Welding Merit Badge

1. Welding hazards, and first aid Requirement

Two parts.

2 parts

• 1(a). The hazards most likely while welding
• 1(b). First aid for, and prevention of, welding injuries and illnesses

2. Safety precautions, safety gear and care of equipment Requirement

Three parts.

3 parts

• 2(a). General safety precautions and safety data sheets (SDS)
• 2(b). Safety gear and clothing; present yourself dressed for welding
• 2(c). Care and storage of equipment, tools and protective clothing

3. Welding terms and the welding process Requirement

Explain 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. Cutting methods, one described Requirement

Name the different mechanical and thermal cutting methods. Choose one and describe how to use the process, with one advantage and one limitation of it.

5. Welding processes, and set up the one you choose Requirement

Two parts, ending with a setup your counselor inspects and approves.

2 parts

• 5(a). Two welding processes and their equipment
• 5(b). Set up one process; counselor inspects and approves the area Often forgotten

6. Weld, on the equipment prepared in 5(b) Requirement

Only after successfully completing requirements 1 through 5. Six parts, from a bead in the pattern of your initial to fillet welds in a T joint and a lap joint.

Usually comes after 1. Welding hazards, and first aid, 2. Safety precautions, safety gear and care of equipment and 4 others.

The condition is in the requirement itself: "After successfully completing requirements 1 through 5, use the equipment you prepared for the welding process in 5(b)". Do not start the welding before requirements 1 through 5 are complete.

6 parts

• 6(a). Weld a bead following your initial
• 6(b). Cover a small plate with weld beads side by side
• 6(c). Tack two plates in a square groove butt joint
• 6(d). Weld the two plates from 6(c) on both sides Usually comes after 6(c). Tack two plates in a square groove butt joint.
• 6(e). T joint: tack, counselor inspects, fillet weld both sides Often forgotten
• 6(f). Lap joint: tack, counselor inspects, fillet weld both sides Often forgotten

7. Careers, and the American Welding Society Requirement

Two parts.

2 parts

• 7(a). Three welding careers, one researched
• 7(b). The role of the American Welding Society

Counselor signs it off Milestone

The completion date is the date you met the requirements, not the date of the signature.

Usually comes after 1. Welding hazards, and first aid, 2. Safety precautions, safety gear and care of equipment and 5 others.

Merit badge requirements are republished annually. A Scout beginning work uses the requirements as they stand then; a Scout already working may finish under the ones they started with. Guide to Advancement 7.0.4.3 governs which applies. This page records the date its copy was read. Check it against the official page before relying on it.