I attended MIG 1 a couple days ago. Stephen knows his stuff and seems genuinely interested in teaching others how to weld. The hands on exercises looked daunting, but Stephen guided you right through and it ended up not as difficult as expected. The facilities are more than adequate. I didn't get enough the first time around and look forward to attending part 2. read more

Took a class here with my girlfriend 1/2812. We were complete newbies to welding and had a fantastic experience. Even when booking the class the instructor, Stephen, was super flexible and basically asked whatever day worked out best for us. The class turned out to be just the 2 of us, which is how I think he normally does things, which makes the instruction super intimate (and not in the creepy way). Stephen is super personable, and explains everything very clearly at your own pace. His instruction gives you an understanding of why things are done the way they are so you're not just going through the motions. As a first lesson, we were pleasantly surprised how hands-on and quickly we starting welding. My only disappointment was how quickly the 2hours flew by. I would definitely recommend this class to friends, and we will be sure to go back again soon to continue learning the craft. read more

I've been wanting to learn how to weld for years. I was so excited to find Arc Academy and love that I could sign up for one beginner class without having to commit to a series of classes. Steve was friendly and laid back. He was really good at explaining why things were done the way they were and what needed to be done to stay safe. It was big fun to jump in there and cut, grind and weld with the sparks flying. I'll be back for sure! read more

Short and simple ....take the class !!! Great instructor small class size very relaxing atmosphere .... Thanks to Steve.... Will be taking more classes in the near future. read more

Steve was great! He made understanding the concept of welding much less intimidating. I just took the Mig 1 class and hope to take Mig 2 this week. Thanks Steve! read more

Came to MWMW to get my feet wet in the welding world, I'm building a hot rod and need to do some repairs, and I've been wanting to get into light fabrication for art/decorative purposes. My experience here was AWESOME. Stephen was extremely patient, informative and helpful, he works with you the entire time to ensure you completely understand the processes and get the practice you need before moving on. You'll even learn to use other tools in the metalworking process to prep steel prior to welding. All in all a comprehensive, hands-on class. I'm definitely returning to take more classes with Stephen, I'm even scheduling one for this coming week. read more

Stephen is a great guy and great teacher. He has a depth of knowledge that came years from years of experience. He teaches a methodical approach to everything from setting up the machine to bracing to most importantly, safety. I didn't realize welding, metal work and tools could be so much fun but also dangerous if not practiced properly. It's skill and art. Getting in the "flow" when grinding and welding was very satisfying. I'm hooked will be back for MIG2 for sure. read more

I took my first welding class today at Midwest Metal Works, and I've got to say, it was an awesome experience! Stephen is a really patient instructor and all around cool guy. I liked learning all the background info behind the process of welding, and the explanation for why I was doing the things that I was learning how to do. I can't wait to go back for a second class and learn more techniques. read more

I took a two hour class with Steve and was thoroughly impressed with the depth and breadth of the service and instruction he squeezed into that short session. It would be easy to set up a machine and then have your students make a few arcs, but Steve explains the process, chemistry, theory, and techniques of welding, and why he teaches what he teaches. I had a great time, learned a ton, and will be back for more to further my amateur welding infatuation. read more

I also just took an intro to welding with Stephen at Midwest Metal. This class was great. Stephen is a great teacher, a true artist, and just a great and kind guy. The class was casual, comfortable, and well organized. It was a great intro into welding, and it sounds like he has so much more to offer! read more

I took a welding class a few weeks ago and it was great. I had some experience welding before so Steve catered the class accordingly. He has a great ability convey a lot of information in a clear way. And really quickly we were getting hands on experience. I will definitely be back for more classes and open shop. read more

Recently learned some basic welding through a friend, who builds furniture like myself. Wants to expand my knowledge and understanding of what I was actually doing. My wife got me a gift certificate for beginners class, and I couldn't have been more thrilled. As always with me, I get a little nervous going into a new environment, but as Steve started to explain and after I got to start practicing my welds, I felt more and more comfortable. Steve's approach is encouraging and honest. He is passionate and ready to answer any question. I can't wait to take the next class and start applying the skills I'm acquiring to building furniture in the future. read more

I had previously taken a welding class in another city. It was 8 hours and really covered the basics, but I didn't feel completely "self-sufficient" enough to haul off on my own and try to make anything. I signed up for the MIG-1 class and followed it up with a fabrication class at Arc Academy. It was about as much fun as you can have. In the MIG class, the instructor (Steve) immediately got down to basics, covering safety, techniques, materials, and a lot of tools. The classes are small and you get lots of hands on experience in the group setting. The instructor gives immediate feedback before you move on to the next step. You also get to watch the others in the class work through the same steps you are, so you learn from each others mistakes/triumphs. The fabrication class was equally a blast! The instructor gives you the basic template and materials to make a small table; you are then given free rein to either make that or make adjustments to the design and come up with your own. He checked all of our plans before we started cutting to make sure you are off on the right track. They have every fun tool you can imagine and a great shop space. I completely recommend booking a class here. Do be mindful - they are booked out a month or more, so get online well before you want to take the class so you can get registered. read more

I was interested in learning how to weld, have limited shop experience, work in an office, and generally don't get my hands very dirty, but Steve was able to guide me along to accomplishing some very good work! Although I feel that I'll need at least one more class to really work on my planned project, if I had to jump in right now I feel like I could with just one of Steve's classes under my belt. He's very easy going and accomodating to novices, has all the necessary equipment, has a "classroom" setting next to the work space with a chalkboard -- which he uses to help visualize the techniques, etc -- and is an intelligent, well spoken instructor that knows not only welding, but how to teach, too, which is probably even more rare. Will be going back as soon as I can swing it, highly recommend to anyone curious about welding. read more

Take welding & plasma cutting classes here! I took classes with Stephen, and he is a natural teacher, caters the class to your needs, and is fun to work with. He has a positive attitude, gives lots of feedback, and takes the time to ensure you learn the concepts. He is also happy to answer questions... of which I had many. Stephen's knowledge includes textbook approaches, but also the tricks & advice that only an experienced veteran would know. The classes caters to your specific project if needed. I am working on a couple projects, including building a set of loudspeakers. Stephen customized the second session to ensure I had all the skills necessary to work with my specific material (aluminum), with my specific types of welds, and even took time to show me some other machinery I'll want to use (circle drill, grinder, plasma cutter with a guide). Finally, you will have a lot of fun. The metal working techniques are a thrill to learn in any environment, but Stephen makes it better by playing music, giving you plenty of time using the machinery, and quickly making you feel like a pro. I'll be back soon! read more

I'm pretty good with tools and like DIY projects. I have always wanted to learn how to weld but the equipment is expensive and I do not have the time to take a full blown class/course. My wife set up the 1 on 1 lesson for me at Midwest Metal Works as a wedding anniversary gift. I received 2 full hours of individual instruction and enjoyed every minute of it. Steve was very thorough and explained the "science/concepts" behind welding and the equipment. I won't win any awards with my new welding skills but I have an understanding of the basics. I am planning on taking some additional instruction to practice and to get a better understanding. If you've always wanted to learn the basic concepts of welding and want some hands on instruction, I would highly recommend Steve at Midwest Metal Works. read more

When my wife asked me what I wanted for Christmas and I didn't have a clue ... so I said "What about a welding class". While I have higher degrees in engineering, I never was exposed to practical welding. I found Midwest Metal Works online, read some reviews and said "Let's try that". Stephen will take you through some easy theory and then he boils the essential hands on down to the basics. He is very conscious of practical safety and you will leave having placed your foot on the next rung of the learning curve. Once you experience joining metal together, your mind will start thinking of the possible creations you can make. This is a great idea for any guy (or gal) who wants an intro into joining metal. I'll be taking another class from him. read more

Just had my first welding class with Stephen. Great experience with well paced information. The cool factor is that the class is in his actual shop with plenty of ongoing fabricating projects around. No sterile classroom environment here. Wasted no time getting right to it. I had my hand on the welding equipment within the first 20 min. He tailored the class to my ability level and offered feedback in an encouraging way. Can't wait to take the next class. read more

I have some hands on experience a guy gains learning welding from their brother or dad slapping repairs on beater cars and lawnmowers - but not what anyone might call formal education. It was time to change that. I had read the reviews, and heard things through word of mouth. So... I dropped Stephen an email. A bit of back and forth regarding scheduling (it was the holidays) and we set up a class. WOW From at home welding to formal theory and practice is a massive jump. I had made some poor assumptions, they were incredibly gently corrected and patiently as well. The focus on safety was paramount, but kindly administered. The one on one feedback and analysis as technique was relearned and optimized was invaluable. I will be back for a second class in weeks! It is well worth your time and money to learn welding in this manner! read more

I love it! I wanted to learn to weld to help me build furniture for both personal use and also to fund a charity. I looked at traditional programs, like JARC, but they were too intensive. Steve makes welding accessible and fun. In just a few hours, you are capable of making some pretty good MIG welds (my manufacturing manager was unable to tell which welds were mine and which were our actual welder's). You don't think you can weld? Guess again. read more

Great class, very well-run and presented by a skilled professional, but also soooo fun and really hands-on and great for both beginners or experienced welders/fabricators....highly recommend! read more

Great class to quickly and safely learn the basics of MIG welding. Fun and informative- what more could you ask for?

I couldn't agree more with the other reviews. The 2 hours flew by and I feel that I got a lot of hands on practice with a great deal of knowledge. I look forward to going back and gaining more. Stephen did a great job at explaining everything in a very accessible way. I got a lot out of his class and highly recommend it. read more

The Arc Academy table making class was a great experience! I would highly recommend it if you are looking for a fun way to learn a new skill. Steve is a wonderful teacher. He is very knowledgeable and easily communicates with students who have no experience with welding. The class was small so he was able to guide every student through hearing about the process, seeing a demo of how it is done and finally doing the process. I started out afraid of the welding torch and all the sparks coming off of the various tools. By the end of the class I was able to produce a very unique looking table that I have gotten all kinds of positive comments about! Whenever I had any problems, Steve was there to answer questions and assist in the production. He made sure I was happy with the table I produced. Once you take the class, you can use the open shop for a nominal fee in case you want to try your hand at another project. Someone is always in the shop to help you with any issues. I really appreciated the fact that Steve is very safety conscious . He made sure that we had all the safety equipment we needed and always used it. I would highly recommend this class. It was lots of fun! read more

There is nothing to say about Steve's intro class that hasn't been said here before. The class is great, and you'll leave the with a great understanding of welding theory and actual welding practice. In short, you'll learn how to weld in two hours. Can't recommend the class enough! read more

I just took a private 2 hr class with Steve and am very happy with the amount of material I learned and the amount of practice I got in. He explains the concepts well, is efficient and well organized, and answers questions well. I had fun and came home with two rods I welded together, pretty satisfying. I do want to go back to solidify what I learned (it's a lot of info in 2 hrs), and to practice some new joints before applying them to my work. read more

This is an excellent way to get a basic understanding of welding, as well as the basic skill of learning how to weld. I can't say enough great things about Stephen and the instruction he presents. I wouldn't hesitate to suggest this class to everyone I know. All of the extremely positive reviews written below are spot on. Great value for the money, well worth it. read more

My dad and I took the intro to welding class and it was great. Stephen walked us through the basics of welding equipment, welding theory, how to prep and clean joints, and gave hands on experiences with actually welding metal together. He's very knowledgeable and friendly, and he gives good feedback as you go through the process. Overall, would highly recommend this class. read more

I took a one on one welding class with Steve a month or so back and found it to be exactly what I was looking for. I had very beginer experience with a mig welder before and he took what little I did know and expanded on it tremendously. He is a very informative, patient, and knowledgable instructor. He answered all of my questions and the hands on portion was exactly what I needed to now know the basics of mig welding. Thanks Steve read more

My husband and I took the intro class together and loved it! I, unfortunately, was not feeling well and about half way through the class said that I would just observe instead of participate. Steve, the owner and instructor, was kind, concerned, and generous. He offered to let me take the class again at no charge when I was feeling better. My husband finished the class and has already signed up for the next one.! read more

I highly recommend arc academy for anyone wanting to learn welding techniques. I took the mig 1 class and have already signed up for the second class. I look forward to refining my skills and getting started on some projects. read more

The class, environment, and teacher stephen is perfect!! Cant wait till next week to take a class!!

Took both class in one day and Steven was an awesome instructor . Being the only women in the class , I felt very comfortable working alongside men as well as all the tools read more