1. A virtual welding system, comprising: 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, the mock welding tool includes, two or more adapters, wherein each adapter emulates the real-world appearance of a particular weld type; and a base that is removably coupled to each of the two or more adapters, said base comprising one or more sensors to determine spatial location relative to said spatial tracker; and further wherein each of said two or more adapters interfacing with said base, and said programmable processor based subsystem executing an appropriate instruction set associated with each adapter to render a display on a face-mounted display device commensurate for each of said two or more adapters.