Welding
101
A Comprehensive Guide of Best Practices for Beginners
By Brett Van Waus
There is no“ onesize-fits-all” approach to welding. With all the options for joining materials together or making repairs on equipment, there are a ton of variables as to how you should attack specific welding jobs. A weld to repair a relatively thin body of a car is a different process than a weld to build or repair complex heavy construction equipment.
Safety First No matter what style of welding you’ re planning, it will require proper preparation. First, make sure all of your equipment is working properly for the task you’ re about to perform.
You don’ t want to find out the hard way that your helmet won’ t protect you or that your working area is not as ventilated as it should be. Not only could something like this result in a waste of materials, time and money— it could result in a serious injury.
Protect Yourself
Welding isn’ t a situation when you can just grab a wrench or screwdriver from your toolbox— personal protective equipment( PPE) is an absolute must. Depending on what type of welding you’ ll be doing, you’ ll need a welding helmet, gloves, boots or
16 August 9, 2024 www. contractorshotline. com