Posts by Edward Chase
What Is Backstepping in Welding and When to Use It to Control Distortion
Cryo Weld Edward Chase If you have ever finished a long weld and watched the metal bow, twist, or pull out of alignment, you have experienced distortion. It happens because metal expands when heated and contracts when cooled, and that expansion is never perfectly even across a joint. The backstepping welding technique is one of…
Read MoreWhat OSHA Requires for Welding Safety in a Commercial Shop
OSHA does not treat welding safety as optional. The standards under 29 CFR 1910 Subpart Q spell out exactly what a commercial welding shop must do to protect workers from fumes, burns, electric shock, and fire. If your shop welds, cuts, or brazes, these OSHA welding safety requirements apply to you. Inspectors enforce them, and…
Read MoreMIG vs Flux Core: Which Process Is Right for Outdoor or Windy Conditions
If you have ever tried to run a MIG bead on a construction site and watched the arc sputter and pop the moment a breeze picks up, you already know the problem. MIG welding relies on shielding gas that wind blows away. Flux core does not. That one difference makes the MIG vs flux core…
Read MoreWhat Is a Duty Cycle on a Welding Machine and Why It Matters More Than Amperage
Most first-time buyers shop for a welding machine by amperage alone. That is like buying a truck based on horsepower while ignoring towing capacity. Amperage tells you how much heat the machine produces. Duty cycle tells you how long it can produce that heat before it shuts down to cool off. This post covers what…
Read MoreHow to Choose a Welding Machine: The Honest Buying Guide for a First Machine
If you are asking what welder should I buy and the internet has given you twelve different answers, here is the honest version: the right machine depends on what you plan to weld, how thick it is, where you will work, and what you are willing to spend. There is no single best welding machine…
Read MoreHow to Read a Welding Symbol: A Plain-Language Guide for Welders
Welding symbols are the shorthand that engineers use to tell welders exactly what to do at each joint on a drawing. If you have ever looked at a fabrication print and felt lost, you are not alone. But learning how to read welding symbols is not as complicated as it looks. Every symbol follows the…
Read MoreExtending the Life of Your Keg: The Long-lasting Benefits of Beer Gas
A keg of beer that goes flat or stale after a few days is rarely bad. It is a gas problem. The wrong gas type, the wrong pressure, or an empty cylinder will ruin a perfectly good keg faster than leaving it unrefrigerated. If you are running a kegerator at home, dispensing draft at a…
Read MoreThe Perfect Pour: Why Beer Gas is the Secret Ingredient to Your Home Bar
Welcome to the first installment of our 4-part beer gas series designed exclusively for home bar enthusiasts and kegerator owners! Ever wondered why your favorite pint from the bar tastes so darn good? Spoiler alert: it’s not just the beer itself, but the gas propels it. Read on to learn how the right…
Read MoreCryo Weld: Where Every Customer is Family – Embracing the Power of Small Businesses and Individual Welders
In the vast world of industrial gas and welding supplies, finding a company that treats each customer like family is a rare gem. But fear not, because Cryo Weld is here to change the game. With a commitment to personal relationships and a genuine love for serving small businesses, individual welders, and even homeowners, Cryo…
Read MoreLearn More About Fire Extinguisher Regulations on Construction Sites
Construction sites can be hazardous environments and have a higher risk of fires. Since construction can sometimes take months and builders won’t have the luxury of sprinkler systems, OSHA requires fire extinguishers to be on-site at all times. Construction phase plans must account for the location of fire extinguishers all over the site. The main…
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