Welding merit badge

[Eagle732]

"Am I the only one that sees irony here? BSA prohibits Boy Scouts from using power tools and yet we will now have a welding MB."

 

Anxiously awaiting "Nail Gun' merit badge.

[BartHumphries]

There won't be a Nail Gun merit badge, it'll be a Framing/Rough Carpentry merit badge that requires Scouts to correctly frame a 10' high structure that has a solid foundation that casts at least a "10'x10' horizontal shadow" (so either built on a concrete pad or built on concrete posts in the ground). Nail guns will be prohibited and Scouts will have to hammer in everything with a hammer and cut all the studs with a hand saw. Screws may be used, but holes need to be predrilled with a hand drill so that a hand screwdriver can be used to drive the screws in. A ratcheting or double ratcheting screwdriver may be used, but only by Varsity/Venturing Scouts (who are at least 14 years of age). Only the Amish Boy Scouts will end up earning the merit badge.

 

That being said, I still don't see anything which prohibits all Scouts of every type from using any power tools.(This message has been edited by BartHumphries)

[boomerscout]

Someone told someone else who learned of it while visiting National that the requirements will be released Jan. 30.

Any Nationalists here to confirm or deny?

The AWS (American Welding Society) is gung-ho on this merit badge. They apparently taught/counseled the first prototype class -- looked like MIG or TIG

[Oak Tree]

So BSA put out lots of news releases saying that the merit badge was coming in December 2011.

 

It isn't out yet and I can't easily find any official data that says when it will be, although I appreciate the scuttlebutt that it will be out on January 30.

 

So my question is, how hard is it to release a merit badge on the day that you say you'll release the merit badge? I actually have Scouts (well, at least one Scout) who wants to do this, but nope, no requirements available yet.

 

Every now and then I wish I volunteered with an organization that was a little bit more organized.

 

I'll get over it, I know. Not a big deal. But really, why not get some of these details right?

[trainerlady]

The requirements are out! I picked up a copy of the 2012 Requirements book today and there on page 220 are the welding MB requirements.

 

Weld on!

[Oak Tree]

Thanks for the info, trainerlady. I'll grab a copy.

 

I'd still like to see the info out there on the web - it doesn't appear to be at scouting.org.

 

I did find this link (http://yorkdistrictmbc.wordpress.com/2012/01/13/2012-york-district-mbc-site-of-welding-merit-badge-pre-launch/) which says that "BSA National has selected the 2012 York District Merit Badge College event to be the site of the prelaunch for the brand new Welding Merit Badge!"

 

"This pre-launch is designed as a final check to be sure that all of the is are dotted and the ts crossed as everyone prepares for the actual release of the badge to all of Americas scouts."

 

That would be February 4, 11, and/or 18.

 

So is it not official until then? Officially embargoed? I guess if it's in the requirements book, we can go ahead and start working on it.

[trainerlady]

Hubby is the first registered MBC in our district for welding. He is planning to start working on the badge with son and a couple of his friends in the next couple of weeks. It'll take the kids a while to get it done. So it'll be officially released by the time they are done.

 

Go forth and weld.

[BartHumphries]

trainerlady, will you post the requirements, please? They still aren't posted yet at http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/BoyScouts/AdvancementandAwards/MeritBadges.aspx

 

Oak Tree, in November they said that Welding would "debut in the next month or two": http://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2011/11/16/next-up-welding-merit-badge/ Also, I don't know about that York place but http://www.scouting.org/jamboree/journal/hometownnews/wolfe.aspx says that Welding is the favorite merit badge of the "two millionth Eagle Scout" who is also the "Scouts Youth Ambassador", so apparently someone else somewhere else was already doing it (unless the person who wrote the article misinterpreted what the kid said).

[trainerlady]

BH,

 

Will try to get them up this weekend. Finishing off my UoS paper for tomorrow AM. After UoS we have an NHL game with the council. Will do my best for you this weekend.

[Oak Tree]

They actually said "December." I'm not sure where all the official statements can get traced back to, but Scouting magazine is definitely one source.

 

Scouting magazine: "That's why Landon and other welding professionals served on the committee that helped write the pamphlet for the Welding merit badge, which debuts in December."

http://digital.scouting.org/scoutingmagazine/novdec2011/resources/11.htm

 

American Welding Society: "In 2011, the Boy Scouts of America approved an official welding merit badge which will available to Scouts in late December." (http://www.aws.org/w/a/weldingbadge/index.html)

 

Gas and Welding Industry Wiki: "The Boy Scouts of America will introduce the first-ever welding merit badge in December 2011"

http://www.gawdawiki.org/headlines/Boy-Scouts-Introduces-Welding-Badge-2055

 

boyscouttrail.com: "Welding merit badge coming December, 2011"

 

Golden Spread Council: "The Welding Merit Badge will debut in December 2011!" http://goldenspread.wordpress.com/2011/12/

 

News from Central Florida Council: "Welding is planned for release in late 2011" http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs018/1107630230569/archive/1108916965757.html

 

I picked up the requirements book, too. Trainerlady is right, the requirements are there.

 

 

 

[Oak Tree]

 

1. Do the following:

(a) Explain to your counselor the hazards you are most likely to encounter

while welding, and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate,

or lessen these hazards.

(b) Show that you know first aid for, and the prevention of, injuries or illnesses

that could occur while welding, including electrical shock, eye injuries, burns,

fume inhalation, dizziness, skin irritation, and exposure to hazardous chemicals,

including filler metals and welding gases.

2. Do the following:

(a) With your counselor, discuss general safety precautions and Material

Safety Data Sheets related to welding. Explain the importance of the MSDS.

(b) Describe the appropriate safety gear and clothing that must be worn when

welding. Then, present yourself properly dressed for weldingin protective

equipment, clothing, and footwear.

© Explain and demonstrate the proper care and storage of welding equipment,

tools, and protective clothing and footwear.

3. Explain the terms welding, electrode, slag, and oxidation. Describe the welding

process, how heat is generated, what kind of filler metal is added (if any), and

what protects the molten metal from the atmosphere.

4. Name the different mechanical and thermal cutting methods. Choose one

method and describe how to use the process. Discuss one advantage and one

limitation of this process.

5. Do the following:

(a) Select two welding processes, and make a list of the different components

of the equipment required for each process. Discuss one advantage and one

limitation for each process.

(b) Choose one welding process. Set up the process you have chosen, including

gas regulators, work clamps, cables, filler materials, and equipment settings.

Have your counselor inspect and approve the area for the welding process you

have chosen.221

6. After successfully completing requirements 1 through 5, use the equipment

you prepared for the welding process in 5b to do the following:

(a) Using a metal scribe or soapstone, sketch your initial onto a metal plate,

and weld a bead on the plate following the pattern of your initial.

(b) Cover a small plate (approximately 3 x 3 x ) with weld beads side

by side.

© Tack two plates together in a square groove butt joint.

(d) Weld the two plates together from 6c on both sides.

(e) Tack two plates together in a T joint, have your counselor inspect it, then

weld a T joint with fillet weld on both sides.

(f) Tack two plates together in a lap joint, have your counselor inspect it,

then weld a lap joint with fillet weld on both sides.

7. Do the following:

(a) Find out about three career opportunities in the welding industry. Pick

one and find out the education, training, and experience required for this

profession. Discuss this with your counselor, and explain why the profession

might interest you.

(b) Discuss the role of the American Welding Society in the welding profession

[trainerlady]

Oaktree,

 

Thanks for posting the requirements for everyone to share. I had a power failure for most of the day today. Just got the power back on. It was a very nice of you to do it.

 

Thanks, TL

[BartHumphries]

Thanks.

[JoeBob]

Heads up for anyone welding on newer model cars:

Currents used for welding will fry computer chips! (Even turned off...)

 

Best to detach that trailer hitch before re-attaching the wiring harness...

[BobbyB]

I'm curious as to how the Welding MB is being received by Scouts. Any insight by a Welding counseler is appreciated. Has anyone started it? How is it being received? Too difficult?