Welding is an activity that has been around for so long.Although plastic pipes are being installed at a higher rate than metal ones,many pipes are made of metal and need to be welded. As a matter of fact,welding is not a simple task that any Tom, Dick and Harry can perform withoutlearning. The art of welding requires one to be patient, practice enough andacquire the needed knowledge for them to perform it excellently. If you are abeginner in welding, it’s important to embrace positive welding traits early onso that you avoid making mistakes later.
Proper coaching is needed for beginners in welding so thatthey can avoid harming themselves when in practice. With the right mindset, energy,welding tools and procedures, welding can turn out to be an easy practice thanmost people think. Below are the eight things that a beginner in welding shouldlearn about for them to be successful welders in the future.
1) Safety should be considered first
Any welder should think of their safetyfirst even before they commence welding. First and foremost, a beginner inwelding should acquire the right gear such as a certified welding helmet, fireresistant jacket, welding gloves, the ideal welder, safety glasses, and weldingpliers. In the welding room, make sure you have enough ventilation so that youdon’t suffocate. Alternatively, you can apply a fume extraction system. Takeprecaution when welding and avoids welding close to flammable materials. Selecta room that has sufficient space where the sparks can fly freely. Trainbeginner welders to have their head away from the fumes.
2) Set up consumables well
For a smooth operation during welding, thewelder should properly install the consumables. To attain great weld quality,the Welder has to ensure that there is good conductivity. The Welder should setup their consumables tightly and as recommended by the manufacturer. There arevarious consumables used in welding, such as; nozzles, collet bodies,diffusers, and contact tips, among several others. A secure connection ofconsumables will avoid any form of leakages and thus prevent accidents fromoccurring. Therefore, when training a beginner, showing them how to connect theconsumables the right way is one of the most important parts of making weldingto be a success.
3) Cleanliness is significant
Keeping your welding surface clean isimportant. This is because a clean welding surface will eliminate any errorsthat are likely to be made when welding. The surface to be welded should be cleanedas well. This is important because things like dirt, grease, oil and otherdebris can enter the weld pool leading to contamination which may result topoor welding quality. Every new welder requires to be well coached on theproper cleaning processes for different material bases. This will make it easyfor the welder and result to quality welds.
4) Different welding processes
As you head to welding, you have to knowthere are various welding processes which should be learnt about. The three major welding processesinclude TIG, MIG and Stick flux-cored processes. These processes differfrom one another with some being easy to use and suitable for beginners whileother methods are great for professional welders. For instance, MIG andflux-cored are under wire welding. All these three types of welding differ fromone another. MIG and flux-cored are the easiest to use while TIG is a bit moretechnical as it entails automotive and architectural work. In addition, TIG isconsidered the most difficult to learn and one should be very keen whenapplying it. A beginner should be in a position to learn these various weldingprocesses if they want to become pros in future. If you are very keen tolearning then you can also learn about plasmacutter too.
5) Know the input voltages
Before you begin to weld, you’ve to knowthe two most vital voltages to use. These are 110v and 230v. In addition, theyare present in a good number of homes. All in all, the higher input voltagewill allow you to penetrate thicker materials, while the lower input voltagewill enable you penetrate thinner materials. If you are a beginner, it will begreat for you to start with a dual voltage welder that offers both lower andthicker voltages. This will help beginners to gain confidence and know how tofully utilize the welder.
6) User interface
Not all welders are simple to use. Thus, abeginner should pick a welder with simple to use settings. Some welders comewith a tricky to use dial in welding settings. A wonderful machine should beable to carry out dial in setting with a logical progression that enables youto pick your process, the thickness and type of material you are going to weldand the form of consumable that you are going to weld. Quality machines willautomatically recognize what input voltage that you are plugged into and willchange the settings as needed. Such a welder will make it easier for a beginnerto use the machine and get used for welding.
7) Material
In some cases, processes and consumablesare better for welding particular materials, and in some situations can needextra tools. Before purchasing a welder, go through guidance from themanufacturer and think about the projects you have in mind prior to choosingit. Consider if you want different materials such as stainless steel, aluminumor mild steel in various thickness. For instance, you can weld aluminum byapplying the MIG process, but you will attain great outcomes utilizing a spoolgun to feed the consumables. Get the ideal machine if you want to get qualityresults.
8) Remain comfortable throughout welding
One of the best ways for a beginner tobecome a professional welder and master the art well is by ensuring that theyare comfortable in their work area. When the work area is ergonomicallyorganized, a welder will find it easy and will be comfortable to work in suchan area. In addition, the welder will remain cool and comfortable during theentire welding process. When the work area is organized and in good shape,things like injuries and accidents are avoided by a great margin. Therefore,ensure you have a comfortable working area as a beginner in order to executebetter.
9) Maintenance is crucial
After keeping the work area and machinesclean, it's time to know how to maintain the different tools that you useduring welding so that you can prolong their lifespan and efficiency. Ensurethat you learn how to keep every welding tool and parts in good condition sothat they can continue performing at a high level. From time-to-time, reviewthe connections, power source, gas cylinders and primary power line. Inspectingthe entire welding system often will provide quality results to any welder.
Bottom Line
When it comes to welding, a lot has to be learned before aperson steps out to carry out the job. Welding goes beyond the normalunderstanding how to hold the gun and position it in the right angle. Itentails instilling positive traits in a beginner, so that they follow them throughouttheir welding career. In addition, the Welder should learn how to keep theirworking surfaces clean, remain comfortable, understand the various weldingprocesses and comprehend how to properly maintain the welding tools for efficiencyand durability.
About the Writer
Christopher Joseph is a Mechanical Engineer by profession,but he loves blogging too. He has involved online and offline business. He alsoloves to share his knowledge. You can find his blog here: https://besttacticalreviews.com/
