What to Consider When Setting Up Shop in Your Backyard
For avid welders, having an at-home shop is about as good as it gets. Some welders choose to set up shop in a garage or other storage-type space, others opt for the great outdoors. Backyard welding is a great option for welders tight on real estate, but still looking to work on project from the…
What Is Each Type of Welding Rod Used For?
One of the major problems that most beginner welders run into is that they are not familiar with what each welding rod is used for. This can be one of the frustrations in getting started in welding. However, I can tell you that even though I’ve been working in welding for quite a few years,…
Repairs Without Welding: Cold Metal Stitching
What is cold metal stitching and what is it used for? Cold metal stitching is used to repair cracked metal that cannot otherwise be mended via traditional methods, such as welding. The process of cold metal stitching implements specialized inserts that join the broken metal again across any cracks. You can use cold metal stitching…
Can Welding Wire Go Bad?
Welding wire, in general, goes bad after a period of time, but depending on the type of welding wire, there are various things to consider in order to prevent it and what to do with it if it does go bad. Various welding applications require different welding wire. However, like all things metal, welding wire…
What is the Hardest Form of Welding?
Introduction Welding can be a tedious process, and if you master the skills of welding, you will become better and better at it. In this blog post, I will start by talking about why TIG is the hardest form of welding and then talk about various forms of welding. Also, I will provide tips and…
Welding Stainless Steel Can Be Tricky… But Why?
Welding stainless steel can be a challenge at first as it’s a bit trickier of a material than its close cousin, carbon steel. Learning a whole new process for welding the metal might seem ominous, but it is a skill well-worth learning. As the metal continues to increase in popularity due to its strength and…
Why is Aluminum So Difficult to Weld?
Aluminum is quickly becoming a popular choice of metal in fabrication. It’s lightweight, non-corrosive, and visually appealing, making it the perfect material for many projects. However, many of the very same properties that make aluminum a great option for fabrication are also reasons it can be difficult to work with. While it may be tempting…
Do Welding Rods Go Bad?
Welding projects cannot be completed without welding electrodes, and in order to produce quality welds, your rods must be in good condition. Electrodes can go bad relatively easily, so it’s important to know how to care for the electrode to not only preserve shelf life, but also to avoid weld defects from using a damaged…
What do Hose Colors Mean When Welding?
I reme,ber the first time I had a torch in my hands. I turned on the gas, struck some sparks and a little blue flame slickered into life. Magic. But how did that happen. What was coming from those tanks. And what did these colors mean? They came in a variety of colors, and I…
Why Do Welds Crack?
What are the major causes of cracked welds? A weld will crack most often due to improper welding techniques before, during, and after the welding process. Common causes of cracking include inadequate preparation of the work piece, poor part fitment, inaccurate welder settings, and contaminated filler materials. There is good news, however. Many, if not…