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Summer is here, and that means your kids will be home from college for the next few months. With all of the extra clutter around the house, why not make something to store it in? USWeldingSupply.com has step by step directions to make a storage shelf to hold all of the bedding, laundry items, and boxed macaroni your kid brought back.

1. First, you need to determine where you want to put the new storage shelf. Try in the garage or maybe the basement for optimal storage space.

2. The next step is to find out which materials work best for you. Whether you use sheet metal or square metal tubing, the cost, design, and function are all important factors to consider when deciding which materials to use when constructing the shelf.

3. Sketch a diagram of what you’d like the shelf to look like, as well as the dimensions of the shelf.

4. The actual shelf consists of three parts: horizontal shelf trays, vertical legs, and the frame. Form the shelf by overlapping two pieces of square metal tubing or sheet metal, using a gas welding kit.

5. Finally, weld angle-shaped pieces of metal to the bottom of the shelf’s frame, and put the shelves in place by welding them together.

Whether you just need the extra space or your children have way too many things to bring home from college, building a storage shelf is a great welding project for beginner or professional welders! You can find all of the welding tools and supplies you need to build a storage shelf at USWeldingSupply.com.  

Posted on May 24, 2012 in Welding Fun, Welding Projects •   No Comments

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 costs of materials or welding clothing, there are certain ways to save money to make 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.

Posted on May 18, 2012 in Uncategorized, Welding Safety, Welding Supplies •   No Comments

Welding doesn’t have to be all about work. Once and awhile it’s nice to take a break from work and weld something just for the sheer fun of it! Don’t you think it’s time to bring the joy back to welding? U.S Welding Safety & Supply Co. is here to help, with some great, but simple projects for all types of welders. All you need is an arc welder and a few other welding accessories and materials to complete the following welding projects!

• Garden Bench - Scour a junk yard for pieces of wrought iron, decide on a generaldesign, and begin welding pieces of wrought iron together to form a cool bench for your front porch or garden.

• Stool - Create a one of a kind stool for your home or welding shop, using four pieces of iron as legs, and a square or round piece of metal for a seat.

• Hand Truck - All you need are a few pieces of pipe, four wheels and a square piece of metal to weld your very own hand truck!

What are some of your favorite welding projects? Have you recently welded something for your home that you’re particularly proud of? Let us know with a comment! 

Posted on May 16, 2012 in The Art of Welding, Welding Fun •   No Comments

Whether you’re a beginner or experienced, welding can be a fun hobby. However, everyone should review the basic tricks and welding safety tips in order to become a skillful, successful welder.

Learn Before Doing: It’s important to study welding before beginning your first project. An experienced welder can teach you about the basic types of welding processes, including MIG, TIG, and Gas Arc, etc. Different types of metals require their own special equipment and precautions.

Inspect Your Area: Clean up your shop, and make sure there is nothing flammable where you are welding. The floor should be completely dry, and a proper ventilation system will give you fresh air to breathe around gases and smoke.

Wear Proper Protection: Welding safety gear can protect you from harmful sparks, ultraviolent light, and smoke. Be sure you are wearing safety glasses, a filter mask, and helmet. You should also wear the proper welding clothes and gloves. Right now, U.S. Welding Supply is giving away a free pair of Tillman Gloves on every $40 purchase!

Have the Right Tools: Be sure to have the correct welding accessories and tools, as each welding job varies. Research what kind of lenses and plates, cable connectors, and ground clamps you may need to begin your project.

Inspect Your Equipment: Before you plug in your welder, be sure to inspect it thoroughly. Check the power cord, ground clamp cord, and electrode holder to ensure nothing looks damaged. You should also inspect all tools, to make sure everything is in its proper working condition.

Welding can become dangerous if you are not using the correct welding safety precautions. Learning from these best practices can make the job more fun and safer for you and those around you. U.S. Welding Supply is always here for any questions you may have.

Posted on May 11, 2012 in Welding Safety, Welding Supplies •   No Comments

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. 

Posted on Apr 30, 2012 in Welding Fun, Welding Projects, Welding Supplies •   No Comments

We’re already a few weeks into spring, and this year the first day of summer will be June 20^th -so early! It may not seem like something you should worry about right now, but before you know it welders everywhere will be concerned about staying safe while they’re working under the scorching heat of the hot summer’s sun. Here are some ways to keep safe while welding during the spring and summer months.

• A welder’s cap has a high crown, and provides plenty of ventilation when welding. Our welder’s doo rags have mesh linings, which allow sweat to evaporate quickly.
• Wear welding gloves with sweat absorbent lining. If your welding gloves are saturated with sweat, you can be electrocuted when you touch the electrode.
• Always have a water supply close by, so you don’t become dehydrated.
• Cotton flame retardant welding clothing is perfect for welding during the hot summer months. The lightweight fabric is breathable, allows air to circulate, and prevents sweat and heatstroke, while also protecting the welder from the dangerous arc.
• Take breaks throughout the day to avoid heatstroke.  
• Use a Miller Heat Stress CoolBelt, which provides constant air movement under the hood of your welding helmet, and reduces fogging.

Welding outside in the heat is serious, and it’s important to know your limits and how to protect yourself. You can learn more ways and find more products to help you stay safe as you’re welding during the spring and summer at USWeldingSupply.com. 

Posted on Apr 25, 2012 in Welding Safety, Welding Supplies •   No Comments

Welding is a hard day’s work. No matter what time of year or what the conditions, many welders are working to create items that we use during our everyday lives. Unfortunately, some welders are forced to work outside, and when you mix the heat from an arc welder with the hot summer sun, the work of a welder becomes much more difficult. In celebration of National Welding Month, we’d like all hard working welders to sit back, and enjoy the following quotes about hard work and its benefits.

• “A lot of what passes for depression these days is nothing more than a body saying that it needs work.” - Geoffrey Norman

• “Work isn’t to make money; you work to justify life.” - Marc Chagall

• “It is necessary to work, if not from inclination, at least from despair. Everything considered, work is less boring than amusing oneself.” – Charles Baudelaire

• “Without labor nothing prospers.” – Sophocles

• “It is only the constant exertion and working of our sensitive, intellectual, moral, and physical machinery that keep us from rusting, and so becoming useless.” – Charles Simmons

• “Sweat silently. Let’s have no squawking about a little expenditure of energy.” - Martin H. Fischer

• “It is better to wear out than to rust out.” - Richard Cumberland

• “All things are difficult before they are easy.” – Thomas Fuller

• “Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don’t turn up at all.” – Sam Ewing

U.S. Welding & Safety Supply Co. would like to thank all welders for their continuous hard work, and wish them happy National Welding Month! 

Posted on Apr 13, 2012 in Welding Careers, Welding Fun •   No Comments

April showers may bring May flowers, but April also brings excitement to welders and welding enthusiast everywhere, as April is National Welding Month. If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about the welding industry, April is the perfect time to do so. This wonderful welding month is a time for people to everyone to recognize the contributions that welding has made to our lives – past, present and future.

In celebration of National Welding Month and to show pride for past, present and future welders, we’d like to share some of the many significant welding achievements in history.

• In 1881, French scientist Auguste De Meritens fused lead plates together using heat generated from an arc.
• The first coated metal electrode was introduced in 1900.
• The American Welding Society was established by Comfort Avery Adams after the end of World War I.
• P.O. Nobel invented the automatic welder in 1920.
• During World War II, when men were away fighting in the war, women were at home learning how to weld.

Without welding we wouldn’t have some of today’s modern conveniences, such as cars, buildings, space rockets, coffeepots, bridges, subways, power line towers, bicycles, school desks, and many other things that we depend on in our day to day lives. This month, venture out into the wonderful world and welding and then come back and share with us something you’ve learning during National Welding Month. 

Posted on Apr 6, 2012 in Welding News •   No Comments

I’m pretty sure we’ve mentioned in earlier posts that welding doesn’t always have to be serious. It does have to be safe, but seriousness is an option, especially on April Fools’ Day! Here are some great April Fools’ jokes you can play on your coworkers and welding buddies.

• Wrap a coworker’s car in clear plastic industrial packaging wrap. It will take them by surprise and after they’re done laughing they’ll spend forever unwrapping their car.
• Label everything, from the welding machines to the cable lugs, around the welding area using Post-It notes.
• Line a pair of welding goggles with black shoe polish, so after someone takes off the goggles they’ll have big black circles around their eyes.
• Dress a realistic looking, life size doll in welding clothes, put a welding helmet and goggles on their head. Then set him in a position so it looks like he’s getting ready to weld. People walking by will wonder why the person isn’t saying hi to them.
• Fill someone’s welding helmet with confetti, so when they put the helmet on they are covered in confetti.
• Place bubble wrap behind a coworkers tires, so when they pull out of the parking spot it sounds like they just got a flat tire.
•  

Just remember to be safe, and not to play any pranks that could cause someone to get hurt. April Fools’ Day is all about having a good laugh so stay safe and have fun! 

Posted on Mar 30, 2012 in Welding Fun, Welding Safety •   No Comments

Here at U.S. Welding & Safety Supply Co. one of our top priorities is to keep professional welders and welding enthusiasts safe at all times. It may seem silly, but think of all the dangers you encounter throughout the day. Now, wouldn’t you be much safer if you wore a welding helmet, even when you’re not welding? Just remember to keep an open mind while reading our list of silly, but possible times a welding helmet would come in handy and keep your noggin safe.

1. You’re at your favorite local haunt and someone picks a fight with you for no good reason at all. Luckily, you’re wearing your handy welding helmet, so your head remains intact. Too bad we can’t say as much for the other guy’s hand!
2. What if you’re on a hike and there’s a sudden rock slide? You’ll be protected if you are wearing a welding helmet.
3. Convertible cars aren’t safe, especially if you get into a car accident without wearing a welding helmet.
4. A welding helmet will give you double the protection of any motorcycle helmet!
5. Speaking of bikes, make sure you are wearing a welding helmet next time you’re pedaling away. Who knows when danger may strike, causing you to fall off of your bicycle.

Our list may be silly, but seriously, it’s important to wear a welding helmet whenever you’re welding. Whether you’re a professional welder or just a welding hobbyist, you won’t be completely safe unless you’re protected with a welding helmet.

Posted on Mar 23, 2012 in Welding Safety •   No Comments