Over the years, the Metals kids in shop class have built some amazing projects. This year, two seniors, Cade McCoy and Sam Kirby, made a massive table that all shop kids are allowed to use. It’s already a big hit. Mrs. Simons was thrilled to see her vision come to life.
Mrs. Simons, the Metals 2 teacher, got the idea to build a table from when she was at a family friend’s house, who was a retired welder, and he had one in his metalworking shop. Mrs. Simons gave the kids in the class two projects that the shop needed to build for efficiency. McCoy and Kirby chose to build the table and were very excited about being able to create such an amazing masterpiece.
With the table weighing a whopping 500 lbs., it also cost a lot of money. The total amount of money that the table cost was approximately $1,200. The masterpiece took around a month to make for the two seniors. McCoy was very pleased with the finished product, “I am very proud to leave something in the Belt
Shop as a part of its legacy.” It should be a valuable asset to the shop for years to come.
The work surface had its challenges too, with it being so heavy that the boys had trouble moving the top of the piece onto it and connecting it. McCoy said, “One of the most challenging parts for me was putting the
wheels on the bottom.” Kirby also agrees with McCoy that the hardest part is lifting the table on its side to get the wheels welded on.
Although building the table wasn’t easy, the shop kids use it every day and are very thankful to McCoy and Kirby for making it. Shy McLaughlin says, “The table is very helpful and is a good place to set up the metal
because it is a flat surface.”
By Makena McCoy, The Valley Voice: February 13, 2026 – Belt, Mt
Special thanks to the students of Belt for their hard work and contributions through The Valley Voice news publication.
