Welding uses extremely hot tools with the power to join two metals together. Considering the average melting point of the metal is 1000°C, imagine what it could do to your body. All of this can make carrying out essential DIY intimidating, but the risks can be avoided if you follow the correct safety procedures, which is what we discuss below.
Safety Come First
When you’re dealing with tools this hot, there’s no such thing as being “over the top” on health and safety procedures. After all, it’s better to have protection than to lose part of your body. Whether you’re carrying out serious work in a workshop or light welding for a hobby, we can’t express enough how important safety is.
Ensure Complete Cleanliness
Before suiting up with protective gear, you need to clean the environment completely. After all, welding doesn’t do well if it comes into contact with contaminants. Everything needs to be clean including your work area, and the target metals need to be free of rust, paint, and any other surface contaminants. The quality of your welding stick won’t mean anything if your surface isn’t clean – it will damage your work and can cause injuries.
Practice First
Having a practice run before the real deal may sound silly, but it will help you make any adjustments to your comfort and hand positioning. After all, once a piece of metal has been welded it can’t be undone easily. During your practice run, you should make sure that all of your protective clothing fits properly, and that your welding knee pads are secure.
Get Comfortable
Welding calls for precision, and you may be positioned for some time. Therefore, you must get comfy for the duration. If possible, you should assume a seated position, which will improve the level of control you have over the stick. If you’re unable to sit down, the most important part is to ensure your hands are stable.
Earth Check
Constant and powerful electricity is what makes welding possible, so it’s important to ensure proper amperage control. Part of this process is making sure your ground clamp and earth leads are in excellent condition. If your cable is corroded or frayed, the quality of your weld will be substandard. When it comes to the earthing process, we suggest ensuring the MIG electrode and earthing cables are as close as you can get them.
Begin Welding
Once your workplace is set up properly, and you’ve practised being comfortable, it’s time to start the welding process. To get the best weld, we suggest clamping or tacking the two pieces of metal together. If you’re a newbie, you will need to learn how to make quick and secure tack welds, which will improve your finish.
Welding deals with extremely hot temperatures, so make sure you’re prepared to avoid unnecessary injuries. The guide above will help you get set for the smoothest finish possible, which is achieved by keeping clean and having a steady hand.
