Category: General Tech Info

I get asked “how many welding rods are in a box”, a lot! So I guessed it was about time I published some figures! There are some variables when it comes to how many welding rods are in a box. The length of the welding rod is the biggest variable. Smaller diameter welding rods, eg […]

How Many Amps for Stick Welding, like a lot of things in Welding, is not a precise science because it depends on a number of variables: So for example, a Butt Weld in 10mm Steel, with a ‘V’ Prep where a Root run is applied, followed by a Fill and Cap run, will need less […]

Welding Cast Iron has quite a few potential pitfalls, but if done correctly, it’s not difficult. Why is Welding Cast Iron problematic The key reason why welding cast iron can be problematic is the high carbon content.  During the welding process, this carbon migrates into the weld metal and/or the heat affected zone adjacent to […]

Simply put, NO, you can’t Tig weld without Gas! Gas is required to protect both the Tungsten Electrode and the weld pool from Oxygen. Most Tig Welder torches are also cooled by the gas, so not using gas would risk burning out the Torch. It’s theoretically possible to use a Flux, in the same way […]

Setting up Oxy Acetylene Kit is not rocket science, but it is important to do it correctly. All the following also applies to Oxy Propane and Oxy Propylene Kits Setting up Oxy Acetylene Kit – the basics Setting up Oxy Acetylene Kit Setting Gas Pressures Lighting Oxy Acetylene (or Propane/Polypropylene) Torch You’re now ready to […]

I’ve also produced a video on this subject I regularly get asked “Lightweight vs Heavy Duty Torches, what’s the difference?” There is a common perception the Heavy Duty Torches are better quality in some way, this is not the case! In fact with our Torches, both types are constructed in exactly the same way, the […]

An Oxy Acetylene Flame will fall loosely into one of three types: Neutral, Oxidising and Carburising Neutral Oxy Acetylene Flame A Neutral flame is achieved when there are equal amounts of Oxygen and Acetylene. A Neutral Flame is so named because it has no chemical effect on the molten metal. Key characteristics of a Neutral […]

The correct Gas Pressures are important. Incorrect pressure can increase the risk of Flashback and make Flame Adjustment difficult. The following Guides should help you Lightweight & Heavy Duty Swagged Oxy/Acet Gas Welding Nozzles Lightweight include DH type Oxy Acetylene Nozzles (not pictured) Heavy Duty includes type 3, 4 & 5 Torches Nozzle Size – […]

I get asked “Can I weld with a Propane Torch”, a lot. Sadly, the simple answer is NO, you need Oxygen and Acetylene to Fusion Weld. Its not about heat because you can melt steel with Oxy/Propane A lot of companies are now offering Propylene as an alternative to Acetylene. Oxy/Propylene is a lot hotter […]

I’ve already written an article Titled Can I use Propane or Propylene Instead of Acetylene so I won’t go over that ground again here. Instead I want to concentrate on the equipment differences and what you need to change when swapping from Oxy Acetylene to Oxy Propane or Propylene. Gas Welding Equipment OK, so you […]

Is Propane any good? YES! It’s a great gas! The only real downside to Propane is that you can’t weld with it. Pretty much everything else can be done. With the right Torch, Oxy/Propane is great for Heating, Brazing, Silver Soldering etc. How Propane Works in practice Propane is a liquified gas and is stored […]

BSP Threads are used for most Oxygen, Acetylene and Propane equipment. Fuel Gases, Acetylene, Propane, Polypropylene etc will have Left Hand Threads because this stops Fuel Gas and Non Fuel Gas equipment from being mixed up, which is potentially VERY dangerous. Left Hand Threads will have small cuts machined into the Nut to indicate they […]

Testing for Gas Leaks is important both for obvious safety reasons, but also because, who wants to waste expensive gas? Testing for Gas Leaks is, however, not as simple as it might seem! Where Fuel Gases are concerned, these have a distinctive odour, so you can normally smell a leak. Oxygen, Argon and Co2 however, […]

Weld Distortion and defects are an annoying, but unavoidable part of welding. But they can be mitigated! Porosity Porosity is where Holes/Bubbles appear in the weld. This is created when gas becomes trapped in the weld pool as it solidifies. Causes include: Poor Welds Weld Distortion Weld Distortion is caused by two factors: The first […]

What is Synergic Mig? The Dictionary definition of “Synergic” is: “Working Together Towards a Common End”. A Synergic Mig Welder where Welding Power (Voltage) and Wire Feed Speed are adjusted together, rather than separately, via a single Control. Most commonly, you pre program the machine with the size Mig Welding Wire being used, the type […]

What is Roller Tension? Mig Welder Wire Feed Roller Tension is how tightly the Rollers Grip the Mig Welding Wire to feed through the Mig Welders feed mechanism and torch.  Feed Roller Tension is one of the more important mig welder settings. As some of you may prefer to watch, rather than read, I’ve also […]

Mig Welding Gas is required because it’s essential to keep Oxygen from the weld pool. Shielding gas does this by replacing the Oxygen containing air that’s all around the weld pool. Categories of Mig Welding Gas Mig Welding Gas falls into two basic categories, “Inert” & “Active”. Inert means the gas has no effect on the […]

What is the best gas for Mig welding mild steel is a frequent question I get asked on the phone. Unfortunately, there’s not a simple, straightforward answer as it rather depends on a number of factors! The three key factors are: I guess you can combine 1 & 2. Disposable Gas Cylinders If you’re using […]

What’s the right Gas Flow Rate for a Mig is a question we get asked a lot, but like many things in welding, there’s no definitive answer. The correct Gas Flow Rate for a Mig will depend on a number of factors: Having said all that, I understand you need a start point, so I’ve […]

I get asked “can you use the same gas for Mig and Tig” a LOT! Sadly, the answer is NO. Gas for Mig Welding Both Mig and Tig Welding require gas to protect the weld pool from Oxygen and often to cool the Torch but these are not the only functions it performs with Mig […]

For most things in Life, preparation is important, Weld Preparation is no exception. There are some fairly obvious weld preparations Where thicker metals are to be welded, a joint preparation may be needed. Butt Weld Preparation Typically, this would involve creating a ‘V’ preparation by grinding a chamfer onto each piece of the joint. A […]

I regularly get asked “How Much Wire is on a Mig Spool”, so I figured it was time I posted some figures 😀 0.6mm 0.8mm 1.0mm 1.2mm All of the figures are based on weighing a sample length of Mild Steel Mig Wire to calculate how much wire is on a Mig Spool. Figures for […]

Welding Stainless Steel is no big deal.  As long as you use a suitable welding rod or wire for the type of Stainless Steel you intend welding, all should be pretty straight forward. Welding Stainless Steel is not vastly different to welding Mild Steel, which is why I say it’s no big deal, however, there […]

This is a common question.  Essentially, Duty Cycle is a measure of how long a welder will operate for before it overheats and cuts out. As some of you may prefer to watch than read, I’ve also produced a video on this subject There are 3 key bits of data to Duty Cycle figures: Amps, […]

Silver Solder & Braze are both products used with either an Oxy Acetylene Torch or Oxy Propane Torch. Silver Solder & Braze, what’s the difference? For me, the key difference is how they work on the joint. Silver Solder Silver Solder is more fluid than Braze and works by being drawn into the joint by […]

Welding Aluminium has often been seen as a bit of a dark art that’s the preserve of the seasoned professional welder.  But is that still the case? Welding Aluminium is certainly not as straightforward as welding materials like Mild Steel and Stainless Steel, but modern methods and equipment are making the welding of Aluminium less […]

Weld distortion is the bane of every welders life! You start out with two beautifully flat pieces of metal, then a few minutes welding later, the shape is more akin to a Donkey’s Hind Leg!! Believe me, weld distortion is something I have FAR too much experience of  🙂 Back in my Days as a […]