Common Welding Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Whether you’re just getting started or you’re a golden arm, every welding job can bring the opportunity for mistakes and slip-ups. Here are the top few things to watch out for, and help to prevent mistakes in the first place. 

Poor Preparation

No matter the job or industry, preparation is the number one way to prevent mistakes, whatever task you’re doing. In welding, good preparation looks like taking the necessary time to clean the workpiece, removing any trace of rust, oil, or dirt. A clean workpiece means a strong weld, but any residue that’s not removed can lead to a weak weld that later cracks and breaks. Good preparation also means taking the time to choose the correct materials for the job, and not just using what you have to hand. Checking equipment prior to use for loose or damaged components and ensuring accurate calibration is also a good idea.

Using Low-Cost Filler Materials

While the higher-ups might prefer you skimp on filler materials and save pennies, it’s not in anyone’s best interest to buy inferior products for your welds. They’ll just end up costing later on, in the form of weld defects that could cut into the bottom line, or even worse, injury. Instead, weigh the costs of a bad weld (materials, labor to redo) against the cost of just using the correct, high quality filler materials from the beginning. 

Using Poor, Old, or Faulty Equipment

It can be tempting to repurpose or reuse old equipment in an effort to be more sustainable or to reduce cost. But the results speak for themselves, and those results are often periods of downtime, ongoing technical issues, and worse. Instead, upgrading to newer technologies offers welders reduced prep time, better controls, higher speeds, and improved fusion, to name just a few benefits. In this game, the ROI turnaround is pretty fast when trading in old equipment for new, and it’s also a way to immediately improve safety on the jobsite.

Overlooking Maintenance

We all know that maintenance matters. This is never as true as it is with welding equipment. When tools and equipment start to have issues and regularly break down or fall apart, they’re costing you time and money, as well as leading to downtime and lost revenue. Instead, try scheduling regular preventive maintenance. This could mean physical inspections of each component along with your personal protective gear. Quick daily run-throughs are ideal, weekly checks are the bare minimum. Check for loose connections and tighten as you find them. By documenting your findings, you’ll have a better idea of how long things naturally last and you can preemptively replace parts before they fail, thus preventing unplanned downtime.

Ignoring Health & Safety Precautions

Health and safety guidelines aren’t just there to hold you back; they’re there because someone, somewhere at some point ignored them and paid a nasty price. Most accidents are preventable, and overlooking safety precautions is a surefire way to get hurt. It might not happen the first 9 times, but that 10th time could get you. Long-term effects could also come home to roost later on. Best to be on the safe side and use eye protection against the inevitable bright lights and UV radiation. Wearing a helmet, visor, goggles, and gloves for even the quickest weld is not just a good idea, it can be a lifesaver. Splatters from welding also make aprons and long-sleeved shirts must-haves. And having sufficient ventilation to remove harmful gas and smoke from the area is another vital piece of the safety and prevention puzzle. Always use secure grounding because, even though electrocution is not very common, it’s possible in the right (wrong!) conditions.

Lacking Training & Practice

Every well-practiced welder could easily become complacent. Once they master a skill, they could feel there’s no more to learn, no need to practice, and that it’s like riding a bike. The thing is, hurting yourself while welding is a lot worse than falling off of a bike. The way to prevent what could be a costly falter is to never stop learning new technologies and practicing new techniques. Retraining and leveling up when standards or technologies change makes you a more valuable asset and flexible employee–it benefits everyone. Whether you’re a beginner or an old hand, regular practice keeps you nimble and keeps your head in the game. Take advantage of every opportunity for growth and learning that comes your way.

Custom Fabrication and Welding Services In Cleveland, Ohio

We all make mistakes, that’s just the reality of life. But when we can take steps to prevent them, that’s always going to be the smart move. Quality over cost and patience should be the guiding lights.

At M&M Certified Welding, our team of expert welders have extensive experience in all forms of welding. We work with companies from various industries, and are happy to provide you with a free quote for your next custom fabrication project, truck body fabrication requirements, or our mobile welding services. Get in touch with us to learn more about our full array of welding supplies and welding services in Cleveland.