Hammer Fab Academy
Learn the trade,
not just the theory.
Small-group workshops taught inside the working shop. You'll build, weld, and shape on the same benches we use every day.
Digital courses
Digital online courses.
On-demand classes are organized into four tracks. Subscribe to a track to get access to the full lesson library as it grows.
Metal Fabrication
Shaping, welding, and structural fabrication — the core of what we do every day.
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Paint & Body
Bodywork, prep, and paint technique from the panel to the final cut and buff.
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Car Building
Full-build planning, packaging, assembly, and the details that tie a car together.
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3D Scanning & CAD
Scanning real parts, modeling in CAD, and taking a design from screen to steel.
VIEW COURSEWhy train here
A working shop is the classroom.
Class sizes capped so every student gets bench time
Instructors who build for a living, not just teach
Take home the work you produce
All equipment and consumables provided
In-person classes
Class topics.
We don't have any classes scheduled right now. Once a topic is dialed in, we tend to repeat it — so check back or reach out if something here interests you.
Firewall Fabrication
2–3 DAYSINTERMEDIATE
Learn how to design, build, and install a custom 14ga steel firewall the way we do it at Hammer Fab. Covers Pullmax and bead roller techniques and differences, pre-stretching, correcting distortion, basic TIG welding, and metal finishing basics.
Trans Tunnel
2–3 DAYSINTERMEDIATE
A deep dive into building the structural foundation down the center of a custom vehicle. Using a donor car with engine, transmission, and rear end already in place, we cover design, layout, pattern making, Pullmax operations, basic and compound forming techniques, MIG plug welding, TIG welding, and metal finishing so the tunnel is structurally sound and clean.
Wheel Tub Fabrication
2 DAYSINTERMEDIATE
A two-day look at building custom wheel tubs out of metal. Depending on the session, the focus may be more on compound curves or basic fabrication, but either way you'll learn the best techniques for forming and shaping. We cover proper attachment methods, MIG vs. TIG welding, wheel clearance, bead roller and Pullmax stamping details, and how to make rounded corners and irregular shapes.
Floor Pan Fabrication
2–3 DAYSINTERMEDIATE
Build a custom floor pan from scratch using a variety of metal thicknesses, heavy equipment, and specialized techniques. We compare Pullmax vs. bead rolling, cover pre-stretching beads and correcting distortion, and consider interior design factors like seat placement and driver fitment. A donor vehicle is ready to receive a new floor during the class. We highly recommend taking Firewall Fabrication and Trans Tunnel first to get the most out of this one.
Compound Curve Metal Shaping
2 DAYSINTERMEDIATE
Our most popular class. Bring ear plugs — it's loud. Two full days of power hammer, English wheel, Pullmax, three planishing hammers, and more. The challenge isn't just shaping a compound curve; your part must fit something real. No random pieces built in thin air. You'll leave knowing how to make a panel that actually fits a vehicle or fixture.
TIG Fundamentals
2 DAYSBEGINNER → INTERMEDIATE
A hands-on exploration of TIG welding across steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and titanium. The class focuses on sheet metal and structural welding, covering machine setup, tungsten prep, filler control, joint prep, and plenty of bench time.
Totally Tubular TIG Welding
2 DAYSINTERMEDIATE
Geared toward sheet metal tubing for exhaust, coolant, and turbo plumbing. We cover layout, cutting, squaring up cuts, swedging, butt welding, back purging with argon, proper techniques, material selection, and machine setup on stainless steel, aluminum, and titanium.
Metal Finishing
2 DAYSINTERMEDIATE
A complete look at panel patching and finishing after welding. We cover butt-welded TIG patches, hammer and dolly work, planishing hammer techniques, grinding, blending, and final finish methods. Additional topics include shrinking disc work, oxyacetylene torch shrinking, and leading processes when the project calls for it.
Downloads
Downloadable content.
Class notes from our seminars in PDF form — instant download link delivered with your order confirmation.
Metal Finishing Digital Download
Get the inside scoop on our Metal Finishing seminar by downloading these “cliff notes” from that class. This in-depth PDF is not a step-by-step how-to, however, it is loaded with lots of great tips and tricks that we teach in our classes. If you can’t make it to one of our seminars then this is the next best thing. You’ll receive a download link in your purchase order confirmation email.
$20.00
Chop Top 1950 Shoebox Ford Sedan Digital Download
In this PDF you can see and learn many of the steps in chopping a “turret” style chop. The methods in this book would apply to cars from the late 1930’s up until the late 1950’s. Some cars that are famous for this look are lead sled mercs, shoebox fords, chevy bel airs, oldmobiles, and many others. This style of chop is usually performed on 2 door sedans and 2 door coupes.
$20.00
Floor Pan Fabrication Digital Download
Get the inside scoop on our Floorpan Fabrication seminar by downloading these “cliff notes” from that class. This in-depth PDF is not a step-by-step how to, however it is loaded with lots of great tips and tricks that we teach in our classes. If you can’t make it to one of our seminars then this is the next best thing. You’ll receive a download link in your purchase order confirmation email.
$20.00
Compound Curves Digital Download
Get the inside scoop on our Compound Curves seminar by downloading these “cliff notes” from that class. This in-depth PDF is not a step-by-step how-to, however, it is loaded with lots of great tips and tricks that we teach in our classes. If you can’t make it to one of our seminars then this is the next best thing. You’ll receive a download link in your purchase order confirmation email.
$20.00
Wheel Tub Fabrication Digital Download
Get the inside scoop on our Wheel Tub Fabrication seminar by downloading these “cliff notes” from that class. This in-depth PDF is not a step-by-step how to, however it is loaded with lots of great tips and tricks that we teach in our classes. If you can’t make it to one of our seminars then this is the next best thing. You’ll receive a download link in your purchase order confirmation email.
$20.00
Hammer-Forming Digital Download
In this lengthy PDF download you will learn not only how to shape copper into a killer bull skull but also all the techniques and processes of how to make the mold, buck, patterns, and hammer form for shaping the metal. This one is packed with lots of valuable information.
$40.00
Firewall Fabrication Digital Download
Get the inside scoop on our Firewall Fabrication seminar by downloading these “cliff notes” from that class. This in-depth PDF is not a step-by-step how-to, however, it is loaded with lots of great tips and tricks that we teach in our classes. If you can’t make it to one of our seminars then this is the next best thing. You’ll receive a download link in your purchase order confirmation email.
$20.00
Engine Bay Fabrication Digital Download
Get the inside scoop on our Engine Bay Fabrication seminar by downloading these “cliff notes” from that class. This in-depth PDF is not a step-by-step how to, however it is loaded with lots of great tips and tricks that we teach in our classes. If you can’t make it to one of our seminars then this is the next best thing. You’ll receive a download link in your purchase order confirmation email.
$30.00
Tailgate Stops Instructions 59-66 GM Fleetside
Download this PDF instructions for our Tailgate Stops
$0.00