When people think about the hazards associated with welding, they often think about burns and electrocution. However, there are several other safety and health-related risks associated with welding. For instance, if a welder is exposed to fumes produced while welding certain types of steel, they are at the risk of developing cancer. Also, some types of UV radiation can cause an injury to the eye, which is referred to as arc eye. This is the reason why people involved with welding need to obtain as much information, from as many resources, as possible.
We took some time to look at some of the welding resources that can be useful for welders.
Contents
Table of Contents
Welding Handbooks
As a form of welding resource, welding handbooks can outline and explain the various welding processes. Below are a few handbooks you may want to consult for specific information about multiple types of welding.
Shielded Metal Arc (Stick) Handbook
A Shielded Metal Arc (Stick) handbook should provide an overview of the principles of operation. It should include the following topics, among others.
- Shield Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) equipment
- Selecting the right equipment
- Arc blow: setting current, arc control, and arc force
- Dig and hot start
- Welding accessories
- Essentials of good welding techniques
- Weld types and positions
You can find a free handbook from MillerWelds, here. Amazon.com has manuals like the Shielded Metal Arc Welding(SMAW) which you can purchase as either a physical textbook or the kindle digital edition.
Gas Metal Arc (aka MIG welding) Handbook
A Gas Metal Arc handbook should generally discuss the metal inert gas (MIG) welding process. From such a resource, you can expect to learn a number things including safety precautions, an analysis of the gas metal arc welding (GMAW) process, modes of gas metal arc welding transfer, and GMAW welding troubleshooting.
You can read or download the Everyday Pocket Handbook for Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) and Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) here or buy one from Amazon.
Gas Tungsten Arc (aka TIG welding) Handbook
You can expect this type of handbook to focus on the tungsten inert gas (TIG) process and other issues like its advantages and disadvantages, the fundamentals of Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), equipment, and accessory items required in GTAW welding.
You can download a Gas Tungsten Arc welding guideline here. However, this guide only contains the basics. For a more detailed welder’s handbook, you can buy the Welder’s Handbook available at Penguin Random House.
Paralleling Power Sources Handbook
Welding uses high electrical voltage, which would be very dangerous if not handled properly. A handbook on paralleling sources would usually contain the safety precautions which need to be observed when making use of different power sources. It would also provide information on recommended power sources and the logic behind each recommendation.
For more detail on welding power sources, check out the lecture document from the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL) here.
Welder in protective uniform and mask welding metal pipe on the industrial table while sparks flying.
Pipe Welding Guidelines
It is recommended that anyone who wants to do pipe welding should read the pipe welding guidelines carefully. Such a document should include safety precautions that have to be observed. It should also outline the fundamentals of pipe welding, ranging from welding positions, preparations and recommendations, welding passes, and appropriate ranges. Such a document would also usually provide a troubleshooting guide.
Lincoln Electric has created an excellent guide for welding pressure and pipeline systems. The guide is available here.
Resistance Spot Welding Handbook
In a Resistance Spot Welding Handbook, you would usually expect to find information on the fundamentals of the resistance spot welding method. Topics covered typically include heat generation, the time factor, pressure, electrode tips, practical uses, and heat balance, among others. It should also provide troubleshooting guidelines.
If you want thorough coverage of resistance spot welding basic principles, you may want to check out the book Resistance Spot Welding: Fundamentals and Applications for the Automotive Industry which is available at Amazon.
Article Libraries
Welders looking for resources can also make use of article libraries on various websites. Such libraries usually focus on practical information on applications, customer testimonials, technical tips, money-saving ideas, and more.
To give a glimpse of the kind of information available in article libraries, we will look at some of the articles published online.
- Robotic Welding Can Offer Benefits for Smaller Shops (You can read the article here.)
- Top 10 Essential Welding Tools List (You can read this article here.)
- Could GTAW hot-wire go mainstream? (The item is available here.)
- The Real Cost of Missed or Defective Welds (You can access the article here.)
Welding Calculators
Welding calculators are handy references for weld parameters, selection of electrode/wire type, basic techniques, and process information for TIG, Stick or MIG.
Below are some useful welding calculators.
Design of electronic project
MIG Welding calculator: The Hobby MIG Welding Calculator can help you to set the wire and power feeds. This calculator is a useful resource for people who are still new to welding.
Stick Welding Calculator: A welding stick calculator such as this Longevity Welding Calculator requires you to enter the type of metal and electrode you are welding. It then tells you what power setting to use.
TIG calculator: If you don’t have access to the internet, you may prefer a printout welding calculator. You can print a TIG Calculator here.
The Setting Calculator App: For the technologically advanced, a calculator app such as the MillerWeld Setting Calculator could provide a single solution whether you are doing Stick, TIG, or MIG welding.
Cost Savings Calculators: Apart from calculating the power settings and thickness of welding material, you could also use welding calculators to estimate costs and potential savings. You can see some examples of such calculators here.
Video Library
A welding videos library can be an essential resource for illustrating the practical use of the various welding systems and equipment. As a resource, videos are useful for actors in the welding industry as they give authentic and verifiable experiences and can be a basis for practical training.
Longevity Welding has put together a useful video library for beginners. You can watch some of the videos here.
Miller’s video library has over 1240 videos. According to the owners of this video library, it “is designed to give you the knowledge and power to tackle even the most challenging welding applications.”
Forums
Welding forums provide a platform for welders to discuss their experiences. Such discussions can also be a medium where welders can pose questions on the various processes, equipment, techniques, troubleshooting, and everything else related to welding.
When you become part of a welding forum such as the Freeweldingforum.com you can choose whether you want to view posts as a guest or as a member. Becoming a member allows you to share projects, post topics, while also giving you a chance to interact with other members using private messages. It’s more like a social media site for welders.
Safety Precaution Guides
A safety precautions guide provides necessary information regarding the safe installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of welding equipment. Such a guide should also not ignore the importance of caring and cleaning of the welding area and equipment.
You can access a comprehensive guide that covers safety practices in welding here.
Training Materials
The internet and its vast world of information have made it possible to access welding training materials easily. These resources contain a range of resources with information suitable for both novices and experts. Some of the topics covered in such resources include:
- An introduction to welding for beginners
- Welding safety
- Basic electricity for welding
- Engine-driven power sources
- Articles on the various processes of welding
- Equipment, accessories, and calculators
- Troubleshooting in welding.
A search on the internet can reveal an array of free welding courses such as the Blueprint Reading for Welders Basic Lines, Views and Symbols, which is available on Udemy. While it’s not likely that you will become a pro after doing an online welding course, it could be a great place to study the basics or to refresh your knowledge.
ENewsletter
Welding e-newsletters provide up to date information on new products, technology, and innovations. Welders can also access information about DIY welding projects, technical data, industry news, and welding accessories and products from this resource.
One of the best resources for welding e-news is the American Welding Society (AWS). Visit the AWS website to access e-newsletters from as far back as 2013.
Project Galleries
Welding project galleries can be an effective way of giving role players in the welding industry a platform to share their various projects. This is an essential resource since it facilitates peer to peer learning and enables the sharing of ideas among people with similar interests.
Most welding company websites contain galleries that give welders a chance to show off their work. An excellent example of such a gallery is the Lincoln Electric Welding Project Gallery. Most of the projects showcased in this gallery are the works of people welding personal objects at home. Such galleries provide a chance for people to learn from each other.
Conclusion
The resources above indicate that anyone who wants to do welding has a vast range of materials to consult. It is also clear that these resources don’t always have to cost money, as some of them can be accessed for free.
