Can you teach yourself to weld? While teaching yourself to weld isn’t easy, there are many ways you can learn and practice welding at home. There are many books, tutorials, YouTube videos, classes, and in-person opportunities that can teach you the basics of welding. Focusing on one type of welding will set you up for success. We recommend starting with …
Welding the Future: Will it be by Hand or Machine?
Will welders be replaced by robots? Automated, or machine welding already exists in our workforce. However, the progression towards replacing welders with machinery will only continue to gain momentum. That being said, there will almost always be a need for experienced welders to program and monitor their automated counterparts. Special welding tasks remain the responsibility of skilled welders who are …
Plasma Cutting With and Without Air: Which Should You Choose?
Can you use a plasma cutter without an air compressor? Plasma cutters typically come with an air compressor, but some units come without this component. Air compressors can help you cut more precisely. They can also make your plasma cutter portable for off-the-grid jobs. However, they do come with some downsides. While you can plasma cut with or without air, …
Grab Hold: Choosing the Best Welding Pliers
Who makes the best welding pliers? Choosing the correct welding pliers for your application requires careful consideration. You should take into account the type of welding, the material(s) of the pliers, your budget, and your personal preferences. Finding the right set of welding pliers can take time, but once you’ve found a pair you like, they should last you quite …
Welding Extension Cords: Lengthen Your Metal-Melting Power
How safe are welding extension cords to use? Purpose-made welding extension cords can bring a sense of portability to your welder. However, there are certain stipulations which you should follow when buying and/or creating your own welding extension cord. The welder (both operator and machine), length of cord, power supply, and many other details affect the safety factor. In short, …
25 of the Best Welding Accessories
What welding accessories should you invest in? While there’s no set list of welding accessories you must own, most welders have a typical inventory of both basic and specialized tools. We’ve gathered a list of 25 of the best welding accessories below for your reference. Ranging in price from under $20 to above $100, these products are by no means …
Get in the Groove with Groove Welding!
You may know what welding is, but do you know what groove welding is and how to read the symbols? Groove welding is a specific way to attach two pieces together, or create a joint. As there are many types of groove welds, each one needs its own specific symbol. The symbol gives all the information you need to create …
Rod Ovens: What Are They and Do I Need One?
Those proficient at stick welding already possess expertise in temperature management, shielding gas, travel speed and more. You would expect no less from them in terms of equipment and materials prep. Stick welders should carefully maintain everything involved in the welding process. A rod oven is a good example. What are rod ovens and do I need one? Rod ovens …
Welding Knives: The Good, the Bad, and the Just Plain Ugly
Can you weld knives? While it’s certainly possible to weld a knife, it’s not always practical. Consider the value and purpose of the knife in question. An intermediate-to-advanced understanding of metals increases the chances of success; however, welding knives is often left to the experts or simply used as a last resort. Your broken knife blade sits before you. You …
High-Powered Art: The Expense of Engraving
Why is engraving so expensive? Engraving requires extremely accurate equipment, intricate step-by-step processes, and the proper tooling, among other things. Though engraving has come quite a long way since the days of hand carving, the true expense lies in the details. Total up the man-power, hours of labor, high-end machine costs, and you’ll begin to see why engraving isn’t for …