About Welding

Heat and pressure are used in welding to join pieces of metals together. There are two types of welding, arc welding and resistance welding. Because welding is a dangerous process. Welding is a very dangerous process, and the welder must be certain that they are equipped for welding before they begin the process. This means the essential Welding supplies and equipment.

Safety gear and equipment is essential and a requirement f for welding due to the open flame which holds a high threat of injury such as burns. Protective clothing and gear is essential when welding to minimize the risk. Welding safety equipment that the welder must use includes:

Fire resistant gloves

Fire resistant overalls

Helmets, masks and goggles

When welding the light is so bright that dark lenses and faceplates must be worn to protect the eyes from the ultra violet rays and from sparks and / or arcs when using the electric welding methods.

Welders also run the risk of being exposed to toxic gases and fine particles. Welding produces a form of smoke that can be hazardous when inhaled. Therefore, it is essential that the process of welding is only done in areas that have a good ventilation system and there is plenty of fresh air.

Arc Welding

With arch welding a power supply is used which creates a welding arc between the electrode and a base material in order to melt the metals at the welding point. The AC or DC current supply constant voltage and power. A shielding gas is used to protect the welding region.

Common Problems When Welding

Failure of the welder to clean the parts and weld surfaces properly which will result in contaminated welds or improper weld.

When a welder purchases the wrong gas or inexpensive gas it will result in shielding gas problems among other poor results. High quality gas should definitely be used for the best results.

Wrong polarity will result in a poor looking weld bead.

Incorrect contact tip sizes.

Travel speeds that are too slow or too fast.

When the shielding is insufficient, oxygen will reach the weld during fusion, which creates poor results.

Not enough current which results in lack of fusion and a cold weld. This is a particular problem when welding heavy material.

Not selecting the proper size of a welder for the job.

Improper maintenance on the welder resulting in wear such as contact tips, liners and other parts.

Improper filler material not suited to the work.

Welding is performed in various positions, such as flat, vertical or overhead, depending on the industry that the welding is being performed. There are precise formulas that must be used when welding and it cannot be stressed enough that before welding, the welder must have the proper knowledge, education, equipment and safety gear, as well as, the proper welding area. There is a great risk of injury when welding, which is not only burns and ailment due to inhalation, but also the possibility of death, should the proper safety equipment not be worn and the welder becomes injured.