One of the most frequently asked questions is if there is a valid reason to use an ER70S-3 (S3) mig wire versus the more commonly used ER70S-6 (S6) wire. Both wires belong to AWS Specification A5.18 and can be used interchangeably in most applications because they provide almost identical mechanical properties. There is subtle difference between the two […]
If you work in the manufacturing industry you have heard of the Skills Gap. This refers to the current and growing shortage of skilled workers in the manufacturing sector. This problem is not isolated to the United States, this is a worldwide problem. There are several numbers thrown around, these are all estimates, but they […]
Buying your first welding machine can be stressful. Even the cheap brands can cost around $300-400 for a decent mig welder. Deciding where to buy is critical. You can certainly buy online, but you can also buy through industrial distributors or big box stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot. So how do you choose? Here […]
If you need to calculate weld metal requirements and you do not have The Procedure Handbook of Arc Welding handy you can do this by hand by using simple geometry. What you need to do is find the volume of weld needed in cubic inches. A fillet weld with a flat face forms a right […]
Although most people may believe that stick welding is antiquated and a bone-headed choice for a welding process, this is simply not true. It is true that in production welding, especially in a controlled environment like a fabrication shop, the use of stick welding is typically a big mistake due to its low efficiency, extremely […]
Tig welding can produce beautiful looking welds, and more importantly, x-ray quality deposits on some of the most critical welding applications. For the beginner it may be a very intimidating process. Selecting the right tungsten (type and size), cup size, and shielding gas and gas flow can be a daunting task. Below is a quick […]
The GMAW process is a commonly used arc welding process. As all other processes, it has its advantages and limitations. The gas metal arc welding process, most commonly known as MIG, is one of the most used joining processes in the world today. The process had its beginnings over 60 years ago, but it is […]
