There’s a Hole in Your Table, Dear Welder
Do you want a welding table with holes? Holes intentionally placed within the structure of a welding table serve quite a variety of purposes. These holes can be of any shape and/or size, really, and are meant to either help hold a tool or work piece that is being welded. Welding tables are useful both…
Quick Guide to Welding Your Engine Block: A Mechanic’s Hail Mary
How can you successfully repair a cracked engine block by welding it—and is it actually possible? Repairing a cracked engine block via welding first requires proper diagnosis. Given the engine block can be repaired by welding up the crack, certain precautions must be taken to ensure success. There are a variety of methods used in…
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…
Casting Misruns : What They Are And How To Fix Them
Have you ever had a misrun casting defect while welding and wondered how you to avoid it in the future? A misrun is a metal pouring defect. It happens when the liquid metal isn’t totally filling the cavity mold when it pours. This can be due to a lack of molten metal fluidity, and faulty…
What Is Cold Shut In Casting
What Is Cold Shut in Casting? You broke your 3/4-inch crescent wrench trying to loose that fitting on some stubborn, rusty old plumbing. Let that sink in for a moment. You broke a 3/4-inch crescent wrench. Sure, you really put your back and shoulder into it to add extra torque, but the wrench shouldn’t break…
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 With a Car Battery and Coat Hanger: How it’s Done
How can you weld with a car battery and a coat hanger? Using the battery as a power source and the coat hanger as your filler rod, you can successfully weld. However, it’s better to link more than one battery together. This will allow you to achieve the proper amount of amperage needed to start…
What is Metal Fume Fever and How Can I Prevent It?
Can you recognize the signs and symptoms of Metal Fume Fever? Metal Fume Fever (MFF) is an occupational hazard where the inhalation of zinc oxide smoke causes welders to feel ill. It is more dangerous in welders with heart and lung conditions or multiple exposures. Prevention starts with regular testing of the air on the…
Welding Around Automotive Electronics
Welding is not all steel frames, bars, butt joints, angles and sheet metal. Sometimes you have to work on projects where you’re welding in close proximity to sensitive electronic gear that for one reason or another, needs to stay right where it is while you weld. A perfect example of this is automotive welding. So…
Can Welding Hurt Your Dog’s Eyes?
Your dog is your best friend and constant companion. Always by your side whether sitting on the couch or driving to the store. But is it safe to take your dog into the welding shop with you? There is common awareness around the need for eye protection for humans when welding to avoid damage to…