With employment for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers projected to reach 412,300 in 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there's inevitably going to be a lot of people to weld over the next few years. Beginner mistakes are easy to make when it comes to welding, even with help from an expert and the right welding gear. Here are some mistakes to watch for when learning to weld.

• Using the Wrong Current: The type of current to use and how much of it to use will vary depending on the type of electrode and metal being used. If you're working with a new type of metal or alloy for the first time, test your settings on some scrap metal before moving on. That way, you'll be able to adjust your settings as needed without damaging the final result.
  
  
• Using a Damaged Electrode: If the electrode is in any way damaged or wet, you can run into serious issues, ruining your equipment or project. If you don't already have a specially designed electrode oven to store certain electrode types in, consider visiting your local welding supply store to purchase the appropriate welding gear.
  
  
• Using Unclean Metal: Before beginning to weld, make sure to clean the metal of paint, rust, or other debris or damage. Forgetting to clean the metal before starting will result in a weaker weld since the dirt and debris will end up being included in the weld.
  
  
• Not Using Proper Safety Equipment: If you're new to welding, there's a chance you don't own all the proper safety equipment yet. However, given how dangerous welding can be, it's incredibly important to use proper protection; this is especially true when you're first starting and you're unfamiliar with all the equipment. Make sure you have access to important safety gear, including a welding mask and earplugs, as well as clothing that covers your hands and head completely. It can be very easy to forget to protect your hands from hot metals and accidentally pick up a piece of metal while it's still too dangerous to handle.
  
  

Looking for new welding gear? Contact Tulsa Gas and Gear for all your welding supplies, as well as for welding regulator repair, welding gas bottle refills, and air tool repair.