Whether you want to make a career out of welding or add it to your repertoire of DIY skills, you always want to start off on a good note.
Here’s a list of five tips every novice welder should take to heart in order to become a master welder one day. While you’re at it, you can also read these articles on WeldingManiac.com to supplement your learning.
Ready to become the best welder you can be? Let’s begin!
Tip #1: Start With the Basics
Like in almost any skill one looks to learn, it’s always best to start with the basics and work your way towards mastering them. Luckily for you, compared to other practical disciplines, the welding process is simple. Essentially, it involves heating two metal pieces until they melt and combining them until they solidify and become one.
The filler is usually the third metal source introduced to the welding process. It’s melted together with the two other base metals to boost the mass of the resulting weld. Filler nods, electrodes, or wires that are continually fed are examples of fillers. Your chosen filler depends on your welding project.
Once mastered, the basics should prevent you from committing typical novice mistakes like pinholes, weak penetration, and overlaps, among many others. This should also increase your chances of producing high-quality welds consistently, even as a beginner.
Tip #2: Choose a Welding Technique to Learn First
While selecting a welding method to start learning is a matter of preference, some techniques are generally considered more beginner-friendly than others. For instance, arc welding using an electrode tends to be easier for novices to get the hang of than other methods.
The type of project you plan to engage in may also have a bearing on welding method selection. There is no single welding application that’s best for all projects.
Basically, there are three main welding methods: Stick welding, TIG welding, and MIG welding. Stick is best for welding cast iron, TIG is ideal for welding brass, copper, magnesium, and titanium, and MIG works best for aluminum. That said, you can also opt for the TIG method to weld aluminum components.
Other considerations may factor into the equation, but material or project type and preference are the deciding factors in general.
Tip #3: Always Protect Your Eyes
Looking straight at the welding arc while welding can be damaging to the eyes, even if it’s only a split second! This is true for both welders and bystanders observing at a close distance.
Protect your eyes by always wearing a high-quality mask or helmet to shield your eyes from the light and the sparks coming from the molten metal. This protective gear may come in various types and price ranges that could discourage you, but make it a point to learn about them so you can choose which best suits your type of project and welding style.
An auto-darkening helmet is a good place to start. Pick one with an adjustable shade feature in case you plan on working throughout the day. Remember, while protecting your eyes is important, you must also ensure that your vision is good enough to clearly see what you’re working on.
Tip #4: Find a Welding Instructor
Articles like this one are meant to guide you towards a successful welding journey, but it may take more than learning from reliable written content to become a good welder for some people.
In many cases, the guidance of a seasoned welder is a must. He or she could be a friend, an acquaintance, or a professional welder from your local shop. Under the tutelage of these experts, you may learn things no piece of write-up can tell you, as these will be based on personal experiences.
While a post may tell you that choosing a welding method is a matter of preference, a mentor can recommend exactly what method suits you from the get-go. That way, you can start your journey off on the best possible note.
You also get your questions answered, and concerns addressed a lot more quickly, instead of having to take time researching to figure them out on your own.
Tip #5: Practice Makes Perfect
This statement may not be anything we haven’t heard of before, but that doesn’t make it any less true or necessary in this case.
Whatever you read about in this piece or from other reliable sources, put them into practice if possible. If you’re passionate about welding, take the time to practice (and practice regularly). Don’t start on a project unless you are confident you can do it right from start to finish.
Final Thoughts
There you have it—five basic welding tips for novices to help them progress smoothly on their journey. Follow them to a T, and you should be on your way to becoming an expert welder before you know it!