Category Archives: TIG /GTAW Welding

Moving Metal with Bill McCann

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Bill McCann's TIG welded bikes

Like many, for Bill McCann the simple desire to build things out of metal is what sparked his interest in welding. He first learned to gas weld when he was 18 at a buddy’s shop in Wyandotte, Michigan. In his twenties he took a stick welding class, which led to a career in TIG welding. Now 70 years young, and retired, he still welds; he still likes moving the metal around. Bill came into the Arc-Zone Ultimate Welding Showroom one day to purchase some supplies, and we’ve seen some of his work on Instagram, and we were so impressed we wanted to find out more.  We sent our own Arc-Zone PRO partner, Joanie Butler, out to learn more. Continue reading →

Back to Welding (Safety) School

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It seems every time I look at at headline that has “welding” in the title it’s about a welding school expanding their offerings–the predicted shortage of welders is here.

There are a lot of welding school options, from your local community college where the courses may be more affordable, to the more specialized training schools like Wyotech, Lincoln Electric’s Welding School, or Tulsa Welding School where you can learn pipe welding, automotive technology, shipfitting and sheet metal fabrication.  (Check out the American Welding Society’s Welding School Locator to find a program near you.)

Once you’ve made the decision to go to school you’ll need to have some of your own gear.  Most welding schools will most likely give you list of welding supplies, starting with welding safety.  

Start with Welding Safety

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Water-Cooled TIG Torch: Cool Down and Amp Up!

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Is your Air-Cooled TIG torch too hot to handle? It may be time to think about upgrading to a water-cooled system.   You’ll be able to use water-cooled torches that run much cooler and allow you to access higher amperages. Think of all the welding possibilities!

Water-Cooled TIG Torches

You may  think you need to buy a fancy water cooler in order to use a water-cooled TIG torch, but that’s not necessarily true.  Of course at Arc-Zone we wouldn’t mind if you purchased a welding  water cooler from us–we do carry an extensive line of coolers from manufacturers like  Binzel and Dynaflux. We even carry all the replacement parts you’ll need for repairs, including the Procon rotary vane pumps for welding water coolers.

welding water cooler and replacement parts at Arc-Zone.com

Hook Up Kit for Your Water-Cooled TIG Torch

Other options for upgrading to a water-cooled TIG torch:  build your own water cooler or connect directly to your city-supplied water.

hookup kit for water-cooled TIG welding torchIf you just want to connect to your city-supplied water and run water right to your torch, we have a kit that includes all the connectors you’ll need.

Keep in  mind you’ll need to maintain a water flow of one quart per minute at a maximum of 45 PSI (or risk blowing out the tiny water passages inside your TIG torch). Continue reading →

As Seen On Instagram: April 2016

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Be sure to follow Arc-Zone.com on Instagram for technical welding tips to welding eye candy, new products and more from around the welding industry.  Here’s a sampling of what we shared in April:

Micro TIG Welding Torch

Micro TIG Welding Torch

Let’s get small… You know that time when you wished you had a “micro” TIG torch for the roll cage headliner tie-in, that cylinder head repair, those hard to reach merge collectors & the list goes on! Here’s the solution. Choose from the Weldcraft/Miller W125 (formerly MT-125) 125 amp water-cooled 3.5″ & 5″ body length, or the CK MR-70, air-cooled 70 amp, or MR-140, water-cooled 140 amp. Each torch is available with 45, 90 & 180 degree front end parts (CK-MR-140 w/45 degree setup shown). Note: the CK product is complete with front end parts, making it less expensive to get started, plus the replacement parts are less expensive making the cost of ownership friendlier for your wallet💥 check them out over at www.arc-zone.com we stock everything you need to get small… & we service what we sell👍🏻 Good Welding💥 #microwelding #welding #weldinglife #tigwelding #welder #arczone #weldlikeapro #metalfab #tig #shoplife #weldshop #tigtuesday

Under the Hood: Arc-Zone PRO Partner Nick Mishler welding up something good

Nic Mishler welding

Checkout this epic pic from Nick @mishler_made_fab… Bracket time on one of these filter houses. #killallfiller#tigwelding #weldlikeapro #weldon#arczone #welding #metalfab

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From Anthropology to Arc Welding

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Aleasha Hladilek, Welder

Aleasha Hladilek was working in a shop making futons, and discovered she liked building things and working with her hands.  So, with her Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, student loans, and dreams of owning a house, she decided to add to her skills and signed up for the welding program at a technical college.  She’s been working as a welder for the last 11 years.

“My welding skills have kept me well employed and proud of my work,” she says.

What welding process(es) do you use the most or feel more familiar with?

Gas Tungsten Arc Welding and Shielded Metal Arc Welding, Aluminum wire feed.  I teach a full time welding program, so I use and am proficient in Gas Metal Arc Welding, Flux Cored Arc Welding, and Metal Cored Arc Welding, but they are not my favorite processes.

How did you train?

I teach a full time welding program at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College.  One of the best things about teaching is that I am constantly learning as well.  I have my summers off and take other welding jobs to keep up my practice and also because I enjoy them.

What kind of welding jobs have you held?

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