I started welding 7 years ago. At that time, I was young and very curious. I didn’t know anything about welding. I just saw people using machines, creating sparks, and joining metal together. It looked interesting, but also a bit scary.
I didn’t go to any big school or special training center. I learned by watching others and practicing with my own hands. It was not easy in the beginning, but slowly, I understood how it works. I made many mistakes, but that’s how I learned.
Now after 7 years, welding is not just my job, it’s something I enjoy. I love working with metal. I love building and fixing things. It gives me peace and confidence.
In this article, I will share welding basics in a very simple way. I will tell you what welding is, why it’s used, and how it works according to my personal experience. Let’s start by introducing welding first!
What Is Welding?
So, what is welding? To keep it very simple, welding means joining two pieces of metal by heating them until they stick together.
The welding meaning is easy to understand when you see it in real life. When we weld, we melt the edges of metal using heat. Sometimes we also add extra material, like a rod or wire, to make the joint stronger.
People use welding for many reasons. The purpose of welding is to fix or build things made of metal. You will see welding in many places like in cars, motorcycles, gates, metal doors, pipes, trailers, and even in big bridges and buildings.
Welding is all around us, but most people don’t notice it. Once I learned how it works, I started seeing it everywhere.
Why Is Welding Important?
You may have a question in your mind, why is welding important? Let me explain. The answer is that welding is everywhere in our daily life.
Think about trucks on the road, water tanks in homes, metal fences around yards, or even the metal parts in your kitchen. All these things are made or fixed using welding. Without welding, many things we use every day wouldn’t be possible.
Welding helps a lot in repair and construction. When something metal breaks, welding can fix it strong again. When people build houses, bridges, or machines, they use welding to join metal parts together so everything stays safe and steady.
Also, welding is much better than using bolts or glue for metal. Bolts can get loose, and glue does not hold metal well. Welding joins metal so strongly that it becomes almost one piece. This is why welding is the best choice for many jobs.
Common Types of Welding
You might have heard about different types of welding. Don’t worry if the names sound confusing. I’ll explain them in a very simple way, just like how I learned.
MIG Welding is one of the easiest and most beginner-friendly types. It uses a wire that melts and joins the metal quickly. Many people start learning welding with MIG because it is simple and works well for many jobs.
Stick Welding is a little old but very strong. It uses a special rod that melts and joins the metal. It works well outside or in windy places. It’s tough and good for thick metal.
TIG Welding is cleaner and gives a very nice finish. It is good for thin metal or when you want your welds to look neat. But it can be harder to learn and needs more practice.
Flux Core Welding is similar to MIG but better for outdoor work. It works well even if the wind is blowing. This makes it popular for building fences or big outdoor projects.
Underwater Welding: Underwater welding means doing welding work deep down in the water, usually in the ocean, a lake, or even a river. It’s the same kind of welding we do on land, but it’s done underwater by divers who are trained for both welding and deep diving.
These are the main types I worked with, and each one is good for different jobs. As you learn welding, you will understand which one fits your needs.
Is Welding Hard to Learn?
When I first started welding, I made many mistakes. Sometimes the metal didn’t join right, or the sparks flew everywhere! But I didn’t stop. I kept trying and practicing every day.
If you are new, don’t worry. Welding for beginners can seem hard at first, but it gets easier with time. Some parts, like holding the torch steady, can be tricky. But other things, like learning safety rules, are simple.
You don’t need to be perfect or know everything from the start. Just start small, practice a little every day, and slowly you will improve. Mistakes are normal, and they help you learn.
If you want to learn welding easily, be patient with yourself. Ask questions, watch others, and don’t give up. I believe anyone can learn welding if they try.
Related Read:
Want to know the hidden dangers of working beneath the waves? Don’t miss today’s post: Top 10 Risks of Underwater Welding. It’s packed with real-life insight and tips to stay safe.
Basic Tools You Need for Welding
When I started welding, I didn’t have fancy or expensive machines. You don’t need them either. Start with simple tools and focus on learning first.
Here are the most important welding tools you will need:
A welding machine – This is the main tool that makes the heat to join metal. There are many types, but a basic one is good for beginners.
A helmet and gloves – These are part of your welding safety gear. The helmet protects your eyes and face from bright sparks, and gloves protect your hands from heat and burns.
Wire or rods – These are the materials that melt and help join the metal pieces together.
Fireproof clothes – Wear clothes that don’t catch fire easily. This keeps you safe from sparks and hot metal.
Always remember, safety is the most important thing when welding. It’s better to have a simple but complete beginner welding kit than to buy expensive tools without knowing how to use them safely.
Safety Tips You Must Know Before Welding
Welding can be dangerous if you don’t take care. Here are some important welding safety tips from my own experience:
Always protect your eyes and skin. The bright light from welding can hurt your eyes, and sparks can burn your skin. That’s why you need a good helmet and gloves.
Keep water and fire away from your work area. Sparks can start fires quickly, so make sure your space is safe and clean.
Work in open or well-ventilated areas. Welding makes smoke and gases that are bad to breathe in. Fresh air helps keep you safe.
Never weld without proper gear. This means helmet, gloves, fireproof clothes, and boots. I have seen many burns and accidents that could’ve been avoided if people wore the right gear.
Welding is useful and fun, but safety must always come first.
Final Thoughts
Welding is a useful skill that anyone can learn. It helped me a lot in my life. It gave me confidence and a way to fix or build things with my own hands.
If you are thinking about welding, don’t be scared to try it. Everyone starts as a beginner, and with practice, you can get better every day.
I will keep sharing more tips and real experiences from my welding journey. If you want to learn more, check out my next post about how to start welding at home. It will help you take the first steps safely and easily.
Remember, to start welding you need the right welding knowledge and a good welding guide and I am here to help you with that.
I hope you start learning and enjoy welding as much as I do!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is welding, and how does it work?
Welding is the process of joining two pieces of metal by heating them until they melt and stick together. When the metal cools down, it becomes one strong piece. This happens because the heat melts the metal edges, and sometimes extra metal is added to make the joint stronger. Welding works like glue for metal, but much stronger.
What are the easiest types of welding for beginners?
For beginners, MIG welding is usually the easiest. It uses a wire that melts and joins the metal quickly. It’s good for many kinds of metal and doesn’t need too much skill at first. Stick welding is also popular but can be harder to learn because you have to control the rod yourself. TIG welding looks clean but is more difficult and takes time to master.
Is welding dangerous? How can I stay safe?
Welding can be dangerous if you don’t use safety gear or don’t follow safety rules. The bright light can hurt your eyes, and sparks can burn your skin or start fires. To stay safe, always wear a welding helmet, gloves, and fireproof clothes. Work in a ventilated area and keep water or flammable things away from your workspace. Safety should always be your first priority.
Do I need expensive tools to start welding?
No, you don’t need expensive tools at the beginning. A simple welding machine and basic safety gear like a helmet and gloves are enough to start learning. You can buy better tools as you improve and need them. Remember, learning the skills and safety is more important than having expensive machines.
How long does it take to learn welding?
The time to learn welding depends on how much you practice. Some people can learn the basics in a few weeks, but to get good and confident, it may take months or years. I spent years practicing and making mistakes. The important thing is to be patient, keep trying, and learn from each mistake.
Hello Everyone! I’m Seo Jun, a professional welder with over 7 years of hands on practical experience in South Korea. Right Now, working in Seakor Corp. Ltd. I created myweldingtips.com to share real-life welding tips, safety advice, and techniques. My goal is to help others learn faster and work smarter through practical, easy-to-understand welding guides. Contact me
