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Helpful Hints Basic Welding

View technical guides for guidance on welding various metals and selecting the right Hobart Brothers filler metal solution for your application.

Helpful Hints Basic Welding

Welding Safety

Always remember… welding is serious business! Make sure you protect yourself by following these important safety tips:

Always wear protective clothing!

Wear a heavy cotton shirt, cuffless trousers, high shoes and a cap to protect yourself while welding
or removing slag.

Always wear a welding helmet with visor shade #10 or darker!

Arc rays from the welding process produce intense visible and invisible (ultraviolet and infrared) rays that can burn eyes and skin. NEVER WELD WITHOUT PROPER EYE PROTECTION!

Always wear safety glasses!

Wear safety glasses with side shields to protect your eyes while welding and removing slag.

Always wear leather welding gloves!

Wear gloves to protect your hands and wrists from hot sparks and radiation burns while welding and removing slag.

Protect others!

Set up protective screens or barriers to protect other persons from flash and glare; warn others not to watch the arc.

Weld in a well-ventilated area… fumes and gases can be hazardous!

Welding may produce fumes and gases that can make you ill. Be sure to keep your head out of the fumes – do not breathe the fumes!

Keep weld area free of flammables!

Move paint, solvent, gasoline, paper products and other flammables away from the weld area so they won’t catch fire from sparks and hot slag.

Do not weld on tanks or containers that previously held flammable materials!

Even though it may be empty, a tank or container that previously held a flammable material may still contain combustible vapors or residue that can result in an explosion.

When welding small parts, do not weld on the garage floor or driveway… use a welding table!

The heat generated by the electric arc can cause cement to explode or set asphalt on fire.

Be familiar with your welding equipment!

Understanding how to properly operate welding equipment protects you from harm and your equipment from damage.

Helpful Hint #2

To learn more about basic welding, call the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology! For course information, call 937.332.5000 or 800.332.9448, or visit their web site at www.welding.org