Building a Strong Foundation: Becoming a Welder

Are you intrigued by the sparks flying and the art of fusing metal together? Becoming a welder could be the perfect career path for you. Welding is a highly rewarding profession that offers diverse job opportunities and a chance to leave your mark on various industries. This article is designed for individuals aspiring to venture into the welding industry, guiding them through the educational requirements, work environment, job diversity, pay scales, and future demand for welders.

Education and Training

Welding is a skilled trade that demands proper training and education. While a high school diploma or equivalent is usually the baseline requirement, pursuing formal education through technical schools, community colleges, or vocational programs is highly advantageous. These institutions offer various certification and degree programs that provide hands-on training and theoretical knowledge essential for a successful welding career.

Typically, a prospective welder learns about welding techniques, safety procedures, blueprint reading, metallurgy, and equipment operation during their training. Gaining experience through internships or apprenticeships under skilled welders is also highly beneficial for honing skills and gaining practical knowledge.

The Mission of the AWS

The American Welding Society (AWS) is a crucial organization for welders. It serves as a hub for welders, welding educators, and welding industry leaders. AWS’s mission is to advance the science, technology, and application of welding and allied joining and cutting processes. They achieve this through education, certification, research, and support of welding professionals around the globe.

By being a part of AWS, you gain access to valuable resources, educational opportunities, and a network of professionals that can enrich your career in welding.

The Work Environment as a Welder

As a welder, your work environment will vary based on the industry you’re in. You may find yourself working outdoors or in confined spaces, depending on the project. The work can be physically demanding and often involves standing for extended periods, working with heavy equipment, and dealing with potentially hazardous materials.

Safety is paramount in the welding industry. Welders are required to wear appropriate protective gear, including helmets with face shields, safety glasses, gloves, and flame-resistant clothing, to mitigate risks associated with the job.

The Diversity of Welding Jobs

Welding opens doors to a multitude of career options. From aerospace and automotive industries to construction and manufacturing, welders are in demand across the board. Some common welding specializations include:

• Structural Welding: Involves working on buildings, bridges, and other large structures.

• Pipeline Welding: In demand for the construction and maintenance of pipelines for oil, gas, and water transportation.

• Underwater Welding: An adventurous field where welders work on structures submerged in water.

• Aerospace Welding: Involves welding components for aircraft and spacecraft.

Hourly Pay by Type of Work

The pay in the welding industry varies based on factors such as experience, location, and specialization. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of their last reporting in 2021, the median annual wage for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers was around $45,190.

Specific welding jobs may pay differently. For instance, underwater welders might earn more due to the specialized and risky nature of their work. It’s essential to research and understand the pay scales in your preferred area and field of specialization.

Forecasted Demand for Welders

The demand for welders remains steady, and the BLS projects a 3% employment growth from 2020 to 2030. The need for welders will be driven by the continued growth of various industries like construction, manufacturing, and oil and gas extraction. Aging infrastructure will also necessitate repairs and maintenance, further fueling the demand for skilled welders.

Industries Where Welding Is Prevalent

Welding is integral to several industries, including:

• Construction: Welding is used in building structures, bridges, and roads.

• Manufacturing: Essential for producing various products, from automobiles to appliances.

• Automotive: Welding is crucial in car manufacturing and repair.

• Aerospace: Required for building aircraft and spacecraft components.

Welding Labor Unions

Labor unions play a vital role in advocating for the rights and interests of welders. Three significant welding labor unions are:

• International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, and Reinforcing Iron Workers (Ironworkers): Represents ironworkers who often perform welding tasks in their projects.

• International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers, and Helpers (Boilermakers): Represents workers in various industries, including welding and manufacturing.

• United Association (UA): Represents pipe fitters, plumbers, welders, and others in the construction and service industries.

Geographic Areas of North America with Common Welding Jobs

If you’re considering relocating for welding opportunities, here are some regions in North America with prevalent welding jobs:

1. New England: Known for its manufacturing and construction industries.

2. The Gulf Coast: Abundant opportunities due to the presence of oil and gas industries.

3. The Midwest: Manufacturing and construction sectors drive demand for welders.

4. Southern Ontario, Canada: Strong industrial presence and construction projects offer ample opportunities.

In conclusion, welding offers a promising career with a wide array of opportunities across various industries. By investing in the right education and training, staying connected with industry associations like AWS, and understanding the diverse fields within welding, you can pave a successful path in this dynamic profession. The demand for skilled welders is expected to remain robust, ensuring a steady stream of opportunities for those aspiring to master the art of welding.

8 Tips to Reduce Welding Costs

It doesn’t take a savvy business owner to know that reducing welding costs leads to better profits. What really sets a manufacturing company apart is knowing how to cut costs without cutting corners.

If you are the CEO or Operations Manager, it is your job to create plans and processes that make your stakeholders money. In fact, your job depends on it.

While you may be tempted to just look out for the lowest price tag for parts and materials, we don’t recommend it. Instead focus on cost-cutting practices that don’t compromise your output quality.

In this article, we will discuss the common costs of welding and how you can reduce them.

Costs of Welding

Typical welding costs include the materials to produce your product plus labor. Costs to consider include filler metals, shielding gas, raw materials, equipment, and electrical power.

While on paper this seems easy enough to budget, mistakes can happen which leads to costs adding up quickly.

Common causes of cost overruns:

• Unplanned downtime
• Consumable waste
• Lost labor
• Repairs and rework
• Lack of training

So how can you keep your facility from making these costly mistakes? Keep reading to find out!

8 Tips for Reducing the Cost of Welding

Stop missing out on savings because you think you don’t have enough time to implement new practices. While the more complex initiatives may take some time there are methods that don’t take much work on your part and can be easy to implement.

Attract And Retain Skilled Workers

Retaining employees can save you lots of money on training and recruiting. The best way to attract experienced employees is to enhance your culture and facility.

Creating a safe and comfortable environment not only attracts but retains dedicated employees. Additionally providing perks and ongoing training can ensure everyone is motivated to do well and has the resources to do so.

Your employees are the backbone of your company so investing in them is best for your bottom line. When they feel like you care about them they will care more about their job.

Improve Welding Procedures

No matter how long your business has been open or how efficient you think your procedures are there is always room for improvement. Start with an assessment of your facility’s current procedures to pinpoint any areas of weakness.

Factors that can affect your efficiency include:

• Feed speed
• Transfer mode
• Voltage
• Erratic arcs

From having procedures that leverage efficient technology to having procedures for storing and using parts, improving productivity can save you money.

Ensure A Safe Environment

As we mentioned earlier, a safe environment can attract and retain employees but it also has other benefits. Workplace injury lawsuits and workers’ compensation can be very expensive for your business.

Having automated processes and incorporating robots in your operations that are more dangerous can help protect your employees. Additionally, you should offer safety gear such as goggles and gloves.

Give Padding In Time

One of the biggest welding costs towards consumers that can affect your bottom line is unplanned downtime. It can lead to delays in revenue and lost loyalty.

When there is unplanned downtime you are still paying for labor and space without producing anything. This means not only are you not making any money but you’re losing it.

If you allow for padding time before delivery and between processes you can account for that when budgeting. This can also help with your partnerships because you can give a more accurate quote and ensure you meet expectations.

Invest In New Technology

As technology advances, it is able to make our jobs easier. Investing in new technology can help you improve your productivity, reduce maintenance, and reduce costs.

Automated technology is gaining power as more and more welders realize its benefits. It can allow you to reduce costly errors and cut down on labor costs.

While this involves an initial investment in the long run you will save time and money in production and improve quality.

Make A Preventative Maintenance Plan

It costs more to clean up a disaster than to prevent it. Having regularly scheduled maintenance performed can save you from wasting money on downtime.

Make a preventive maintenance (PM) plan for how operators should perform maintenance and build it into their procedures. The hour it takes to check on your equipment is far better than the days lost while waiting for a replacement.

Reduce Consumable Changes

Your consumables make up a large portion of operating welding costs. We often want to be preemptive and change consumables. But changing your consumables before it’s necessary can be wasteful and the costs add up.

Additionally, when welders use improper practices or equipment, they may experience birdnesting or other gas metal arc welding gun performance issues.

Replacing consumables not only costs you money for parts but leads to downtime which can cost you more.

Choose The Right Equipment

Many companies make the mistake of looking for the lowest price tag but when you invest in high-quality parts you save in the long run. You get what you pay for and cheaper products tend to have a shorter life span and can cost more in labor, downtime, and parts.

You want to ensure you have high-quality nozzles, contact tips, and gas diffusers to be able to maximize lifespan for your operation.

Cut Costs With American Torch Tip

Ready to start cutting costs the right way? At American Torch Tips we make it easy to save money.

From providing educational resources such as our Complete Guide to MIG Welding to sharing blogs just like this one.

Additionally, we offer a wide range of high-quality welding parts that have a long lifespan and reduce consumable changes. While we have 100% confidence in our consumables and parts we also include a lifetime warranty to give you peace of mind.

Our MIG guns and consumables are the most durable on the market but you don’t have to take our word for it. Try our products risk-free for 30 days and see the cost savings for yourself!

How Welding Played A Role In Star Wars

May the Fourth Be With You

We can’t think of a better way to celebrate May the 4th than to share some of our favorite Star Wars welding scenes, arguably one of the most iconic movie series of all time.

And if you really think about it, we work with lightsabers every day, right?

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GMAW Basics of Welding Aluminum

Aluminum is a popular material used in various industries due to its lightweight, strength, and durability. However, welding aluminum can be a challenging task for welders due to its unique properties. Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), also known as MIG welding, is a commonly used welding process for aluminum.

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The Pros, Cons, and Best Practices of Welding Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is a popular building material long heralded for its durability and substantial resistance to corrosion. However, welding with this attractive metal poses some unique challenges that need to be considered before launching into a project with stainless steel.

Before we take a closer look at the pros and cons of working with this substance, let’s get a better idea about what we’re working with.

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How to Start a Career in Welding

A welding career can be very rewarding. Good pay, high job demand, and opportunities for advancement into robotics or management (or both.) But, it’s not a career you can just decide to start overnight. It takes specialized training, skill development, and certifications. So, we put together a list of schools, scholarships, and more to help you get started.

How to Start Your Dream Welding Career

Deciding your career path can be very nerve-wracking. With no prior experience or guidance, starting your welding career may seem overwhelming. But don’t worry, we’re here to help. Here are 4 steps to guide you to your preferred job in the welding field.

1. Research Different Welding Programs

Your first step will be to research welding programs, to eventually enroll in a welding program. Top-rated welding schools can be found from Alaska to Georgia, especially in areas of the country where welders are in the highest demand. To find the right school for you, do a little research to figure out which one best serves your end career goal. Take a look at the degrees and specialties offered, regional accreditation, and relationships with local businesses that hire graduates. Make sure you’ll get mostly real-world education that’s up to current standards, and look for included certifications.

2. Evaluate Tuition and Fees Across The Programs You Researched

The next step is to weigh your financial options. It’s no secret that money will likely be a determining factor – if not the main one – in which school you choose. Tuition and fees range widely depending on the type of welding program you’re interested in, from a few thousand dollars for basic certification programs to near six figures for a bachelor’s degree.

3. Compare Scholarships and Other Resources

Next, you should search for a scholarship or take advantage of a related program. One of the upsides of choosing a welding degree is its high demand – many organizations with a vested interest in training skilled welders offer scholarships, grants, or other ways to help grow a talented workforce.

Scholarships vary in the amount awarded, grade-point average requirements, and eligibility. The American Welding Society offers its own scholarships as well as links and information to hundreds of others around the world. Most scholarships require a GED or high school diploma and acceptance to an accredited program. Keep careful track of deadlines since they can be any time during the year.

States also receive federal funding through the Workforce Investment Act to award grants to help build up a local workforce. For many areas, welding is high on the list of important positions. Start by contacting the Workforce Development Center in your state!

4. Finally, Get Certified!

The final step to your first welding job is to get certified, which proves that you can create quality, sturdy welds that meet your job’s code. If your school doesn’t include certification as part of its curriculum, several organizations offer testing. Certifications are as varied as the type of job and cost anywhere from as little as $25 to maintain a certified welder (CW) certification, to more than $1,000 for more specialized roles.

If an official welding school just isn’t an option for you, it’s possible to get certified using other methods. One popular option is to work under an experienced welder and learn through hands-on experience. And while certification is required for you to get paid work as a welder, how you get certified is based solely on if you can show up and adequately perform the responsibilities of the job position.

Is it worth it?

In a word, yes. The median pay for a welder in May 2017 was just under $20 per hour, and wages can be upwards of $25 per hour for specialized jobs in industries like electric or gas utilities. In addition, The Bureau of Labor Statics expects the field to grow by 6 percent through 2026.

Keep Up With Welding News

At American Torch Tip, we pride ourselves in providing useful information and resources for those in the welding industry. After being in business for more than 80 years, American Torch Tip is fulfilling the mission we set out to accomplish by successfully designing and manufacturing thousands of industry-leading torches and consumables for welding, laser and plasma cutting, and thermal spraying.

You can follow our blog for more information about the welding industry, and you can always get in touch with us here.

The Impact of Welder Training

Many U.S. industries are struggling as there are simply not enough experienced workers to go around, which means welder training is more important than ever.

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The 4 Main Types of Oxy Fuel Welding and Cutting Gases

The 4 Main Types of Oxy-Fuel Heating Cutting, & Welding Gases

A flame is a flame, right?

Well, not exactly.

While all industrial fuel gases are capable of generating a flame, their properties can be very different.

Here is a rundown of the four common types of oxy fuel heating, cutting, and welding gases.

Acetylene: The Old Standby

First, the nerdy stuff. Acetylene (a.k.a. ethyne) is an alkyne hydrocarbon consisting of two carbon atoms and two hydrogen atoms (C2H2). It was discovered in 1836 by Edmund Davy, who accidentally produced potassium carbide, which reacted with water to produce gas. The gas was given the name acetylene by French chemist Marcellin Berthelot in 1860.

Acetylene is intrinsically unstable, especially when pressurized. Because of this, industrial acetylene is dissolved in acetone and stored in porous cylinders which renders it safe for transport and use. This is why acetylene cylinders should always be stored upright. If acetylene cylinders are tilted, or if the operating pressure exceeds 15psi, liquid acetone can become introduced into the torch, which will cause the flame to drip from the orifice. This is also why acetylene has a withdrawal rate limit of 1/7 of the cylinder volume per hour.

From a performance perspective, acetylene has the hottest flame (around 5,720°F). It has a total calorific value of 1,470 BTU. The low hydrogen content of acetylene makes it an excellent choice for oxy fuel welding and cutting. When used as a cutting fuel, the inner cone of the flame will contain about 507BTU and the outer cone will contain about 963BTU. This allows for fast piercing with a minimal heat-affected zone. It also generates a fair amount of slag, requiring more post-cut cleanup. Acetylene is also highly prone to flashbacks. Flashback arrestors should always be used when cutting with acetylene.

Propane: Not Just for Grilling

Propane is an alkane consisting of three carbon atoms and eight hydrogen atoms (C3H8). It was discovered in 1857 by French chemist Marcellin Berthelot (the same man who gave acetylene its name). Propane is a liquefied petroleum (LP) gas and a by-product of natural gas processing and petroleum refining. Propane is heavier than air and has a tendency to sink when a leak occurs. This can pose a risk of explosion or fire, especially when propane is stored in basements near heat sources. Propane has a lower temperature flame than acetylene at around 5,122°F. Propane is not recommended for oxy/fuel welding.

The most notable potential benefit that propane offers is a significantly higher calorific value than acetylene at around 2,510 BTU. This makes it an excellent choice for heating. When used for cutting, the inner cone of the flame will contain about 255 BTU and the outer cone will contain a whopping 2,243 BTU! This allows a much faster preheat than acetylene but as a tradeoff for much longer piercing times and a larger heat-affected zone. Once the piercing is done, the cut speed is comparable to acetylene.

Propylene: The Other Prop-Gas

If propylene (C3H6) sounds similar to propane, that’s because it is. The prop- prefix that the two gases share means that they both have three carbon chains.

The molecular difference between propane and propylene is the number of hydrogen atoms (propane has eight, propylene has six). The similarities of the two gases don’t end there. Both gases have a comparable flame temperature and calorific value. The main difference between propane and propylene is the heat distribution when cutting. Propylene has a higher BTU value in the inner cone and lower BTU value in the outer cone than propane. The oxygen to fuel gas ratio is also slightly lower with propylene, making it somewhat more efficient than propane.

Methylacetylene-Propadiene: The gas you’ve never heard of (or have you?)

Methylacetylene-Propadiene (C6H8) is universally known as MAPP gas (a Linde trademark) or MPS.

There is some confusion surrounding the name. You might have heard that MAPP gas is no longer available. This is technically true. The last MAPP gas production plant in the US closed in 2008.

Gases available today are MAPP substitutes. MAPP gas does not offer many benefits over propane or propylene and is typically only used for small part heating and brazing. The one standout benefit of MAPP gas for cutting is its performance in high-pressure submerged cutting applications, but this is a rare application these days.

These four gases comprise the vast majority of fuels in use today for industrial heating, cutting, and welding. Many other gases exist, including branded gases which are usually one of the above-mentioned gases with a proprietary additive to enhance certain characteristics.

Knowing the capabilities and limitations of your fuel gas will make for a safer and more productive work environment. If you are unsure of the safety considerations of the gases you are using, please consult your gas supplier or OSHA standard 1910.253.

American Torch Tip is dedicated to providing the most up-to-date information surrounding the newest updates in the welding and cutting industry. Looking for more information about oxy fuel welding and cutting? Read our recent article about oxy fuel cutting and safety procedures.

Create Sustainability & Save Money Through VR Welding Training

Increased sustainability and lower costs may not seem like a compatible couple. But thanks to some innovative thinking and state-of-the-art tech, teachers, business owners, and welders are forging a new, virtual way to accomplish both at once.

Here’s the rundown on how virtual reality plays a role in welding, why it’s important, and how you can get in on this growing tech trend.

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