Sheet Metal Worker Training

Lesson 1 • Reading Basic Shop Drawings

Teaches interpretation of orthographic views, dimensions, and symbols on shop drawings. Blueprint literacy is required for all fabrication tasks ahead.

Lesson 2 • Workplace Safety and Hazard Awareness

Introduces safety regulations, personal protective equipment, and hazard identification. Safe habits established here underpin every hands-on chapter.

Lesson 3 • Introduction to the Sheet Metal Trade

Covers the history, scope, and career pathways of sheet metal work. Establishes context for all subsequent technical training.

Lesson 4 • Sheet Metal Materials Overview

Examines common metals, their properties, and selection criteria for different applications. Material knowledge informs cutting, forming, and joining decisions throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • Layout Tools and Marking Methods

Introduces scribers, squares, protractors, and chalk lines for transferring measurements to metal. Accurate layout prevents material waste and rework.

Lesson 2 • Radial Line Pattern Development

Covers radial line development for cones and pyramids. Mastery enables fabrication of tapered fittings used in HVAC and architectural work.

Lesson 3 • Precision Measurement Techniques

Covers rules, tapes, calipers, and micrometers for accurate measurement. Precision here directly affects fit and finish in all fabricated parts.

Lesson 4 • Parallel Line Pattern Development

Teaches the parallel line method for developing flat patterns of prisms and cylinders. Students produce stretchout patterns ready for cutting and forming.

Lesson 5 • Geometric Construction Principles

Applies geometric constructions—bisecting angles, drawing arcs, and dividing lines—to layout work. These skills are the basis for all pattern development.

Lesson 1 • Power Shear and Nibbler Operation

Covers electric and pneumatic shears and nibblers for high-volume cutting. Students learn setup, feed rates, and safe operating procedures.

Lesson 2 • Cutting Quality and Inspection

Establishes standards for cut quality, including squareness, burr height, and dimensional accuracy. Inspection skills connect cutting to downstream fabrication steps.

Lesson 3 • Plasma Cutting Fundamentals

Introduces plasma arc cutting for fast, precise cuts on ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Safe setup and torch technique are emphasized.

Lesson 4 • Manual Cutting with Snips and Shears

Demonstrates straight, curved, and combination cuts using hand snips and bench shears. Proper technique minimizes distortion and burr formation.

Lesson 1 • Hand Brake and Box-and-Pan Brake Operation

Covers setup, adjustment, and operation of hand brakes and box-and-pan brakes for straight and box bends. Proper clamping and back-gauge use ensure repeatability.

Lesson 2 • Press Brake Fundamentals

Introduces hydraulic and mechanical press brakes for high-precision bending. Students learn tooling selection, tonnage calculation, and safe operation.

Lesson 3 • Roll Forming and Slip Rolling

Teaches use of slip rolls and roll-forming machines to produce cylinders, cones, and curved panels. Roller gap and feed angle control the resulting radius.

Lesson 4 • Folding, Hemming, and Edge Stiffening

Covers folding machine operation and hand-forming techniques for hems, flanges, and stiffening beads. Edge treatment improves part strength and safety.

Lesson 1 • Clinching and Staking Methods

Introduces tool-free clinching and staking for joining sheet metal without fasteners. These methods are common in high-volume fabrication environments.

Lesson 2 • Sheet Metal Seam Types and Applications

Identifies grooved, Pittsburgh, snap-lock, and standing seams and their structural roles. Seam selection affects both strength and airtightness of assemblies.

Lesson 3 • Sheet Metal Screws and Clips

Teaches selection and installation of self-tapping screws, drive clips, and S-clips for duct and panel assembly. Fastener torque and spacing affect joint performance.

Lesson 4 • Riveting Techniques and Rivet Selection

Covers solid and blind rivet installation for permanent mechanical joints. Correct rivet size, spacing, and edge distance ensure joint integrity.

Lesson 1 • TIG Welding for Precision Joints

Introduces TIG welding for stainless steel, aluminum, and decorative sheet metal work. Precise heat control and filler rod technique produce clean, high-quality welds.

Lesson 2 • MIG Welding Thin Sheet Metal

Covers MIG setup, wire selection, and technique for welding thin-gauge steel and aluminum. Controlling heat input prevents burn-through and warping.

Lesson 3 • Soldering and Brazing Sheet Metal

Covers soft soldering and silver brazing for copper, stainless, and galvanized sheet. Flux selection and heat application determine joint strength and appearance.

Lesson 4 • Resistance Spot Welding

Teaches spot welder setup and electrode maintenance for joining overlapping sheet metal panels. Consistent nugget size and spacing ensure structural performance.

Lesson 1 • Duct Hanging, Support, and Installation

Covers hanger types, spacing standards, and installation sequence for suspended ductwork. Proper support prevents sagging, vibration, and joint failure.

Lesson 2 • Fittings: Transitions, Tees, and Reducers

Applies pattern development skills to fabricate transitions, tees, wyes, and reducers. Accurate fittings minimize turbulence and pressure loss in the system.

Lesson 3 • HVAC System Fundamentals for Fabricators

Introduces airflow principles, system components, and duct classifications relevant to fabricators. Understanding system function guides correct material and gauge selection.

Lesson 4 • Round and Oval Duct Fabrication

Teaches spiral and longitudinal seam round duct production and oval duct forming. Round duct offers lower resistance and is common in commercial systems.

Lesson 5 • Rectangular Duct Fabrication

Covers layout, cutting, forming, and seaming of rectangular duct sections. Dimensional accuracy and seam integrity are verified against shop drawings.

Lesson 1 • Roofing and Standing Seam Panels

Covers layout, forming, and installation of standing seam metal roofing panels. Thermal expansion, drainage, and weathertightness are key design considerations.

Lesson 2 • Gutters, Downspouts, and Drainage Systems

Covers layout, forming, and installation of gutters, downspouts, and conductor heads. Proper sizing and slope ensure effective stormwater management.

Lesson 3 • Industrial Enclosures and Equipment Guards

Covers fabrication of machine guards, enclosures, and housings for industrial equipment. Structural rigidity, access panels, and safety compliance are primary requirements.

Lesson 4 • Flashing and Counterflashing Fabrication

Teaches design and fabrication of base flashing, counterflashing, and through-wall flashing. Correct flashing prevents water infiltration at roof penetrations and walls.