Mechanical Sciences
4-H Metalworking Project
The Colorado 4-H Metalworking Project guides youth in learning different types of welding joints and a variety of fabrication techniques for projects with dimensions no larger than 3’ x 3’ x 7’ with varying maximum weight requirements according to the unit. Photos included with the e-record should show the prep work, actual welds, and finished work. Units 3 and 4 allow moving parts and additional features such lights or electrical components.
Members in this project gain valuable skills for personal use or career opportunities.
Project Overview
Metalworking
Designed for members 8-18 years old
Inspiring youth to:
- Understand the proper personal protective equipment for welding
- Be able to identify the different weldable metals and the different shapes of metal stock
- Identify the five different types of welding joints
- Understand the various methods to cut, bend and shape metal
- Understand the three most common welding processes
- Construct a project of metal using the information and skills learned
Member Resources
Find Your County
Counties play a crucial role in 4-H by providing a platform for young people to learn and grow.
Counties facilitate the delivery of 4-H programs that are of particular interest in their area and qualified, compassionate adult leaders run local clubs to support our youth 4-H members.
To find out if this project is supported locally, contact your local extension office.
Upcoming Events
Currently there are no events scheduled at this time associated to this page. Please check back for the latest events as they are scheduled.
Basic Requirements
Unit 1
- Produce 3 sample welded joints
- Build a project 3’x3’x7’, under 50 lbs.
Unit 2
- Build a project 3’x3’x7’, under 100 lbs.
Unit 3
- Build a Project 3’x3’x7’, under 150 lbs.
Units 1 – 3
Photos of the project construction
- Four photos of the prep work (cutting, torching, bending, fitting, etc.)
- Four photos of actual welds (individual welds)
- Four photos of finished work (no painting, no oil, no seasoning, front view, side view, top view, best overall view)
Unit 4
Exhibit is larger than 3’x3’x7’ or over 150 lbs.
A 4’ wide by 3’ tall display board of your completed project with the following minimum information:
- Title or description of exhibit project
- Left Side – Four photos minimum of the prep work
- Right Side – Four photos minimum of completed welds
- Center – Four photos of minimum finish project
- All project photos must be 5”x 7” minimum
- Captions for each photo
Exhibiting
- Select the Unit that best fits your experience, skills and abilities to produce an exhibit project
- Calculating weights for the project is required. Refer to Triple-S Steel Holdings reference book
- The project will be evaluated on the quality of the information in the e-Record and the quality of the exhibit
Careers
Safety
Provide oversight and educational awareness to those involved in the metalworking industry
Regulation & Inspection
Ensure safe products and structures that involve metalwork
Education
Opportunity to teach others about metalworking and uses and design
Fabrication & Repair
Create and design products
Supervision & Management
Provide oversight of projects and builds and staff support
Research
Test out products, designs, and methods; Work with consumer safety and support
InformationTechnology
Support individuals and businesses as they provide services utilizing technological advances
Retail
Provide sales of products at different retail levels to support the metalworking industry