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THE MOST COMMON WELDING QUESTIONS, ANSWERED


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There’s a great deal to welding, and there’s a lot of common questions people have. We thought this would be an excellent opportunity to answer a few of them.

1.) WHAT SKILLS DO WE LOOK FOR IN A WELDER AT HADLEY?

We believe a great welder should be well-versed in the theory and practice of the different welding applications and have strong problem-solving skills. There are many variables at play and various applications used to achieve the level of precision we require. A welder should also have the ability to read blueprints, have strong communication skills to make sure every detail is addressed, and read and understand complicated plans. At Hadley, we take great pride in the decades of experience, craftsmanship, and professionalism each welder brings to the job every day.

2.) THERE ARE A LOT OF TYPES OF WELDING. WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON TYPES?

Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) , also known as Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) became very popular in the 1940s for joining aluminum and magnesium and was a very attractive replacement for gas and manual metal arc welding. When working with thin sections of copper, aluminum, magnesium alloys, or stainless steel, TIG is most commonly used. TIG has played a significant role in the acceptance of aluminum for high-quality structural applications. GTAW/TIG is the type of welding primarily done at Hadley Precision.  

Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) is a type of stick welding. It is most commonly used in industrial applications to weld steel and iron, fabricate steel structures and has various uses both in the shop and in the field. Because of the simplicity and versatility of its operation and equipment, it is one of the world’s first and most popular welding processes.

Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) was first developed in the 1950s as an alternative to SMAW. It’s most commonly used in portable applications that have thick and out of position metals. This process is used in construction because of its high welding portability and speed. 

Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), sometimes referred to as Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welding , is the most common industrial welding type. It is faster than SMAW because it has a continuous electrode wire feed. Much like SMAW, this application can be used in the shop or the field for fabrication. 

3.) THERE’S A GREAT DEAL OF HISTORY TO WELDING. WHEN WAS IT FIRST USED?

At Hadley, we are incredibly interested in the history of welding. After all, you can’t know where you’re going if you don’t know where you’ve been. Historical evidence shows that the first use of a welding process dates back to the Bronze Age, with proof of pressure welding used on ornate gold boxes. However, perhaps even a more critical use of welding was later when people in the Mediterranean and Egypt learned how to weld pieces of iron to make tools. We sure have come a long way.

Date Published : October 27, 2020

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