Let’s examine a method for rusting steel, which involves cleaning the steel with a degreaser, removing millscale by soaking or spraying with muriatic acid, and then rinsing the steel with clean water. The steel is then wet down with chlorine bleach, sprinkled lightly with salt, and allowed to dry before spraying a mixture of fresh hydrogen peroxide and muriatic acid.

The piece is then rinsed with clean water, and the rust is allowed to set in for a few days. The piece is then neutralized with baking soda, wiped with paint thinner, and heated with a torch to drive out any water in the metal. read more

Whether you’re a hobbyist or a professional, you’re likely to have questions about a technique or project you haven’t tried yet. You can start looking for answers here, or just browse around for project ideas like the ones below.

7 Welding Project Ideas for Beginners

If you are considering welding as a hobby or wondering if welding would make a good career choice, consider this fun tip: You can actually make some of the equipment you will need for your shop. Shop equipment makes great welding projects, and It’s a good way for beginners to practice basic welding skills and, if you have some experience with welding, making your own equipment can save you some money. Here are seven items you can build: read more

The basic question that I encounter is commonly by a person who’s looking for a way to learn how to MIG weld. Whether they’re unaccustomed to MIG welding or are just looking to learn some new MIG welding techniques, there is never an end to these questions.

I don’t mind though. Do you know why? The reason is that MIG welding embodies among the most valuable and coveted welding techniques in the industry. Once you figure out how to MIG weld, you are well on your way to becoming a very proficient welder. I will begin these articles with a bit of background info on MIG welding and then will discuss a few basic MIG welding techniques. read more

I have an ’89 F-250 with an externally regulated alternator. I researched weldernator conversions and I wanted to get some first-hand experience before I altered my charging system. I collected some parts and built an alternator welder powered by a lawnmower (see my blog for details). It worked well enough for me to justify converting my F-250.

Modification Process

I picked up a large project box from Radio Shack, a double-throw switch, an automotive battery disconnect switch, a choke/throttle cable, and a 200 volt DC gauge from eBay. I had some 6 gauge wire, jumper cables, 110v outlet, and a 60 amp winch disconnect plug laying around the garage. I made my welding cables from the 6 gauge wire. I used the jumper cable clamps for the ground and electrode clamps. I used some scrap 5/16″ copper tubing to make some butt connectors to attach the wire to the winch plug. read more

My husband was brave enough to share his experience in tig welding with me. He is not the most patient person, but he does enjoy showing me what skills he has acquired when he can slow me down enough to teach me. Sometimes being asked to step into the man’s world is a benefit for the relationship. I know I was impressed at how much he was able to convey to me in such a short time, which didn’t even touch the amount of knowledge he has to carry around in his brain on a daily basis!

So, from a woman’s point of view, an amateur welder by far, and from the perspective of a wife, here is what I learned about tig welding in one afternoon! Although I was proud of the courage I showed to give it a try, I was still amazed at how something can look so simple but require so much thought. My list is not necessarily in the proper order. read more