For welders, makers & the home workshop
Welding guides, equipment notes and metalworking topics.
One of the first technique questions that comes up with MIG is do you push or pull when MIG welding, and the answer can make a big difference in how…
Continue reading: Do You Push or Pull When MIG Welding? A Shop-Tested GuideRoutine compressor-tank maintenance means following the manufacturer’s drainage and inspection instructions. It does not mean restoring a pressure vessel with vinegar, abrasive media or an internal coating. The earlier version…
Continue reading: How to Maintain an Air Compressor Tank: Draining and InspectionOne of the most common questions I hear from new stick welders is do you push or pull when stick welding, and the confusion makes sense. Stick welding feels very…
Continue reading: Do I Push or Pull When Stick Welding? Here’s Why?Welding thin metal with flux core wire is one of those skills that can test your patience fast. Flux core runs hot, and when you’re working with light-gauge steel, it…
Continue reading: How I Weld Thin Metal With Flux Core (No Burn-Through)Do not use an internal coating to repair a rusty, cracked or leaking compressor tank. Removing rust or hiding it beneath epoxy does not restore steel already lost to corrosion…
Continue reading: Coating Inside an Air Compressor Tank: Why DIY Rust Repair Is UnsafeWelding automotive sheet metal is one of those jobs that looks simple until you actually strike an arc on a thin fender or floor pan. I’ve burned through more panels…
Continue reading: How to Weld Automotive Sheet MetalChoosing the best gas for MIG welding mild steel is one of those decisions that quietly affects everything—from how smooth the arc feels to how much cleanup you’re stuck with…
Continue reading: Best Gas for MIG Welding Mild Steel (CO₂ vs Argon Mix Guide)Few things kill your rhythm faster than striking an arc and having the rod freeze solid to the metal. When you start asking why does my welding rod keep sticking,…
Continue reading: Why Does My Welding Rod Keep Sticking (And How I Fixed It)JB Weld does work in cold weather, but it cures much slower and may not reach full strength if the temperature is too low. Below 50°F (10°C), curing time increases…
Continue reading: Does JB Weld Work in Cold Weather? (What Actually Happens)There is no single amps-to-wire-speed multiplier that reliably sets every wire-fed welding process. Wire classification, diameter, stickout, polarity, shielding and equipment all affect the operating point. This tool provides discrete…
Continue reading: Wire Feed Speed Calculator and Formula