There is a lot at stake for a welder's work. Perhaps the safety of your family, neighbors, or property could be put into jeopardy by a poor weld on something as small as a trailer hitch.
The last thing you want to see during a family vacation this summer is that your boat is no longer behind your car.
There are some simple things you should never do in order to make sure your welds are safe.
Do Not Weld with a Low Voltage Setting
In one example of how not to weld from Welding Tips and Tricks, a welder attempts to put together a trailer hitch with a low voltage setting. This is particularly dangerous because a low power setting will not melt the weld joint sufficiently in order to create a strong weld.
While certain metals may be thin enough to warrant a lower voltage setting in order to prevent the metal from warping or the weld puddle from becoming too large, make sure you’re using sufficient power in order to make a weld that will be durable.
Do Not Weld with a 115V Welder for Thick Metal
When you have a big welding job that involves thick metal, you need to have enough power in order to penetrate the metal. While many home welders can accomplish what they need with a 115V welder, you may need to consider upgrading your welder or renting a unit with more power. Keep in mind that a 220V welder will not run on a typical wall socket.
In addition, if you decide to purchase a 115V welder, do not purchase the cheapest unit you can find. A higher end unit by one of the leading brands such as Miller, Hobart, Lincoln and ESAB, will make a big difference when you need to max out on your power in order to penetrate the metal.
Do Not Dip a Weld in Water to Cool It
Dipping a steel weld in water in order to cool it will only weaken the weld. If you’re in a rush to cool off your weld joint, then you need to rethink your priorities! You need your weld joint to be as strong as possible.
Do Not Worry About a Weld's Appearance First
While the goal of every welder is to create a weld that is both strong and neat, the most important thing to learn first is how to properly penetrate the metal. That means you’ll need to work on finding the right filler metal and arranging the proper settings for your welder. Once you’ve learned how to make a strong weld, you can focus on making sure that it’s neat enough.
As you’re learning how to weld, a good grinder will become your constant companion until you’ve mastered the right technique.
Do Not Trust Everything You Read on the Internet
Even a welder’s certification does not guarantee expertise on a particular topic. Many welding forums will include a variety of opinions on the topics they cover; make sure you find several sources of reliable advice before attempting a weld that could put you or someone else in danger.
