Welding can be vaguely traced back in history to a few thousand years back. A lot of historians believe that this practice could’ve begun in the Bronze Age and the Iron Age. It took a lot of time for welding to evolve to the form that we see today. The advent of carbon rod welding marked the rapid evolution of the welding process as we know it today. It was then that techniques and materials became more sophisticated in a way that maximized efficiency, accuracy, and aesthetic appeal.
Beginner welders are bound to be surprised by the huge number of varying styles and tools used in welding. Welding continuously evolves as technology progresses;t’s now possible to use water-soluble paper to overcome limitations in various purging systems. Green biodegradable solutions are currently revolutionizing the concepts of welding. With that being said, to shed light on the most important basics of welding, here is an overview of what first-time welders should be familiar with.
Good Foundation
The concept behind welding isn’t hard to understand. In short, the practice involves heating two pieces of metals until they reach their melting point, and then combining them while they are in their liquid state before letting them cool. The following step employs a filler, which is a different piece of metal that is also heated along with the other two pieces to increase the mass. The welding process dictates the type of filler used which can range from electrodes, to continuously fed wires. What differentiates a good weld from a bad one is that the former will have no imperfections, such as holes, and will have smooth outer edges.
Focusing on a Method
There are a lot of welding methods that one can start practicing, but trying to learn them all at once will only distract and overwhelm you. While there is no such thing as the best welding method, some may be easier than others to learn first. A lot of experts believe that getting familiar with electrode arc welding first is helpful. The material you’re going to weld is also going to have a say in the method you choose. TIG is perfect for brass, copper, titanium, and magnesium, while aluminum can work with both TIG and MIG methods. Cast iron requires a different tool to accommodate its properties such as a stick welder.
Safety
When you’re still a beginner, you may not fully understand the risks that can be associated with welding. Letting your guard down can be a very costly mistake as you’re dealing with temperatures that are at least a few thousand degrees. Since you’ll be practicing a lot, you want to make sure that you’re safe at all times by equipping yourself with all the safety gear and precautions necessary. Welding helmets should be worn at all times during the process; if you’re watching another welder, the helmet should still stay on. Helmets with darkened screens are recommended as they’ll protect your eyes from the brightness, in addition to being budget-friendly.
That said, your hands are going to be very close to the welding arc, which means that they’ll be under very high pressure. Never forget to wear your gloves whenever you’re welding or practicing as these kinds of temperatures can cause a lot of damage to your hands. Different welding methods may require different kinds of gloves so make sure you match the gloves you’re wearing with the type of equipment you’re using to maximize efficiency. Aprons and jackets protect your body from the flaming debris as you work your way around the metal. In many cases, respirators may be needed to offset the toxicity of the noxious fumes.
Mentorship
Welding is something that takes years of experience to perfect. You can choose to go at it alone, but you’ll be missing out on a lot of important steps that can reduce the time you need to master welding. If you’re friends with a welder, you can get a good head-start if you start learning some tips and tricks from them on where and how to start. The learning process usually involves a lot of questions, and no one is better suited to answer your questions other than a professional welder with years of experience under their belt. If you’re unable to find a direct mentor, you can use the internet to learn as much as you can on the matter by exploring cyber communities created by fellow welders.
There is no single best way to learn welding from scratch. It will be up to you to decide on which welding method is more suitable for you based on the materials used, learning curve, and practicality. As long as you practice safely as much as you can, you’ll notice a consistent progression.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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