Many metalwork projects require welding, from building a wagon for the grandkids to making ornate garden fences. And while melting pieces of metal together sounds like a fun task you can do on your own, don’t underestimate the difficulty involved. Welding takes a lot of measuring, cutting, and precision to do correctly, and sometimes requires the use of blowtorches. Before you get started with your project, here’s why you should hire a professional welder.

Why You Should Hire a Welder

1. Equipment Is Expensive.

To weld efficiently, you need special equipment for different projects. Certified welders own a stick, MIG, wire feed, and other necessary tools. They also have electrodes to pass current, feeds to strengthen joints, linesmen cutting pliers, and chipping slag hammers; you probably don’t have this equipment sitting around in your toolbox.

These tools are a must for effective metal fabrication, so you could either purchase or rent them. Both options are costly. Instead of wasting money on equipment and time on figuring out what they’re for, hire someone who knows how to use them.

2. You Need Experience & Practice

Welding requires a skill set that would take training, practice, and years of experience to become an expert. Typical welder training programs usually take about 6 to 8 months, and that’s just for the basics. Earning a degree in welding can take more than a year. When you’re watching someone weld, it might look easy, but that’s because they’re experts. It has taken them years to master how to read blueprints, weld pipes and plates, and other difficult processes.

3. It Can Be Dangerous

Aside from wearing masks to protect their eyes, professional welders have earplugs, welding gloves, leather overalls, and sturdy boots to protect them from slag or sparks. Even with safety equipment on, welding can still be dangerous. You are at risk of eye burns, damaged hearing, metal fume fever, and other health hazards.

You aren’t the only one in danger; other people could also get hurt. Bad welds can cause weak staircases, cracked hand railings, and other accidents. If you want welded structures that won’t fall apart overnight, hire a professional.

For welders you can trust, call on C & C Machine, located in La Crosse, WI. Their team of expert welders uses state-of-the-art technology to provide their customers with reliable welds, including spot welding, TIG welding, and MIG welding for projects big and small. Call them at (608) 784-4427 to schedule a consultation or contact them via their website today.