Welding guides
Parts, troubleshooting, equipment, and life in the trade. Browse by topic or search below.
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Why Your TIG Welds Have Porosity (And How to Fix It in 15 Minutes)
Porosity in TIG welds—those small gas pockets trapped in the bead—kills strength and fails inspections. The good news: most porosity is caused by three fixable issues: contaminated gas, weak shielding coverage, or…
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Rocaris 6 Pack Wire Wheel & Pen Brush Set: Carbon Steel for Weld Cleaning & Surface Prep
Introduction Weld spatter, slag, and rust don’t clean themselves. The Rocaris 6 Pack Carbon Steel Wire Wheel and Pen Brush Set is a versatile, affordable solution for post-weld cleanup and surface preparation.…
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STARTECWELD TIG 17F Series: 150 Amp Air-Cooled TIG Torch with Flexible Head & 25 ft Cable
Introduction The STARTECWELD TIG 17F is a mid-range air-cooled TIG torch kit designed for welders who need reliable performance without premium pricing. It features a flexible head for maneuverability, a 25 ft…
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Why Your MIG Wire Burns Back Into the Contact Tip (Fast Fix)
If your MIG wire keeps burning back and welding itself into the contact tip, you’re not dealing with a “mystery setting.” You’ve got wire feed interruption (mechanical) or a wire speed/voltage mismatch…
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Why does my MIG wire keep birdnesting? (Fast Fix in 10 Minutes)
If your MIG wire tangles into a “bird’s nest” at the feeder, you’re not dealing with a settings problem first—you’re dealing with a feed-path problem. This guide walks you through a symptom-first…
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3M 2097 P100 Particulate Filters for Welding Fume (2097)
If you already run a half-mask respirator in the shop, the filter choice is what determines how well it handles welding smoke and fine particulate. The 3M 2097 is a P100 particulate…
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CGW Abrasives 42345 Flap Disc, 4-1/2″ x 7/8″ 80 Grit Zirconia (10-Pack)
IntroMost “bad weld finish” problems start before the weld and get worse after it—wrong grit, wrong disc type, or running a disc past its useful life. The CGW Abrasives 42345 is a…
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Mill Scale on Hot-Rolled Steel: Why It Ruins Welds (And How to Remove It in 5 Minutes)
Mill scale is the dark, brittle oxide coating on hot-rolled steel straight from the mill. It looks harmless but traps moisture and contaminants that cause porosity, weak bonds, and visible defects in…
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TIG Torch Slipping Tungsten? Your Collet Body Is Worn (Here’s the Fix)
Intro You’re TIG welding and the tungsten keeps slipping out of the collet. You tighten the back cap, it holds for a few seconds, then slides again. The arc starts inconsistent, the…
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Why Your MIG Wire Stops Feeding (And How to Fix It in 5 Minutes)
Intro Your MIG welder fires up fine, but halfway through the bead, the wire quits feeding. You hear the motor grinding. Nothing comes out. It’s frustrating, costly downtime, and it happens more…