Welding guides
Parts, troubleshooting, equipment, and life in the trade. Browse by topic or search below.
-
MAXXEON MXN00650 WorkStar LightVisor Safety Headlight (700 Lumens)
Good lighting isn’t optional on the job — it’s a safety requirement. The MAXXEON MXN00650 WorkStar LightVisor Safety Rechargeable Headlight is built for professionals who need powerful, hands-free lighting with added visibility…
-
Auto-Darkening vs Passive Welding Helmets: Which Is Better for Your Work?
Choosing the right welding helmet affects safety, productivity, and fatigue. Auto-darkening and passive helmets both protect your eyes, but they perform very differently in daily welding. This guide breaks down the real…
-
Welding Safety Glasses Guide 2025 | Shade Numbers, ANSI Z87.1 & UV Protection
Welding safety glasses protect against UV radiation, infrared light, and impact hazards during grinding and fabrication. Choosing the right glasses depends on process type, shade number, and ANSI Z87.1 certification—not just lens…
-
Plasma Cutter Buying Guide 2025 | Duty Cycle, Cut Capacity & Air Requirements
Plasma cutters use ionized gas to cut conductive metals. Choosing the right cutter depends on material thickness, duty cycle, air supply, and cut quality requirements—not just amperage rating. Key Specifications Explained Amperage…
-
MIG Welding Wire Selection Guide 2025 | ER70S-6 vs ER70S-3 Specs
MIG wire selection affects weld quality, spatter levels, and penetration depth. Choosing the right wire depends on base metal composition, surface condition, and shielding gas—not just diameter and tensile strength. Common MIG…
-
Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet Buying Guide 2025 | Lens Speed, Shade Range & Standards
Auto-darkening helmets protect your eyes by switching from light to dark state when arc strikes. Choosing the right one depends on lens speed, shade range, viewing area, and certification—not brand hype. Key…
-
Welding Fume Exposure in 2025: What’s Changed and What PPE Actually Protects You
Welding fumes have always carried health risks, but 2025 brings a major shift in how OSHA, AWS, and safety professionals are treating long-term exposure. Injury rates in welding have dropped 15% since…
-
6010 Electrode vs 7018 Electrode: What Welders Need to Know
6010 and 7018 are two of the most widely used stick electrodes in the welding industry—but they serve very different purposes. One is built for speed, penetration, and root passes. The other…
-
2025 Welder Certification Changes: What You Need to Know
Welding certifications are tightening in 2025. AWS, ANSI, and industry regulators have rolled out updated requirements focused on fatigue prevention, longer-term inflammation risks, exposure limits, and more robust process testing. If you…
-
Why Welders Are in Demand in 2025 (And What It Means for Your Shop)
The U.S. welding industry is entering a pressure zone: a massive labor shortage, an aging skilled workforce, and demand that keeps climbing. AWS projects a 400,000-welder shortage in 2025, and the average…