Contest Coordinator: Bruce Gregory
Updated: 3-27-25
3-person teams will be given a detailed blueprint and steel material to make a completed project within a 3-hour time period. Some of the project parts are premade, the team will make parts too via OA cutting and mechanical cutting with angle grinder/cutoff wheel. Parts are assembled, tack welded and final welded via GMAW & SMAW weld processes (post-secondary includes GTAW DC- process). The individuals must know how to read and interpret blueprint drawings & weld symbols. Utilizing a tape measurer, square, protractor and skills in welding with GMAW (MIG) & SMAW (E7018, E6011) are crucial. GTAW (TIG) for post-secondary is needed as well. Skill in safely utilizing an angle grinder with grinding disc, cutoff disc, & sanding disc for metal finishing is also critical. Knowing how to drill holes in steel is important. Teamwork and time management is paramount to a successful team. Safe shop practice must be employed, at all times.
Here is the link to the Lincoln Electric Power Wave 300C Advanced that we will use
As in the past few years the post-secondary team has the additional process of GTAW that will use Lift-Start TIG technique. We will have 17V TIG torches for this. Teams may provide their own tungsten and 17V torch parts if they wish. But we will certainly have tungsten electrodes and parts there too. We will also provide a grinder for sharpening tungsten.
There will be a multiple-choice test for welding fabrication knowledge administered the evening prior to hands-on competition.
Tools and Equipment list. Updated 3-6-25
Rocket Stove Updated Drawing SLSC25 – (Updated 4-1-25) The 2025 drawing may have some changes due to availability of material.
Material changes:
1) Base, the 1/2moon-shaped steel will instead be 3/8″ thick 5″x6″ steel as the scrap drops used prior were not available. And I am changing the weld joint to a butt weld with 90 deg groove each side w/ 1/8″ land (no gap) so that SMAW metal has somewhere to go and fill to be flush with face of base plate. E6010 on one side and E7018 on the other side.
2) 4″x4″x3/16″ fuel tube is 10″ long and does not have a miter cut angle. The students will be OA cutting this to size as 1/2 of their OA cutting grade. The rectangular window cut from the 5×5 tube will also be OA cut for the other half of their OA cutting grade.
3) One 1&1/2″OD x 1/8″ wall round tube of 8″ length will be provided that the students will use angle grinder to cut off a 1-7/8″ length for center part of grate (cooking) surface and remaining length to be miter cut for the carry handle. They will use a cutting disc on their angle grinders to do this.
4) The 3/8′ dia C-shaped fuel ramp handle will be replaced with something else TBD. But likely a 1/4″ dia hot rolled length will be provided for the teams to bend & fashion up a handle.
5) I have yet to procure the expanded metal for the fuel ramp. TBD what this will be.
Additional changes:
1)To compensate for the extra time involved to OA cut the 4×4″ tube, the grate assembly will consist of just 4 of the fins instead of 8 fins. Hence, only 4 notches need to be made in the top of the 5×5″ tube. And those notches will be located in the corners of the tube and be 1/4″ wide.
2) The welds joining the feet to the base will be done via GTAW for the post-secondary teams. High school teams will employ the GMAW process for this operation.
The scoring category of TEAMWORK will include aa “progression of build outline” that lists the major steps of the build process and what team member is responsible for doing certain steps. i.e.: who is doing OA cutting, parts layout, SMAW welds, GMAW welds, etc..
Also new for this year is “team captain” or “team secretary” (or called “member of responsibility!”) as I want to know the responsible person who is in charge of bringing all tools listed, assurance of PPE for each member (& an extra pair of safety glasses and ear protection required for the team) along with blueprint drawings (each team must bring their own copy of drawings) This team captain/secretary will submit a checklist upon roll call on Thursday evening orientation and written test.
We are also doing resumes again this year. Each team member submits a resume as if applying for a job.
Hints to a potential winning team:
The key to this contest is individual skill of the various welding, cutting, fabrication disciplines, team skills, and team management. The highest scoring teams have best team management that translates to TIME MANAGEMENT. Organization of assignment of skills to the various points and stages of project build is imperative. We do NOT expect all teams to finish or submit a completed project at conclusion of work time allotted. Those teams that are able to complete the project get the highest grade in Team Management/Cooperation category.
Fit & Finish of submitted project carries a higher-grade scoring category. AKA Quality of Finished Project
Sample scoring from 2025 Scoring Summary
Qualification 2025
1) The written instructions incorrectly called for GTAW welds on both sides of the sheet metal lap welds. That was a typo and should have said GMAW on the one side (with .035 ES 70S-3 or -6 filler) and GTAW on the other side with 1/16″ ER70S-3 or 70-6 filler metal. The blueprint drawing did show this correctly, but I have had this discrepancy brought to my attention, hence this clarification.
2) Each of the submitted weldments SHALL be identified with high school name and student first name and last name. First name initial and last full name would also be sufficient. This needs to be done in permanent marker or on tape that is adhered to the sample project. Do NOT use chalk or soapstone. Failure to do so will cause rejection in the projects.
Also it would be helpful if the advisors email me upon shipping the projects with the tracking number so that I know it is enroute.
Thanks,
Bruce Gregory
If your school cannot make the qualification deadline due to school closure due to weather, please call Aaron at 531-739-8224 by noon on February 20th.
