Welder Training

Prerequisite: Cage Access, 

Welding is really fun and everybody should try it once in their life. If you have cage access and want to start welding - send a note to David and schedule some time.

After you have done some welding - come back to this module and see what you were doing wrong :) The videos are pretty good.

Welding is an important part of metal working. There are many types of welders - each made to work with different types of metals or types of welding. We will be learning to use a MIG wire feed welder. This welder uses high amps and low voltage. MIG stands for Metal Inert Gas and uses an inert gas to keep oxygen away from the welding wire so it does not burn but rather melt. There are two ways to do this. One is with flux core welding wire. This special wire has a core that when melted creates a 'oxygen shield' around the welding area. The other option is to have argon/CO2 mixture of gas blowing across the welding area to keep out the oxygen. Our welder can do either. 

Please watch this training video that is specific to our welder. 

 

Hazards and PPE

  • Temperatures are in the range of 2000-3000 degrees F and the arc given off is extremely bright. This means the potential hazards are serious burns and blindness.
  • Wear a cotton outer layer. Melting plastic on asking is not comfortable. We have some cotton shirts and cotton coveralls here if you need to borrow something.
  • Long pants and close-toed shoes.
  • The exhaust fan is turned on. Some hazardous gasses are given off during welding
  • Welding gloves (not just leather gloves)
  • Welding helmet (observers need proper eye protection - the person welding makes sure all observers are protected by shouting "WELDING" when they start the arc.)

 

Welding is easy. Welding good is not!

  • The key is to practice!!
  • Welding is both art and science as each metal is different. Use the settings provided on the welder for speed and power. Adjust as needed to get a good weld. Remember that how fast you move, how you hold your tip, how you 'wave' your tip, the length of wire, etc. all impact the weld.

Here are some additional welding video`s that might be useful

MIG Monday Flux Core Links to an external site.
Miller Welding Links to an external site.

 

EXTRA Information: