Quelab upcoming events

Introduction to Welding Class - April 2026 - Tuesday Nights (14 Apr 2026)

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Introduction to Welding

Whether you have never welded in your life or would like a refresher, Quelab's "Introduction to Welding” is the course you will sign up for to start your journey into hobby welding. You will walk away with a basic understanding of theory and hands-on practice in common welding processes and a variety of power tools essential to welding and basic fabrication.

Current Quelab Members who know how to weld can get approval to use the welding area by contacting the Welding Area Captain John Murray, or his co-captain Tim Torres (info@quelab.net) for basic training & equipment familiarity. This class teaches more than just those basics. Successful Completion of this class serves as approval to use the welding area, but you should contact John or Tim prior to doing personal projects to let them know you have completed the course, and plan on using the area.

Instructors: Will Smith and T. Kern Hicks

Will Smith (wilyyote@msn.com) has been employed in the metal fabrication field for over 50 years and has been instructing classes and methodology for different types of metals and industries, from aircraft to naval vessels, fireplaces, pipelines, structural trusses, and dragons. He has designed classes for juveniles and women specifically to teach welding and metal design, and repair, for Government entities and private corporations.

T. Kern Hicks' (kern.hicks@gmail.com) passion for metalwork began in in Tesuque in 1971, when his family established Shidoni Foundry In Tesuque, NM. Shidoni specialized in Bronze casting and metal fabrication of steel, stainless steel and aluminum using Stick, Oxy/Acetylene, MIG, TIG, ensuring precision and quality in every project. Throughout his career, he's had the opportunity to work on diverse projects, from the monumental size works of Allan Houser, Michael Naranjo and Paul Moore to Lincoln fox’s “Shaman” installed at the Albuquerque International Airport. His hands-on experience included logistics and installation and restoration of larger works. He believes his work is not just about joining metals; it's about creating lasting connections and structures that stand the test of time. His commitment to quality craftsmanship drives him to continually explore and learn new techniques.

Attendees: This course is open to everyone 18 years and older.

When: This course takes place over four consecutive Tuesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. beginning April 7th and ending April 28th.

Where: Quelab is located at 1511 Central Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106. Please park in the north parking lot (off of Ash Street), & report to the Entrance Door in the North Lot.

Fee: Total class cost: $175 for Members plus a $50 surcharge for non-members. This Welding class gives you limited building access for the purpose of using the welding equipment during scheduled class time under instructor supervision.

If you are interested in having full access to Quelab and the ability to practice on your own, you have to join as a member. At your orientation you may request a free month which will be added on at the orientation. Just specify at orientation that you are enrolled in the welding class. If you have any questions that are not answered please contact the Education Officer at info@quelab.net.

Class: From minimum of 2 up to 6 students per class.

Information:

Show up with 100% cotton clothing, long sleeves and pants to protect you from sparks.
You will also need to wear close toed shoes and have a pair of leather work gloves
You will also be provided materials for 1 project, yours to keep, chosen from a small selection of personal projects you'll learn about on the first day of class!

Curriculum:

Intro to metal theory: what is metal? How does it act? Safety equipment for welding and cutting
Theory, setup and hands on practice with a 4½ inch angle grinder
Theory and hands on practice with an Abrasive Chop Saw
Theory, setup and hands on practice with a Plasma Cutting
Theory, setup and hands on practice with Mig welding
Practice time
Clean up

Enrollment or Questions: If you want to enroll or have any questions that are not answered please contact the Education Officer at info@quelab.net. Enrollment requests should include full name, email address and phone number. This is generally a monthly class.

Introduction to Welding Class - April 2026 - Saturday Mornings (18 Apr 2026)

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Introduction to Welding

Instructors: Will Smith and T. Kern Hicks

Attendees: This course is open to everyone 18 years and older.

When: This course takes place over four consecutive Saturday mornings from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. beginning April 4th and ending April 25th.

Where: Quelab is located at 1511 Central Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106. Please park in the north parking lot (off of Ash Street), & report to the Entrance Door in the North Lot.

Class: From minimum of 2 up to 6 students per class.

Information:

Show up with 100% cotton clothing, long sleeves and pants to protect you from sparks.
You will also need to wear close toed shoes and have a pair of leather work gloves
You will also be provided materials for 1 project, yours to keep, chosen from a small selection of personal projects you'll learn about on the first day of class!

Curriculum:

Intro to metal theory: what is metal? How does it act? Safety equipment for welding and cutting
Theory, setup and hands on practice with a 4½ inch angle grinder
Theory and hands on practice with an Abrasive Chop Saw
Theory, setup and hands on practice with a Plasma Cutting
Theory, setup and hands on practice with Mig welding
Practice time
Clean up

Introduction to Welding Class - April 2026 - Tuesday Nights (21 Apr 2026)

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Introduction to Welding

Instructors: Will Smith and T. Kern Hicks

Attendees: This course is open to everyone 18 years and older.

When: This course takes place over four consecutive Tuesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. beginning April 7th and ending April 28th.

Where: Quelab is located at 1511 Central Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106. Please park in the north parking lot (off of Ash Street), & report to the Entrance Door in the North Lot.

Class: From minimum of 2 up to 6 students per class.

Information:

Show up with 100% cotton clothing, long sleeves and pants to protect you from sparks.
You will also need to wear close toed shoes and have a pair of leather work gloves
You will also be provided materials for 1 project, yours to keep, chosen from a small selection of personal projects you'll learn about on the first day of class!

Curriculum:

Intro to metal theory: what is metal? How does it act? Safety equipment for welding and cutting
Theory, setup and hands on practice with a 4½ inch angle grinder
Theory and hands on practice with an Abrasive Chop Saw
Theory, setup and hands on practice with a Plasma Cutting
Theory, setup and hands on practice with Mig welding
Practice time
Clean up

Introduction to Welding Class - April 2026 - Saturday Mornings (25 Apr 2026)

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Introduction to Welding

Instructors: Will Smith and T. Kern Hicks

Attendees: This course is open to everyone 18 years and older.

When: This course takes place over four consecutive Saturday mornings from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. beginning April 4th and ending April 25th.

Where: Quelab is located at 1511 Central Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106. Please park in the north parking lot (off of Ash Street), & report to the Entrance Door in the North Lot.

Class: From minimum of 2 up to 6 students per class.

Information:

Show up with 100% cotton clothing, long sleeves and pants to protect you from sparks.
You will also need to wear close toed shoes and have a pair of leather work gloves
You will also be provided materials for 1 project, yours to keep, chosen from a small selection of personal projects you'll learn about on the first day of class!

Curriculum:

Intro to metal theory: what is metal? How does it act? Safety equipment for welding and cutting
Theory, setup and hands on practice with a 4½ inch angle grinder
Theory and hands on practice with an Abrasive Chop Saw
Theory, setup and hands on practice with a Plasma Cutting
Theory, setup and hands on practice with Mig welding
Practice time
Clean up

Introduction to Welding Class - April 2026 - Tuesday Nights (28 Apr 2026)

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Introduction to Welding

Instructors: Will Smith and T. Kern Hicks

Attendees: This course is open to everyone 18 years and older.

When: This course takes place over four consecutive Tuesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. beginning April 7th and ending April 28th.

Where: Quelab is located at 1511 Central Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106. Please park in the north parking lot (off of Ash Street), & report to the Entrance Door in the North Lot.

Class: From minimum of 2 up to 6 students per class.

Information:

Show up with 100% cotton clothing, long sleeves and pants to protect you from sparks.
You will also need to wear close toed shoes and have a pair of leather work gloves
You will also be provided materials for 1 project, yours to keep, chosen from a small selection of personal projects you'll learn about on the first day of class!

Curriculum:

Intro to metal theory: what is metal? How does it act? Safety equipment for welding and cutting
Theory, setup and hands on practice with a 4½ inch angle grinder
Theory and hands on practice with an Abrasive Chop Saw
Theory, setup and hands on practice with a Plasma Cutting
Theory, setup and hands on practice with Mig welding
Practice time
Clean up

Introduction to Welding Class - May 2026 - Saturday Mornings (2 May 2026)

Sat, 02 May 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Introduction to Welding

Instructors: Will Smith and T. Kern Hicks

Attendees: This course is open to everyone 18 years and older.

When: This course takes place over four consecutive Saturday mornings from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. beginning May 2nd and ending May 23rd.

Where: Quelab is located at 1511 Central Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106. Please park in the north parking lot (off of Ash Street), & report to the Entrance Door in the North Lot.

Class: From minimum of 2 up to 6 students per class.

Information:

Show up with 100% cotton clothing, long sleeves and pants to protect you from sparks.
You will also need to wear close toed shoes and have a pair of leather work gloves
You will also be provided materials for 1 project, yours to keep, chosen from a small selection of personal projects you'll learn about on the first day of class!

Curriculum:

Intro to metal theory: what is metal? How does it act? Safety equipment for welding and cutting
Theory, setup and hands on practice with a 4½ inch angle grinder
Theory and hands on practice with an Abrasive Chop Saw
Theory, setup and hands on practice with a Plasma Cutting
Theory, setup and hands on practice with Mig welding
Practice time
Clean up

Introduction to Welding Class - May 2026 - Tuesday Nights (5 May 2026)

Wed, 06 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Introduction to Welding

Instructors: Will Smith and T. Kern Hicks

Attendees: This course is open to everyone 18 years and older.

When: This course takes place over four consecutive Tuesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. beginning May 5th and ending May 26th.

Where: Quelab is located at 1511 Central Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106. Please park in the north parking lot (off of Ash Street), & report to the Entrance Door in the North Lot.

Class: From minimum of 2 up to 6 students per class.

Information:

Show up with 100% cotton clothing, long sleeves and pants to protect you from sparks.
You will also need to wear close toed shoes and have a pair of leather work gloves
You will also be provided materials for 1 project, yours to keep, chosen from a small selection of personal projects you'll learn about on the first day of class!

Curriculum:

Intro to metal theory: what is metal? How does it act? Safety equipment for welding and cutting
Theory, setup and hands on practice with a 4½ inch angle grinder
Theory and hands on practice with an Abrasive Chop Saw
Theory, setup and hands on practice with a Plasma Cutting
Theory, setup and hands on practice with Mig welding
Practice time
Clean up

Introduction to Welding Class - May 2026 - Saturday Mornings (9 May 2026)

Sat, 09 May 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Introduction to Welding

Instructors: Will Smith and T. Kern Hicks

Attendees: This course is open to everyone 18 years and older.

When: This course takes place over four consecutive Saturday mornings from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. beginning May 2nd and ending May 23rd.

Where: Quelab is located at 1511 Central Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106. Please park in the north parking lot (off of Ash Street), & report to the Entrance Door in the North Lot.

Class: From minimum of 2 up to 6 students per class.

Information:

Show up with 100% cotton clothing, long sleeves and pants to protect you from sparks.
You will also need to wear close toed shoes and have a pair of leather work gloves
You will also be provided materials for 1 project, yours to keep, chosen from a small selection of personal projects you'll learn about on the first day of class!

Curriculum:

Intro to metal theory: what is metal? How does it act? Safety equipment for welding and cutting
Theory, setup and hands on practice with a 4½ inch angle grinder
Theory and hands on practice with an Abrasive Chop Saw
Theory, setup and hands on practice with a Plasma Cutting
Theory, setup and hands on practice with Mig welding
Practice time
Clean up

Introduction to Welding Class - May 2026 - Tuesday Nights (12 May 2026)

Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Introduction to Welding

Instructors: Will Smith and T. Kern Hicks

Attendees: This course is open to everyone 18 years and older.

When: This course takes place over four consecutive Tuesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. beginning May 5th and ending May 26th.

Where: Quelab is located at 1511 Central Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106. Please park in the north parking lot (off of Ash Street), & report to the Entrance Door in the North Lot.

Class: From minimum of 2 up to 6 students per class.

Information:

Show up with 100% cotton clothing, long sleeves and pants to protect you from sparks.
You will also need to wear close toed shoes and have a pair of leather work gloves
You will also be provided materials for 1 project, yours to keep, chosen from a small selection of personal projects you'll learn about on the first day of class!

Curriculum:

Intro to metal theory: what is metal? How does it act? Safety equipment for welding and cutting
Theory, setup and hands on practice with a 4½ inch angle grinder
Theory and hands on practice with an Abrasive Chop Saw
Theory, setup and hands on practice with a Plasma Cutting
Theory, setup and hands on practice with Mig welding
Practice time
Clean up

Introduction to Welding Class - May 2026 - Saturday Mornings (16 May 2026)

Sat, 16 May 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Introduction to Welding

Instructors: Will Smith and T. Kern Hicks

Attendees: This course is open to everyone 18 years and older.

When: This course takes place over four consecutive Saturday mornings from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. beginning May 2nd and ending May 23rd.

Where: Quelab is located at 1511 Central Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106. Please park in the north parking lot (off of Ash Street), & report to the Entrance Door in the North Lot.

Class: From minimum of 2 up to 6 students per class.

Information:

Show up with 100% cotton clothing, long sleeves and pants to protect you from sparks.
You will also need to wear close toed shoes and have a pair of leather work gloves
You will also be provided materials for 1 project, yours to keep, chosen from a small selection of personal projects you'll learn about on the first day of class!

Curriculum:

Intro to metal theory: what is metal? How does it act? Safety equipment for welding and cutting
Theory, setup and hands on practice with a 4½ inch angle grinder
Theory and hands on practice with an Abrasive Chop Saw
Theory, setup and hands on practice with a Plasma Cutting
Theory, setup and hands on practice with Mig welding
Practice time
Clean up

Introduction to Welding Class - May 2026 - Tuesday Nights (19 May 2026)

Wed, 20 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Introduction to Welding

Instructors: Will Smith and T. Kern Hicks

Attendees: This course is open to everyone 18 years and older.

When: This course takes place over four consecutive Tuesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. beginning May 5th and ending May 26th.

Where: Quelab is located at 1511 Central Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106. Please park in the north parking lot (off of Ash Street), & report to the Entrance Door in the North Lot.

Class: From minimum of 2 up to 6 students per class.

Information:

Show up with 100% cotton clothing, long sleeves and pants to protect you from sparks.
You will also need to wear close toed shoes and have a pair of leather work gloves
You will also be provided materials for 1 project, yours to keep, chosen from a small selection of personal projects you'll learn about on the first day of class!

Curriculum:

Intro to metal theory: what is metal? How does it act? Safety equipment for welding and cutting
Theory, setup and hands on practice with a 4½ inch angle grinder
Theory and hands on practice with an Abrasive Chop Saw
Theory, setup and hands on practice with a Plasma Cutting
Theory, setup and hands on practice with Mig welding
Practice time
Clean up

Introduction to Welding Class - May 2026 - Saturday Mornings (23 May 2026)

Sat, 23 May 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Introduction to Welding

Instructors: Will Smith and T. Kern Hicks

Attendees: This course is open to everyone 18 years and older.

When: This course takes place over four consecutive Saturday mornings from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. beginning May 2nd and ending May 23rd.

Where: Quelab is located at 1511 Central Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106. Please park in the north parking lot (off of Ash Street), & report to the Entrance Door in the North Lot.

Class: From minimum of 2 up to 6 students per class.

Information:

Show up with 100% cotton clothing, long sleeves and pants to protect you from sparks.
You will also need to wear close toed shoes and have a pair of leather work gloves
You will also be provided materials for 1 project, yours to keep, chosen from a small selection of personal projects you'll learn about on the first day of class!

Curriculum:

Intro to metal theory: what is metal? How does it act? Safety equipment for welding and cutting
Theory, setup and hands on practice with a 4½ inch angle grinder
Theory and hands on practice with an Abrasive Chop Saw
Theory, setup and hands on practice with a Plasma Cutting
Theory, setup and hands on practice with Mig welding
Practice time
Clean up

Introduction to Welding Class - May 2026 - Tuesday Nights (26 May 2026)

Wed, 27 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Introduction to Welding

Instructors: Will Smith and T. Kern Hicks

Attendees: This course is open to everyone 18 years and older.

When: This course takes place over four consecutive Tuesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. beginning May 5th and ending May 26th.

Where: Quelab is located at 1511 Central Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106. Please park in the north parking lot (off of Ash Street), & report to the Entrance Door in the North Lot.

Class: From minimum of 2 up to 6 students per class.

Information:

Show up with 100% cotton clothing, long sleeves and pants to protect you from sparks.
You will also need to wear close toed shoes and have a pair of leather work gloves
You will also be provided materials for 1 project, yours to keep, chosen from a small selection of personal projects you'll learn about on the first day of class!

Curriculum:

Intro to metal theory: what is metal? How does it act? Safety equipment for welding and cutting
Theory, setup and hands on practice with a 4½ inch angle grinder
Theory and hands on practice with an Abrasive Chop Saw
Theory, setup and hands on practice with a Plasma Cutting
Theory, setup and hands on practice with Mig welding
Practice time
Clean up