Welding Project: Bookends

Welding doesn’t have to be all about work. In fact, there are many people who enjoy welding as a hobby. U.S. Welding & Safety Supply Co. is going to introduce you to a few welding projects for hobbyists. The first welding project we’ll be working on is bookends. Follow our step by step directions and you’ll have two beautiful bookends to decorate bookshelves in your home, or give as a homemade gift to someone who enjoys reading. 

Materials Needed:

• 4 flat pieces of heavy gauge steel
• Ground clamp

Directions:

1. Clean the metal pieces before you begin welding.
2. Use a ground clamp to secure two pieces of metal together at a 90-degree angle.
3. Use tack welds to secure the pieces of metal in place.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 with the other two pieces of metal.

This welding project is simple, but it makes a creative homemade gift for any avid reader! If you’re feeling creative and inspired, you can even customize the bookends with other metal objects, or paint designs onto them. You can find all of the welding supplies you’ll need to this easy to do welding project at USWeldingSupply.com. Check back with our blog to learn about more fun welding projects. 

Now that’s What I Call Welding! – Volume 2

When we aren’t busy welding or working hard, we’re rockin’ out to only the best heavy metal music! Nothing gets us quite as pumped as a fast, heavy metal song. Here are our top 30 metal songs to get you all fired up. Now, fire up that welding gun, and rock your way through the work day! 

1. “Hallowed Be Thy Name”- Iron Maiden
2. “War Pigs”- Black Sabbath
3. “Master of Puppets”- Metallica
4. “Ace of Spades”- Motorhead
5. “Iron Man”- Black Sabbath
6. “Raining Blood”- Slayer
7. “Hellion/Electric Eye”- Judas Priest
8. “Cowboys From Hell”- Pantera
9. “Symphony of Destruction”- Megadeth
10. “Caught in a Mosh”- Anthrax
11. “Holy Diver”- Dio
12. “Pull Me Under”- Dream Theater
13. “Keeper of the Seven Keys”- Helloween
14. “Over The Wall”- Testament
15. “Epic”- Faith No More
16. “Let it Go”- Def Leppard
17. “Runnin’ With the Devil”- Van Halen
18. “Back in Black”- AC/DC
19. “Enter Sandman”- Metallica
20. “Welcome to the Jungle”- Guns N’ Roses
21. “Breakin the Law”- Judas Priest
22. ‘Communication Breakdown”- Led Zeppelin
23. “Blackout”- Scorpions
24. “Under the Blade”- Twisted Sister
25. “Over the Mountain”- Ozzy Osbourne
26. “Am I Evil”- Diamond Head
27. “Detroit Rock City”- Kiss
28. “At War With Satan”- Venom
29. “Cold Sweat”- Thin Lizzy
30. “One”- Metallica

There’s always room on the list for more! What are some of your favorite heavy metal songs? Let us know in the comments below!

Protecting Yourself from Burns When Welding: Treatment and Healing

In April, we discussed the types of burns that occur when welding. While flame retardant clothing can protect you from burns, accidents can happen. Here’s how to treat a welding burn. 

First-degree burns

How do you treat a first-degree burn? After you first become burnt, run the burned part of your body underneath cold water for a few minutes. After the burn is cool, apply burn ointment. You can also take an over-the-counter pain medication to reduce pain.

How long do these burns take to heal? A first-degree burn will usually heal in about three to seven days.

Second-degree burns

How do you treat a second-degree burn? Cool the burned area immediately after being burnt, apply burn cream, and then covered the burned area with a gauze dressing that won’t stick to the burned skin. Make sure you change the dressing daily and never puncture the blisters.

How long do these burns take to heal? A second-degree burn usually heals in about two to three weeks.

Third-degree burns

How do you treat a third-degree burn? Do not try to treat a third degree burn at home. If you think you have a third-degree burn, go directly to the nearest hospital.

How long do these burns take to heal? Healing time depends on the severity of the burn.

Protect yourself from burns when welding by wearing flame retardant clothing, welding gloves and other welding safety gear. You can find an assortment of affordable welding protection gear at USWeldingSupply.com. 

Cost Effective Welding Tips To Save Money

Not many things are cheap these days, including welding supplies. Cutting down wherever you can is almost essential in today’s economy. Whether it’s the physical cost of materials or welding clothing, there are certain ways to save money, making your welding more efficient in cost and time. It can be difficult at first, especially if you’re used to welding a certain way. 

USWeldingSupply.com is always looking for ways to save you money and the following three tips will make every welding process easier and more cost-effective.

1. Keep it cool and easy to work with: Using the most efficient torch when you are welding is essential is keeping your work cost-efficient. Try selecting a torch with great insulation, as it takes less time for the torch to heat up and cool down. In the long-run, this will save money, contributing to lower power costs. These torches are usually air-cooled or water-cooled.
2. Casting vs. Welding: Adding a weld? Most people would think that adding a weld would be more expensive. In some situations, it might be, but in others it may be more cost-effective. Finding a different part to weld can save you from starting from scratch, as well as save money.
3. Safety first: Looking out for careless errors can significantly affect your efficiency costs. Whether it’s wearing the proper leather welding gloves or making sure the work area is clean, safety is one of the most important principles in welding. This is one of the hardest things to practice, especially if you have employees working with you. Doing things repetitively may make errors harder to detect, but make sure you’re going over your work with a fine-tooth comb to foresee any accidents waiting to happen. 

Cutting costs is important, but not cutting corners is more important. Remember that efficiency and safety are always more important than the cost of a project. Your customers will appreciate the efforts you take to make their products excellent.

The Dangers of Exposure to Welding Fumes & Dust

As you may already know, welding certain metals releases fumes during the welding process. Each of these metals has their own characteristics, which may be harmful to your health or safety. While we strongly recommend protecting yourself by using a welding fume extractor, wearing a respirator, and keeping your work area well ventilated, it’s also important to understand the risks of being exposed to different welding fumes. 

 

Aluminum: Acute exposure to aluminum dust and fumes can result in eye irritation. This doesn’t sound that bad, but when a welder is chronically exposed to aluminum fumes it can cause shortness of breath, weakness and possibly a chronic cough.

Antimony: Exposure to antimony can cause a variety of unappealing symptoms, some of which include irritation to the eyes, skin, nose, throat or mouth, coughing, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, diarrhea and more. The fumes from this metal target the eyes, skin, respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

Arsenic: Inhaling arsenic fumes can cause numerous acute effects, such as respiratory irritation, skin abnormalities, and eye irritation. Chronic exposure can lead to liver damage, cancer, kidney disease, blood disease, spotty pigmentation of the skin, dermatitis and other serious health conditions.

Cadmium: Often found on steel or in silver solder, exposure to high levels of cadmium over a short period of time can result in lung damage and flu-like systems, such as chills, fever, muscle pains, etc. When a person is chronically exposed to low levels of cadmium over an extended period of time the health concerns are more severe and include kidney disease, bone disease, lung disease and cancer.

These are only a few of the many fumes that are released from metals during the welding process. Make sure you check back with us next month to learn about more harmful welding fumes and stay protected with welding safety clothing and gear! 

Welding Gloves for Every Welding Application

Goatskin, pigskin, cowhide and more! With so many types of welding gloves available, how can you be sure you’re using the best pair for the job? 

• Cowhide welding gloves are tough and durable. They are flame and heat resistant and provide good electrical resistance when they’re dry. Often, cowhide welding gloves are worn during MIG or stick welding.
• Similar to cowhide, welding gloves that are made from calfskin have better dexterity, but are not as tough as cowhide welding gloves.
• Pigskin welding gloves are made of a thin material, which is oil and weather resistant, but not very heat resistant. If a job deals with a lot of heat and fire, choose welding gloves that are made from a stronger heat resistant material.
• Lightweight, flexible and durable, goatskin welding gloves are oil and weather resistant while providing the welder with the flexibility needed for precise TIG or MIG welds. Gloves made from goatskin are also great for stick welding, as well! 

Some of the other features you should look for when choosing a pair of welding gloves include, a flexible wrist area, angled thumb for natural grasp, reinforced thumb and palm, and flame-resistant lining for additional heat protection. 

Now that’s What I Call Welding! – Welding Playlist Volume: 1

Have you ever felt like cutting loose while you’re welding? Just imagine how fun and silly it would be to use a hand cutting torch as a microphone!  Please, don’t tell us you don’t jam out when you’re welding. Just in case you need help finding tunes to get your groove on as you create your latest master piece, every month U.S. Welding & Safety Co. is going to give you a list of 20 great welding songs.

Now that’s What I Call Welding – Volume: 1 includes 20 hot hits!

1. Hot in Herre – Nelly
2. Drop It Like It’s Hot – Snoop Dogg
3. Great Balls of Fire – Jerry Lee Lewis
4. Burning Up For Your Love – Madonna
5. Fan the Fire – Earth Wind And Fire
6. Ring of Fire – Johnny Cash
7. Wild Fire Woman – Bad Company
8. Sunburn - Fuel
9. Inside The Fire - Disturbed
10. Fire – Jimi Hendrix
11. Comin’ Under Fire – Def Leppard
12. Fire – Bruce Springsteen
13. This is Why I’m Hot – MIMS
14. Hot Stuff – Craig David
15. Hot For Teacher – Van Halen
16. Hot Blooded – Foreigner
17. This House Is On Fire – AC/DC
18. Hot In The City – Billy Idol
19. Light My Fire – The Doors
20. Sex On Fire – Kings of Leon

What are some of the songs you would add to Now that’s What I Call Welding – Volume: 1? Let us know with a comment! 

Protect Yourself from Burns When Welding: How to Identify a Burn

Welding is a dangerous industry. There are many ways a welder can get hurt, but one of the most common welding injuries are burns. There are three types of burns – first degree burns, second degree burns and third degree burns. In this blog post we’ll discuss the three types of burns that can occur when you’re not protected with flame retardant clothing. 

First degree burns are mild burns that only affect the top layer of skin, which is called the epidermis.

What does a first degree burn look like? When you have a first degree burn your skin becomes red and dry without forming blisters. You’ll also experience some minor swelling.

Second degree burns affect the epidermis and a portion of the dermis, which lies underneath the first layer of skin. Depending on how severe the burn is you may be able to treat it at home.

What does a second degree burn look like? A second degree burn causes severe pain and redness while also producing blisters, which can break open.

Third degree burns are the most serious. They cause damage to all layers of the skin.

What does a third degree burn look like? The burned skin usually looks white, charred, leathery, or brown. You may feel very little to no pain due to nerve damage.

10 Welding Safety Procedures

Welding is a dangerous job, but thankfully there are safety standards that every person operating a welding machine should take into consideration. Below are 10 safety procedures which you should use whenever you’re welding. 

1. Never move a high pressure cylinder without a cylinder cap. If the cylinder falls, it could explode and you could be killed.
2. Before you begin welding, make sure the area is clear of anything flammable.
3. Always read the information manual for any piece of welding equipment before your first time using it.
4. Use an exhaust hood to remove fumes when welding in a confined area.
5. Looking at an arc’s rays for even a moment can cause unbelievable damage to your eyes.
6. Do not weld in a wet area, or with damp clothing or gloves.
7. Never weld on painted metals. Before you begin welding, remove the paint from the surface.
8. Always wear a welding helmet in order to protect your face, and keep it away from the welding plume.
9. Have a fire extinguisher close by whenever you’re welding.
10. Protect yourself and others from being burned by using soapstone to mark hot metals that have been welded.

Before you begin any type of welding project make sure you know and understand the proper method of welding that is used to weld the metals you’re working with. As long as you use proper welding procedures, you’ll be safe during all welding projects. 

Thinking About a Career in Welding?

Are you thinking about a career in welding?  There are many benefits and opportunities to having a career in welding. For instance, welding careers can you take to heights you never thought possible, like working for NASA! Being that we use metal in almost all of our today’s products, the possibilities are limitless with a welding career. Here are some easy steps to get you started in figuring out if you’re meant to operate an arc welding machine. 

1. First you need to figure out if you like everything that a welding career entails, such as the type of psychical and mental work associated with welding.
2. After you’ve thought it over, the next step would be to find a school that offers welding or a welding type major. Make sure it’s a school that offers everything you want.   
3. This step canbe applied once you’ve already been accepted or when you begin classes. Step three is  a matter of personal preference. Since a welding career has so many vast markets, you can choose to focus your education on a specific career, such as underwater welding or a profession in the manufacturing industry.
4. Graduate and start your career! This is the first step to the rest of your life in a lucrative welding career!

These four steps are of course vague in their nature; however, they do give you a good insight as to what you can expect from the first steps of considering a welding career. We do recommend you research every aspect of this industry and even see if you can job shadow to make sure this is right path for you! 

Calling all Hobbyist Welders!

As you may know welding is not just a profession, it’s also a hobby, and a pretty neat one at that! At U.S. Welding & Safety Supply Co. we have all the welding tools and safety supplies you need to bring the love welding to your backyard. Metal can take shape of anything that you can dream of, for instance in these projects you’ll see a minion grill and farm animals to name a few. It’s amazing to see metal take shape the way these hobbyist welders have done it.  Take a look at the amazing welding projects we’ve seen so far! 

Photo Credit: SteampunkTendencies.com

• Old Farm Scrap Metal Creations
• The Piston Army Head
• Recycled Horseshoes
• Minion Fire Pit

It’s truly astounding what can be made out of metal and little bit of elbow grease. Just like any medium, metal can really begin to take shape when we have a little imagination. As you can see from these posts the possibilities are endless when it comes to metal manipulations! With any welding project, just make sure you’re using the proper safety techniques and the right equipment; safety should always be your number one!  You can browse USWeldingSupply.com to find the perfect tools you need to produce any welding project!  

We would love to see some of the work that you’ve created! Share your work with us on our Facebook Page!

Think Safety First with Welding Safety Supplies!

Safety should always be the first priority on your list, whether you’re starting a new project or finishing one that you already have started. You don’t want to lose said hand because of a simple safety slip!  At U.S. Welding & Safety Supply Co. we have the welding safety supplies you need to keep you safe while welding. 

Safety seems like a topic that’s second nature however; it’s also one that is overlooked by many welders. Some of the safety supplies we offer are earplugs, earmuffs, fall protection, respirators, and sound detectors. 

• Earplugs & Earmuffs: Earplugs and earmuffs are great for keeping your ears protected from the loud sounds of welding machines. Both are going to protect your ear drum, but depending on your comfort level you may like one choice over the other. 
• Fall Protection:  We know the job of a welder can get pretty dangerous. The proper protection can ease your mind. Our fall protection products will help you stay safe on the job!
• Respirators: Respirators are another essential safety tool! They take long term safety to the next level.  We have many options to fit the needs of you or your team, which include adjustable straps and respirators  recommended for the environment you’re working in.
• Sound Detector: Sound detectors are used to detect sound levels and determine the degree of hearing protection needed. They are designed to help welders detect, protect and prepare themselves in all types of noise levels.

Stop by USWeldingSupply.com for all of your welding safety supplies!

See What Our Loyal Customers Have to Say About Our Welding Supplies

U.S. Welding & Safety Supply Co. has been your source for welding supplies for almost 20 years!  Over time we’ve developed a loyal customer base. We’d like to share what some of our customers have to say about their experiences with USWeldingSupply.com. 

“Thanks, I received my order. The items were easy to find and the shipping was prompt.” - Rafael Wilson; Closter NJ

“Great company to deal with and very extensive inventory of products. Fast delivery at reasonable cost for standard UPS delivery.” - John Ledve; Wichita, KS

“I have great luck with everything I have purchased from US Welding Supply. Great support team and the products come way faster. Thanks for your service.” Tonny White JR; Markham, TX

“Wow! Thanks for the gloves and pen! It's always fun to get a little gift. Thank you for the prompt service. We will be using you again!” - Karen Fitzhugh; Mira Loma, CA

“I found your website easy to use and Luz Castillo helpful. I await delivery and thank your company for selling and shipping internationally.” - Graham Nunn; Australia

“I'm more than impressed with your fantastic fast response and great service. Thank you very much, you are number one.” - Damir Lovrekovic; Croatia

“Great company to deal with. I really enjoyed working with US Welding Supply.” – Mike; North Carolina

You can read all of our reviews on our testimonials page. Here at U.S. Welding & Safety Supply Co. we aim to please our customers. For questions about our products call us at 305-593-9488. 

Dependable Welding Power Tools for your Toolbox

While every welder needs the proper welding guns, machines, safety equipment and accessories, it’s also important to have the dependable welding power tools. Here at USWeldingSupply.com, we offer affordable, high quality power tools for all your welding jobs! 

• Milwaukee and DeWalt drills are both well known for their top-of-the-line quality and power-packed performances. Their ergonomic builds allow for daily use without hassle.
• A grinder is an excellent asset for all your metal working needs. The Milwaukee Die Grinder is able to get to those tough spots with strength and efficiency. With a DeWalt Angle Grinder, you can get all your grinding done while guiding debris safely away from any components.
• Able to safely cut through wood, piping and more, a heavy duty metal band saw makes a powerful welding power tool for a variety of projects. DeWalt and Milwaukee band saws guarantee success in sawing through a number of materials.

You’ll find these and many more handy welding power tools when you shop online at USWeldingSupply.com. Visit us today or call 305-593-9488 with questions!

The Benefits of Shopping with an Online Welding Store

Having the necessary safety supplies on hand is vital when you work in the welding industry. Instead of taking a chance, and not finding what you need in your local welding store, you can find a full range of welding safety supplies, accessories, and field equipment when you shop on an online welding store.  In fact, there are many benefits to choosing an online welding store!  

• Search for products by a specific manufacturer, or search for a specific piece of equipment.
• U.S. Welding & Safety Supply Co. offers free shipping on a number of select items!
• Have your purchases shipped directly to your place of business or your home, whichever you prefer.
• Become familiar with welding supplies before making a purchase. USWeldingSupply.com provides the opportunity to learn more about each piece of welding equipment before making a purchase.
• Connect with a live agent through the live chat option on our website.  You can ask pertinent questions or have concerns addressed before finalizing an order.

Given the dangerous nature of welding, you cannot risk your safety or that of your crew. You can find the welding safety supplies you need at prices you can afford when you shop USWeldingSupply.com, your #1 online welding store!

The Importance of Welding Protection

For all people who weld as a hobby or for work, the right safety gear is essential. Never go without any of these important items, because injuries and their effects are not worth the risk. 

Face Welding Protection

A welder’s eyes must be protected with goggles, a hand shield or helmet. Shields and helmets that cover the entire face are ideal. They protect from sparks, hot slags, chemical burns, bright light and radiation. Respirators should also be worn, because they protect the lungs from oxides and fumes emitted during the welding process. Good earmuffs or earplugs are also a must. Welding operations are hard on a person's inner ears, but hearing loss can be minimized or prevented with good hearing protection.

Body Welding Protection

Always wear insulated boots and gloves. They will protect from shock, extreme heat and any accidental fires. Burns from welding are one of the most common injuries, but they are also one of the most preventable in welding operations. Proper protection mixed with best practices will minimize burn risks. Be sure to wear flame-resistant pants, shirts and aprons. The shirts and pants should not have cuffs, which may catch flying sparks. If the shirts have pockets or other openings, there should be flaps covering them. Tape them closed if they don’t have flaps.

For more information about the importance of welding protection, visit USWeldingSupply.com today!

How to Buy Gas Welding Supplies Online

Busy members of the welding industry know that even a short period of time without the right equipment on hand can lead to big losses in revenue. Customers may be unhappy with the rate at which a project is completed, and loyal customers may stop frequenting a particular welder. That’s what makes buying gas welding supplies online such a benefit to these businesses. 

Here are some other benefits associated with buying welding equipment and supplies online.

• Supplies are listed by very specific product names and parts numbers, so welders can be sure they’re buying the right replacements. With an extensive catalog that contains all of this information, U.S. Welding & Safety Supply lets welders navigate to the exact welding parts, supplies and equipment that they need to keep their business running smoothly.
• A variety of customer service options allow customers to connect with people who can help them navigate the online purchasing process. Email, live chat support and even snail mail options can help customers figure out how to get the parts they need.
• Gas welding supplies are delivered right to the business. There’s no need to take time out of a busy day in the workshop to visit a wholesaler in the area.
• While professionals may be wary of entering business credit card information online, safety certificates ensure that this information will be kept secure.

For more information about U.S. Welding & Safety Supply’s welding supplies, visit USWeldingSupply.com. 

Find the Best Welding Gear for Every Project

Construction and fabrication professionals use welding gear on a daily basis, and these tools perform an array of basic and specialized functions. At U.S. Welding & Safety Supply Co., we offer welding parts, accessories and resources that help modern firms perform essential tasks while going above and beyond the bare minimum. 

Our cutters, welders, safety equipment, environmental systems and other gear play many crucial roles around job sites. That's why we've chosen a selection of items designed to satisfy a diverse set of needs.

Although different spot welders and accessories perform uniquely under the same circumstances, our straightforward listings make it simple to find equivalent hardware for your repairs and upgrades. We know the characteristics of a specific piece of welding gear are just as important to the finished product as the skills of the person that uses it, so we're always ready to help you choose the most suitable welding equipment.

Check out the product categories at USWeldingSupply.com to narrow things down; this is the easiest way to find gear for a specific job. You can also select a featured listing for a taste of the latest in arc, plasma and gas technology. If you're not sure what you need, call us at 305-593-9488 for help planning your next big welding project!