Welding Foundations - From Tools to Your First Weld

In this free introductory welding class, you’ll get a real-world look at how professional welders actually start from the ground up. Led by industry fabricator Vince Colaiacovo of Keystone Metal Company, you’ll learn how experienced welders think about materials, preparation, and foundational stick welding techniques used in real fabrication environments.

Meet Your Instructor Vince Colaiacovo

Vince Colaiacovo is a fabricator and welder at Keystone Metal Company with over 14 years of hands-on experience in the trade. His work spans precision welding, metal repair, and custom fabrication across a wide range of materials and applications. He has extensive experience in both TIG and MIG welding, along with practical stick welding for heavier-duty and outdoor work. Throughout his career, Vince has worked with materials including chromoly, titanium, and a broad range of structural and specialty metals, bringing real-world shop experience into every lesson.
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What You'll Learn

  • Where to buy steel and avoid over paying
  • Local Supplier vs Online vs Big Box Stores
  • Removing mill scale, oil, paint, and contamination
  • Stick Welding Fundamentals
  • When and why stick welding is used
  • Understanding electrode types
  • How to strike and maintain a stable arc
  • Proper travel angle, speed, and technique
  • Step-by-step weld demonstrations: Flat weld, Butt joint, Lap joint, Tee joint and Corner joint