Weld Safely like a Professional in 7 easy steps!

Strap yourself in - here is a comprehensive guide to all the equipment you will need to start welding.

Pros and cons are explained simply and a couple of options for each piece of equipment.

Module 2 homework: Go and purchase your equipment! Don't mess around, just get something and see how it goes!

Learn how to set up:

- A safe work space

- consideration to other people and animals

- A work bench

- your welder

- your welding helmet

- safe clothing

Module 3 homework - Set up your workspace, set up a clean tidy area and be ready to start welding!

Some people and first time welders can be a little nervous around a welder. They are hot, noisy, sparks fly, there is a bright light and there is electricity flying around! That can be quiet scary!

In this module we show how natural it is to be scared of something that could hurt you.

We show how to not get electrocuted and how electricity works.

We also provide a simple exercise to help you overcome any nerves you might have.

Module 4 homework - practice the welding exercise until you are 100% comfortable with using a welder to generate sparks! Making sure you are 100% confident will help ensure future success.

Learning your starts! the first step to learning how to weld.

It can be tricky, frustrating but being able to start the arc without any fuss is the first step to welding.

Some people can struggle with the starts, but the important thing is to keep practicing the starts - the more you practice the better you will become. Getting your weld off to a good start can be simple and easy - but you need to practice!

Module 5 homework - Practice your starts! Practice the welding exercise demonstrated in this video.

Learn to bead! Beading is being able to perform a continuous weld of a consistent thickness.

Be sure to 'manage the pool'

The pool is the molten piece of metal created at the very end of your electrode. To manage the pool:

- Get your head in close to the action so you can easily see. Observe my posture in the videos, get in close and see what is going on!

- Don't pull or drag your electrode to fast across the piece of metal - this will break the pool and won't give the pool a chance to form.

- Change the angel of your electrode and see how the pool moves around.

- Practice and play with managing the pool. See what different angles, speeds and amperage do.

Here are some technical notes to help with trouble shooting:

- If amperage is to low it could result in: electrode is sticky, is not easily maintained and the arc can stutter

- If you weld looks to 'skinny': amperage could be to low, you are moving the electrode to fast and not maintaining a 'pool'

- Hard to strike an arc: check connection of earth clamp, make sure there is no excess paint or rust where you are trying to weld.

- Bead is to fat: amperage is set to high, you are moving electrode to slowly, angle of electrode could be to perpendicular to the steel you are welding

- You have accidentally put a hole in the steel, this could be one or all of the following: amperage is to high, electrode angle is to perpendicular, electrode travel speed is to slow. Metal is very thin and thin metal can be tricky to weld with.

Module 6 homework - Practice your beading until you are a master!

Joining two pieces of metal!

If you have done your homework all the way through then this is the easy part!

Joining two pieces of metal is the same as beading - but you use two pieces of metal when you bead!

Observe someone who has never welded before take over the welder and have a brilliant first attempt!

Your homework for module 7 is... Go and make something cool that you can be proud of!!