Welding students at McAlester tech center get new tool

McALESTER, Okla. (AP) _ Kiamichi Technology Center's McAlester campus now has a 15-ton metal shear for its welding students. <br/><br/>Drumright-based Central Technology Center donated the huge shear

Tuesday, December 7th 2004, 6:21 am

By: News On 6

McALESTER, Okla. (AP) _ Kiamichi Technology Center's McAlester campus now has a 15-ton metal shear for its welding students.

Drumright-based Central Technology Center donated the huge shear and it was installed with a crane on Friday.

The shear is capable of cutting a sheet of metal 6-feet long and three-quarters of an inch thick.

Welding instructor Steve Hammontree said this will allow metal to be cut for welding projects much faster than the previous method of cutting the metal with torches. Students will be able to spend more time on actual welding training, and and they will gain them experience with a different type of machine.

``We try to give our students as much actual industry training as we can,'' Hammontree said. ``That's important.''