Archive for the ‘Welders’ Category

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Turning a welder into a profit maker – Finding Customer Part1

Monday, May 7th, 2012

No doubt a great many men and women who make their first purchase of a welder have in mind recovering at least part of their investment cost by doing some welding for others, or by at least making something with the welder and selling it. However, good many buy before they have a firm grip on the local market and even before they are fixed on what they will build or sell, and the welder ends up sitting on the shelf collecting dust, or it is sold after interest is lost. Very few people actually connect with their dreams of making it big or even at the very least supplementing their income because of poor market investigation or planning. One of the simplest things to do to prevent this from happening to you is to go around to different welding companies in your area and ask questions. Most will be glad to offer simple advice or tell you what kind of clientele they have. Obviously you won’t be starting out on such a grand scale, but it is worth noting the type of work each shop does. Some will specialize while others will take on about any task that comes in the door. Furthermore, a visit to all your local welding suppliers can glean some details about the local market. The local welding supply business can give you broad info on what type of welding products they sell the most of and what they feel the market it doing in the area based off the sales.

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Making the mark – welding

Friday, May 4th, 2012

Somewhere along the way, a welder eventually needs to know how to read and use a tape measure. Whether its fabricating a new project for a customer or simply double checking to make sure a part is in spec before welding it up completely, at some point a tape measure will be required. I have talked to so many people interested in welding, but could not tell the difference between a 5/8” mark or a ½” mark on the tape measure. A welder/fitter that cannot read a tape measure is not around the job site long before he is fired. Plenty of information is available online about how to do this, and even convenient calculators are available to make any needed conversion of measurements from metric into standard U.S. or English measurements. Alternatively, many local high schools have a vocational instructor that would be more than glad to offer a few minutes of instruction, and training, if not a night class on measuring tools. A tape measure isn’t the only measuring device that is helpful to a new welder. Getting instruction on all sort of measuring devices isn’t a bad idea. Knowing how to read a caliper, or even a speed square is a helpful tool. Another issue that new welders face is correctly marking a spot so that a weld or cut can be made precisely where the mark was made. A lot of welders prefer to use soap stone, a chalk like rock that easily writes on the metal. Some use marking pens and pencils…others use tungsten awls to scribe a mark on the metal. The finer the tip, the less room you will have for error. But, a couple of things can be done to improve marking accuracy. The first is to create two marks that angle toward the center of the exact spot to be cut or welded that form a V…or an arrow. This will allow for little mistake in cutting. A heavy, thick single mark may curve, or wander even if free handed, but cutting the center out of an arrow that is pointing to the precise point of cut or weld is much easier.

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Maintaining an arc in less than ideal situations

Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012

Early on in the learning process, many people typically learn to weld in the down hand position. Officially referred to as the 1G position which means it is flat position, with some sort of groove for the joint, the down hand position is very easy to master. Many people master the 1G position, but find difficulty in changing positions when trying to expand their welding repertoire. One of the difficulties experienced is muscle control and inability to keep a steady arc when going from a flat welding position to something like an overhead (4G) weld. One obvious answer to the problem is practice, of course. But even with a lot of practice, some people still have issues, because of the lack comfort and muscle control. One of the biggest help is learning to brace off and steady the body. Just as bracing off and muscle control is important to a sniper on a long range shot, a welder needs to learn to position his body in the most comfortable position as possible. While welding out of position can offer little comfort at times, experimenting, and moving about trying to find a relatively good and stable position is key to making a good weld. Supporting the welding hand with the free hand is also a good idea to keep the “shakes” down and the arc going along smoothly. A few other techniques can help that aren’t so obvious, such as plenty of rest, and even stabilizing blood sugar a few minutes before starting to weld. Eating a pack of crackers or even some beef jerky a little while before eating, especially in the late afternoon can help improve muscle control and improve focus. Another is getting a good, comfortable welding helmet with plenty of viewing area to allow for good visibility at odd angles. A cheater lens which acts as magnifying lens for bad eyesight can improve weld accuracy as well. All in all alot of it requires personal experimentation, and as mentioned earlier, practice. But learning and employing as many techniques as possible is an important key to success.

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Tips to select the perfect welding helmet for your welding requirements

Friday, April 27th, 2012

Welding as we know it is a process wherein two or more metal pieces are joined together with the help of a molten solution that forms the bond between them upon cooling and solidification. Theoretically speaking, it is as simple as that. Practically speaking, Practice makes a man perfect and in order to understand and imply the intricacies of this art, one needs to apply tremendous amount of focus, knowledge and concentration time in and again. Every professional welder knows about this pretty well.

Practically speaking, welding is also one among the dangerous tasks we could ever undertake. A simple mistake is more than enough to spoil the weld on a lighter version. On a broader version, such a mistake could severely injure you, blinding you or even cause death under worst case scenario. One ought practice caution by all means and not be fools hardy.

Irrespective of whether we are performing welding with a MIG welder or a TIG welder, the welding helmet is the pivotal point of our requirements. One mustn’t forget that at any cost. As far as safety aspects go, everything is equally important while performing welding. However, one must be able to choose the perfect quality welding helmet that could last for several years and serve to be as resourceful as possible.

There are 3 parameters that you need to consider while shopping for these helmets. They are:

  • Health and Safety
  • Productivity
  • Quality.

A welding helmet that you choose must provide sufficient protection for the eyes, face and neck. Protect your skin from harmful UV rays. It should provide protection against sparks or splatter, infrared light and many more. A proper helmet will be comfortable and help you to focus which significantly improves productivity. If you are feeling heavy or fatigue during welding, your productivity will be hampered. Hence, purchase a helmet that keeps you comfortable and protects you efficiently. Quality helmets as expected serve to be resourceful for several years to come.

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Safety measures during Mig welding process

Friday, April 20th, 2012

The term mig welding stands for Metal Inter Gas welding. This type of metal welding process is widely handled in most of the industries. It is carried out by the application of heat obtained from the electric arc over the metal work piece. Certain safety measures have to be implemented well before we start working with these welding procedures. Firstly, protection of skin from harmful ultraviolet radiations is to be considered.

Appropriate ventilation facility, usage of extraction fans and wearing a vapor mask are few of the protection methods for avoiding the effects of UV rays. Sparks will be released at the time of grinding and welding operation. These sparks can travel a very long distance and hence care should be taken such that sparks does not affect any object by catching fire. Avoiding the placement of flammable objects nearby areas of such operations is the best way to prevent fire accidents.

Cornea of human eye is so sensitive to rays such as Ultraviolet radiation and sun burns. Even if the arc is seen for a very short period of time, it will affect the cornea very easily and this condition is termed as “Arc eye”. It is highly dangerous and a proper protection to the eye is to be given before mig welding process is started. Protecting the workplace with the help of screen will help out if there can be any passer-by in and around the area of welding.

Vapors and fumes should be cared properly and we need to make enough safety measures for mig welding with Zinc and Aluminum objects. Sawdust or other tiny paper bags could catch fire easily at a very fast rate and hence special attention should be shown on them so that we do not miss any such tiny object. The conventional methods of having a fire extinguisher aside or a bucket full of sand are the two all time best ideas for any kind of welding work.

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Is it imperative to be a certified welder?

Wednesday, April 18th, 2012

Welding as such is an art that can be perfected only through practice and experience. There are no short cuts to become a professional welder and every welder started in your shoes. Theoretically speaking welding as such is quite simple wherein two or more metal pieces are joined together with the help of a molten solution that forms the bond between them upon cooling and solidification. It is as simple as that and there are no big secrets or special techniques hidden inside when it comes to understanding welding.

However, practically speaking, it is one among the most complicated tasks one could ever undertake and welding should never be taken lightly. It requires immense focus and precision in order to create sturdy welds. And a professional welder is identified by his qualifications. He needs to be certified by the proper authoritative boards in order to legally practice as a professional welder. Is it imperative for you to become a certified welder? Certainly yes and you don’t even have to think twice about it. And once you become a certified professional, you become a comprehensive who could perform any kind of welding procedures with any kind of welder including MIG welder, TIG welder, Arc welder, Stick welder and many more.

And becoming a certified professional welder is not all that difficult.

  • Call an AWS accredited center and arrange for a simple welding test.
  • Pay some entrance exam amount which is very nominal.
  • Practice harder.
  • By performing a simple T joint weld is more than sufficient for you to pass the certification. Of course, all I’s should be dotted and T’s should be crossed.
  • Then with a small amount you can be registered as a professional and certified welder of National AWS Certified Welder Registry.
  • You are most likely to get a welding job immediately once you are certified.
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An insight into plasma cutting

Friday, April 13th, 2012

Plasma Arc Cutting (PAC) is a thermal substance removal process which is mainly used for cutting thick sections of electrically conductive materials. In simple it can be termed as a superheated, electrically ionized gas. PAC uses a high velocity jet of plasma (Temperatures range from 10,000 to 14,000 oC) to cut through the metal by melting it. The system components are Torch, Power Supply and Arc Starting Circ. It is used in pipe industries and industries for shape cutting. The heat affecting zone for the machines will be from 0.75-5 mm. The gas pressure should be regulated (approx.1-1.4 MPa). It is necessary to maintain constant distance between torch and the work piece. It is mandatory for the operator to wear a goggle and gloves for his safety. Proper training for operators should be provided. Its advantage is that it can cut any metal and trouble-free automation facility.

Plasma cutters are truly versatile and comprehensive in terms of their functionality. They have been one among the greatest inventions pertaining to the welding industry as it has revolutionized the art of welding to a greater degree. It has allowed us to create far more sturdy and comprehensive welding joints that have improved the quality of the end products to immeasurable levels. It is highly imperative on your part to dedicate quality time while shopping for these cutters. See to that you place a special emphasis upon quality of these cutters as you are bound to be using them more often in your factory. And see to that you thoroughly understand its operational features and other maintenance aspects in order to utilize it efficiently and effectively for several years to come. The process involves cutting sturdy equipments or materials such as steel and other metals with the help of a plasma torch which operates at high temperatures. Hence see to that you also safeguard yourself appropriately while performing plasma cutting. Injuries could be quite devastating.

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An insight into gas welding and its associated dangers

Thursday, April 12th, 2012

We all know what welding is all about. Theoretically speaking, it is an art where two or more metal pieces are joined together with the help of a molten solution that solidifies and forms the bond between the metal pieces. However, though it might seem as simple as it sounds, it is a highly complicated and daunting task that requires immense precision and concentration. Only then sturdy welds could be made which makes the overall end product far more versatile and comprehensive. Every professional welder is invariably good at it only because of his/her background practical experience and knowledge. Welding is one among the most complicated tasks you could ever undertake considering the vulnerability you are put through and all its associated dangers.

Irrespective of whether you are practicing welding with the help of MIG welder, TIG welder etc, it is highly imperative that you practice caution and exercise immense control. Never compromise upon safety measures at any point of time. As a dangerous task, it could even kill you when the severities of the wounds you get are of greater extent. Gas welding is especially one among the dangerous welding tasks you could ever undertake.  Oxyfuel safety is one among the most important features of welding and safety measures which is highly neglected during training. Gas welding fatalities have always been predominant due to the same reasons. You ought to purchase Oxyfuel welding kit by all necessary means without fail. This particular kit ensures you safety during all welding procedures. What can you do with it? You can weld, heat, braze, bend carbon steel and chormoly and literally do anything and everything that are most likely related to the field of welding. This particular kit is highly useful as you can also weld aluminum, cast iron, stainless steel and many other hard metals.

However, caution must be used while using these Oxyfuel cylinders as it can lead to several dangers. It can literally kill when caution is not practiced. However, it stands to be highly resourceful to perform all kinds of welding activities.

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Functional ways of portable plasma cutter

Wednesday, April 11th, 2012

Among all other metal-cutting machines, plasma cutter is considered as one of the most efficient tools that are available in the modern industries today. They are one of the relatively easy to use tools today; moreover they are used extensively in today’s industry to cut steel and other electrical conducive metals. Because of the portability enabled by inverter technology it is used extensively in today’s industry.

The initiative of a plasma cutter was engendered as a result of the necessity for higher tools to cut and be part of aircraft elements. Compressed gas and high voltage electrical arc is used by the cutters to cut through different types of metals. Through a constricted opening the compressed gas is passed through. Temperature of the compressed gas gets superior when it is discharged through the gap that creates plasma- the fourth state of matter. As soon as the compressed gas is passed through the opening in a high-temperature, the molten metal’s gets cut into desired shapes. The molten space within the metal is blown off by the heat of the plasma.

These cutters are obtainable in different sizes starting from small cutters to large one and additional economical cutters. There are small handy plasma cutters obtainable in many online stores as well. Portable cutters are used to cut through conductive metals with a thickness of ½ an inch However; big size cutters are used to cut   metals of two inch thicknesses in huge industries. Nowadays these cutters are controlled by computers that are referred to as CNC cutting machines. The metals are organized and cut with the assistance of cutting machines controlled directly by computers.

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Need to Know The MIG Welding Part3

Tuesday, April 10th, 2012

Along with wire cost and gas cost there are additional items of expense that should be considered. Of course, a suitable auto darkening helmet is always going to be needed. A good quality helmet will usually start in a price range of 150.00 dollar or better for an auto darkening. The rapid start/stop nature of MIG welding makes having an auto darkening helmet nearly a must have item.  The basic fixed lens helmet can be used, at a much less expense, but beware, that it can be very aggravating flipping the helmet up and down constantly, not mention time consuming.  Also, nozzle gel or anti spatter spray is a worth-while investment to protect the consumables from wear, and to prevent metal buildup and adhesion of spatter to the consumables.  Furthermore, a hidden, and difficult to predict expense is the cost of consumables.  This cost can eat up a hobby welding budget, depending upon skill and care provided to the consumables.  Extra tips, nozzles, and even liners are frequent requirements of a MIG welder.  The cost of these consumable can vary greatly by quality and supplier as well.  OEM usually is the most expensive, but the longest lasting.  Experimentation may be required to find the best provider of the consumables.   Another initial cost to MIG welding, if it is not supplied by the manufacturer as part of the welding package, is the initial purchase is the gas regulator.  Expect to spend another 150.00 dollars or so to buy one. You should still keep this in mind as an extra cost even if you are supplied with a regulator at the point of purchase, particularly if you are working and welding with more than one gas mix, because some regulators are only set up for one specific gas type.  Other smaller miscellaneous items are needed as well, such as a pair of MIG pliers, gloves, sleeves and or jacket.  One of the most common items forgotten is to have an additional pair of safety glasses on behind the helmet to protect against stray sparks finding a home in the middle of your cornea.  Fortunately, the days of expensive and cumbersome safety glasses and goggles are gone.  Usually a pair of stylish safety glasses can be bought for at a price fewer than 10 dollars, even with built in magnification which sit comfortable on the ears and face, even while welding.

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