The Process of Welding: What You Will Need

If you want to give your projects the edge, you will need to understand the process of welding and what you will need. Welding is a necessity in large scale mechanical engineering projects, but can also be done on smaller projects at home. Whatever your use for welding, you will need to have the right equipment to help you achieve the end result.

The equipment is just as important as the actual process of welding. There are also a number of different ways in which you can approach the job. One of the most common, especially for DIY projects, is Shielded Metal Arc Welding. You will need the following equipment before starting your project:

• Welding machine
• Electrode holder with lead
• Ground clamp with lead
• Electrodes
• Metal
• Brush
• Hammer
• Safety gear: this includes goggles/welding helmet and gloves

Once you have accumulated these materials, you will be able to start your project. You must first put on your safety gear and be careful not to wear any clothes that are frayed or that expose your skin. You need to be extremely careful during the welding process, especially if you are novice, as sparks will fly and could burn your skin or set your clothes alight. You will then need to set up the area that you are going to work in. It is preferable to do the welding in an outside area, like a workshop, away from anything valuable or flammable. A strong and secure surface is also a necessity.

Once you are satisfied that you have set everything up properly, you can begin the process of welding. This will require adhering to the following guidelines:

1. Set up the machine.
2. Use the correct electrode. These will either be AC or DC depending on the machine you are using.
3. Clean the metal with the wire brush. You will need to get rid of as much rust and paint from the metal as possible. It may be necessary to use acetone if the metal is covered in oil.
4. Clamp it down. Before proceeding you will need to clamp down the joint you are welding securely.
5. Create a welding arc. This is done by tapping the metal with the electrode and quickly pulling up.
6. Create a weld pool. Once you have created the necessary arc you can continue to create the weld pool which will be used to travel across the metal. This can either be done in straight lines or circular motions. Remember to maintain the speed during this process.
7. Once you are satisfied, you can finish the weld. Do this by pulling the electrode back from the metal. It will need to cool, before you can clean the slag (residue) which you will do by using the hammer. Check the weld and allow to cool.

Now you can begin your own DIY projects at home. However, for the bigger jobs you may need to seek the expertise of the professionals.

Here at Siyanda Engineering, we can provide you with the tools that you need in order to run successful projects. If you are interested in our machinery and services, you can visit our website http://www.siyandaengineering.co.za.