Volts and Arc

Recently my son and I took a MIG Welding class.  Having no experience with welding we were absolute novices, eager to go.

We took the class at Factory 3, a local makerspace that provides work studios for artists, classes for the general public, a community to local makers.  A vast open space, exceptionally well appointed with tools and equipment.  Beau, the teacher, was superb, answering my many questions. Quickly arcing light was in our hands! There is no looking back.

MIG welding uses an electric arc, not fire.  The arc is intense, so intense that it could cause sunburn or severe damage to the eyes; to protect our skin we wore a welding jacket and long pants, to protect our eyes an auto darkening helmet.   

MIG stands for Metal Inert Gas, which is a process that fuses two pieces of metal together using 240 volt electricity and a steel alloy wire with copper coating.  A constant voltage power supply creates an electric arc between the base metal and a wire electrode that is continuously fed through the welding gun, into the weld pool.  A ground cable was clamped to the metal work table, and then positive electricity flows from the welding gun through the table.  

The metal inert gas was 75% argon and 25% C02.  The gas is non-flammable and serves to create a shield around the arc, preventing oxygen and water vapor from getting into the weld pool.  Water would cause rust, which would make the weld fail over time.  

Our tasks were basic, a series of “tap welds,” a temporary weld to hold the two pieces in place and a “line weld” which is the continuous weld along a joint, permanently fusing the two pieces of metal together.  

The one hour class opened a new world of material and technique.  Project ideas came flooding in.  We have two staircases that need railings.  Another class seems in the offing.  A local friend who welds has offered to teach us more.  

New materials.  New techniques.  Much to be made.  

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Gardens are gleaned, emptied, final cabbage harvested, Brussel Sprouts alone remain. Soon we plant garlic, for a late spring harvest. A season of abundance has come to its end. We pause now for winter.