refine your welding techniques while ensuring safe use of SMAW equipment. You’ll also explore key concepts such as current and polarity variations, magnetic arc blow control, and AWS code compliance for high-quality welds. Safety hazards and best practices in arc welding remain a central focus throughout the course.
Course Objectives:
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Describe the differences between AC, DC reverse, and DC straight polarities.
- Safely operate SMAW equipment with an emphasis on safety protocols.
- Explain the AWS electrode identification system for the SMAW process.
- Perform fillet welds on stainless steel plates (21-bead multipass) in the horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions.
- Control magnetic arc blow during DC welding of groove welds.
- Prepare and tack groove welds according to AWS D1.1 Structural Steel Code requirements.
- Perform stainless groove welds as per AWS and ASME codes, across all welding positions.
- Understand the impact of heat input, metal warpage, and distortion.
- Describe both destructive and non-destructive testing methods used in weld quality evaluation.
Course Content:
The course will cover the following topics:
- AWS electrode identification codes and proper usage
- Visual acceptance criteria for welds, based on the AWS D1.1 Structural Steel Code
- Polarities and currents and their effects on welding performance
- Base metal identification for various types of steel
- Understanding and calculating the duty cycle of SMAW equipment
- Identifying and preventing common weld defects and discontinuities
- Interpretation of Welding Procedure Specification (WPS) documents
- Advanced welding safety protocols
- Weld joint geometry for optimal design and strength
- Techniques for creating weld bevels both by hand and with machines
- Mastering hand manipulation techniques for various weld types and positions
WELD 207 – Gas Metal Arc (MIG) Welding
Course Description:
Weld 207 dives into the exciting world of Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), commonly known as MIG welding. This course explores various GMAW processes, including microwire, flux-core, inner shield, and submerged arc welding, with a primary focus on metal inert gas welding techniques. Students will gain practical experience welding in all positions on metals of varying thicknesses, developing versatility and skill in MIG welding.
Course Objectives:
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Implement safe practices essential to gas metal arc welding.
- Describe the principles behind constant voltage and wire feed welding processes.
- Execute welding with hard wire using both short circuit and spray transfer methods.
- Identify the various gases used in gas metal arc welding and their specific applications.
- Perform routine maintenance on GMAW equipment to ensure optimal performance.
- Recognize and describe the five basic types of welding joints.
Course Content:
The course encompasses a range of important topics, including:
- Shielding gases utilized in GMAW processes
- Troubleshooting techniques for GMA power sources and feeders
- Understanding metal transfer methods in GMAW
- AWS structural steel visual acceptance criteria for weld quality
- Comprehensive safety practices specific to GMA welding
- Identification and prevention of common welding defects and discontinuities
WELD 208 – Gas Tungsten Arc (TIG) Welding
Course Description:
Weld 208 introduces students to the fundamentals of Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), commonly known as TIG welding. This course provides comprehensive instruction on the principles and techniques of GTAW, emphasizing precision and control in the welding process. Students will learn how to expertly navigate the complexities of TIG welding and its applications across various metals.
Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Understand and implement safety procedures and practices essential in the welding industry.
- Identify and explain the function of each component within a GTAW station.
- Specify and classify GTAW electrodes using the AWS electrode classification system.
- Specify and classify GTAW filler metals using the AWS filler metal classification system.
- Understand how DCEN, DCEP, and AC current influence electrode life, surface cleaning, and overall weld characteristics.
- Name the shielding gases used in GTAW, detailing their properties and applications.
- Select the appropriate power source, current type, shielding gas, flow rate, electrode type and diameter, nozzle size, and filler metal for successful welding.
- Properly assemble and adjust all variables necessary to produce high-quality GTA welds.
- Prepare tungsten electrodes for welding using either AC or DC current.
- Gain a basic understanding of square wave and pulse welding technologies and their relevance to GTAW.
- Properly prepare base metals for effective welding.
- Identify various weld defects and outline strategies to prevent them.
- Understand welding symbols and their application in shop drawings.
- Learn about different joint configurations and their impact on weld strength.
- Describe welding characteristics for materials such as Mild Steel, Stainless Steel, Aluminum, and other weldable metals.
- Demonstrate welding techniques on a variety of metal types.
Course Content:
Key topics covered in this course include:
- Shielding gases used in GTA welding
- AWS color and identification code for tungsten electrodes
- AWS filler metal classification and its significance
- Techniques for preparing tungsten electrodes for welding
- Identification of weld defects and discontinuities
- AWS visual acceptance criteria for weld quality
- Aluminum base metal identification and preparation methods
- Cleaning and preparing aluminum for welding processes
WELD 272 – Gas Metal (MIG) Welding II
Course Description:
Weld 272 offers a comprehensive exploration of advanced skills and essential knowledge in Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW). Tailored for intermediate to advanced welders and fabricators, this course prepares students for welder certification while emphasizing the importance of safe practices throughout the welding process.
Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be equipped to:
- Demonstrate proper safety procedures specific to Gas Metal Arc Welding.
- Understand and apply AWS Standard Welding Terms and Definitions.
- Execute smooth and consistent weld restarts using GMAW with short circuiting transfer equipment on mild steel.
- Perform lap and tee joint welds in vertical up, vertical down, and overhead positions using GMAW with short circuiting transfer equipment on mild steel.
- Execute square groove welds using GMAW with short circuiting transfer equipment on mild steel in vertical up, vertical down, and overhead positions.
- Carry out lap and tee joint welds on thick mild steel in flat and horizontal positions using GMAW with spray equipment.
- Perform V-groove welds on thick mild steel in the flat position using GMAW with spray equipment.
- Execute lap, tee, and groove welds on aluminum using GMAW equipment.
- Understand Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) and demonstrate the ability to follow them accurately.
- Grasp the basic metallurgical properties of steel and aluminum and their reactions to the welding process.
- Comprehend the significance of suffixes in GMAW electrode selection.
- Prepare to create a workmanship sample weldment for GMAW based on AWS-provided prints, with those meeting AWS standards eligible for AWS SENSE certification.
- Gain insights into the certification process for AWS welders.
Course Content:
Key topics covered in this course include:
- NCGA (National Cylinder Gas Association) Code
- Safety devices and color codes for welding equipment
- Check valve devices and their functions
- AWS (American Welding Society) filler material codes
- ANSI/ASC Z49.1 Code for welding safety
- Brazing filler materials and their applications
- Selection of cutting and welding tips
- Fluxes used in various welding processes
- Understanding welding symbols and their significance
- Identifying weld defects and discontinuities
WELD 273 – Gas Tungsten Arc Welding II
Course Description:
Weld 273 is designed to enhance advanced skills and knowledge in Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW). This course targets intermediate welders, auto service and body technicians, as well as professionals in the HVAC industry. Emphasizing safe practices, the course delves into advanced techniques in GTAW.
Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate proper safety procedures specific to Gas Tungsten Arc Welding.
- Familiarize themselves with AWS Standard Welding Terms and Definitions.
- Effectively set up and shut down a Gas Tungsten Arc welding station, ensuring safety and efficiency.
- Select the appropriate electrode and nozzle size based on project requirements.
- Understand and accurately follow Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS).
- Conduct destruction testing on welds to evaluate quality and integrity.
- Master proper techniques for preparing tungsten electrodes.
- Execute the balling technique for tungsten electrodes in preparation for aluminum welding.
- Gain insights into the AWS welder certification process.
- Practice welding while adhering to WPS and instructor guidelines.
- Perform lap, T, and square groove welds on 10-gauge steel using wire.
- Execute lap, T, and square groove welds on 10-gauge stainless steel.
- Complete lap and T welds on 10-gauge aluminum.
- Create workmanship sample prints for steel, stainless steel, and aluminum.
Course Content:
Key topics covered in this course include:
- NCGA (National Cylinder Gas Association) Code
- Safety devices and color coding in welding
- Check valve devices and their importance
- AWS (American Welding Society) filler material code
- ANSI/ASC Z49.1 Code for welding safety
- Brazing filler materials and their uses
- Selection of cutting and welding tips
- Various fluxes used in welding processes
- Understanding welding symbols and their significance
- Identifying weld defects and discontinuities
