When John Lopez sought to make a memorial for his beloved aunt who died in a tragic accident, he looked past the materials he typically used for bronze sculpting casting. Lopez used his uncle’s welding shop and a series of found materials, mostly scrap iron, to build a family cemetery. However, the welding project only sparked a greater interest in working with found metal.
Lopez began welding found materials together in order to make sculptures for the South Dakota prairie. In addition, he has added bronze casting elements into each piece, creating a series of unique sculptures that have won over many fans. As his art evolves around each found item, Lopez shares, “I am never bored!”
Whether you’re looking for a welding job or training in a welding program, there are plenty of opportunities and success stories in this week’s welding news round-up:
Welding Industry
Welder Opens Small Welding Shop in West Virginia: “John Harmon decided to return to his earlier profession and as his own boss. The Bluewell, W.Va., native is the owner/operator of Wythe Custom Welding Inc.
‘This is a modern day blacksmith shop,’ Harmon proudly stated earlier this week. ‘We weld everything here from farm tractors to lawn furniture.’ While that is true, the majority of Harmon’s business comes from making mining equipment parts. Volvo and American France (fire truck manufacturers) are also among his customers.”
Fort Myers, FL Welding Company Expands Capacity: “Fusion Welding in Fort Myers has purchased two industrial machines that significantly enhance the company’s metalworking capacity and job turnaround time, announced operations manager Darin Beaner. Earlier this year Fusion acquired another industrial machine, investing upwards of $500,000 collectively.”
Welding Education
Iowa Welders Take Part in Program’s First Welding Course: “Eight area community members graduated from the Welding Career Pathway Certificate program at the Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Regional Academy for Math and Science (RAMS) and Oelwein Center on June 4. The students participated in the first welding certificate program to be offered by NICC in Oelwein.”
Summer Welding Course Offered in Upstate NY: “Seaway Tech BOCES is offering a summer welding course. Welding 1 will be held July 14 to Aug. 18 on Mondays and Tuesdays from 5 to 9 p.m.
Students will be introduced to oxy-fuel, cutting, welding, brazing and welding symbol and blueprint reading. It also covers basic metallurgy, hand tool use and basic repair, safety training and introduction to plasma cutting.”
Welding Jobs
Welding Expands to Allendale County, S.C.: Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding division is donating training resources to the Southern Carolina Regional Development Alliance for a welding program in Allendale County, S.C.
The SCA’s Advanced Manufacturing Skills Training Program has already provided 47 students with welding training, and the SCA is now working to expand the program by implementing curricula developed and used by Newport News Shipbuilding. Newport News representatives presented the training materials to the SCA June 25. A shipyard welding instructor will work with the training facility to implement the curricula.
Welding Gone Wrong
Welding Sparks Fire at Johnny Rocket’s: “A Johnny Rockets restaurant at Knott’s Berry Farm suffered “extensive” damage because of a two-alarm fire early Wednesday.
The fire broke out around 2:20 a.m and the flames were under control within the hour, according to Capt. Steve Concialdi of the Orange County Fire Association. No one was injured by the fire that consumed the two-story burger joint at the Buena Park theme park.
