The Ultimate List of Welding Resources
Where can I find the best welding resources? From learning how to weld to perfecting your technique, there are plenty of welding resources available, both online and in-person. Traditional welding classes are offered at many community colleges and technical schools. The wealth of online welding knowledge includes videos, tutorials, write-ups, guides, and much more. It’s…
How Do You Ground a Welding Table
How Do You Ground a Welding Table? When setting up a welding circuit, you know that clamp that you call a grounding clamp? Don’t call it a grounding clamp. Call it a “return” clamp, because it returns the current to your welder. That differs from an earth ground. An earth ground makes a physical connection…
Teach Yourself to Weld At Home: A Beginner’s Guide
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…
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…
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…
What Are Dimes in Welding?
What Are Dimes in Welding? If there ever was a signature weld, it would be the “stack of dimes” weld. A pretty stack of dimes says, “This welding job was done by a pro.” What are dimes in welding? The “dimes” in welding are the hardened, round puddles of metal and filler created during the…
Welding Positions and Types: A Quick Guide
What are the different welding positions and what special considerations are there for each type? The American Welding Society defines four welding positions. The plane of the weld, as well as the type of weld required, defines a welding position. A pairing of numbers and specific letters denote a weld position. The numbers 1-4 denote…
Strike it Rich: How a Welding Arc is Produced
How is a welding arc produced? In welding, the electric current travels between the electrode and the ground, creating an arc. This process is essentially like a miniature lightning bolt. The purpose of the arc is to melt the base metals together, fusing them in a bond. As a result, part of the metal is…
Welding Overhead with the Correct Filler Material: Best Practices
What’s the best filler material for welding overhead? When welding overhead, the type of filler material isn’t necessarily a factor. You should always use the appropriate filler material for the type of welding and application you’re working on. Instead of simply changing out the filler material, adjust your techniques and/or welder settings as well to…
The Top 25 Reasons You Should Learn How to Weld
Why should you learn how to weld? The world will always need welders. Welding skills and the related working knowledge retain value in a variety of fields and applications. Knowing how to weld opens the door to a myriad of creative opportunities, the possibility to travel and set your own hours, and ultimately, professional success.…