No rules state that women can’t become welders. I mean, who won’t feel powerful welding pieces of metal together? No one. If you’re interested in a career change or searching for a new side hobby that could make you some extra cash, welding may be the thing for you. Let’s dive into a few things a novice welder should know to become successful.
Safety Above All Else
Every single welder should be concerned with safety before they begin welding. When you’re starting your welding journey, you should acquire the correct gear first and foremost. This gear includes:
- A fire-resistant jacket
- Welding gloves
- An ideal welder
- Welding pliers
- Safety glasses
- A certified welding helmet
The room you’re welding in needs to have enough ventilation so that you don’t suffocate. You can install a fume extraction system as an alternative. You want a large room where sparks can freely fly, and remember to keep your face away from the fumes.
Cleanliness Is Important
It’s essential to keep your welding space clean to avoid errors that you can make when welding. Keep the surface that you’re soldering clean. Poor welding quality will happen when dirt, oil, grease, and other debris enter the weld pool and contaminate it. As a new welder, you should receive instructions on the correct cleaning process for different materials. This training will result in producing quality welding.
The Various Welding Processes
There are different welding processes a novice welder should know to become successful. The three essential methods are:
- MIG
- Stick-fluxed cored
- TIG
These different welding processes are simple to use and are fitting for beginners. TIG entails more technical, automotive, and architectural work, while flux-cored and TIG are under wire-welding. Get to know and understand these processes if you’d like to become a professional welder in the future.
Understand Input Voltages
There are two vital voltages you must know and understand before you begin welding: 230v and 110v. The higher input voltage will allow you to break through thicker materials, and the lower will allow for slimmer materials. This knowledge will help you gain the confidence to utilize the welder fully.
As you gain confidence in your welding abilities, you can add different processes, like bending and cutting sheet metal, to your repertoire.
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