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Welding Basics for Beginners
By Kenzie Thompson
Welding has been around for centuries, though not in the forms
most commonly used today. One of the first welding processes
ever used was known as forge welding. Forge welding attempts to
join two metals through a process of heating, and then pounding
and striking. It's what blacksmiths did. But since then, there have
been quite a few advancements in the welding world. With these
new methods and techniques, welding has left the confines of
industrial settings and can now be done practically anywhere -
even underwater or in outer space!
As you can guess from the history of welding, the ability to join two
or more pieces of metal together in a strong bond has been
fundamental in our advancements in all areas of life, from housing
to transportation; from manufacturing to repairs. Understanding
welding basics can come in handy at work, but it will just as often
come in handy around the house, in the workshop or on the farm.
Because of this, welding is a skill that almost anyone can benefit
from, male or female, young or old.
Why Weld?
If you own any equipment or machinery that is metal, welding will
certainly serve as a useful skill. Some typical goals of a welding job
include:
¡¤ Fixing stress cracks
¡¤ Reinforcing weak joints, and
¡¤ Cutting/shaping new parts and adapters from raw plating.
For chores like these, many welders rely on a process known as
arc welding. Arc welding is a method where during the welding
process, an electrical current jumps through an air gap (between a
positively charged electrode and a negatively charged steel plate)
and produces an enormous amount of heat. This heat is produced
at the end of a welding rod, and when it does, metal can be
melted. Well, it's a little more complicated than that, but the
concept is the same.
Perhaps the most common and economical welding method used
today is AC (alternating current) arc welding. You can locate a
simple AC welder just about anywhere, such as your local farm
store or home improvement center. This welding process is ideal
for most of your simple, routine welding jobs. Therefore, AC arc
welding is ideal for those of you just starting out.
Minimize Your Risk
While arc welding isn't incredibly complicated, there are a few risks
and hazards that you should be aware of:
1. Exposure to radiation
2. Flying sparks (in the form of globs of molten metal)
3. Electric Shock
4. Fumes
5. Damage to your eyes, and
6. Burns
However, by wearing protective clothing and specialized welding
helmets and other gear, you can greatly reduce the inherent risks
of welding. Here are a few other tips to help keep you safe while
arc welding:
¡¤ Make sure to work on a dry floor. Wear thick rubber shoes
and dry leather welding gloves.
¡¤ Be sure to use insulated electrode holders.
¡¤ Check to make sure that your equipment is all properly
grounded.
¡¤ Keep your work area properly ventilated to avoid inhaling
any potentially toxic fumes.
¡¤ Be on the look out for flying bits of melted metal.
¡¤ Most importantly, be aware of any other people who are
around you. If they aren't wearing the proper gear, then keep
them away from your project.
This will get you started welding safely - one of the most important
things when learning a new craft.
About the Author
Kenzie Thompson practices both ornamental and industrial welding on his 5 acre ranch in Northern California. For more information on Welding Basics, visit Welding Advisor
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