Welders handle many things such as filter metals, consumables, and other equipment. Whether they are newbie welders or experienced, they make frequent mistakes during their daily tasks. It may be hard to recognize such errors, but some of them can lead to harm and even death. Below are common mistakes that welders need to avoid.
Failing to clean your welding equipment
Cleanliness is an essential element in the welding industry.
If you fail to clean oil, dust or rust, the machine will not last long. Most welding tools like the Esab Rebel EMP 215ic EM 235ic MIG welder can spoil due to irresponsible exposure to moist and eventually rust. You need to keep them clean and oil them so that they can serve you for a long time. If properly taken care of and protected from damage, a unit could server and last you for years to come.
Besides the hygiene of gear, the other aspect of “being clean” is how well you’ve taken care of your welding sight. If your materials are covered in dust or any other type of hard particles, that could ultimately sabotage your effort.
Poor metal storage and handling
Where do you store your metals? Storing metals in an area that exposes them to moisture and dirt affects the welding performance negatively no matter the type of welding itself. You might want to prevent such problems by storing all your metals in a clean and dry compartment, free of water leaking from the roof or dripping pipes.
The place should be of constant temperature where you can put the metals until they are ready for use. You should cover coil and spools with a plastic bag that are kept on a wire feeder for a long time. You can also store them in their original packaging as long as you make sure it’s protected from harm and risky exposure to moist or any other source of damp.
If you don’t have adequate space to store them, you can consider storing metals that you are not going to use soon at a storage facility near you. Most storage facilities have professionals who understand where to store different stuff. They will keep them well and save you the money that you would have to spend repairing them.
Ignoring preventive maintenance stands for extra risk
Most welders don’t apply preventive maintenance on their property. Preventive maintenance is important as it as it helps you avoid unexpected downtimes and repair costs, which can ultimately add up in the long term.
“With preventive maintenance, your productivity increases and it also extends the life of your equipment. You should develop a regular timetable of inspecting your equipment, power sources and wire feeders among other tools. If you have too much on your mind, simply set a regular reminder to poke you as time passes. You should check consumables frequently and replace them when needed.” say the experts from Sheltonroofing.com
Purchasing low-quality metals due to their cheap costs
While it is a great idea to save in business, purchasing cheap and low-quality materials can cause you to spend more. Low-quality metals will cause you to spend more money on repairing and buying more new stuff. Ultimately, it’s worth investing into sturdy resources rather than products that will only last your for a while.
You can also experience downtime due to poor wire feeding or other weld defects that arise after using poor wire feeding. You should, therefore, look at the quality of metals and don’t let price be the determining factor. There are some high quality and affordable metals in the market. You should, therefore, check on the quality first.
Wrong welding preparation
Before welding, welders usually follow some steps. Such steps involve cleaning oil dirt or grease before welding. However, some welders skip the cleaning process and go ahead to weld. The result is usually scrapped parts and weld defects, and weld defects pose a number of risks. Depending if you’re welding at a construction site or metal responsible for support, a defect could compromise the structural integrity in the long term.
Another pre-welding procedure is assessing the weld joints to make sure that it has no gaps. Too many gaps can result in distortion of the material. This mostly happens when welding materials like stainless steel and aluminium. You should, therefore, follow all the welding steps before beginning the whole process. If you’re unsure you should always seek guidance and advice. Sometimes a tip from an experienced welder could prove to be priceless and save you tons of money and nerves over poor results.
Using old equipment
How long do you use your equipment and power sources? Even if you bought high-quality equipment, they are prone to wear and tear after long use. Whether they are generators or wire feeders, they might have issues and cause a downtime after prolonged use.
As time passes, new and more efficient technologies become available in the market. They may either be faster, safer or work better than any other old equipment. If you would like to improve the quality of your welding, consider using new and better units. With modern gear, you are likely to get better deposition rates, fast training, and enhanced power efficiency among the many other benefits of using up to date gear. You should, therefore, perform a detailed cost savings analysis before purchasing any new piece of equipment. Some units allow you to perform more complex jobs while others lurk in the low end of power and can only get you so far.
Ignoring training opportunities
Learning is a continuous process in any business and that’s as valid for the welding industry as it is for any other. New things come with improved technology. However, most welders assume that they know everything and rarely invest their time in learning new tricks and expanding their know-how.
“If you spend your time in learning, it will help you optimize your welding activities for higher efficiency. Proper training gives your company an edge over others who have fewer skills. You should, therefore, invest your time in learning new things.” advise Mathew from Low Carbon Buildings. “There are quite a few different types of certificates, depending on difficulty, so it really depends on the extent of complexity you want to master.”
There are different types of welding, in terms of technology, different types of alloy, metal, different types of power of the welder unit and so forth. To be a qualified tradesman takes quite some time, effort, patience and persistence.
Conclusion and final remarks.
Some mistakes in the welding industry might look minor at first but could have a devestating effect in the long run. Mistakes such us inadequate storage facilities, lack of maintaining welding equipment and using old equipment are common among many welders. If you follow the above tips, your welding business will not lose a lot of money on unexpected cost. or even worse – leaving the business for good. A poor job can not only cost you a client but could send out a message you would otherwise rather avoid. When it comes to services as crucial as welding, regulations are tight, and just one bad job is all it takes.
May 22, 2018