Expert welding guides — MIG, TIG, stick, certifications, career paths, and how to find a qualified welder in Portland, Oregon.
How to Find a Qualified Welder: What to Look For and How to Evaluate Them
Finding a good welder is harder than it should be. You need someone who can do the work, show up reliably, and deliver quality without surprises. The welding labor market is tight — good welders have options — so you need to know what to look for and how to present yourself as someone worth working for. This guide covers the practical stuff: how to find candidates, what credentials actually matter, and how to evaluate them fairly. ...
MIG vs TIG Welding: An Honest Comparison from the Shop Floor
If you spend enough time in a fabrication shop, you’ll hear the same argument over and over: “TIG is the better process.” It sounds authoritative. It’s also incomplete. The truth is simpler: the best welding process is the one that fits the job you’re doing, the time you have, and your budget. MIG and TIG are tools. A hammer isn’t “better” than a wrench—they do different things. Let me walk you through what actually matters when you’re choosing between them. ...
Welding Certifications Explained: AWS, What They Mean, and Why They Matter
When you ask a welder “What are you certified for?” you’ll get an answer that sounds like alphabet soup: “SMAW 6G, GMAW 4F, GTAW 2G.” These certifications represent a real skill set, but unless you work in the trade, the notation doesn’t mean much. This guide decodes welding certifications so you can understand what a welder actually knows when they present their credentials. What AWS Certification Actually Tests AWS (American Welding Society) certification is a third-party verification that a welder can produce sound welds on a specific material, process, and position. It’s not a “license” — welders don’t need certification to weld. It’s a credential that demonstrates competence. ...