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Why 16-gauge steel warps Sixteen-gauge mild steel is about 0.060 inch thick. It is easy to weld with a small MIG machine, but it heats through quickly. A long bead…

What a shelving project asks of a MIG welder Custom steel shelving is mostly short fillet welds: uprights joined to crossrails, with brackets or tabs for shelves. The joints are…

Why TIG needs careful sensitivity adjustment TIG arcs can be dimmer than the arcs from MIG or stick welding, especially at low amperage. A helmet set to low sensitivity may…

A helmet lens is easy to scratch because its clear cover is usually thin plastic, not glass. Dragging it across a bench, wiping off dry grit, or snapping it into…

Choosing the right welding helmet shade is mainly about balancing two risks: too light, which can injure your eyes, and too dark, which makes it harder to see the puddle…

A welding cap is a small piece of protective gear, but it can make a long day under a helmet noticeably easier. The right cap keeps sweat out of your…

Choosing a welding blanket A welding blanket is a barrier for sparks, spatter and brief contact with hot work—not a substitute for clearing the area or shielding people. It can…

Why a small shop needs fume control Welding fume is not just smoke that makes the shop look dirty. Its contents depend on the base metal, filler, coatings and process;…

Why use a welding screen? A welding screen separates a work area from the rest of a shared shop. Its main job is to block direct exposure to the intense…

Welding boots need to keep hot spatter and sharp slag out while giving you enough grip and support to work safely. A boot can be leather and still be a…