Process, gear, and settings that hold
Best Flux Core Welding Wire by Job and Welder
E71T-11 fits versatile outdoor repair; E71T-GS is a narrower single-pass option, while critical work needs a qualified wire and procedure.
By Cole Brandt · 2026-08-31 · 24 min readLatest
Millermatic 211 PRO Dyna-Pulse Upgrade Guide
Check whether your Millermatic 211 PRO gets Dyna-Pulse free, what the USB update adds, and where aluminum and thin-sheet limits remain.
Why Shipyards Are Short on Welders Despite $35.1M
See how MARAD’s shipyard grants fund welding machines and training capacity while leaving competitive pay and worker retention to employers.
Will Welding Robots Replace Welders? Task-by-Task
See which welding tasks adaptive robots can take first, where humans retain an edge, and which skills can make a new welding career more resilient.
Bad Welding: Signs, Causes, Inspection, and Repair
Bad welding is not diagnosed by deciding whether a bead looks “pretty.” A useful assessment asks three separate questions:
TIG Welding Consumables: Complete Selection and Compatibility Guide
*By Cole Brandt, CWI-certified welder. *
Flame Resistant Welding Jacket: Material, Fit & Buying Guide
A flame resistant welding jacket is not automatically the right jacket for every welding job. Depending on the evidence supplied for the exact garment, “FR”…
More articles
Can You TIG Weld Aluminum Without Helium?
See when pure argon is enough for aluminum TIG, how machine output changes the decision, and what argon versus helium shielding costs per hour.
Do Handheld Laser Welders Need a Laser Safety Officer?
Class 4 handheld laser welding calls for an LSO, controlled area, rated eyewear, training, written procedures, and a site-specific hazard assessment.
OSHA Respirator Medical Evaluation Rule for Welders
See whether a welding PAPR helmet, tight-fitting PAPR, half-mask, or N95 needs OSHA medical clearance and fit testing now and under the proposal.
Top Rated MIG Welders: Evidence-Based Shortlist and Buying Guide
There is no evidence-backed, universally best MIG welder. The right choice depends less on the highest visible star average than on whether the machine matches…
Millermatic 212 Auto Set: Specs, Setup & Used-Buyer Guide
The Millermatic 212 Auto-Set is best evaluated as an older, shop-oriented MIG platform—not simply as a welder with an automatic setting feature. Its historical…
MIG Welding Cast Iron: When It Works and How to Avoid Cracks
Yes, cast iron can sometimes be MIG welded. The important qualification is that depositing a bead is not the same as producing a reliable repair.
E7018 Welding Rod: Amperage, Polarity, Uses & Storage
E7018 is a low-hydrogen, iron-powder stick electrode commonly used for carbon steel and selected low-alloy steel work. The familiar designation communicates…
Welding Hood With Respirator: 4 Types, but Which?
Four formats span half masks, PAPRs, supplied air and full-face combinations. A PAPR filters ambient air and does not generate oxygen.
When Welding Goggles Suit the Job and When a Helmet Does
Arc welding generally calls for a rated helmet or equivalent broad face protection. Shade, UV/IR filtration, impact and coverage remain separate checks.
Women's Welding Jackets: FR Cotton vs Hybrid
A six-model shortlist tracks fit, construction and missing documentation. Only Benchmark has seller-stated ATPV 12 cal/cm² and CAT 2.
Can You MMA Weld Stainless Steel? Rods and Limits
MMA is usually more practical on medium or thicker stainless; very thin material is more likely to suit TIG or a controlled MIG process.
Diffusion Welding Requires Interface Control
Conventional diffusion welding keeps the parent materials solid and uses pressure. Compatible similar materials can join without filler.