We came across a neat article on welding basics over at HotBikeWeb while reading up on some motorcycle repair information. It’s got a lot of great basic information as it relates to “virgin” welders and everything you’d need to know in order to get started welding:

By Bob Colvin

A few years ago on 60 Minutes Jesse James said, “There are two kinds of people in the world, those that can weld and those that can’t.” You see it every week on cable TV, a fabricator shapes a piece of metal or a couple pieces of metal and then pulls out a MIG or TIG welder, tacks the parts together, and then runs a bead fusing the two pieces together permanently-well hopefully. When they’re done it’s another perfect part. They make it look easy and after welding bits and pieces of metal together a masterpiece emerges. Can the home hobbyist/enthusiast do the same level of fabrication? Possibly, with the right tools and training almost anyone can create or repair anything. But where do you start? There is a lot to learn, but it’s not as daunting as you may think. It does take time and effort though.

CONTINUE READING OVER AT HOTBIKEWEB–>

If you’re looking to get into welding but don’t know where to start or what you need, head over to Arc-Zone.com.  We’ll get you equipped with one of our TIG Pro Kits, or one of our TIG Torch Packages.  And if you’re ready to start some welding education classes, Arc-Zone offers a special 10% educational discount to welding students.

Master fabricators are always looking at ways to improve their weld quality…  This article has some great tips:

22 possible causes of weld metal porosity
Take a look at gas flow, material conditions, and consumables to prevent this defect
By Phil Evans, Contributing Writer, The Fabricator

Porosity is a weld defect that is fairly common, but also fairly easy to fix. What issues contribute to weld porosity? This checklist gives a welder a good idea of what might be causing the problem.

Weld metal porosity is not a welcome sight in a weld bead, but it shows up all too often. Porosity is weld metal contamination in the form of a trapped gas. Shielding gases or gases released as a result of the torch being applied to treated metal are absorbed into the molten metal and released as solidification takes place. In other instances, the shielding gas doesn’t completely reach the weld pool and the atmospheric air adversely affects the weld bead. CONTINUE READING OVER AT THE FABRICATOR–>

These tips are nothing new, but its always a good reminder (or a great checklist if you’re a noob!) You’ll notice that many of these welding tips have to do with shield gas, especially the delivery of it (are you outta gas??  is your torch properly maintained?  did you check your O-Rings lately?) and quality of materials.

Our own Joe Welder offers these instructions for taking care of your TIG  / GTAW torch:

And at Arc-Zone.com can set you up with all the equipment you need to ensure your welds are top quality!

Happened upon a great article –really informative–about welding aluminum over at The Fabricator.  We get lots of calls from customers trying to weld aluminum, and wondering what the best way to go about it is.  This article answers many common questions about welding aluminum:

By Matt Tavernelli

The reactive nature of aluminum to the welding arc, which is much more pronounced than that of other base materials, presents many challenges, including excess heat input and burn-through, porosity, poor bead appearance, poor fusion, and cracking.  Technology advancements have made tackling these challenges easier by providing a balance of high travel speeds with a narrow, focused arc.

CONTINUE READING OVER AT THE FABRICATOR ->

And for anything you need to start welding aluminum, be sure to head over to Arc-Zone.com, where we’ve got all types of  TIG rod available, as well as TIG consumables and TIG torches.

Great article here at The Fabricator magazine about how to select a MIG gun:

Welding guns 101: light- or heavy-duty?
Which semiautomatic GMAW gun is right for the job?

By David Bellamy

From tacking operations that require short arc-on times to completing long, continuous welds on thick plate, the welding gun needs to offer the appropriate welding capacity for the job.

When it comes to choosing welding equipment, welding operators may find themselves contemplating which power source to use—and rightly so. The power source significantly affects weld quality, productivity, and overall costs of welding. But having the correct semiautomatic gas metal arc welding (GMAW) gun for the job is equally important.

CONTINUE READING AT THE FABRICATOR –>

And when you’re ready to buy your MIG torch, check out the line-up at Arc-Zone.com: from hand-held to machine MIG guns and replacement parts to nozzle cleaning stations, wire feeders and flow meters, we’ll get you dialed in!

Miller Electric Mfg. Co. has just introduced WeldX™, a revolutionary new apparel line for personal welding protection that is lightweight and breathable, yet provides exceptional flame and spatter resistance–available at Arc-Zone.com!

This stylish safety apparel comes in classic black and is sixty percent lighter than most leathers and also lighter than many flame resistant cotton garments, WeldX represents the next generation in protecting welders from the hazards of heavy-duty welding, while also reducing the potential for heat stress-related injuries.

The WeldX line offers protection in a welding apron, welding bib, cape sleeves, welding jacket (pictured above) and welding sleeves.

Originally developed for military applications, Miller’s new WeldX fabric combines the lightweight and breathability benefits of cotton with exceptional spatter and flame resistance to provide maximum welder protection.

Flame resistance is inherent to WeldX – laundering will not degrade its performance over time. WeldX is based on a fabric technology that has proven its performance and durability in iron production, race car driving, high voltage electrical work, firefighting and other potentially catastrophic applications. The fabric consists of a blend of oxidized acrylic fibers and modern strengthening fibers, which are then treated with a proprietary compound that allows the resulting material to “shed” spatter and sparks upon contact. The proprietary compound is embedded into the individual fibers rather than being applied topically, allowing the garment to retain a high degree of pliability and maneuverability. In even the most extreme environments, WeldX will not burn, melt, ignite or shrink.

The newest addition to Miller’s popular Arc Armor™ line of welding protection, WeldX garments are available as standard welding jackets, sleeves, cape sleeves, bibs and aprons, offering a range of protection options for a variety of applications and industries. For most applications, WeldX will deliver the highest level of welder protection required without a corresponding increase in heat stress, keeping your welders safe, comfortable and more productive.

About Miller
Miller Electric Mfg. Co., headquartered in Appleton, Wis., is a leading worldwide manufacturer of Miller brand arc welding equipment and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE: ITW).
For more information, visit Miller’s Web site at www.MillerWelds.com

Joe Bruen, a new customer of Arc-Zone who’s got a welding business in Londonderry, New Hampshire, called the other day and said, “I got my Sharpie DX today, everything was great, customer service was great, and it works perfectly. My only complaint is that one of the M&Ms in the bag was broken. Keep up the good work.”

We love it when our customers call us…  even if they don’t have such glowing praise– bottom line is we are focused on doing our best for our customers, so we look forward to hearing from you, whether you have a comment on one of our products, something we need to add to our store, or a way to improve our website– let us know, and we will work to make those changes!

But it sure is nice to get compliments, so welcome aboard, Joe!

The extremely popular 2010 Fabtech  expo is right around the corner, and Miller Electric Mfg. Co. is introducing some really cool new products, including the new Titanium Series welding helmets as well as the new WeldX protective apparel (available at Arc-Zone.com).  And if you’re looking for other TIG related products to go with your Big Blue welder generator, be sure to check out Arc-Zone’s TIG parts and accessories.  And be sure to look for Joe Welder himself, who will be attending this year.

(more…)

This Bitchen New Bag was introduced at the AWS/Fabtech Welding Show in Atlanta on 11/03/2010….  and I got an up close look at it.  I can tell you–  I’m getting one for my shop!

These welding gear packs are going to be popular for Christmas so PRE ORDER your BSX Welder’s Helmet Bag / Gear Pack today!

BSX Welders GearPack / Helmet Bag is styled in black and gray with red accent piping–  AND it’s rugged making it a great way to Store AND Transport your welding gear.

This specialized backpack is constructed of high-quality materials and engineered with a quick-action HelmetCatch (which makes it easy to access your helmet). The side pockets fit two pairs of gloves, and the large storage area with rigid side walls  protects and stores your torch, and other tools–  and even your lunch box!

Roll to the jobsite, welding class or through the airport with the BSX Helmet Bag and you’ll be noticed!  We even joked around the office that this would make a great backpack for cycling to school (with a place to store your bike helmet) or the bowling alley (with a spot for your bowling ball)!

The exclusive quick-action HelmetCatch™ makes this gear pack stand out above all others. It introduces a secure 5-point rigging system and fast drawbridge action designed to make protecting your helmet a snap. The padded construction of the HelmetCatch™ helps protect the expensive lens from bumps and scratches, while the unique shape accommodates welding helmets of all sizes. The gear pack itself can be worn over the shoulders as a rugged backpack with fully adjustable ergonomic straps, or it can also be carried by its sturdy, rivet-reinforced top handle.

Constructed with rigid walls, the GB100 supports a welding helmet and heavy duty welding gloves on the outside, while leaving plenty of storage room within. The inside features pockets designed to organize hammers, brushes, tip cleaners, electrodes and more. A utility carabiner and a free lunch cooler are also included with the package.

Pre-Order your bag Today from  Arc-Zone– they’ll be available in December.  Just in time for the holidays.

One of the most common questions we get at Arc-Zone.com is

Which tungsten electrode should I use ?

or even more specifically

What is the best Tungsten for precision TIG welding with AC (alternating current) on Aluminum using an inverter based machine?

A lot of folks in the industry have some very strong opinions on this subject, some based on fact, some based on ego and greed and some– just not having the experience. . .

For sure the answer is NOT Pure tungsten (color code: Green)!  Even though many say you should use pure, and back in the day specifications called out Pure tungsten for AC TIG welding.   But that’s old skool; I never use pure, and I would not recommend even trying it!

We have several industrial customers who purchase tungsten electrodes from us in quantity–  and they have spent a lot of time and money testing different materials.  From precision orbital TIG welding of high-purity stainless steel tubing, to manual TIG welding of yacht towers or special interest auto intake/turbo manifolds and other aluminum fabricated parts where the finished product is the “money.”  In other words, these master fabricators know what they’re talking about when it comes to TIG Welding and tungsten electrodes and hands down, they prefer our ArcTime(TM) Hybrid tungsten electrodes.

Based on my 20+ years in the welding industry, I would say it comes down to two things – the tungsten brand name (who makes it), and the material blend or formula (how it’s manufactured).

Tungsten Brand Name:
Arc-Zone.com sells all the leading brands of high-quality tungsten electrodes: ArcTime, Amplify, CK Worldwide, Multi-Strike, Sylvania, and Weldcraft.  With these trusted brands, you are assured that the material is top-quality and manufactured to the highest specifications and with adherence to International ISO 6848 and AWS A5.12 standards.

Tungsten Blend or Formula:
If you look at our sales from users around the world, ArcTime™ Hybrid (color code: Sky Blue) is the most popular and the 2% Ceriated (color code: Orange) and Lanthanated (color code: Dark Blue) are the second most popular, especially for precision fabricators. Again that is based on our sales and conversations with fabricators and leading power supply manufactures – (Weldcraft will be adding 2% Lanthanated to their product line shortly, and they currently offer a Rare Earth material, which is a generic material designed to compete with ArcTime™, Trimix, and Multistrike).

For the record, we sell Multi-Strike, and we sold Trimix for many years, but those materials are very expensive, and our customers told us the performance did not justify the extra cost.

Also important and often overlooked is the quality of the tungsten material. Like it or not the vast majority of the tungsten electrodes are made in China. The raw material for the most part has always come from there, as they have some of the largest tungsten mines. That said there are many high-quality manufacturers, just as there are poor quality manufacturers. Your best option is to buy a material that has a trusted brand name, from a supplier that offers only carefully selected and tested products from known manufacturers.

Free Tungsten Samples  / Free Pizza:
A local “New York style” pizza joint comes by the shop and offers us free pizza, since we often have pizza on Fridays–to celebrate exceeding our customer experience goals–we ordered one of those free pizzas.  It was terrible.  We threw it out!

Recently they stopped by again, and when our receptionist said “No thank you,” the stooge they hired to pass out the free pizza flyers was floored.

“You guys don’t want a free pizza?  I don’t get it, you don’t eat?” he said.

She told him their pizza was not worth the phone call.

I know that may sound harsh, but it’s true and you know what I am talking about…. you get what you pay for.  We have some “competitors” that offer free tungsten samples.

When we get calls from people asking us for samples we refer them to those free sample guys.  And if they are serious fabricators they try those free samples then call us back and place an order. . .

So, no, we don’t offer free tungsten samples, but what we do offer is the best Brand Name tungsten welding electrodes on the planet, backed by our unsurpassed technical support, and every order ships with material safety data sheets, user guides, how to’s, material specifications with mill runs and lot numbers, a bag of our signature M&M’s, plus the industry’s only unconditional MONEY BACK GUARANTEE and a NO-HASSLE return policy.

ARC-ZONE.COM®, INC. DELIVERS PLASMA ARC WELDING ACCESSORY KITS

Carlsbad, Calif.— Whether you’re using the Thermal Dynamics 2A, 3A, 4A and PWM300 Plasma Arc Welding Torches, setting up a new Plasma Arc Welding station, or optimizing your existing welding station, Arc-Zone.com’s Plasma Arc Welding Accessory Kits are fully loaded with a variety of performance proven parts.

Designed by Arc-Zone.com technicians, the kits allow you to fine-tune your existing plasma arc welding torch, or get your new torch dialed in and ready to weld.

Operations manuals often suggest options for various amperage settings, adjustments and top sizes. “The benefit of the Arc-Zone kit is that every part you need is stored in one convenient and rugged kit box,” says Jim Watson, founder and CEO of Arc-Zone.com. “From replacement shield cups, back caps, pre-ground electrodes, shield cup gaskets, to long tips you’ll have easy access to the parts you need to customize your torch, minimize downtime, and you’ll have the quality to minimize variables.”

Whether you’re ordering the standard kit or the deluxe kit, you’ll also get Joe Welder’s Guide to Optimizing Your Plasma Arc Welding Torch. And re-ordering parts for your kit is easy: each kit is labeled with a custom made lid card that identifies each component, and a super cool Weld Like A PRO™ sticker.

Founded in June 1998, Arc-Zone.com®, Inc. delivers proprietary, brand name and OEM replacement parts and accessories for GMAW, GTAW and Plasma Arc Welding and Cutting applications to customers worldwide.

Though not affiliated with Thermal Dynamics Corporation, Arc-Zone supplies OEM and high quality replacement parts manufactured to demanding specifications and engineered to be interchangeable with Thermal Dynamics® parts, are not OEM parts and are not endorsed by Thermal Dynamics®

For more information, visit the Arc-Zone.com web site at www.arc-zone.com, call 760-931-1500 or email sales@arc-zone.com.

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