FAQ About Beginning Welding

Welding is a process used by many people to join two or more pieces of metal or thermoplastic together in a solid structure. Welders use an energy source, such as electricity or gas flames, to melt sections of the materials together so that they cool to form a joint, or weld. Welding is a practice used by professionals and homeowners alike.

Q: What are the most common forms of welding?
A: Gas welding and Arc welding are the most common types of welding.

Q: What is gas welding?
A: Gas welding is a form of welding that uses a flame produced by propane, oxyacetylene and oxy-propane gases.

Q: What are the common types of equipment used for gas welding?
A: The common types of equipment used in gas welding include propane torches, oxyacetylene torches and oxy-propane torches.

Q: What is arc welding?
A: Arc welding is a type of welding that uses an electrical arc produced by electricity to form welds.

Q: What are the different forms of arc welding?
A: The different forms of arc welding are AC and DC welding, metal inert gas welding, resistance welding and tungsten inert gas welding.

Q: What type of welding is most commonly used by beginning welders?
A: Beginning welders typically start by learning to use the forms of gas welding equipment.

Q: What type of welding can be used for nearly any material?
A: Oxyacetylene torches are the most universal equipment used in welding, they can be used to create welds in materials that range from cast iron to sheet metal.

Q: What is spot welding?
A: Spot welding is a form of welding in which contacting surfaces of very thin sheets of metal are joined through arc welding.

Q: What is soldering?
A: Soldering is a form of welding used for joining different materials by melting and applying a soft metal to the joint.

Q: What is flux?
A: Flux is a substance used by welders to chemically clean the materials that are to be welded together.