A virtual reality welding process and system is described which includes a programmable processor based subsystem, a spatial tracker operatively connected to the programmable processor based subsystem, a mock welding tool capable of being spatially tracked by the spatial tracker in which the mock welding tool includes two or more adapters. Each adapter emulates the real-world appearance of a particular weld type and interfaces with a base that is removably coupled to each of the two or more adapters. The base has one or more sensors to determine spatial location relative to the spatial tracker. The programmable processor based subsystem executes an appropriate instruction set associated with each adapter to render a display to the user on a face-mounted display device commensurate for each of the two or more adapters.