Woodworkers seem to be joining the renaissance that is taking place amongst seasoned and beginner woodworkers alike.
However, understanding the fundamentals of welding is key in order to begin welding. Once you’ve got the basics, you can start incorporating beautiful frames into your furniture by making use of simple designs and just a few essential tools.
Ultimately a welding set up can be put together for just under $1000.
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So the question remains, is welding essential for woodworkers?
Well, the short answer is yes. Welding has, in fact, become a staple skill in the woodworking line of work and has allowed many woodworkers to create beautiful welding designs to woodworking builds.
In the following article, we’ll take a look at why welding is essential for woodworkers and exactly what the advantages of learning welding in the woodworking industry is.
Contents
Why should you be versed in welding as a woodworker?
Simply having the ability to weld as a woodworker may distinguish a good welder from a great one. Even having a basic understanding of welding can take your builds and designs to the next level.
So if you’re new to welding as a woodworker, there are a few basics you need to keep in mind before welding furniture for the first time.
Perhaps one of the most important things to remember before getting started is that metal is extremely dirty. Unlike wood, metal contains all sorts of oils, grease, dirt and in some cases even rust.
So the metal will need to be cleaned in order to put together a good weld. So you should start by giving your metal a good wipe down and sand off rusted pieces.
When you are welding, it’s crucial that you use a flat surface. You can weld on a wooden top but you need to be extremely careful not to damage a nice wooden surface.
So you need to have a table that you use specifically for welding and it should be flat and made of metal. Welding tables are available at great prices if you know exactly where to look.
There are basics for people looking to start off with welding. So the most important thing is that you start off with the right and most essential tools.
In order to do this, you need to find out exactly what are the essential tools for welding?
List of essential welding gear:
- Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet
- Welding Framing Jig
- Speed Square
- Metal File
- Welding Clamps
- Welding Magnets
- Sheet Metal Gauge
- Welding Gloves
- Metal Brush
- MIG Pliers
- Soapstone
- Angle Grinder
- Safety glasses
- C Clamps
- Portable Band Saw
- Chipping Hammer
- Oxy-Acetylene Setup
What type of welder do you need?
MIG welding
Mid-welding is probably one of the easiest types of welding for beginners. It is a combination of two different types of welding.
The first type uses a bare wire, and the second uses flux core. Bare wire welding can be used to strengthen and join two pieces of metal together while flux core welding is used outdoors because it doesn’t require a gas supply or flow meter.
MIG welding is usually the welding of choice for do-it-yourself enthusiasts and hobbyists. It’s ideal if you would like to use it for home projects, and you don’t want to spend a small fortune on equipment.
There are times when a repair job needs to be done at the shop or the garage, or you may be required to travel to the field. In cases like these, it helps to have a portable MIG welder.
Most welders prefer to work with a portable MIG welder since it can be brought to the field when and as the work requires it.
These portable welders come with a handle, so transporting it from one place to another is convenient. It’s also lighter than standard MIG welders. However, having a portable MIG welder is not just about being able to take the unit out to the garage.
There are instances where a small welder works best, such as connecting steel reinforcing bars in a freestyle barn. With a small welder, it becomes more convenient to move from one joint to the next as opposed to moving around a 200 pound welder.
TIG welding
TIG welding is versatile; however, it’s one of the more difficult techniques.
This is why it is pursued mainly by skilled individuals. Both hands are needed for this type of welding as one hand feeds the rod while the other holds a TIG torch.
The torch creates the arc and heat, which is used for welding most metals, including steel, aluminum, copper alloys, nickel alloys, as well as titanium and cobalt.
Woodworking/Welding projects
- Welded tables
- Welded chairs
- Welded patio sets
- Welded wall units
- Coffee tables
- Outdoor picnics sets
- Office furniture
- Book shelves
- Side tables
- Tv trays
- And much more
In fact, there is no limit to what you can create when you combine your woodworking creativity with your newly found welding skills. The possibilities are endless.
Related Questions
Should woodworkers know how to weld?
Yes, in fact, it is recommended that every woodworker learn how to weld in order to expand and broaden the number and type of projects they are able to compete.
Is it hard to learn how to weld?
As with every new skill that is foreign to you, it will prove to be challenging in the beginning. However, with constant and consistent practice and using the proper techniques, it will get easier as time goes by.
What type of welder is the best for on-the-go repairs and jobs?
A portable welder is lighter and has a convenient carry handle to make transporting it from one location to the next very convenient.
