Arc Welding Process Types Explained: SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, SAW
SMAW is stick, GMAW is MIG, GTAW is TIG, FCAW is flux core, SAW is submerged arc. Decode the five arc welding process types and how they differ.
Learn: Welding Processes & Safety Science
Informational authority guides detailing arc standards, terminology, and safety science.
Terminology, Explained Guides & Safety Science
15 Articles
AWS Weld Symbol Standards Explained
AWS A2.4 is the standard behind every weld symbol on a US print. Learn what it covers, how it differs from ISO 2553, and where to get an official chart.
Best Angle Grinder for Weld Cleanup and Prep
The best angle grinder for welders is a 4.5 to 5 inch paddle-switch model with a strong, dust-protected motor. Compare the DeWalt DWE402, Metabo, and Makita.
Butt Weld Symbol Guide
Theres no separate butt weld symbol, a butt joint uses a groove symbol. Learn how to symbolize butt welds, choose the groove, and show full penetration.
Field Weld and All Around Symbol Guide
The field weld flag means weld on site; the all-around circle means weld around the joint. Learn both symbols and what all around really means.
Fillet Weld Symbol Explained
Learn the fillet weld symbol: the right triangle, which side to weld, where size and length go, and how unequal legs are shown on a drawing.
Groove Weld Symbol Guide
Read groove weld symbols with confidence: square, V, bevel, U, and J grooves, plus groove angle, root opening, weld size, and CJP vs PJP explained.
Plug and Slot Weld Symbol Guide
Understand plug and slot weld symbols: hole diameter, countersink angle, depth of filling, and pitch, plus how plug and slot welds differ.
Tack Weld and Stitch Weld Symbol Guide
Tack welds hold parts for fit-up; stitch (intermittent) welds are spaced segments. Learn how each is shown and how to read length-pitch notation.
Welder's Flash (Arc Eye) Explained: Causes and Prevention
Welders flash (arc eye) is photokeratitis, a UV sunburn of the cornea. Learn its causes, why symptoms are delayed, how long it lasts, and how to prevent it.
Welding Safety Checklist Guide
Welding involves fire, electricity, UV radiation, toxic fumes, and hot metal. A systematic pre-weld safety check prevents the most common welding injuries and s...
Welding Safety Gear Full Checklist: Helmet, Gloves, Jacket, Boots, Respirator
When I was an apprentice, an older welder handed me a welding helmet and a pair of gauntlet gloves and told me that was all I needed. It was not bad advice for...
Welding Safety Glasses Full Guide
Welding safety glasses serve critical functions before, during, and after welding operations that a full helmet does not cover. They are not a replacement f...
Welding Symbols Chart: Complete Visual Guide
Read any welding blueprint with confidence. This visual guide breaks down every part of a welding symbol, from the reference line and arrow to weld types.
Why Do Welders Drink Milk After Welding Galvanized Steel?
Welders drink milk after welding galvanized steel out of myth, not science. Milk cant stop metal fume fever. Heres what actually protects you.
General Resources
37 Articles
Hobart 770890 Not Darkening: Troubleshooting Guide
Hobart 770890 not darkening? Fix the Inventor Series flagship with this step-by-step troubleshooting guide covering battery, sensors, and settings.
Hobart 770890 Battery and Lens Replacement Guide
Hobart 770890 battery replacement guide with part numbers for the CR2450 cell, 770858 cover lens kit, and 770846 ADF cartridge.
Hobart 770866 Battery and Parts Guide (Creator Series)
Hobart 770866 battery replacement and parts guide for the Creator Black auto-darkening welding helmet. CR2450 part numbers and lens kits inside.
Big and Tall Welding Gear Guide
Finding FR-certified welding PPE in extended sizes is more difficult than finding standard sizing - many brands cap out at XL or 2XL. This guide identifies whic...
Cutting and Grinding Discs Welders Actually Use
Welders use thin cut-off wheels to cut and thick grinding wheels for stock removal, with 3M Cubitron II and Norton trusted brands. Learn the discs and the safety rule.
ESAB Savage A40 Full Review
The ESAB Savage A40 is the entry point into ESAB's Savage welding helmet family - positioned below the flagship Sentinel A50 but carrying ESAB's manufacturi...
Estwing Welding Chipping Hammer Review: Built to Last
The Estwing E3-WC welding chipping hammer is forged in one piece from American steel with a shock-reduction grip. Read our review and see if its worth the step up.
Fire Extinguisher Guide for Welding Shops
Welding shops need an ABC dry chemical fire extinguisher; Class D is only for reactive metals. Learn sizing, placement, a shipping quirk, and reliable Amerex and Kidde picks.
Flap Disc Buying Guide for Weld Cleanup
Choosing a flap disc for weld cleanup comes down to grain, grit, and shape. Learn zirconia vs ceramic, 40 to 80 grit, and Type 27 vs Type 29.
How Does Flux Core Welding Work? Full Explainer
Flux core welding feeds a hollow, flux-filled wire so it shields itself, no gas needed. Learn how FCAW works and why it is great outdoors.
How Does TIG Welding Work? Full Explainer
TIG welding uses a non-melting tungsten electrode, argon gas, and hand-fed filler. Learn how a TIG welder works, from the foot pedal to high frequency start.
How Does Stick Welding Work? Full Explainer
Stick welding strikes an arc with a flux-coated rod that makes its own shielding gas and slag. Learn how SMAW works and why it needs no gas bottle.
How Does MIG Welding Work? Full Explainer
MIG welding feeds a continuous wire into an arc while shielding gas protects the pool. Learn how a MIG welder works, from wire feed to polarity.
Is the Miller LPR-100 a Rebranded GVS Elipse? What the Evidence Shows
The Miller LPR-100 and GVS Elipse share the same platform and cross-compatible P100 filters. Heres the evidence and which one you should buy.
Is Hobart Owned by Miller? The Ownership Story, Explained
Hobart is not owned by Miller. Both are owned by Illinois Tool Works. Heres the full ownership story, the FTC twist, and what it means for buyers.
klein tools 60141 battery and parts guide
Klein Tools 60141 battery, lens, and parts guide with CR2450 details, 18650 fan battery notes, replacement part names, and a clear verdict.
Miller Classic Series Review: Real Miller Optics on a Budget
Most people assume owning a Miller means spending like a professional, but this Miller Classic Series review is about the exception to that rule. The Classic is...
Miller Digital Elite Amazon Buying Guide
Miller Electric has one of the most recognized names in professional welding, and the Digital Elite is the helmet that most people think of when they picture a...
Miller Digital Elite Battery and Lens Replacement Guide
The Miller Digital Elite is one of the most widely used auto-darkening helmets in professional welding shops, and for good reason - it is reliable, well-built...
Miller Digital Elite Manual and Instructions Guide
The Miller Digital Elite is one of the most consistently recommended welding helmets in the professional and serious-hobbyist segment. Getting the most out...
Miller Digital Elite Not Darkening: Troubleshooting Guide
You pull the trigger, the arc strikes, and the lens stays light. That fraction of a second feels like an eternity when you are staring into a welding arc withou...
Miller Digital Elite Parts and Accessories Guide
The Miller Digital Elite is designed to be maintained, not just discarded when something wears out. Miller makes every significant service part available separa...
Miller Digital Elite Review: The All-Day Workhorse
Ask a room full of professional welders which hood they reach for every shift, and the answer that keeps coming up is the subject of this Miller Digital Elite r...
Miller Digital Infinity Battery and Lens Replacement Guide
The Miller Digital Infinity is the top of Miller's helmet lineup - the widest viewing area in the industry at 13.4 square inches, ClearLight 4x lens technolog...
Miller Digital Infinity Not Darkening: Troubleshooting Guide
The Miller Digital Infinity is Miller's flagship helmet, and when it stops darkening reliably, the frustration is proportional to what you paid for it. The good...
Miller Digital Infinity Review: The Biggest View Miller Makes
There is a moment the first time you drop a Miller Digital Infinity that stops you: the window is huge, and the world behind it looks almost like there is no le...
Miller LPR-100 Replacement Filters: SA00818 vs SA00819 Explained
You went to strike an arc, took one breath through your LPR-100, and noticed the airflow felt wrong. That flat, slightly stale pull is the mask telling you some...
Miller T94i PAPR Battery and Filter Guide
The Miller T94i is not a standalone helmet - it is the welding helmet component of Miller's PAPR II powered air-purifying respirator system. Understanding the...
Shark Chipping Hammer Review: Is It Worth It?
The Shark chipping hammer is a reliable no-frills slag remover in wooden-handle (12110) and spring-handle (12111) versions. Read our honest review and who it suits.
Welding Chipping Hammer: What It Does and Which to Buy
A welding chipping hammer removes slag from stick and flux-core welds with a chisel end, pointed end, and shock-absorbing spring handle. Learn if you need one.
Welding Ear Protection Guide: Stop Sparks and Save Your Hearing
Ask a welder about safety gear and they will talk helmets, gloves, and jackets for ten minutes before anyone mentions their ears. Welding ear protection is the...
Welding Gear for Winter and Cold Weather Shops
Cold weather welding presents a dual challenge: staying warm enough to work effectively while maintaining the dexterity and FR protection that welding requires....
Welding Gear for Hot Weather and Summer Shops
Summer welding is one of the most physically demanding trades environments. You're generating heat from the arc, the metal, and the shop itself - and you must s...
Welding Floor Mat and Anti-Fatigue Mat Guide
Welding floor mats cushion your feet and resist sparks, unlike foam mats that melt. Learn what to look for, why a mat isnt shock protection, and top picks.
Why Do Welds Crack? Hot, Cold, and Crater Cracks Explained
Welds crack when stress beats the metal. Learn hot cracking, cold (hydrogen) cracking, and crater cracks, what causes each, and how to prevent them.
yeswelder large view welding helmet parts guide
YESWELDER Large View parts guide covering CR2450 battery, replacement lenses, L500A and L600A specs, viewing area, sensors, and ASINs.
YESWELDER LYG-M800H Review: The Budget Big-Screen Favorite
Few helmets have done more to prove that a good auto-darkening hood no longer costs a fortune than the YESWELDER LYG-M800H. It pairs a large viewing window, tru...