October 15-17, 2024 at Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida
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Expo Hours

Tuesday Oct 15 9 AM — 5 PM
Wednesday Oct 16 9 AM — 5 PM
Thursday Oct 17 9 AM — 4 PM

Venue

Orange County Convention Center

9800 International Drive
Orlando, Florida 32819

About the Expo

North America's largest metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing event heads to Orange County Convention Center in October 2024. FABTECH provides a convenient "one stop shop" venue where you can meet with world-class suppliers, see the latest industry products and developments, and find the tools to improve productivity, increase profits and discover new solutions to all of your metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing needs.

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North America's Largest Metal Forming, Fabricating, Welding and Finishing Event

From the Blog

Volunteers Repair Historic Navy Warship

By Jennifer Dallos on on
Ivy Tech students welded on the LST-325 and gained some valuable experience outside of the lab. By MELISSA GOMEZ MELISSA GOMEZ is editorial assistant of the Welding Journal. Reprinted with permission: The Welding Journal Students from Ivy Tech Community College, Evansville, Ind., recently used their welding skills outside of the classroom when they volunteered to work on the LST-325, a decommissioned U.S. Navy tank landing ship.
Presently docked in Evansville, Ind., the LST-325, one of the only two World War II LSTs to be preserved in the United States., has become a museum and memorial ship.

Presently docked in Evansville, Ind., the LST-325, one of the only two World War II LSTs to be preserved in the United States., has become a museum and memorial ship.

John Durbin, program chair for Industrial Technology at Ivy Tech and a welding instructor at the school for 27 years, was taking a tour of the historic ship when the opportunity arose. “While on board, the tour guide said they are always looking for volunteers to help maintain the ship. He said they had a lot of welding to do. I told him I thought I could be a big help and gave him my business card. A few days later, the director of the ship gave me a call,” Durbin said. Hands-on Work Students in Durbin’s welding classes were given the chance to work on the ship. Of the approximately 30 students who participated, most were from his SMAW 2 class. For three weeks, they attended 2-3 half days each week. Altogether, about 200–240 hours of labor were volunteered. Student Nicole Tatum said, “We reinforced some decking that has started to rust out. We laid metal down and stick welded it out.” Another of the student volunteers, Ethan Lubbehusen, added, “I welded 3-ft poles onto 1-ft2 plates so they could hang chains on them for security for the exhibits that were displayed below the top deck. I also welded plates of flat bar steel for certain spots on the ship that needed to be patched.” Most of the repairs on the LST are being done with shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), along with some self-shielded flux cored arc welding. Durbin and his volunteers used the ship’s Miller Bobcat and Lincoln 225 welding machines. A Lincoln LN-25 was used for the self-shielded FCAW and oxyfuel was used for cutting. “The ship is 71 years old, and as you can imagine, there is a lot of rust. Most of the work we have been doing is on the upper deck. We have been patching holes in the deck where the steel has rusted through. There are more repairs to do on escape hatches and hand rails,” said Durbin. John Engstrom, vice president, board of directors, USS LST Ship Memorial, said the students performed welding and fabrication on the LST’s elevator, which was used to transport vehicles from the main deck down to the tank deck so they could be offloaded and vice versa. He said with the work they did on it, it should last for years to come. A Learning Experience For most of the students, it was their first time welding outside the lab — a very different experience from standing at a table in a lab. “They experienced welding in cold wind coming off the Ohio River. They also had to kneel or lie down for some of the welding.” “I learned that you have to be flexible and creative when executing a job. Every job is different — different atmospheres, equipment, positions, and applications. I learned that you do what it takes to get the job done. That’s what you’re there for,” said Tatum. “I’ve learned different techniques and how to work around problems in tight situations,” added Lubbehusen. “I’ve learned to work with my surroundings. You may not have everything you need, like you would in the classroom, so you work with what you have out in the field.” The students also experienced the importance of following safe practices. “The ship’s tours kept on going while we were working. Ocassionally, we would have to stop welding and grinding to allow the tour guide to speak to the group safely as they passed,” explained Durbin. Future Volunteering Those who participated received extra credit in their class and gave very positive feedback about the project . “The students are loving this. Many students signed up as members of the LST-325 group. They can volunteer anytime they want, without me. They liked being outside the lab and they also commented on how they like participating in the preservation of history. It was a real-life experience for them, as well as a feel good experience.” It was such an educational experience, and there is still so much welding to be done on the ship, that Durbin has decided to add volunteering on the LST-325 as a mandatory class activity going forward. “We are trying, as a college, to be more involved in service learning.” Other trade schools or technical institutes interested in either volunteering or donating equipment to keep this one-of-a-kind ship afloat can contact 325office@lstmemorial.org. According to Engstrom, “Mr. Durbin and his students provided an invaluable service to the ship and their continued participation in the upkeep and preservation of this historic naval artifact would be greatly appreciated.” The students also agree that future classes would greatly benefit from the experience. “I strongly suggest having future welding classes weld on the LST. It was the best learning experience at Ivy Tech — preparing you for real-life jobs and situations,” said Lubbehusen. Tatum added, “I believe it will build confidence, give students a feeling of importance, and teach them to take pride in their work.” A History Lesson on the LST-325 Landing Ship, Tanks (LSTs) were designed in 1942 to carry battle tanks, vehicles, soldiers, and supplies directly onto enemy beaches. More than 1000 of these ships were built for use during World War II. Many were also used in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. On October 27, 1942, the USS LST-325 was launched, and commissioned on February 1, 1943. The LST was sent as part of Operation HUSKY, the invasion of Sicily, in 1943. It sailed as support for the invasion of Salerno, Italy, later that year. Among other operations, the ship participated in D-Day at Omaha Beach, Normandy, on June 6, 1944. The ship has been part of 70 years of history and survived as the last fully operational WWII LST. Decomissioned for the third time in December 1999, the ship has been ported in Evansville, Ind., since 2005.

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