| Welding is a rewarding practice which requires | | | | which will cover your eyes and prevent the |
| proper training and safety procedures to be | | | | intense radiation from causing them harm, special |
| followed in order to keep everyone safe. This | | | | gloves and even still toe boots should be used |
| process may also be referred to as "Oxy-welding | | | | while welding. |
| and cutting" and as the name implies the machines | | | | You must also learn to identify the functions of |
| employed in this process use oxygen and fuels in | | | | the welding machine as well as the types of |
| order to produce intense heat which is capable of | | | | torches used for different tasks, some of the |
| cutting extremely hard metals. The main fuel used | | | | torch types are: |
| to power these machines is called "Acetylene". | | | | Welding Torch: its function is to melt and weld |
| When the main fuel (acetylene) is burned and | | | | metals, it has two pipes and no oxygen-blast |
| mixed with oxygen it can produce extreme | | | | trigger. |
| temperatures, they usually range between 3200 | | | | The Rose-bud Torch: this name was given to it |
| and 3500 Celsius which is the equivalent of | | | | because the end of the flame looks like a |
| 5800-6300 Fahrenheit; with such extreme | | | | rose-bud, it is used to heat metals and reshape |
| temperatures it goes without saying that proper | | | | them instead of melting the substance or cutting |
| safety precautions must be taken in order to | | | | it. |
| keep yourself and those surrounding you safe. | | | | Injector Torch: these torches have a small head |
| Since the fuels used to weld are extremely | | | | which injects oxygen and relies on the Venturi |
| flammable, they should be kept in rooms with | | | | effect to drag fuel gas along with it. |
| controlled temperature and in some cases | | | | Cutting Torch: has three pipes one of which |
| pressure. | | | | carries oxygen which can be adjusted through the |
| Other fuels used to weld and cut metals are: | | | | oxygen-blast trigger, the main purpose of this |
| gasoline, hydrogen, methylacetylene-propadiene or | | | | torch is to cut metals. |
| MAPP gas, propane and propylene. Depending on | | | | Different torch types must be used according to |
| the type of job a different type of fuel must be | | | | the task, however the safety procedures remain |
| used, for instance underwater welding has to be | | | | the same, so remember to wear protective |
| done using hydrogen as the main fuel since | | | | equipment, use respirators to avoid inhaling |
| acetylene becomes very unstable at 33 feet. | | | | hazardous fumes produced by chemical reactions |
| Before welding you must always check the | | | | of the fuel and the burning metal and run a |
| equipment for leaks or malfunctions, you should | | | | thorough assessment about your surroundings |
| also wear protective goggles or special masks | | | | and the risk of fire. |