Welding Your Own Roll Cage: A Quick Reference Guide
How do I weld my own roll cage? Welding a roll cage requires applying a variety of techniques and mathematical calculations. Among the factors to consider are the interior dimensions of the vehicle, applicable safety regulations, and your particular set of welding skills. By no means a beginner’s project, building a roll cage can, however,…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…