Welding Tips & Tricks
Should I Weld With or Without Gas?
If you’re new to welding or primarily a hobbyist, choosing a welding method and the necessary equipment can feel overwhelming. And then there’s the question of welding with or without gas. Do you need gas to weld? For big welding projects, yes. But you can—and should—consider using a “gasless” MIG method at home for smaller projects—and a smaller impact on your wallet.
What Should I Know to Find the Best MIG Welder?
MIG (metal inert gas) welding is a great method for new welders to start with, but it’s not limited to “beginner” applications. It’s commonly used for:
- Hobby projects
- Automotive manufacturing and repair
- Industrial metal fabricating
- Any metal joining work that does not require fine or art-quality welds
But if you are just diving into welding, how do you choose a MIG welder that will meet your needs? Here’s what you should know so you can find the best one for your welding use.
The Power of Magnetic Drills at a Worksite
Magnetic drills, or “mag” drills for short, are a convenient and powerful tool that brings the benefits of a bench-top or standalone drill press to horizontal and vertical surface through the power of—as the name suggests—magnets. Combining a magnetic base with a powerful drill motor and variable size chuck, a mag drill will stay put on just about any steel or other magnetic, ferrous metal surface.
Fronius TransPocket 180 vs Miller Maxstar 161 Stick Welder Comparison
You’re searching for an effective yet convenient stick welding machine that can handle the jobs you’re ready to throw at it. How do you choose? We put two popular portable models head-to-head to compare the features and tradeoffs for portability and power: the Miller Maxstar 161 and the Fronius TransPocket 180.
Hypertherm Powermax30 XP vs. Hypertherm Powermax30 AIR
Hypertherm Powermax plasma cutters are industry-leading in quality, durability, and reliability. The machines are most well-known for their simple setup and operation while still providing the accuracy operators are looking for. Although the Powermax30 XP and Powermax30 AIR may seem similar at first glance, there are some important distinctions between the two that you should know before purchasing.
Choosing an Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet
Whether looking for a first welding helmet or a replacement, options can range from hobby-level to helmets suitable for industrial grade, and so do the price points. So how do you choose a high-quality, yet accessible helmet that you can trust to protect your eyes for many years of welding to come?
What Types of Metal Can Be Cut with a Plasma Cutting Tool?
Plasma cutting developed from roots in plasma welding in the 1960s to an efficient and effective method of cutting conductive metals with a couple decades. Today it remains a popular and powerful tool for metal fabricators in shops of all sizes.
Angle Grinders: The Portable Cleaning and Cutting Powerhouse
For clean welds, smooth finishes, and quick cutoff work, an angle grinder is an indispensable tool. First designed for clean-up and removing excess material, these versatile tools have found many uses over time due to the handy interchangeability of abrasive and cutting discs. Their portability means you can take the grinding or polishing work to the piece, rather than bringing the piece to the tool. And for quickly cutting through material at the job site, an angle grinder is ideal.
Keeping Your Work Space Safe With a Gas Detection Monitor
Welding is a powerful fabrication method, but it can pose a number of hazards to any metalworker who lacks experience or caution. But one critical hazard that can be overlooked is indeed one you can’t see: toxic gases that can fill up a room without adequate ventilation. Since these gases can be hard to detect with human senses alone, a safe welding environment should make use of a gas detection monitor.