Arc Welding For A Start

Welding arc is where you'll find that most experienced welder welding began their career before branching out into various types of welding disciplines within the construction industry.

With arc welding that actually uses welding power supply / source to develop an electric arc between the electrode (welding rod) and the basic ingredients that you want to join combine them together at the point of welding. Direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC) is used together with consumable electrodes or non-consumption. Actual weld area is usually protected by some form of steam, inert gas welding or welding slag to protect the atmosphere, causing problems in the melt zone.

Arc welding did not occur until 1802, although some forms of alternative welding process does not go back to the Bronze Age and Iron.

A good way to describe the weld are: joining pieces of material together in the right way fusion.

As I mentioned earlier that there are many types of welding all, and the reason for this is that different types of applications require a particular category of welding jobs welding that would be suitable for the job at hand. A good example is if you welded high pressure pipe, the TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding is commonly used in many cases because it is a correct application for certain types of welding activities, although the filling and capping of the following can be done with the TIG arc welding if required in the specification of work.

Benefits of arc welding and Opportunities

This is very useful to get some formal training, you decide to make a career in welding, for the simple reason that you can learn many things involved in the trade. For example, you not only learn different welding techniques, but also make you familiar with various types of welding machines are used in arc welding machine using the techniques themselves bevel grinding pipes and more.

It may be very surprised that when you are training to be an arc welder with experience how valuable experience is being gathered as a plumber at the same time, though they are two different jobs are actually two very closely related and are involved in getting the two tubes together at the end days.

As the welding arc welder, or anything for that matter, their welding skills will be given after class and find a job is not a problem because the recruiters are always looking for experienced welders in arc welding for a variety of industries around the world, is putting up a skyscraper in Los Angeles or welding pipes in Alaska, or somewhere in the manufacturing of vehicles in Detroit.

Welding is a skill that can be learned and as the most needed skills are excellent little dedication and a lot of practice. Nothing is stopping you want to learn to weld and get experience in arc welding.

Sensitivity Is Important in Cut-To-Fit and Trade

Automated cutting and welding tubular parts can be an excellent way for a metal manufacturing company to reduce costs and manual effort in their manufacturing operations. Consistency is needed for critical automated welding can be achieved by creating an automated workstation in the production process. Cut-to-fit technology to achieve both cutting and welding auto parts are manufactured with extreme precision. This advanced technology eliminates several problems during welding should be done with zero drift. First, this automated process to accurately measure the size and shape of the tubular metal parts, then cut a hole defined and suitable for welding with an accuracy not possible manually. Finally, automated welding weld the parts together with complete penetration that will be difficult to achieve by hand.

Setting the welding line to connect two straight edges of steel with square corners can be a simple process for both manual or automatic welding. The task of welding a circular shape a little more daunting, if done manually or by robotics Sometimes the shape is not exactly circular or sheets may be "rounded", but not even a well-formed ellipse, making the process more difficult. Sometimes, the shape of objects that need to be welded tubulars bit "out of round." However, the object must be a soldier no matter how. The fact that the "round" of the workpiece is good sometimes a little "of the year" or large and can cause a lot of extra work and cost cutting and welding, if the process is done manually.

In many cases, the quality of welding is not only mandatory, but it is a requirement as "round edge" of welding done to build things like an oil well blow-prevention devices, high pressure gas tank, and gauges mounted on the pipe. Now all the allegations of boring has been removed from the weld. Using robotics through automatic welding arc tracking technology are now equipped with tactile sensor device which allows the determination of the proper size and shape of the object outside of a "rounded" to be welded to another metal object. The "detection" of the right size and shape of the tubular structure is removed before welding begins. Defines a set of tracking movement along it and determine where irregularities in the joint based on the geometry of the object or effect of the thermal.

Tracking can also specify the width of a weld joint that can accurately create the need for an automatic full penetration welds. The robot moves around the outer edge of the tubular object to be welded. Thus, the shape and size of the object is "read" with "eye detection." The geometry is perfect or imperfect welding is stored in computer memory that controls the process of cutting and welding. Although the cut-Fit? technology designed for cutting and welding of tube-shaped objects, automatic welding technology can be programmed to deal with an irregular shape that is consistent in size and shape.

After all shapes and sizes of tubes that have been collected, the plasma cutting torch at the end of the robot arm to accurately checked at the surface where welding must be done. Plasma cutting torch then passes through the weakest point of this forum and cut a hole that is suitable for the size and location verification. Cutting process is assisted by the addition of oxygen at increased temperatures. Due to the increase in temperature of the molten metal is removed to be 'wet'. This makes it possible to fall from the cutting surface with minimal splash. This will leave a clean cut and smooth the optimal, very good for welding.

The welding process begins by automatically verifying a welding torch welding lines have previously been defined by a plasma cutting torch. In many cases the preparation of the joint surface is very inconsistent. But because the oxygen used for cutting, welding surface is the best that can be achieved. Actual full penetration welds, welding the two sides is located right in the path specified. Filling adaptation and monitoring consistently assisted arc welding robot welding in building an extraordinary. As a welding torch along the way, adjusted for any inconsistencies in the groove weld line center by the arc tracking. There is also an area of ​​the compensation slot uses adaptive fill welding to ensure that the weld is a constant quality at all times.

How to Weld Choosing the Correct Process

Learning how to weld can be as easy or as complex as you make it. Virtually each welding job will have different requirements involving the material to be welded, the type of filler metal for the weld and the welding process itself. Some processes such as Mig or Tig welds can be used on different materials as long as the welding equipment is set up to accommodate that particular material.

General Welding Processes

There are three common welding processes that are used in welding workshops, manufacturing businesses and for home workshop and farm use.

Mig Welding 

Mig stands for Metal Inert Gas or The Gas Metal Arc Welding process (GMAW). this process in most likely the most common process today. Its basically an arc welding process that utilizes a continuous wire feed of an electrode that is shielded using an external gas source. the components to make up the welding system comprises of the wire feed unit, a cable and weld gun plus the welding power source. Shielding gas is fed through the welder cable along with the electrode.

Being the most versatile this is the easiest way to learn how to weld sheet metal through to heavy work and how to fillet weld heavy plate. The versatility of a Mig means they can be used in all positions, can weld different materials such as mild steel, stainless steel or aluminum, and in most thicknesses. A properly set up machine will produce high quality welds that require minimal clean up.

The Tig Welding Process

Stands for Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) or more commonly Tungsten Inert Gas process (TIG)

Learning how to Tig weld is more difficult than the mig process as the operator must control the welding torch and the filler material simultaneously. The process involves an arc being struck to the work using a tungsten electrode in the hand-piece, filler material is then applied through the resulting arc. In some instances such as sheet metals no filler rods are used as the join is simply fused together using the arc. Obviously this requires a neat joint without gaps. Tig welds preformed properly will give an outstanding quality finish with high strength. They require minimal clean up as there is no slag or soot to deal with. Most effective for welding stainless steel and aluminum sheet metals, pipe work and products needing a neat tidy finish.

Arc Welding.
Next to gas the Arc welding process is the oldest of welding processes. Still used extensively in industry and for home use learning how to arc weld is a somewhat easier process. However having said that the application of the process can be complicated in the choice of welding electrodes. Arc weld electrodes have a flux coating that generates a shielding gas to protect the metal from atmospheric contaminants, they increase deposition rates and covers the weld with a slag coating. There are many specialist electrodes available such as for hard facing and pipeline welds that are required to have x rays for quality.

Arc welding can be used for welding mild steel, hardened steels, stainless steel, cast iron and numerous specialty steels. Slag deposits require removal so some clean up is needed. Various electrodes require more or less clean up. As arc welders do not require an external gas resource they are ideal for outdoor and site work, and are widely used in maintenance and construction work.

Basic Types of Underwater Welding

Underwater welding is done under water in the ocean and is used when there is a need to repair a ship, oil platforms that are offshore and pipelines. Usually these all need to be repaired using steel only. There are two basic types of underwater welding and these will depend on whether the situation needs a dry welding or a wet welding. These are called hyperbaric welding.

Both of these occur underwater but the dry aspect is done through a special pressure chamber that creates the dry environment. This dry mode can be better controlled underwater. This is used when there is a need for very deep water welds and where a high degree of strength is required. Research is being conducted to see whether dry welding can be done at depths of 1000 meters. When dry welding is used, the chamber is filled with a gas mixture has to be used to seal the structure that is being welded. Usually a gas tungsten arc welding is used to make sure that this is a strong weld. For those structures that receive wet underwater welding it is difficult to know whether the weld has worked because the risk that may be involved are difficult to see in the water.

One of the challenges with doing welds underwater is that integrity of these welds are difficult to determine because there can be defects that are underneath the surface that is being weld and these can be hard to find. There are several processes that can be used underwater and these include flex core arc welding, friction welding and shielded metal arc welding. All of these are good to use underwater with a waterproof electrode. Since hydrogen will cause cracks in metal, low carbon steel is usually used in performing the underwater welding.

The greatest challenge for underwater welding is that is may not be a very safe situation because the welder is in water. This means that there is a higher risk for electric shock and some equipment being used may not be adaptable to a marine setting. Any type of welding equipment that is going to be used underwater has to be adapted to this environment and it needs to be insulated and have a controlled welding current.

Another area where welders who work underwater will need to be careful about is that they are susceptible to decompression sickness if they have been underwater for a long period of time. They will be breathing an increased pressure of gases during this the time they are welding and this can create problems for them when they come out of the water. Both hydrogen and oxygen will also build pockets underwater because of their ability to explode. Some divers have found that they experience a metallic taste in their mouth, especially when they fillings that are made of amalgam. There may also be problems with cognitive processing or musculoskeletal issues when a diver has been exposed to underwater welding over time.

How To Get A Real Deal On A Lincoln SA 200 Pipeliner

Buying a welder is one thing.
Buying a good used welder right (at the right price) is an art every welder should know about. Sure, it is great fun to buy a new rig and run. If you have money to burn, go for it. If you think spending one or three thousand more than you have to isn't your idea of fun, read on.

Check out leasing companies who have lease returns.
Google "equipment leasing companies" and call them. Ask them who handles their returns. This is probably the toughest method in this article, but you can buy $18,000 in welding equipment for as little as $5,000 if you can get your nose under the tent.

Find the bigger towing yards in your area.
All kinds of things get towed including welding rigs. Let's say it's a DUI and the rig is impounded. The system charges so much for that impounded rig, it doesn't take long and the welder throws up his hands. The rig goes to lien sale. If you have your ear in the right spot, you can pick up an amazing deal. This is also a great way to buy a good truck or car.

Let the world know what you want.
Everyone is programmed to look at for sale ads when they are searching for something to buy. Turn that upside down and run "WELDER WANTED 4 CASH TODAY" ads on Craig's List. Renew every 48 hours. Borrow the accounts of a couple of friends and post in any area you would consider driving to, to take a look.

Taking your time is the key with the wanted ads. You will get results, but it may take a while. You'll be glad you waited. In many cases, you'll be the only one going to look because your ad woke them up to thinking about selling grandpa's Pipeliner.

Determine value before you go look.
Let's say you're trying to determine what a 1980 Pipeliner is worth. eBay is a semi-wholesale market, so think of the prices as the low side. Here are the steps to get the right pricing:

Step # 1:
Go to eBay and enter "Pipeliner." Next, hit the drop down list on the upper right and select highest prices. On the left scroll down until you find "Completed Items" and select that. This will give you the sold welders in green. ONLY the prices in green mean anything. Anyone can ask any amount of money for anything. When a sale is completed - that's when true value is established.

Step # 2:
Now that you have an idea of what the Pipeliner you're going to go look at is worth, determine ahead of time what your maximum offer will be.

WARNING:
It is best to go prepared with some tools, jumpers, rod, helmet glove and test metal. A welder that doesn't run may be a real bargain or it may end up being no fun. If you buy a non-runner, be a tough negotiator, so if it needs a lot of work, you won't be hurting too bad.

Types of Work Performed by Pipeline Construction Contractors

Pipeline construction contractors are engaged in work that involves the installation, repair, or replacement of underground pipes. Fields of work include working on water, sewer, natural gas, heating oil, and crude oil pipelines, as well as utility pipes used to safeguard public and private utilities.

Pipeline construction contractors are responsible for all facets of the installation process. Duties include clearing and grading the land so trenches can be dug. Sections of pipes are trucked to the worksite where workers string pipe sections which are then welded together. Special epoxy coating is applied to welds to minimize corrosion and reduce risk of leakage.

The extensive network of pipeline that extends across the nation has significantly improved the lives of Americans. Without water pipelines we wouldn't enjoy the luxury of tap water for drinking, bathing and washing laundry. Without sewer pipes we wouldn't have indoor restroom facilities.

Gas pipelines provide us with fuel for our cars and heating oil for our homes. Utility pipeline systems ensure we have uninterrupted cable and phone service and can access electricity with the flip of a switch.

Combined, these networks of pipes have vastly improved the lifestyles for people all over the world. They have aided in providing essential resources to rural areas and metropolitan cities.

One of the biggest drawbacks of pipeline construction is these jobs often require contractors to work in extremely difficult conditions. Large jobs, such as the Alaskan pipeline take months or years to finish. Others require working long hours in harsh environments such as deserts, mountains, and even underwater.

Design engineers work diligently to develop blueprints and installation processes. To gain insight into underground conditions, contractors utilize subsurface utility engineering SUE methods to locate the existence of previously installed pipes.

SUE uses a variety of detection tools to assess the position and depth of subsurface pipes, as well as the material composition and condition. The data gathered from these methods ensures that contractors will not unexpectedly unearth existing pipes which could result in job delays and workplace accidents.

Pipeline networks are placed into five different categories that include: municipal, residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional. Contractors engage in fabricating and installing pipes according to its application. They also repair and replace existing pipes and utilities and monitor their condition.

Although a few pipeline construction companies are capable of installing any category of pipe, most specialize in one or two. Furthermore, a few categories are divided into subcategories and require working with specialty trade contractors.

For example, marine pipeline construction involves building offshore oil rig platforms and installing pipes deep into the ocean floor. Another specialized field is that of pipeline rehabilitation which involves replacing large segments of existing pipe networks.

Lastly, pipeline projects are further categorized as either dry utility construction or wet utility construction. Dry utility refers to pipes that store non-gaseous products or used to protect subsurface utilities and communications systems.

Wet utility construction encompasses pipes that convey liquid products including wastewater, storm water, drinking water, and petroleum products such as heating oil and gasoline.

It's imperative to work with pipeline construction companies that have a strong record of construction safety and are skilled in the specific application of the job. It is just as important to hire contractors that are financially stable and have earned a solid reputation within the industry.

Can Arc Welding Be Performed in Water?

The process of performing arc welding in water is known as underwater welding which is a highly specialized and useful technology available to assemble or repair under water. This method is mostly used in oil or shipping industry, military applications and in maintaining underwater pipelines. It is also used to repair ships that are damaged during wars or hurricanes.

Functionality:
One side of the electric circuit is connected to the work to be welded and the other end is connected to a metal electrode. These two parts are brought together and then separated to some extent in which the electric current jumps and causes an arc. This arc melts the bare metal thereby causing a weld pool. Simultaneously the tip of electrode also melts and the metal droplets are projected into the weld pool during which the flux covering the electrode melts to form a shielding gas. The gas stabilizes the arc column and protects the metal.

The process can be classified into two types which are wet and dry welding.
As wet welding is performed under water, it is directly exposed to the wet environment. It involves using a special electrode and the process is similar to open air welding. The increased freedom of movement makes it the cheapest, fastest and effective method. The power supply is located on the surface and is connected to the welder via cables and hoses. The high speed of operation and less requirement of equipments makes this process done with minimal planning. But lot of precautions should be taken to make sure that the welder does not receive any electric shocks. Poor visibility of welder is yet another disadvantage of this method.

Dry welding is also known as hyperbaric welding. This is carried out in a chamber sealed around the structure to be welded. The chamber is filled with a gas, usually helium which contains 0.5 bar of oxygen and is fitted on to the pipeline. Then it is filled with a breathable mixture of gas which is described above and the pressure is maintained a little above the pressure at which the welding is to take place. Dry welding involves gas tungsten arc welding process. The welds of this method are of better quality compared to wet welding since water does not quench the welds. Also it ensures the safety of arc welders as it is performed in a chamber which is immune to ocean currents and marine animals. But in contrast to wet welding, this type involves a huge cost and equipments are required to support the chamber, the reusability of which is very limited.

Underwater Welding For Welders

Welding is an unavoidable process of modern engineering civil, electrical, mechanical, automobiles, marine aeronautical in all branches. It is used in fabrications and erections in infrastructures and installations. It joins metals or thermoplastics. Forming a pool of molten mass the weld puddle and allowing it to cool to become a strong joint is the basis of the process of welding. For repairing to be carried out underwater, there is a separate process. That is called underwater welding. If damaged ships are to be repaired, underwater welding is the basic technology to be used. It is a highly-specialized profession more employed in the oil or shipping industry and also in the defense operations.

Underwater welding process is categorized into two divisions.

* Wet welding
* Dry welding

Wet welding:

In the case of wet welding, the operation is completed under water, directly exposed to the wet environment. For this purpose, a different type of electrode is used. The function is carried out manually. The welder is allowed to have freedom of movement. Hence, wet welding is the most effective, efficient and economical process.

The welding power and supply unit is placed on the surface and is connected to the welder with the help of cables and hoses.

The Advantages:

* The expenditure is very minimal. Unlike in the case of dry welding.
* The speed of the operation is extremely high.
* As the equipments are very minimum, the welding can be performed in a shorter time with minimal planning.

The Disadvantages:

* The weld is quenched is very fast under water. It decreases the ductility and impact strength an also makes the weld very porous.
* The visibility of the welder is not up to the required level.
* The amount of voltage that can b employed is very limited. Care has to be taken so that the welder is not harmed by probable electrical shocks.

Dry Welding:

In case of dry welding, otherwise known as Hyperbaric welding, the whole operation is completed in a chamber, sealed around the structure to be welded. The chamber is filled with gas normally helium containing 0.5 bar oxygen. The chamber is fitted onto the pipeline and is filled with the breathable mixture of air. The operation is carried out in higher pressure. The gas tungsten arc welding process is used.

The Advantages:

* Welding can be carried out without getting affected by ocean currents and marine animals.
* Better quality welds can be used.
* From the surface itself, there is a possibility of visually monitoring joint preparation and pipe alignment.

The Disadvantages:

* The chamber is very complex. Large support equipment is needed at the surface to support the chamber.
* The expense will be very high. The cost increases proportionately to the depth under water.
* The chamber has limited reusability.

Risks & Precautions:

Both the welder and the structure are at risk. The welder has to protect himself from electric shocks. The welder has to be insulated. The voltage of the welding sets has to be controlled. Pockets of oxygen and hydrogen built up by the arc will be potentially explosive. The welder has to take precaution because nitrogen will be built up in the blood stream of the welder, when exposed to air at high pressure under the water surface. Inspection, although very difficult, is a mandatory requirement. No defects should remain. In addition to all these precautions, safe arc-welding precautions are to be taken.

Underwater welding is mostly employed in marine engineering products in installations of oil and gas rigs. It can be classified depending upon the types of equipments and the types of procedures involved. The most common underwater welding process, known as manual metal arc building (MMA), is employed for deep water repairing activities. Cofferdam welding process and Hyperbaric welding process are normally carried out for underwater welders operations. They are employed for welding steel pipelines, other offshore structures, submerged parts of large ships and underwater structures supporting a harbor. The safety measures include emergency air or gas supply, stand-by divers and decompression chambers.

What Is It Good For Other Than Pipelines?

I'm asking you to imagine you're a pipe welder, and then think about everything you can do with that skill.

Pipe is everywhere and it comes in many sizes and metals. Pipe used for transferring oil like the pipeline which was blocked (temporarily) by the President, are what we normally think of when pipe welding gets mentioned. The processes for welding carbon steel pipelines vary. Traditionally, stick welding or SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding) is used to weld pipe joints. Stick is the original welding process. It wasn't widely used until World War ll, when it was most famously used to build Liberty Ships at record speeds.

Stick welding is losing some ground.

Stick welding is being replaced by flux core welding, which is a wire with a flux coating. The welder simply pulls the trigger and the wire progresses out the tip of the gun. This process saves time because the welder seldom has to stop. Stick welding requires the welder to stop as each stick becomes a short stub, to put a new stick in the jaws. Some people would have you think stick is dead. It isn't - far from it. It lives on because it can easily and quickly be set up, requires almost no maintenance, it is versatile, and economical.

TIG or what used to be called heliarc welding is another very versatile process.

TIG is sometimes used for the root pass or first pass on a pipe joint for a pipe that is carbon steel. This is because TIG is extremely strong. TIG is used to weld aluminum and stainless steel pipe. Stainless is commonly used in food manufacturing plants. A welder with his own rig, and who contracts with the factory, will typically charge $100 or more an hour.

Dune buggies have evolved into $100,000 machines.

Custom buggies with mid-engine aluminum V8 motors are being built across the country, in specialty shops and garages. The frames for these machines are aluminum pipe. The frames are typically welded with the TIG process. Choppers are also custom made in shops all over, and the frames are pipe. the hotrod industry uses pipe as well.

Let's do a little math.

Let's say a 6G welder decides he or she has had enough traveling to weld. If that welder is 6G with stick and 6G with TIG, and good at it, they can very likely make a handsome living as a mobile welder. Think of the well-healed dune buggy enthusiast building a buggy in his shop or the hotrodder - the list is endless. Add all the industrial applications for pipe such as powerplants and water systems. This wonderful skill which is actually an art is as portable as the welder's hands. If you know anything about small business and how to market your services, $65 to $105 an hour is very realistic, depending on where you are in the USA. If you booked 40 hours a week at $75 an hour, that's a gross annual income of about $150,000.

WARNING:
If you're going to be a pipe welder or you already are a pipe welder, it would be a mistake to NOT become a Master TIG Runner. In my opinion, it would well worth your effort to find the time and money to learn it. TIG is a quiet, clean welding process. It is the welding process that is closest to being an art.