WELD

Weld.com
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WELD is the show that opens real doors in the welding world. From first arc to six-figure specialty work, host Beau Wigington talks with industry professionals as they share wins, mistakes, and the various pathways available in the welding industry. Whether you are in school or on the tools, guests will share practical steps, safety-first habits, and career plays to help you master the trade. MIG, TIG, stick, flux-core, pipe, fabrication, repair, inspection, and business growth all live here. New episodes each week.

  1. -2 J

    Where Is Your Welding Business Losing Money?

    Host Beau Wigington chats with Bill Pharmer (National Senior Director of Advanced Fabrication, Airgas) and Bryan Thomas (National Director of Package Gas Services, Airgas) at FABTECH about unlocking the hidden cost of welding. You’ll hear how to spot leaks in your workflow including spatter, over-welding, wrong gas selection, slow change-outs, and how small fixes compound into cleaner welds, faster throughput, and healthier margins. Key Topics Covered: Why labor dominates cost per weld foot (≈85–90%) and how to focus on the variables that actually move profit. Baseline first: measure wire-feed speed, amperage/voltage, travel speed, gas flow, gas type, burn time, and consumable usage. Operator Factor (arc-on time ÷ total time) as the north-star KPI for rework and throughput. Common profit leaks: loose electrical connections and resistance, poor gas-to-wire ratios, excessive gas flow (“blasting”), and “75/25 for everything.” Over-welding math that hurts: a weld spec’d at 3/16" laid at 5/16" is ~78% more labor, wire, and gas, for zero added value. KPIs that tell on your process: wire-to-contact-tip ratio, gas-to-wire ratio, melt-off rates, and contact-tip consumption patterns. ARCAL® in five mixes (Prime, Flux, Speed, Force, Chrome): when to choose each to improve cleanliness, penetration, and speed without helium guesswork. Change-out efficiency: how Viper (valve-integrated pressure regulator) and quick-connects cut 10–15 minute bottle swaps, protect calibration, and maintain consistent flow to low pressure. Tracking improvement: digital welding efficiency analysis when available; simple manual logs and calculations when it’s not. Change management that sticks: coach, show results, and iterate—don’t just “turn the knobs and leave.” Memorable Quotes: “Spatter is rework and that does nothing but eat up the labor piece.” “Labor is at least 85% of your cost per weld foot; gas and wire are the small slice.” “If it’s over-welded by 1/16", you’ve over-welded it by ~78% too much labor, too much wire, too much gas.” “The first thing everyone blames is “bad gas ". I promise you it’s usually not that.” Learn More About Airgas Unlocking the Hidden Cost of Welding™ program - https://www.airgas.com/industries/metal-fabrication/products-and-services/unlocking-hidden-cost-of-welding ARCAL™ Gas - https://www.airgas.com/solutions/arcal Contact the Advanced Fabrication team at Airgas - AdvancedFab@airgas.com Website - https://www.airgas.com/  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/airgasusa/  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/airgas  LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/airgas  YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzsrLNYAZh7VzLUbgxLLrhw  Connect with Beau Wigington Instagram: @beaudiditwelding https://www.instagram.com/beaudiditwelding  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beauwigington  E-Mail : beauw@weld.com

    18 min

  2. 6 OCT.

    Open Root Pipe Welding At The Click Of Button with Novarc Technologies

    In this episode, host Beau Wigington chats with Alexander Purvis, Senior Welding & Automation Engineer at Novarc Technologies, about pairing TipTIG with a spool welding robot (SWR) to boost pipe-shop speed, consistency, and operator safety. Key Topics Covered: Learning curve & training: 1–1.5 hours to get comfortable for hands-on folks; standard onboarding is one week for three operators (3:1 trainer ratio). Fit-up tolerance: Built to handle real-shop conditions (nominal 3/32" root opening; workable from ~1/16" to heavy 1/8") without demanding “perfect” hi-lo. Low-maintenance mechanics: Air-powered manipulator (no hydraulics; sealed bearings) to cut downtime. Assist vs autonomy: AI reads variable root opening/hi-lo in real time and switches among seven root-save levels to keep the root on track. Process flexibility: Dual-torch MIG option (short-circuit root → flux-core fill/cap) and a TipTIG hot-wire TIG package for stainless/critical work. Where it fits: Prefab spools for mechanical contractors, expanding into oil & gas and nuclear work. Safety & ergonomics: Operate 4–5 ft from the arc, reduce fume exposure (especially on stainless/hex-chrome), and ditch the “bent-over all day” posture. Operator buy-in: Find a shop “champion,” then let them own the cell and rack up reps. Throughput story: One SWR operator reportedly laid ~158 in/day, edging five manual welders combined (~148–150 in). See it yourself: Demo-on-demand videos and an in-person Customer Experience Center (Houston). Memorable Quotes: “We don’t expect a perfect fit up… the system accommodates that variance.” “Set it on a tack, press start, and the operator can walk away.” “He out-welded five manual operators,158 inches in a day.” Learn more about the SWR from Novarc Technologies Website - https://www.novarctech.com/  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/novarctech/  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/novarctech  X - https://x.com/novarctech  LinkedIn - https://ca.linkedin.com/company/novarc-technologies-inc-  YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChc6v5nXWaUU5g9eakabdNw  Connect with Beau Wigington Instagram: @beaudiditwelding https://www.instagram.com/beaudiditwelding  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beauwigington  E-Mail : beauw@weld.com

    19 min

  3. 29 SEPT.

    CNC Precision Anywhere The Job Takes You with CN-Seamless

    In this weeks episode, Beau Wigington & Austin Hargett visit the CN-Seamless booth at Fabtech to chat with Josh Cooper (CEO) and Sam Marcom (COO) to unpack how a class project at NC State turned into a portable CNC cutting system built for welders in the field.Key Topics Covered:Origin Story: How three classmates (Josh, Sam, and Dario) turned a senior design idea into CN-Seamless and the Mach 1 portable CNC.Why It Works in the Field: Off-the-shelf components, low upfront tooling, and a form factor that mounts anywhere—flat plate, vertical, even overhead.No G-Code Needed: A welder-friendly, four-step workflow—Design → Place → Materials → Run—plus DXF import, built-in shape library, and on-the-fly speed slider.Cleaner Cuts, Faster: Preloaded parameters by material/thickness, improved piercing (no oxy-fuel “plunge”), and practical tips for getting a clean kerf on day one.Mounting Options: Electromagnet base for steel, vacuum suction for aluminum/stainless, and pipe magnets for round work.Attachments & What’s Next: Oxy-fuel and plasma today; a beveling attachment (circles, arcs, complex profiles) in the pipeline—backward-compatible with Mach 1.Real-World Feedback Loop: How shop visits, FaceTime support, and customer videos drive software updates (dozens shipped) and new shape templates (fish plates, pin flags, gussets).Social to Sales: From ~500 to 100k+ combined followers after creators started testing it; why “see it in person” still matters.Buying & Lead Times: Website + select distributors (e.g., Arc3 Gases, Earlbeck, Airgas/Linde). Small team scaling production; typical lead time targeted at a few weeks.Future Tools: Concepts for a pin-lancing machine and a beam crawler for shops that don’t need a full beam line.Memorable Quotes:“We really try not to call it a robot—it’s a tool you’d keep in your back pocket… just with a tablet.”“Making it so you don’t have to see a single line of G-code—that was the hardest (and most important) part.”“Customers told us what shapes they cut every day. We added templates so they can just pick, place, and run.”=Check Out The CN-Seamless Products Mentioned In The PodcastCN-Seamless Website - https://foxly.link/Y9vM8zConnect with CN-SeamlessInstagram - @cn_seamless https://www.instagram.com/cn_seamless/ TikTok - @cn_seamless https://x.com/cn_seamless YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@CN-Seamless Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553048445096 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/cn-seamless-inc/ Connect with Beau WigingtonInstagram: @beaudiditwelding https://www.instagram.com/beaudiditwelding LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beauwigington E-Mail : beauw@weld.com

    18 min

  4. 22 SEPT.

    Bringing Sculptures To Life Through Texture with David Madero

    In this episode, host Beau Wigington chats with artist David Madero (@madero_co) live at FABTECH in the Walter Surface Technologies booth. They dig into stainless MIG for sculptural texture, a step-by-step path to mirror polish (without those heartbreaking last-step scratches), and where automation fits in for grinding and finishing. Key Topics Covered: Mirror polish without surprise scratches: working through ~5–6 abrasives and why a consistent sequence matters. Why he chose MIG on stainless (coming from oxy/acetylene) and what that unlocked for texture. Shielding gas on stainless MIG: opting for straight CO₂ to encourage artistic porosity and surface character. Pre-polish prep that won’t bite you: why sandblasting can pit stainless and how wire wheels & careful prep help. Tool stack for speed: Walter Big Buff, Linemate for line effects/cross-hatching, plus a powerful die grinder and wire brush. Workflow for the neurospicy welder: using strict, written step-by-step instructions to avoid backtracking. Automation vs. artistry: PushCorp’s automated grinding and the question of “can a robot grind with soul?” Safety & visibility: welding hood with side windows and gel-pack headgear for comfort and awareness. Community matters: why Walter’s “big company that feels like family” vibe supports creative work. Future builds: figurative pieces shaped with grinder-carved textures and cross-hatched finishes. Memorable Quotes: “Don’t sandblast when you want a mirror finish.” “I’m looking for those happy accidents, that texture most welders try to avoid.” “People still appreciate hand-made, it has soul.” “With the right sequence, those last-step scratches don’t show up.” Check Out The Walter Products Mentioned In The Podcast Walter Surface Technologies Finishing Tools - https://foxly.link/SLZ32J  Walter Surface Technologies Grinding Tools - https://foxly.link/mhF6s9  Walter Surface Technologies Abrasives - https://foxly.link/CS6grF  Walter Surface Technologies Welding Hoods - https://foxly.link/uWo6yg  Connect with David Madero Instagram - @madero_co https://www.instagram.com/madero_co/  TikTok - @madero_co https://www.tiktok.com/@madero_co  YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@MaderoCo  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MaderoCo  Connect With Walter Surface Technologies Website - https://www.walter.com/us/  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/WalterSurfaceTech  Instagram - @waltersurfacetech https://www.instagram.com/waltersurfacetech/  TikTok - @waltersurfacetech https://www.tiktok.com/@waltersurfacetech LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/walter-surface-technologies  YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPYqYBAv0JZD0Zg0cm0sXcg  Connect with Beau Wigington Instagram: @beaudiditwelding https://www.instagram.com/beaudiditwelding  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beauwigington  E-Mail : beauw@weld.com Download the WELD App: https://foxly.link/Qj0VEa

    19 min

  5. 8 SEPT.

    Trail Welding That Works: Battery, Stick & Backup Plans with SendItRubi

    In this weeks episode, host Beau Wigington chats with SendItRubi, a car builder, race car driver, and founder of Send It Nation and the Welders Foundation about real-world trail repairs, building off-road rigs on a budget, and creating opportunities for new welders. Key Topics Covered: Field fixes that hold: why most trail repairs default to stick, and when a ratchet strap and recovery plan are the right call What’s in Rubi’s trail-welding kit: portable TIG/stick options, grinder, hood, PPE, and a couple of universal brackets/plate Battery-powered vs. alternator-driven welders: Elevate vs. Premier Power, plus old-school battery welding “Bougie on a budget”: sourcing junkyard axles and Marketplace parts without sacrificing safety Budgeting a first build vs. a race build: where the big dollars actually go Events that move the needle: why face-to-face at SEMA, PRI, and King of the Hammers beats posting from home PRI vs. SEMA for fabricators: which is better for workshops, one-on-one brand time, and hands-on learning Skills that pay in off-road fabrication: consistent MIG/TIG/stick, out-of-position welding, body support, and visibility (good hood!) Entering a male-dominated space: taking yourself seriously, choosing the right rooms, and being coachable The Welders Foundation: scholarships, bootcamps, and gear that remove barriers for new welders Memorable Quotes: “You don’t want to carry too much stuff… the Elevate with a grinder, a hood, and a long-sleeve shirt, you can fix most things.” “There are some boogers that hold really good… but you don’t know what you don’t know.” “Seat time is everything, whether it’s in the driver’s seat or under the hood.” Save 20% On Related American Welding Program Courses With WELD20 See all the courses available to start learning today - https://foxly.link/t8aJ0M Connect with SendItRubi Instagram - @SendItRubi https://www.instagram.com/senditrubi/  TikTok - @senditrubi https://www.tiktok.com/@senditrubi  YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@SENDITNATION  Website - senditnation.com  Welders Foundation - welders.ai  Connect with Beau Wigington Instagram: @beaudiditwelding https://www.instagram.com/beaudiditwelding  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beauwigington  E-Mail : beauw@weld.com Download the WELD App: https://foxly.link/Qj0VEa

    17 min

  6. 1 SEPT.

    Skills Based Training Vs Career Degree Path with Aaron Wulk

    In this episode, host Beau Wigington chats with Aaron Wulk, Director of Applied Technical Programs at South Piedmont Community College, about real-world Inconel tips, ATF certification, and how to choose the right career track in welding. Key Topics Covered: Inconel vs. carbon steel fundamentals: shielding gas (100% argon vs. 75/25), puddle behavior (sluggish vs. fluid), voltage pitfalls, and trusting the puddle. Hot cracking explained: why rapid heat dissipation makes welds brittle, and how preheat/postheat and heat input control (TIG vs. MIG) help. Process selection by application: when MIG on Inconel makes sense (e.g., heavy foundry repairs) and why TIG often offers better heat control. Common mistakes: impatience, poor cleaning, and skipping interpass cleanup—how these quietly ruin otherwise good work. Stick on Inconel: why it’s “ropey,” erratic, and just plain difficult—and how to approach it if you must. Where you’ll find Inconel: aerospace, nuclear, high-performance automotive, corrosive/chemical plants, and foundry reclamation. Career-driven vs. degree-driven training: stackable short-term certificates, evening classes, and how to upskill without pausing your life. ATF (Accredited Testing Facility) basics: QA manuals, heat numbers, procedure control, documentation, and why it’s a resume builder (not a bypass). Certs that travel vs. in-house: six-month renewal realities and why portable credentials matter when you change jobs. Thriving in your first shop: “be quiet and listen,” pick up tricks from veterans, and plug into a community that levels everyone up. Metal art & learning by making: how aesthetics, controlled “mistakes,” and SkillsUSA sculpture build real process understanding. Memorable Quotes: “Trust that the puddle is doing its job.” “Stick welding Inconel? It’s gonna suck… more erratic, ropey puddle.” “Be quiet and listen. You don’t know everything about welding on day one.” “If you’re helping that person be better, you’re helping the whole industry be better.” Save 20% On Related American Welding Program Courses With WELD20 Check out all the courses available here - https://foxly.link/t8aJ0M  Connect with Aaron Wulk LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-wulk-cwi-cwe-648958151  Instagram - @black_mirror_sculptures https://www.instagram.com/black_mirror_sculptures/  Learn more about South Piedmont Community College - https://spcc.edu/  Connect with Beau Wigington Instagram: @beaudiditwelding https://www.instagram.com/beaudiditwelding  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beauwigington  E-Mail : beauw@weld.com Download the WELD App: https://foxly.link/Qj0VEa

    22 min

  7. 25 AOÛT

    Apprentice to Journeyman: The Reality of ‘Sixth Period’ and What Comes Next with Robert Carpenter

    In this episode, host Beau Wigington chats with Robert Carpenter (Carp Welding)—a pipefitter and stainless TIG art creator—about his path into Pipefitters Local 636 (Detroit), what a sixth-period apprentice actually does on the job, and why he chose union life to stay close to home.  Key Topics Covered: Why Robert chose the union: home nightly, benefits that keep continuity from job to job. What “laid off” really means in the union—and how the hall gets you back working. Apprentice responsibilities: working under a journeyman, proving you can weld to earn more hood time. Getting real welding time: how company choice affects whether you actually weld. TIG art and bracelets: making stainless and copper pieces without burning out. Welding copper bracelets: cleanliness, gas/cup, and dialing amperage with a foot pedal. Avoiding creator burnout: setting order limits when social posts take off. Career crossroads: staying an employee vs. starting a pipefitting/mechanical business. Work-life balance: finding a non-welding escape (hello, sport bike) to stay fresh. Memorable Quotes: As an apprentice, you’re always working with a journeyman—but you’re doing all the work.” “You get laid off the first time, it’s gonna feel like a breakup… but it’s not personal.” “I like showing up, putting my hood down, and clocking out. Sometimes I like not having a ton of that stress.” Practical Takeaways (Welding Pain Points Solved) Union stability 101: Layoffs are often just a slowdown; call the hall and get re-dispatched—sometimes by Monday. Insurance that follows you: In the union, you’re not re-starting benefits at each new site; work and coverage stay centralized. Earn your arc time: Demonstrate ability early so journeymen hand you more welding (not just fitting). If you want to weld, choose your contractor wisely: Some shops barely weld; others are 40 hours under the hood. Copper bracelet TIG basics: Start ultra-clean to avoid pitting/porosity, use 100% argon and a larger cup, set machine high (~220 A available) but actually run around ~60 A with foot control so you’ve got headroom. Beat burnout on side gigs: Repetition is real, set order caps and batch work so socials don’t turn into 70 overnight deadlines.. Resources Mentioned: Pipefitters Local 636 (Detroit) – Robert’s local - https://pipefitters636.org/  Blue Demon copper TIG filler wire – used for copper bracelets- https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Demon-ERCu-Copper-welding/dp/B00I4BXMPC?th=1  Save 20% On Related American Welding Program Courses With WELD20 - https://foxly.link/t8aJ0M Guest's Content & Contact: Instagram - @carpwelding https://www.instagram.com/carpwelding/  TikTok - @carpwelding https://www.tiktok.com/@carpwelding  Connect with Beau Wigington Instagram: @beaudiditwelding https://www.instagram.com/beaudiditwelding  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beauwigington  E-Mail : beauw@weld.com Download the WELD App: https://foxly.link/Qj0VEa

    19 min

  8. 18 AOÛT

    Single-Hand vs Rig Welder: Pay, Tools, and Expectations with Kenny Stewart

    In this episode, host Beau Wigington chats with Kenny Stewart, a 23-year-old combo rig welder out of Houston, TX. Kenny shares how he pivoted from music school to welding in just five years, the real differences between single-hand and rig welding, why he chose plant specialty work over pipeline, and how humility, curiosity, and smart gear choices (hello, laser level) accelerated his growth. Key Topics Covered: Single-hand vs rig welder: pay structure, what the company supplies vs what you bring, and expectations on fit-up and fabrication The three rig-welder lanes: pipeline, plant specialty, and small mobile welding business—what the day-to-day looks like in each Why plant/shutdown work can offer big checks without living on the road Getting started from zero: trade school choice, being a “sponge,” and landing a first job before graduation Breaking in without connections: using LinkedIn/Indeed/ZipRecruiter and saying “yes” to that first test Learning exotic alloys (Inconel, stainless, duplex): ask questions, study, then practice under the hood Fitting your own work: takeoffs, layout, and why fabricating skills boost your rate and reputation The cost trap: why buying a big truck and brand-new machine on day one can set you back Pipeline reality check: gatekeeping, difficulty getting hired, and why the welds themselves aren’t always the hard part Helper → Welder progression: how to be the helper everyone wants (stay ahead, ask, learn) Most-used tool right now: laser level for fast, clean elevations and layout in crowded plants Memorable Quotes: “Ego in this game will kill you.” “They’re not paying you just for your hand—they’re paying for your hand, head, truck, and tools.” “At some point, watching videos won’t weld it. You’ve got to get under the hood.” “Don’t go into debt for a big truck and a shiny machine before you’ve got the work.” “Experience means more than the piece of paper.” “I like sleeping in my own bed—and still pulling big checks.” Save 20% On Related American Welding Program Courses With WELD20 https://foxly.link/t8aJ0M Guest's Content & Contact: Instagram: @kenny.steww https://www.instagram.com/kenny.steww/  TikTok: @kennystew https://www.tiktok.com/@kennystew  Connect with Beau Wigington Instagram: @beaudiditwelding https://www.instagram.com/beaudiditwelding  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beauwigington  E-Mail : beauw@weld.com Download the WELD App: https://foxly.link/Qj0VEa

    19 min
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À propos

WELD is the show that opens real doors in the welding world. From first arc to six-figure specialty work, host Beau Wigington talks with industry professionals as they share wins, mistakes, and the various pathways available in the welding industry. Whether you are in school or on the tools, guests will share practical steps, safety-first habits, and career plays to help you master the trade. MIG, TIG, stick, flux-core, pipe, fabrication, repair, inspection, and business growth all live here. New episodes each week.

Informations

  • Création
    Weld.com
  • Années d’activité
    2021 - 2025
  • Épisodes
    220
  • Classification
    Contenu explicite
  • Copyright
    © Weld.com
  • Site web de l’émission
    WELD

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