Welding business has been booming in recent years, with the forecast for the future of the industry being fairly positive. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects that by 2030, employment for welders may grow by 8%. Each year, over 49,000 welding jobs are expected to be created, leading to an encouraging outlook for welders overall.
If you are in the welding market for a job, you need to pick up the skills needed for heavy duty welding. And a major part of preparing for industrial welding jobs is having the right welding supplies. Not sure what heavy duty welding entails and what supplies you’ll need? This guide can help you out.
Getting Familiar with Heavy Duty Welding
You’re no doubt familiar with the fact that welding involves fusing two metal pieces together. Depending on the size and nature of these metal workpieces, welding can be light or heavy duty. Understandably, heavy duty welding is the process of joining thicker and larger metal workpieces.
This kind of welding is most commonly employed in industries such as construction, metal fabrication, equipment manufacture and transportation. To carry out heavy duty welding jobs successfully, you need the right tools and equipment.
4 Welding Supplies You Need To Meet The Demands Of Heavy Duty Welding Jobs
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A Heavy Duty Welding Machine
Heavy duty welding can be accomplished using different processes like metal inert gas (MIG) welding, tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding or even stick welding. Depending on the type of welding that you will be using, you need to invest in a durable and efficient welding machine. In case you will be using a mix of these different welding procedures, your welding supply kit may benefit from a multi-process welding machine that can handle MIG, TIG, and stick welding easily.
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Heavy Duty Welding Clamps and Magnets
Since heavy duty welding involves working with large and heavy metal workpieces, it may be challenging to hold the pieces in place manually. To achieve a good weld, however, you need to ensure that the workpieces remain steady in one place when you are fusing them together.
There are special welding supplies like clamps and magnets that can help you with this. Welding clamps are useful when you need to position sheets or tubes of metal at specific angles before you weld them. Magnets, on the other hand, make tack welding of large yet thin metal sheets easier.
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Welding PPE
If you’re not careful, heavy duty welding can lead to various kinds of accidents. Aside from the exposure to the heat from the weld pool and the welder, you also run the risk of suffering injuries from the heavy metal pieces involved. This is why it is important to include adequate welding Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in your welding supply kit.
Typically, you will need to invest in the following gear to maximize your safety at work.
- An auto-darkening welding helmet
- Thick and heavy duty welding gloves
- A flame-resistant welding jacket
- Steel toe welding boots
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Heavy Duty Welding Guns
Welding guns are portable and easier to operate, making them suitable for heavy duty welding that requires work in joints, corners or other hard-to-reach places. A heavy duty welding gun is capable of continuously welding material that is as thick as 1 inch or more. They are generally rated between 400 and 600 amperes, and can be air-cooled or water-cooled.
Conclusion
While this list is merely illustrative and not exhaustive, you can start building your heavy duty welding kit with the welding supply items and tools mentioned above. Over time, you can add to your toolkit and invest in other welding machines and accessories needed to make heavy duty welding safer and more efficient.
