Welding projects made a notable appearance on the popular satire site The Onion. While you can’t actually sip and weld, enjoying a bottle of wine while welding art on a date night, you certainly can find plenty of welding projects at Baker’s Gas and Welding. If you’re looking for a bit of inspiration for your next welding project and an encouraging story about young welders, check out the work of these Illinois welding students.
Welding instructor and veteran Bill Duncan has helped his students design 22 custom grills for first responders and others who serve in the armed forces in the community. These elaborate grills are donated to organizations, such as the VFW, that can use them for community events.
Welding Jobs
Women Continue to Grow in the Welding Workforce
“In 2010, women made up just 4% of the welding workforce. Eight years later, that number that had only increased by 1%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But a new generation of women welders is looking to change that statistic—and the face of the industry.
Megan is one such woman who found a career in a man’s profession. As a high school student, she didn’t set out to defy longstanding gender stereotypes. She just wanted to gain a lifelong, marketable skill in the high-demand field of welding. “My dad was very supportive of me learning a skill that most women don’t know and ‘back in the day’ wouldn’t even want to learn,” she says.”
Welding Schools and Education
Women Continue to Fill Welding Programs
“For Adela Ornelas, sparking up a torch and putting two metal pieces together is something she says didn't think she would end up falling in love with it. Ornelas says the passion came unexpectedly in high school.
After graduating, she continued to craft at the Texas State Technical College. ‘I liked the hard work... It made me feel empowered as for being a female knowing I'm doing something great,’ she said.”
Miller Electric Offers Welding Scholarships Alongside AWS
“Miller Electric, a manufacturer of arc welding equipment, is celebrating its 90th anniversary by providing 90 scholarships for welding students in 2020. The company, along with the American Welding Society (AWS) Foundation, made the announcement during FABTECH, saying they will award each of the 90 winning students a $2,000 scholarship to support their welding education—for a total of $180,000 in funds.
Students 18 years or older who are currently enrolled in a full-time welding education program are eligible for the scholarship. Applicants must have a high school diploma (or proof of graduation eligibility), a GPA of 2.5 or higher and be a US citizen.”
Central Arizona School Revives Welding Program
“For the first time in a long time, Aravaipa campus has a Welding program. Classes are taught by Professor Samuel Colton who has been in welding for many years.
In the past, CAC had a welding program, but then the copper market changed. The area around Aravaipa started to struggle economically, and the mines began to lay off workers. CAC had to cut the program since few welding jobs were available. Now with more companies moving to Arizona, welding again became a very valuable skill in different fields, such as automotive, mining, and aircraft construction.”
Grant Announced for Welding Program at Alabama School
“Governor Kay Ivey announced a $280,000 grant earlier this week to go towards a new facility for the welding program at Jefferson State College.
Sharon Davis couldn’t be more happier about that announcement. She’s a single mother of two teenage boys and works as a hairstylist to make ends meet. She’s also a student at Jefferson State Community College, enrolled in the welding program.”
Welding Industry
Lincoln Electric Introduces New Power MIG Multiprocess Welding Machine
“Lincoln Electric has introduced the POWER MIG 360MP multiprocess welding machine suitable for metal fabrication, maintenance and repair, auto body, and light industrial applications.
Designed with a 7-in. color display, the machine offers SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, and FCAW. It provides increased duty cycle; GMAW and GTAW pulse welding.”
Lincoln Electric Updates Virtual Welding Machine
“Lincoln Electric recently upgraded its VRTEX virtual reality arc welding simulator and introduced several new products, including two new welders and new stainless steel wires.
The company says its VRTEX simulator provides a cutting-edge solution for cultivating welding talent quickly and resourcefully. From superior graphics creating realistic and responsive welding puddles to accurate sounds and movement, what can be learned virtually with VRTEX seamlessly transfers into real-world training.”
Lincoln Electric Introduces New UltraCore Stainless Steel Flux-Cored Wires
“Lincoln Electric offers new UltraCore stainless steel flux-cored, gas-shielded wires available in commonly used austenitic grades for flat and all-positional applications. The new wires are preferred by welders for the polished appearance of the weld deposits, ease of welding out-of-position and smooth wire feeding, said the company.”
Welding Events
The 11th Weld Cracking Symposium, January 20, 2020
“In 2020, this symposium will directly precede the AWS Inspection Conference and focus on the subjects of weldment cracking & inspection techniques/technology. This event will provide the fabrication and construction industry, as well as owner/operators, with leading information on cracking mechanisms, materials of construction, inspection methods and mitigation techniques.”
FabTech Canada, June 16-18, 2020
“FABTECH Canada is where you can meet with world-class suppliers, see the latest industry products and developments, and find the tools to improve productivity, increase profits and discover new solutions for all of your metal forming, fabricating, welding, and finishing needs.”
Welding Supplies on Sale
Check out the big savings on bundled welding supplies and cutting edge welders and welding helmets at Baker’s Gas and Welding this holiday shopping season. If you’ve been waiting for the best deals on torch cutting kits, plasma cutters, or the latest welders from ESAB, Miller, and Lincoln Electric, this is the time to visit the home page of Baker’s newly updated website. Just click on the arrows on either side of the top image to find the right deal for you and your welding shop.