Air Liquide Welding Classes

During our search for a new welder, we got to know some of the Air Liquide dealers quite well. During one of our discussions, they offered to put on a welding seminar for users of the BC4x4.COM message board (http://bb.bc4x4.com). The first course turned out to be an over whelming success but due to the high attendance, some people had to be turned away. This resulted in a second seminar that was put on a few months later. As with the first course, the attendees learned basic welding theory in a classroom setting followed by practical hands-on experience using Air Liquide welders and various types of gases. As an added bonus, Air Liquide arranged to have Eric Hiltunen, of Hypertherm, Inc., give instruction and a practical demonstration of plasma cutting for the second course. Everyone was amazed by the plasma cutting equipment. The attendees of the first and second classes were unanimous in their praise for the class. They learned a lot (including some certified welders who attended) and were pleasantly surprised when they discovered that the seminar was not a thinly disguised sales pitch.

The day started with a presentation on GMAW (generally known as MIG) welding by Rob St. Jean.	Next, Eric Hiltunen of Hypertherm explained the theory and operation of plasma cutting. He also taught us what to look for when buying a plasma cutter (durable consumables!).	Pizza and pop in Air Liquide's lunch room.
After lunch, we went out into the yard where the demonstration trailer was parked. Welding tables were set up both inside and outside the trailer.	Here's Rob St. Jean giving a demonstration of the spray arc welding method. If you haven't heard of it before, it's well worth the class just to try it out.	Rob chats with some of the participants in the demonstration trailer. The trailer contains three welding booths on its left side.
One of the BC4x4 board members tries his hand at welding aluminum with the Air Liquide SG300 spool gun.	Jo-jo Poole shows his expertise at TIG welding.	Eric Hiltunen amazed everyone with the abilities of the Hypertherm PowerMax 600 plasma cutter.
Making complicated cuts was a piece of cake with the Hypertherm plasma cutter.

If you ever get the opportunity to attend one of Liquide Air's seminars, by all means take it! I guarantee that you will learn something new.

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