A welder’s skills are highly sought after in various fields- metalworking in construction and modern art, product designs, the IT and automobile industries and so forth. But if you don’t want to pursue a career in welding, there are still innumerable practical uses for welding machines around your home. Besides the development of a specialized skill that opens avenues in farming, department stores, mechanics, and woodwork, you will have the opportunity to work on DIY or do it yourself building projects, repairs for your car, metal fences, window frames (and what have you), hobby ideas to use up scrap metal- the uses are endless.
There are three basic types of welding processes and welding machines: TIG welding, MIG welding, and Stick welding. Here’s a short guide to all three:
There are three basic types of welding processes and welding machines: TIG welding, MIG welding, and Stick welding. Here’s a short guide to all three:
- TIG (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding): This welding process uses a non-consumable electrode, a shielding gas and a filler metal to weld non-ferrous alloys and steel strips. The heat input is controllable by the welder. It affords a sleek finish, great precision, and strength to the weld, but is a lengthy, complex process.
- MIG (Gas Metal Arc Welding): This process makes use of a wire feeding technique. MIG welding and the shielding gas-free variation on it- Flux Cored Arc Welding- are both very convenient welding methods: they are easy to master, and can produce high-quality welds on both very thin and thick metal wires and plates. FCAW welders’ ability to perform in gusty weather and on coarse, dirty metal is a huge plus. These two methods are most commonly used for construction work.
- Stick Welding: As the most frugal welding process, usable in windy conditions, operable both indoors and outdoors, and effective in joining rusty or low-quality metals and alloys, this method has for many years found the widest use in homes and metal workshops. It makes use of an electric current flowing from a gap between the to-be joint and welding stick. This welding process is not easy to gain expertise at, but is the most suitable for hobbyists, agricultural labourers and domestic metalwork.
Welding at Home: Domestic Uses for Welding
The best part of developing welding skills is the ability to refurbish your own home with functional, sophisticated, handmade furniture and accessories economically. Safety measures like grills and fences can be made in your garage, repairs stop being a nightmare, mechanics become simpler, and the hands-on process of building allows you to choose exact specifications. Here are some ideas for domestic welding and wielding machines that you might love to know about.
Remember, choosing a welder depends on the safety of using one based on your level of experience welding. Other than this important consideration, one needs to think about the thickness of the metal being welded and the welding equipments. TIG does not overheat wafer thin metal like Stick and MIG welding, but the latter two are much faster processes for thicker metal sheets or wires. The precision required is also a question: TIG welding is without doubt the most exact.
The portability and complexity of the welder become a factor too. Remember, engine and inverter driven machines are portable. A basic MIG welder is far more economical than a high-end TIG welder if the consumer only needs it for simple jobs.
Finally, the power source of the welder- whether it requires an AC or DC current. A variety of metals can be welded using a combination machine of both. MIG, Flux-cored and TIG welding can all take place on a Constant Current-Constant Voltage machine.
Choose your welding machines according to the general guidelines given above or consult a professional for the model best for you and your work.
The best part of developing welding skills is the ability to refurbish your own home with functional, sophisticated, handmade furniture and accessories economically. Safety measures like grills and fences can be made in your garage, repairs stop being a nightmare, mechanics become simpler, and the hands-on process of building allows you to choose exact specifications. Here are some ideas for domestic welding and wielding machines that you might love to know about.
- Build or customize your very own fire pit or barbeque. You’ll find many tutorials for these projects on sites like Pinterest.
- Build storage units or racks in your garage or basement for better organization of your tools, your possessions, and your recyclables.
- Reinvent or build a table, stool, lamp frame, chandelier, mantelpiece, porch swing,forklift, metal cart, bumper for your vehicle, or even pieces of welded jewellery!
- Get down to that fence, bar grill, border protector or field marker you’ve been planning to buy for ages. Make it yourself- nothing can go wrong that way.
- Add to your expertise by building more welding equipment, like a metal bender or a downdraft plasma cutting table.
Remember, choosing a welder depends on the safety of using one based on your level of experience welding. Other than this important consideration, one needs to think about the thickness of the metal being welded and the welding equipments. TIG does not overheat wafer thin metal like Stick and MIG welding, but the latter two are much faster processes for thicker metal sheets or wires. The precision required is also a question: TIG welding is without doubt the most exact.
The portability and complexity of the welder become a factor too. Remember, engine and inverter driven machines are portable. A basic MIG welder is far more economical than a high-end TIG welder if the consumer only needs it for simple jobs.
Finally, the power source of the welder- whether it requires an AC or DC current. A variety of metals can be welded using a combination machine of both. MIG, Flux-cored and TIG welding can all take place on a Constant Current-Constant Voltage machine.
Choose your welding machines according to the general guidelines given above or consult a professional for the model best for you and your work.