| Welding has been around for centuries, though not | | | | same. |
| in the forms most commonly used today. One of | | | | Perhaps the most common and economical |
| the first welding processes ever used was known | | | | welding method used today is AC (alternating |
| as forge welding. Forge welding attempts to join | | | | current) arc welding. You can locate a simple AC |
| two metals through a process of heating, and | | | | welder just about anywhere, such as your local |
| then pounding and striking. It's what blacksmiths | | | | farm store or home improvement center. This |
| did. But since then, there have been quite a few | | | | welding process is ideal for most of your simple, |
| advancements in the welding world. With these | | | | routine welding jobs. Therefore, AC arc welding is |
| new methods and techniques, welding has left the | | | | ideal for those of you just starting out. |
| confines of industrial settings and can now be | | | | Minimize Your Risk |
| done practically anywhere - even underwater or | | | | While arc welding isn't incredibly complicated, there |
| in outer space! | | | | are a few risks and hazards that you should be |
| As you can guess from the history of welding, | | | | aware of: |
| the ability to join two or more pieces of metal | | | | 1. Exposure to radiation |
| together in a strong bond has been fundamental | | | | 2. Flying sparks (in the form of globs of molten |
| in our advancements in all areas of life, from | | | | metal) |
| housing to transportation; from manufacturing to | | | | 3. Electric Shock |
| repairs. Understanding welding basics can come in | | | | 4. Fumes |
| handy at work, but it will just as often come in | | | | 5. Damage to your eyes, and |
| handy around the house, in the workshop or on | | | | 6. Burns |
| the farm. Because of this, welding is a skill that | | | | However, by wearing protective clothing and |
| almost anyone can benefit from, male or female, | | | | specialized welding helmets and other gear, you |
| young or old. | | | | can greatly reduce the inherent risks of welding. |
| Why Weld? | | | | Here are a few other tips to help keep you safe |
| If you own any equipment or machinery that is | | | | while arc welding: |
| metal, welding will certainly serve as a useful skill. | | | | Make sure to work on a dry floor. Wear thick |
| Some typical goals of a welding job include: | | | | rubber shoes and dry leather welding gloves. |
| Fixing stress cracks | | | | Be sure to use insulated electrode holders. |
| Reinforcing weak joints, and | | | | Check to make sure that your equipment is all |
| Cutting/shaping new parts and adapters from raw | | | | properly grounded. |
| plating. | | | | Keep your work area properly ventilated to avoid |
| For chores like these, many welders rely on a | | | | inhaling any potentially toxic fumes. |
| process known as arc welding. Arc welding is a | | | | Be on the look out for flying bits of melted metal. |
| method where during the welding process, an | | | | Most importantly, be aware of any other people |
| electrical current jumps through an air gap | | | | who are around you. If they aren't wearing the |
| (between a positively charged electrode and a | | | | proper gear, then keep them away from your |
| negatively charged steel plate) and produces an | | | | project. |
| enormous amount of heat. This heat is produced | | | | This will get you started welding safely - one of |
| at the end of a welding rod, and when it does, | | | | the most important things when learning a new |
| metal can be melted. Well, it's a little more | | | | craft. |
| complicated than that, but the concept is the | | | | |