Be a Pro Welder With These Tips
When it comes to working with steel and other metal surfaces, welding is the process that you should definitely learn. While complicated at first, with practice, you can be an expert welder in no time. If you have a welding machine lying around in your garage and you are looking to use it to fabricate something such as a metal cabinet or a steel table, you should know that there are some things you need to do first before you start welding. For starters, you need to ensure that you are using the right amount of current, as well as the right tools. Here are some tips that can help make your first welding project a success.
Know Which Process to Use
There are different types of processes that are used by a welder in order to perform the task. There is the basic welding process, which is most commonly known as stick welding or SMAW, and there are more complicated processes such as gas welding (GTAW or oxy-acetylene welding). In order for you to know which process you should use, take a look at the metal that you will be welding. Thin, sheet metals require less heat, so using gas welding is ideal. For large, industrial metals, SMAW is more common to use. If you are using SMAW, make sure you are using the correct welding rods. For example, stainless steel requires rods that are made specifically for welding stainless steel.
Testing the Machine
Before you start welding, you need to test the machine first. Get a piece of scrap metal and do some welding passes on it. Check if the amperage you are using is too low or too high. If it is too low, then you will see that it is not heating the metal enough and you might hear a weak hissing sound while you are welding. If you are using too much current, the metal tends to melt faster and you might create a hole in the process. Adjust the machine if necessary and do this in small increments. Do not adjust with a full-tilt because you might not get the results that you are looking for.
Welding can be complicated, and that is why most homeowners prefer to hire a professional welder in Riverside, CA like Jaime's Mobile Welding Services to do the task for them. If you are in need of my services, do not hesitate to call me today and schedule an appointment.