How to Achieve Your Welding Goals

It is the new year, and you have decided to become a welder. But, one question is nagging you: do you need to be a welding expert to achieve your welding goals? The short answer is no, and for several reasons. Read on to learn how your current welding skills (or lack thereof), can turn into a full-time hobby, or even a successful career as a welder. Your biggest obstacle is yourself, and of course, your welding equipment.

Learn How to Weld

Welding is a great skill and could also turn into your trade. Let's say you want to weld just to repair things at home and make the things that you want. In this case, you by no means need to become an expert in welding. Unless of course, you are extremely dissatisfied with your work. But as with all skills, practice is most important. You can learn almost anything you want to learn by doing it yourself, so long as you are aware of the basic safety protocols. A great place to start would be to read your welder's operation manual. Welding is a dangerous activity that could cause irreversible lifelong damage, so you want to be sure that you are acting responsibly and mindfully.

There are a host of courses that welders can take to become professionally certified. On the other hand, there are also plenty of online tutorials for those wanting to weld independently. First, you should get clear on the type of welding that you want to do, as well as your purpose for learning to weld and becoming a welder. This will help you decide how serious a welding expert that you want to become.

If you decide to become a trained (professional) welder, there are all sorts of career opportunities available, from teaching to inspecting. There is an increasingly high demand for skilled welders, so with the right mindset, the career path could offer steady financial security for the long-term.

Recommended Welding Equipment

Welding is a multiple-step process from start to finish. If you have taken a break and are just now getting back into it, we recommend that you practice on scrap pieces before starting your on a new project.

Different types of welding require different pieces of equipment, but some things are the same across the board. Be sure to have the following pieces of equipment before you go to any training course, or start on your own project:

• Safety glasses
• Auto-darkening helmet
• Wire brush
• Chipping hammer
• TIG gloves
• Proban welders jacket
• Ear protection
• MIG pliers
• Soapstone

Plasma Cutters

Plasma cutters are also a very useful tool for both new and experienced welders alike. Plasma is the fourth state of matter, so when the heat is applied to the gas that makes steam, the gas becomes ionized and now conducts electricity. When this energy is applied to a conductive material, as is the case for a welder, the result is a very clean cut. There are two different categories of plasma cutters: conventional and precision. The main difference is the source of the plasma gas.

Becoming a welder can be as rigorous or laidback as a process as you would like. It is highly recommended to consult other welders for tips and to be well versed in safety protocols. If you are planning on pursuing it as a trade, find a course near you to start your training.