4 answers
3
Questions
4 answers
Updated
Liz’s Answer
Welding is a process that joins materials, mainly metals or plastics, by melting them together with heat or pressure.
How Welding Works:
- Heat Source: Melts the parts using an electric arc, gas flame, laser, or friction.
- Filler Material: Adds extra metal with a wire or rod to make the joint stronger. Some methods don't need this.
- Shielding: Uses gas or flux to keep air away and protect the hot metal from damage.
Common Types of Welding:
- MIG (Metal Inert Gas): Uses a continuous wire and shielding gas. It's quick and easy to learn.
- TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas): Uses a tungsten electrode for precise, clean work on thin metals.
- Stick (Shielded Metal Arc): Uses a flux-coated rod and is great for outdoor or heavy-duty tasks.
How Welding Works:
- Heat Source: Melts the parts using an electric arc, gas flame, laser, or friction.
- Filler Material: Adds extra metal with a wire or rod to make the joint stronger. Some methods don't need this.
- Shielding: Uses gas or flux to keep air away and protect the hot metal from damage.
Common Types of Welding:
- MIG (Metal Inert Gas): Uses a continuous wire and shielding gas. It's quick and easy to learn.
- TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas): Uses a tungsten electrode for precise, clean work on thin metals.
- Stick (Shielded Metal Arc): Uses a flux-coated rod and is great for outdoor or heavy-duty tasks.
Updated
Ysmenia’s Answer
Hi Alijah, great question! Welding is basically the process of joining two pieces of metal (or sometimes plastic) together by melting the edges and fusing them into one solid piece. Usually a welder uses intense heat — often from an electric arc or a gas flame — to melt the material where the two pieces meet, and sometimes they add a filler material that melts in too. Once it cools and hardens, the pieces are bonded together permanently, often making the joint just as strong as the original metal.
It's used pretty much everywhere once you start looking for it — building cars, ships, bridges, buildings, pipelines, and all kinds of machinery and equipment. That's part of what makes it such a valuable skill: almost every industry needs welders in some form. There are a few common types you'll hear about, like MIG welding (which is one of the easiest to learn), TIG welding (more precise and used for detailed work), and stick welding (great for heavy-duty and outdoor jobs). Each one suits different materials and situations.
If you're thinking about welding as a career, the great news is that it's one of the most accessible skilled trades to get into, and you don't need a four-year college degree. A good first step while you're still in school is to see if your high school or a nearby vocational/technical school offers welding or shop classes — even a basic intro class will tell you quickly whether you enjoy the hands-on work. After high school, most welders train through a trade school or community college program (often just 6 months to 2 years), or through an apprenticeship where you actually get paid while learning on the job. Being in St. Louis, you've got solid options — community colleges and trade schools in the area regularly run welding programs, and local unions and manufacturers often take on apprentices.
The other big thing is certification. Earning credentials like the AWS (American Welding Society) certification proves your skill level to employers and can seriously boost your pay. Once you're certified and have some experience, you can specialize in higher-paying areas like pipeline, structural, aerospace, or even underwater welding.
So if it interests you, my advice would be: try a hands-on class as soon as you can, look into local trade programs and apprenticeships, and aim for certification. It's a career where skill and reliability get rewarded quickly.
It's used pretty much everywhere once you start looking for it — building cars, ships, bridges, buildings, pipelines, and all kinds of machinery and equipment. That's part of what makes it such a valuable skill: almost every industry needs welders in some form. There are a few common types you'll hear about, like MIG welding (which is one of the easiest to learn), TIG welding (more precise and used for detailed work), and stick welding (great for heavy-duty and outdoor jobs). Each one suits different materials and situations.
If you're thinking about welding as a career, the great news is that it's one of the most accessible skilled trades to get into, and you don't need a four-year college degree. A good first step while you're still in school is to see if your high school or a nearby vocational/technical school offers welding or shop classes — even a basic intro class will tell you quickly whether you enjoy the hands-on work. After high school, most welders train through a trade school or community college program (often just 6 months to 2 years), or through an apprenticeship where you actually get paid while learning on the job. Being in St. Louis, you've got solid options — community colleges and trade schools in the area regularly run welding programs, and local unions and manufacturers often take on apprentices.
The other big thing is certification. Earning credentials like the AWS (American Welding Society) certification proves your skill level to employers and can seriously boost your pay. Once you're certified and have some experience, you can specialize in higher-paying areas like pipeline, structural, aerospace, or even underwater welding.
So if it interests you, my advice would be: try a hands-on class as soon as you can, look into local trade programs and apprenticeships, and aim for certification. It's a career where skill and reliability get rewarded quickly.
Updated
Julie’s Answer
Welding is a process that melts metal together.
Updated
Paul’s Answer
Hello Alijah! As someone with seven years of experience in heavy plant fabrication and welding at Mopani Copper Mines, I can tell you that welding is an incredibly rewarding and vital trade. It is the art and science of joining metals using intense heat to create strong, permanent structures. In my career, I've used techniques like SMAW, MMA, and MIG welding to build everything from structural steel platforms to complex pipework. My best advice for a future fabricator is to focus on mastering your cutting and welding precision early on, and always prioritize safety and drawing interpretation. It's a discipline where hard work and care for your workmanship really pay off. Good luck on your journey!