Process, gear, and settings that hold
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.
By Cole Brandt · 2026-08-27 · 9 min readLatest
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…
More articles
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.
Which MIG Solid Welding Wire Fits Your Job and Machine?
Even when a machine accepts.035-inch wire, it may not hold the spool, feed the alloy reliably or provide the output the joint requires.
2 Meanings of Welding Arc Flash: Eye Injury or Electrical Fault
Arc eye may not hurt until hours after exposure. An electrical arc-flash fault is separate and requires its own assessment.
Stick Welding Rods Must Match Metal and Machine
On an AC-only welder, an AC-compatible E6011 may be a practical candidate when the job calls for a penetrating, fast-freezing electrode.
Brazing Medical Components: Sound Yet Unsuitable?
A joint may corrode, retain unacceptable residue, release particulates, leak above the specified limit or lack adequate production traceability.
Which Affordable Welding Machine Fits Your Job?
A $200 machine is not necessarily a $200 setup. Process choice changes spending on gas, consumables and cleanup; a worksheet captures missing gear.
Best MIG Welder for Beginners by Project Type
For indoor light work, choose a gas-capable 120V 140A-class machine. Regular 3/16-1/4-inch jobs point to 190-210A on 240V; outdoors favors flux-core.
Edge Safety Glasses: Choose by Hazard, Ratings and Fit
Z87+ addresses high-impact protection, not automatic protection from splash, dust, welding or military ballistic hazards. The exact SKU and markings still matter.