Welding Topics to Learn About

[fatjay]

I don't weld for a living, just side jobs. So i'm a bit free and loose with safety. I'll always wear my helmet though. Learned to weld with the flip down helmets doing stick, and didn't take it very seriously. Welders flash can stick with you for days or more, give you migraines, all around unpleasant. Also helps with fumes, especially now that masks are so hard to get ahold of.

 

[dragoneggs]

I think for some folks starting with MIG vs. stick, can be a little too complacent about safety because of the ease. Teaching safety regardless of method is important. Different materials, finishes, proper clothing, eye and breathing protection, etc. should be paramount. I know in my older age I realize I should have been more careful about a lot of things I did with tools and such. Hopefully I haven't done too much damage over the long term.

 

[BrokenTrack]

Yeah welding smoke is horrific.

I was welding at a shop one time, and unlike the other welders (about 100 welders) there was us (4) that were doing a special job, and using hardwire instead of flux-core. After about a month, we were just talking, and I brought up how I was going to bed early, and suddenly it became apparent in conversation that we were all really tired.

The wire we were using had a lot of magnesium and copper in it, and that was what was causing us to be extremely fatigued and irritable.

Sadly, you look at older welders and almost none have hair. Between the welding smoke and sunlight, it kills hair follicles.

It is no wonder that they predict a shortage of 400,000 welders in the next ten years. But on the flip side, there are not a lot of jobs where you can make 6 figures right out of high school either.

 

[Langanobob]

Welding cast iron is a good and useful topic. I壇 include brazing cast iron and also silicon/aluminum bronze tig brazing cast iron.
Also, oxyacetylene welding is considered sort of obsolete but it is a very good way to learn to weld. It is also very versatile and with the right filler and flux you can gas weld aluminum. Not solder or braze aluminum like with those magic pot metal rods they sell at the county fair, but actual welding.

 

[GeneV]

Can you get sunburn from welding? I did a big job yesterday in tshirt, shorts, flipflops, welding gloves and helmet. The insides of my arms from my tshirt to my welding gloves are on fire. Last night and tonight. I don't burn easily, I'm in the sun half the day every day and can't remember the last time I got burned, but this hurts.

Oh yeh, I got a real good one on my bicep while welding with a t-shirt on. I hold the torch with my left hand, but guide the tip with my right hand (wearing gloves), so my right upper arm was directly facing the arc. I was really surprised how sunburned I got! I have a set of welding sleeves which came with a welding starter pack I bought when I first got my welder, I thought I'd have no use for those sleeves. Now I put one of those on my right arm, it works great.

 

[Industrial Toys]

You might have missed the most important point. FIRE SAFETY regarding welding. A welder destroyed an ENTIRE ICE CREAM PLANT here some time ago!

I am not one to wear much in the summer as I can't stand the heat. I got the worst sunburn of my life once, welding without protection. Arms mostly as I recall!

 

[Industrial Toys]

As far as fire, to me it's a three part process.

1. Assess the risk, possibly move things away from the process. Or move the process.

2. Have appropriate Fire supression means. Several levels, starting with a simple water bucket. STOP and check for fire, or have someone spotting.

3. Do periodic checks of the area AFTER to check for something possibly smouldering.

 

[WranglerX]

Adding an LED spot light to my helmet is something I would really like to try. Might have to see if I can easily mount my camping LED headlamp to my helmet.

Stick it on with some Velcro strips as a test before you start drilling holes in helmet.... I am trying a small LED (2 AA cell) flashlight.... Now I need something to weld...

Dale

 

[WranglerX]

Can you get sunburn from welding? I did a big job yesterday in tshirt, shorts, flipflops, welding gloves and helmet. The insides of my arms from my tshirt to my welding gloves are on fire. Last night and tonight. I don't burn easily, I'm in the sun half the day every day and can't remember the last time I got burned, but this hurts.

This is why they have welding jackets and suggest you wear pants, and be sure area below helmet (your neck) is also protected.....

Dale

 

[BrokenTrack]

Stick it on with some Velcro strips as a test before you start drilling holes in helmet.... I am trying a small LED (2 AA cell) flashlight.... Now I need something to weld...

Dale

Most welders have a magnet with a gooseneck that a small flashlight clamps too. Usually there is something metal to stick the flashlight on, then you can direct the light to what you are welding.

This is what we use in mirror welding, which can be a nightmare. You have to position your mirror just right, then get into the spot and get your light just right. It can be a lot in one spot, then when you can see what you are doing with mirror and light, now you have to remember everything is backwards as you weld. It is harder than you think, try writing your name on a piece of paper using the bathroom mirror.