Welding Eye-Hand Coordination Training/Practice Techniques ?????

[harcosparky]

So recently I have been asked by some folks ( parents of potential welding trade school students ) for any information or ideas I can find on and training or exercises a SMAW welding student can do to help hone their eye-hand coordination.

Of course I am looking for things that can be done, when welding is not possible.

So far I have read of an exercise involving a flat washer, pencil and flat surface.

Does anyone else have any ideas or methods they use???

Input from Welding Instructors is what I might need ..... however I am open to all suggestions.

If you can reference a Welding publication where the ideas are presented that would be really great.

[jazond82]

Good practice for torch or stinger tie a pencil to a 18" straight stick or equal and practice the alphabet in print and cursive

[Thrutraffic]

Good practice for torch or stinger tie a pencil to a 18" straight stick or equal and practice the alphabet in print and cursive

That's a great idea! How about improving it by getting a cheap electrode holder, an electrode and a pencil. Tape the pencil to the electrode and stick the electrode in the holder.

Be sure to wear your helmet and gloves to make it all tie together in your brain. :-)

[jfk92]

Be sure to wear your helmet and gloves to make it all tie together in your brain. :-)

For that matter - I'd say set up a few strobe lights and fry something on the stove right next to you while doing it too....maybe have someone point a hairdryer at your face?

Seriously though - I liked the question a lot as someone new to the craft - looking forward to more great suggestions (my weak humor aside....!)

j

[stick it!]

I know this is another idea that involves a pencil, paper and a flat surface, but this technique improves controlling your electrode gap abilities. Just slide a pencil inside a washer towards you in a straight line without marking the paper. You can go to a 3/32" washer after conquering the 1/8". I know this doesn't help much with a consuming electrode - just an idea...

[marblearch]

Hi, I can only suggest that you or the person needing the practice, actually go and do some Tigging, more Tigging and some more too....you didn't learn to drive a car with a Playstation or simulator did you?
Ian.

[jerrybigbird]

Myself...I have a dominant eye sometime when I have trouble I will close my dominant eye to make the other eye work harder sometimes when I'm wrapping corners or can't get my head positioned so I can see clearly this helps

[Thrutraffic]

....you didn't learn to drive a car with a Playstation or simulator did you?
Ian.

Actually, that’s quite debatable:

Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, former US Army Ranger and West Point professor.

“In the realm of video games, Grossman likens violent games to modern combat infantry simulators. In addition to desensitization, games reward mass killing as well as providing tactical training. A proper sight picture and a head shot will result in the most graphic animated response. The repetitiveness of playing a game every night makes the response automatic under the right conditions.”

http://www.killology.com/falarticle.htm

And let’s not forget the welding simulators already used by a lot of schools and employers.

Yeah, physically burning rods and wire is the end all best method but let’s not discount great (proven) training tools.

[Thrutraffic]

For that matter - I'd say set up a few strobe lights and fry something on the stove right next to you while doing it too....maybe have someone point a hairdryer at your face?
j

Yep, let's not be trying different things and thinking out of the box. Crap, sorry guys, I keep forgetting my narrowmind upbringing. Hope my pappy don't hear 'bout dis.

[harcosparky]

too....you didn't learn to drive a car with a Playstation or simulator did you?
Ian.

Actually when I took Drivers Ed back in the early 1970's we had many hours on a driving simulator before we were put behind the wheel of a real car.

Maybe that is why so many drivers today are so terrible at it, they have no simulator time.