The Art of Welding

Typically, when you think of a welder, your thoughts conjure a picture of hardworking men and women doing the important job of creating goods that are the backbone of this country; vehicles, piping and machinery,  just to name a few. However, there are a growing number of welders that have nothing to do with creating commercial goods and everything to do with art.

Everything from sculptures and jewelry to DIY décor are created using the technique of welding. Sculpture artists can weld truly unique and one-of-a-kind creations soldering discarded metals that were destined for the scrap yard. Today, lots of home decor, for both inside and out, has been popularized using recycled metals. A bottle bush using recycled bottles would look lovely in your garden. Are you a horse lover? A flower made from old horseshoes would be a perfect wall decoration for you home.

Metal art sculptures may be modern or contemporary and can bring new life to forgotten discards. From coffee tables and fire pits, to a rooster made from an old spade shovel and a spoon flower for your walkway, sculptures are revitalizing what would otherwise be trash.

Let’s not forget the beauty that is welded jewelry. Heirloom quality jewelry can be crafted and designed in such a way that is not possible with traditional jewelry making. Often times, welded jewelry can be crafted and designed to your exact specifications. For sure, no two pieces will ever be alike.

Whether you’re an artist or a welder by trade, you’ll find the best selection of welding tools and supplies to handle any job at USWeldingSupply.com.

High-Tech DIY Halloween Costumes

A great Halloween costume doesn’t have to come from a traditional Halloween costume store or website. In fact, dare we say, those costumes can be rather boring and predictable. This year, instead of the go-to pirate costume – of the Jack Sparrow variety for the guys and the sexy version for the ladies - why not try your hand at DIY costuming? Your costume will be original, one of a kind and sure to stand out from the crowd at your next Halloween party.

Naturally, with our passion for welding, the DIY costumes of our choice involve a little more ingenuity. Here's a list of high-tech do-it-yourself costume ideas that incorporate welding, fiber optics, LEDs and more.

*Tin Man - We had to go there! Who doesn't love Dorothy's squeaky friend without a heart? Make this costume truly original by creating your own welded masterpiece.

*Ghostbuster – Forget the store bought suit, instead add a proton pack with flashing control lights and power indicators.

*Lady Gaga – Your wild costume options are limitless, but the best piece of your look will be dual-screen video glasses. All you need are two digital-picture-frame key chains, a slideshow and black sunglasses.

*Fiber optic Fairy Wings – This costume isn’t for your average Tinker Bell. Today’s high-tech fairy needs more digital dazzling than your everyday wand and fairy dust. Add a few battery-powered LED’s and she’ll have wings that glow.

*Halo Armor - Cybernetically-enhanced super soldier, anyone? Weld together some spare parts to create an awesome Master Chief gun and uniform.

Whatever costume you decide on this Halloween, elevate it to the next level with some tech innovation and welding work for a totally unique look. Find all the welding supplies you need at USWelddingSupply.com.

Unlimited Job Potential in the Welding Field

A career in the welding industry can be both creatively and financially rewarding. Whether your path to the welding world started by tinkering with cars, working on your grandparent’s farm, or you have a degree in welding engineering, the job potential awaiting you is seemingly limitless.

Welding is such a wide-open profession. If you look around you currently, surely something has been welded. Welding is part of just about everything you see and touch every day, from the car you drive, to the bridge you drive over and the school or mall you drive to. Welding’s also part of making airplanes, ships and all kinds of manufactured products. Producing power requires welding engineers as well as pipelines, power plants and the newest technology in wind turbines.

Starting just out a high school with basic welding skills, you can expect to make anywhere from $10 to $14 an hour. With experience, skill and advanced training, in just a few short years, arc welders could make anywhere from $40,000 to $50,000. The potential to make upwards of $100,000 is a reality, but does require travel to some far-off locations. However, the more types of welding you master, the more you can earn.

The future for the welding profession looks promising. Whether its building bridges, nuclear power plants, windmills or drilling for oil, welders are needed as long as the world needs energy, infrastructure and defense products.

For all the tools you need to get the job done, visit USWeldingSupply.com today.