Tool Reviews

Plasma cutters are sensitive to water, oil, and debris in the compressed air supply. Contamination can cause an unstable arc, rough cuts, excess dross, and faster wear on electrodes and…

Choosing a plasma cutter for a CNC table is different from choosing one for hand-cutting plate. A handheld machine can produce a usable cut while you guide it by eye.…

Choosing a plasma cutter for aluminum Aluminum cuts readily with plasma, but the machine’s advertised maximum thickness is a poor guide to what it will cut cleanly all day. For…

What arc blow is—and why large assemblies make it worse Arc blow is unwanted deflection of the welding arc, usually caused by magnetic fields in the workpiece or welding circuit.…

Amperage is the starting point for stick welding, not a fixed rule. The correct setting depends on electrode diameter, joint design, welding position, machine characteristics, and how quickly you travel.…

Why E7018 dryness matters E7018 is a low-hydrogen stick electrode. Its coating is designed to limit hydrogen entering the weld, which matters most on thick, highly restrained, or crack-sensitive joints.…

E6011 is a useful stick electrode for repair work because its forceful arc can dig through light rust, mill scale and some paint residue. That does not make it safe…

E7018 is a low-hydrogen stick electrode used for structural steel, general fabrication and repairs where weld strength and crack resistance matter. The right choice depends less on a brand label…

Back-purging replaces air inside a stainless steel pipe with an inert gas before and during TIG welding. Without it, oxygen can oxidize the hot root of the weld, leaving a…

TIG pulse frequency controls how quickly the current alternates between a higher peak and a lower background level. On small precision welds, that can help manage heat and give you…