Welding Torch

It doesn’t matter what type of welding you are carry out, it cannot be completed without the use of a welding torch. While the welder does all the feeding, provides electricity and more, the torch is the tool the welder uses in hand to carry out the work.

Those in the welding world know that for all the different types of welding and welding functions, there are different types of torches for the job too. An example is that a Mig welder will carry a different torch to a stick welder and both will be different to an Oxyacetylene welding torch.

As well as welding torches being different, the process for using them varies too, again this depends greatly on the welding process being used.

While the exterior of a welding torch makes it look simple to use, the truth is that it is a brilliantly designed piece of equipment when you open it up and look inside (something we don’t expect you to do).

Standard design

While the aesthetics of a welding torch make them look only slightly different, the over working design makes them all very different indeed.  This being said, all welding torches have a design basics where they all carry the same parts.

For example all types of welding torch have hoses coming through the welding torch; they all have a handle and either a trigger or valve and are all finished off with a welding head.

How does a torch work?

All welders have pipes running inside where the shielding gas runs through the torch to the welding nozzle at the top of the welding head. For manual welders the welder with manually feed in the filler wire but for semi-automatic welders such as Mig welders the welding torch will have a trigger that also feeds the wire to the nozzle.

The welder will guide the welding torch along the work they are welding and produce a weld by using the welding torches functions correctly.

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Welding Salary Range

We all know that in any industry or job type there is a pay scale based on job requirements, a person’s ability and their level of experience. In the world of welding this is no different, in fact it may even be broader than most job types because of the large variances in welding jobs and the different industries welding covers.

The average welding job in the United States gives a salary return of between fifty nine thousand dollars and eighty five thousand dollars. Not a bad salary one must say, but as a person increases their ability and experience the salary range increases, it also increases further if the welder moves intricate or dangerous welding fields. An example of this is that a welder in a fabrication shop will not command the salary of an underwater diver welder for instance.

If you look at the welding salary range it is very clear to see that the oil and gas industry hogs the top end of salaries in the welding salary range. The bottom end of the scale is propped up by those in the production and fabrication industry.

Below is the welding salary ranges by industry:

Fabrication and Product Manufacturing - $61,000 - $75,000
Automotive - $63,000 - $78,000
Oil & Gas - $68,000 - $85,000
Manufacturing and Distribution - $63,000 - $78,000

There is one position that did not get used for these welding salary ranges; this is the job of an underwater diver welder. This is a very specialist job, one that requires a very special person to carry out the work. For those that have welding experience and a commercial diving license the salary that they can command is astronomical and if working full time on projects will easily be over six figures. The highest paid industry for diver welders is the fossil fuels industry of oil and gas.

Should you be looking to get into the welding field as a career then the best option is to pass your welding certification and start looking at lower paid welding jobs to build your knowledge and experience. After this you can then start looking at higher paid welding jobs that will challenge your welding skills and mental strength!

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Rig Welder Jobs

Many have heard of Rig welder jobs but do not truly understand what a rid welder job is thus do not know whether to pursue this avenue in their welding career. Why not read on and find out about Rig welder jobs and whether they fit into your welding career aspirations.

What do you do as a Rig welder?

Rig welders carry out a dual function role based in the oil industry.

One function is to work out at sea on the oil companies rigs carrying out maintenance and repair on all manner of oil rig equipment and the oil rig itself.

The other function involves being based on land in a rig welding team that travels around working on one project after another. These projects vary from small to large and are completed in support of many Rig welders found on various sites.

The rig welder is the basic entry level welding job in the oil industry and is the perfect starting position for anyone wishing to build a long and successful, not to mention well paid welding job in the oil industry.

Where can you get Rig welder jobs?

Firstly you need to be aware that rig welder jobs are among the most wanted jobs in the welding industry. This is because a welder will learn more about their skills whilst also gaining a very lucrative salary too.

Because of the association with the oil industry and the high skill levels required for rig welder jobs the job commands a salary around double the amount of most other welding jobs. This is also in part due to the dangers of living and working on oil rigs at sea.

Finding and applying for rig welder jobs is actually quite easy, simply contact oil industry specialist employment agencies or look through websites catering to niche jobs. It must be said that while applying is easy, getting the job is actually a lot harder as there will be many people vying for the position.

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Find out how to MIG weld

Mig welding is one of the easiest welding types because it is a semi-automatic welding process. While most know it as Mig welding, it is sometimes called gas metal arc welding or GMAW. The name Mi gelding means metal inert gas welding.

As Mig welding is semi-automatic the welder supports you greatly throughout the welding process and this is the reason why it’s one of the easiest welding types. This being said you still need to carry out training and have the right equipment to carry out Mig Welding

So before you even find out how to Mig weld you need to ensure you have the correct equipment. The equipment you need is a welder with a welding gun and wire feed along with a power supply, shielding gas, protective clothing and of course a welding mask.

Find out how to Mig weld

The technique for Mig welding is one of the more basic welding techniques but still requires time and practice to achieve. It can take a matter of days, or even weeks to get a good grip on Mig welding, but to become professional takes years.

When holding the Mig welding torch ensure you hold the torch with the wire feed facing away from you and that the power is on. You also need to ensure the shielding gas is set to the correct level to ensure a quality weld.

To start your weld put your two pieces of material next to each other and place the welding torch at an angle with the welding wire around a quarter of an inch from your work. When you’re ready place the welding mask in front of your eyes and press the welding torch trigger.

After pressing the welding torch trigger slowly move your torch along the area you wish to weld, this should be done in a slow and deliberate manner without moving the torch closer or further away from the work. With the welding torch you should hold it at ninety degrees to the work being welded.


When finished move the torch away from the work and then take the mask away from your face so you can review your work. You are looking for a strong weld that is neither skinny nor brittle or too think either.

If your weld keeps being too think or skinny why not find a piece of scrap metal and keep practicing until you get the quality weld you want, after all practice makes perfect.

We have given you the information so you can find out how to Mig weld, now you simply need to take time to practice and hone your technique.

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Welding Metal Gauge Chart

If your looking to find out the sizesof metal at different gauges and materials then why not use the welding metal gauge chart below which gives you the information you need.

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Lincoln Electric K2185-1 Handy MIG Welder

When choosing a Mig welder it can be a daunting task, you never know which one on the market is the best Mig welder for your needs. The Lincoln Electric K2185-1 Handy MIG Welder is one Mig welder you should review if you are looking for a Mig welder, but only if you need it for anything other than heavy duty work.

The Lincoln Electric K2185-1 Handy MIG Welder is a very versatile piece of equipment because of its light weight structure and the fact that it is able to plug in anywhere, even a standard home socket.

While heavy duty work is out of the question for the Lincoln Electric K2185-1 Handy MIG Welder, it is the perfect Mig welder for hobby welding and auto repairs as it produces strong welds on light gauge steel.

Welders Features:
• 35-88 amps output.
• Can weld anything up to 1/8 in. mild steel.
• Can weld MIG (doesn’t come with shielding) and flux-cored.
• Plugs into household 115V, 20 amp outlet.
• Has a cold contactor safety feature so the welding wire is kept cold until welding occurs.
• Perfect for hobby projects and auto repair.
• Selectable voltage and adjustable wire feed control.
• Welder comes complete with fan cooling.
• Comes complete with one year warranty

Welders Specifications:
Input Power - 115/1/60
Rated Output - 70A/17V/20%
Input Current - 20A
Output Range - 35-88A
Dimensions - Height: 325 mm Width: 224 mm Depth: 457 mm
Net Weight 46.0 lbs. (20.9 kg.)

There are four voltage options on the Lincoln Electric K2185-1 Handy MIG Welder making it easy to use on different voltage outputs. The welder also comes complete with all welding accessories needed to start welding except shielding gas and protective clothing.

One of the other great things about this welder is that it is a Lincoln Electric welder so you are getting a quality brand that many welders respect. If you are after a durable and versatile Mig welder that works brilliantly on thin metal then this is the welder for you.

Click here to find out more about the Lincoln Electric K2185-1 Handy MIG Welder!

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