Trainings 2006 Workshop Schedule Workshop Testimonials Classes and Registration On Site Training Consultations

Aero Metal Workshops receive FAA IA Course Credit as Refresher Training Course .

Are you interested in learning more about metal forming and receiving individual attention and hands on instruction? Would you like to spend a couple of days in a production metal working shop in the pine and oak covered foothills of California's Sierra Nevada Mountains? If this appeals to you, we have a program that can't be beat.

• Class size limited to 10 persons.
• Basic skill level required.
• Days may be taken together or in any combination.
• Cost for each day covers materials and supplies and breakfast and lunch, and diploma (if graduated).
• A non-refundable deposit is due 3 weeks prior to start of course.
• Confirmation by fax, phone, or Email required along with deposit.
• Credit cards VISA, MC, AMEX accepted.
  
• PLEASE NOTE: After receiving your deposit, your attendance is confirmed. We will then send you a packet of special workshop preparation materials to you three weeks prior to the workshop. It contains five videos, and many pages of printed material for your study prior to workshop attendance. This packet is available only to those who sign up for all four days of the workshop.
  

Curriculum

There are several different fundamental training topics, primary ones being the subject of a one-day hands-on training intensive. Common topics as Planishing, Metal Finishing, Annealing, Work-hardening, Heat-treating, Patterns and Layout will be covered in context on each of the four days.

Day 1 - STRETCHING TOOLS AND METHODS.

Fundamental concepts of metallurgy and metal behavior are introduced, so that the student is made familiar with and can anticipate the response of the metal to certain forces. Annealing, work hardening and heat-treating are covered in context of both making and repairing parts. Many approaches to stretching problems are covered, enabling the student to easily create his own solutions to achieve many shapes and forms. You will understand how to avoid excessive thinning when achieving the fastest stretch possible. The Air Shaping Hammer and other rapid forming tools and methods are applied in context. Applications: bowls, hollows, reverses, fairings, saddles, and curved flanges.

Day 2 - SHRINKING TOOLS AND METHODS:

Using the Stretching class as a springboard to open student's minds, the Shrinking class strives for comprehension of the underlying relationship of the Duality of metal; and how heat and cold, soft and hard and thick and thin affect the ability of the metal to take a new shape. Kent has defined 14 separate and distinct methods to shrink sheet metal, decreasing the surface area by increasing its thickness. Most classes will cover 9 methods, and an occasional "eager and capable" class will absorb 12 of these concepts. You will understand how to efficiently and accurately shrink many metals by taking this 4day course. Applications: Hollow shapes, curved flanges, making repairs and adjustments.

Day 3 - AIRCRAFT ALUMINUM GAS WELDING.

Applications on non-structural parts and alloys are given in context. Using traditional proven teaching methods, each student is expected to make a good weld in 6hrs, just as the aircraft factories trained their welders years ago. Torch and tip selection, pressure regulator settings, fluxes, and fillers are covered in detail. Joint design, geometry, distortion, and applications are demonstrated and detailed. Students are given a basic joint to master and when done, they are encouraged to move onto a more difficult joint. Flux-cleanup, benefits and drawbacks of welding methods are contrasted thoroughly. 2 hrs instruction, critiques, and demonstrations, with 6 hrs of student hands-on practice.

Day 4 - FORMING AND SHAPING MACHINES:

The English Wheel, Pullmax, and the Air Shaping Hammer are shown in contrast to and in support of each other using demonstrations and projects. Much time will allow the student to become familiar with each machine, as the student prefers. Projects are very helpful for this segment.

PLEASE NOTE:

After receiving your deposit, your attendance is confirmed. We will then send you a packet of special workshop preparation materials to you three weeks prior to the workshop. It contains five videos, and many pages of printed material for your study prior to workshop attendance. This packet is available only to those who sign up for all four days of the workshop.

You may attend any combination of days from just one to all four. Priority is given to reservations for the full four days.

Workshop FAQs

Are the classes the same on both or all days?
Class is very different each day. Each day is a stand-alone intensive in one discipline, whether stretching, shrinking, gas welding, Air Hammer, Wheel, planishing and finishing, or making parts. 

Is there a standard agenda?
Yes, and while well-organized it varies to the skill level of the participants, and to their interests. Because the class size is small, flexibility and personal attention is the rule.

If not, how is the training determined and how large are the classes?
Training is based on the needs and skills of the class. Class held to a max of 10 (rare), but 8, 7, 6 are common. 

What type of supplies, if any, are required?
Bring your favorite set of hand tools in a toolbag, ie: hammer or 2, mallet, slapper, dolly, file, snips 

What is the best method to register for the classes?
Use the FAX or EMAIL.

Are tools available for sale during the classes?
Yes, and we provide many, as well.

Possible future topics— A few of the possible topics include:

• Tank construction
• Louvers
• Shrinking— Hot-cold-hand & machine
• Stretching— Hot-cold-hand & machine
• Materials— aluminum, steel, stainless, copper, magnesium & titanium
• Edges— hemmed, wired-beaded, joggled, flanged & radiused.
• Patterns & Bucks— Panel development, division and assembly.
• Aluminum Gas Welding
• Planishing
• Wheeling
• Air Hammer
• Pullmax Forming Methods

There are many other possibilities that are limited only by your skill and interest levels. Just tell us what metal working skills you'd like to learn and we'll see what we can do.

Materials: We provide you with essential books, pamphlets, and other printed materials that are discussed during the intensives, applied to the projects, and go home with you for your personal reference

Projects: You are asked to bring a project of interest to you to be worked on during the course of the workshop and any burning metal working questions that you'd really like to have answered

Kent is available for Consultations

Here's what people say about our programs:

"Again, thank you for a seminar that was not only overwhelmingly informative, but a lot of fun to boot!"  TE, Boulder CO

"I've seen some great metal men during my years in this business, but I've never been around anybody who can do all the things Kent can do. He is so versatile. It's just awesome!" Don Baumunk, owner D & D MetalWorks, Grass Valley, CA

"The workshop was tremendous. The only thing I can liken it to is a religious experience!" MS, Chicago, IL

"Your presentations at Oshkosh this year were the highlight of the convention for me and many others. I have wondered for many years how the 'old time craftsmen' worked aluminum and steel free hand. You showed us how!" GW, Canandaigua, NY