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Informational

Who is the Best Welder in the World? [Unexpected One]

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Have you ever thought about who the best welder in the whole world might be? Since I was equally interested in this subject as you are, I decided to do some research on the internet. And the result was something that totally caught me off guard. So let me introduce you to the best welder in the world.

According to the Arc Cup International Welding Competition (2021), Chirantan Andhariya was awarded as the best welder in the world. He is currently working as a project quality professional at the Project Solutions Center of Japan Gas Corporation (JGC). He was also awarded “National Best Welding Engineer 2020–21” by the Indian Institute of Welding (IIW).

Chirantan Andharia Best welder award of 2021
Image credit: Chirantan Andhariya

Welders such as Chirantan Andhariya have put in a lot of effort in order to accomplish this goal. Chirantan’s example demonstrates that if you are committed to your goals and put in the effort to achieve them, you can be successful.

Therefore, later in the article, we will discuss the characteristics of the best welder as well as the steps you need to take in order to become one of the best welders in the world.

Who is Chirantan Andhariya and How He Became the World’s Best Welder

According to the information provided on Chirantan’s LinkedIn profile, he attended Sardar Patel University from 2007–2011 to earn his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and graduated with a “First Class” grade. After that, he received his postgraduate education in welding and quality engineering from the PSG College of Technology, where he completed a Post Graduate Certificate Course.

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After that, he went on to receive additional certifications from a variety of well-known professional institutes, among which was “The Welding Institute” (Cambridge, UK).

worlds best welder certificate
Image credit: Chirantan Andhariya

The following is an exhaustive list of Chirantan’s academic accomplishments in chronological order:

Chirantan’s Education

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Sardar Patel University
  • Post Graduate Certificate of Welding from PSG College of Technology

Chirantan’s Licenses and Certifications

Chirantan received the following certifications from different institutes:

  • Certified welding inspector (Welding Research Institute)
  • CSWIP 3.1 by The Welding Institute (Cambridge, UK)
  • NDT Level-2 in Radiographic Testing (Indian Society of Non-Destructive Testing)
  • NDT Level-2 in Ultrasonic Testing (Indian Society of Non-Destructive Testing)
  • NDT Level-2 in Liquid Penetrant Testing (Indian Society of Non-Destructive Testing)
  • NDT Level-2 in Magnetic Particle Testing (Indian Society of Non-Destructive Testing)
  • ISO 9001 Lead Auditor for Quality Certification (IRCA)
indias best welder certificate
Image credit: Chirantan Andhariya

Chirantan’s Job Experience

It is Chirantan’s extensive experience that has earned him the title of the world’s most famous welder. He has worked for a variety of extremely large companies. The following is a list of some of those companies:

  • Project Quality Engineer (JGC)
  • Quality Manager (L&T Hydrocarbon Engineering Limited)
  • Welding Engineering (Praj Industries)
  • Post Graduate Engineer Trainee (Walchandnagar Industries Limited)
  • Internship Trainee (Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited)

How Much Does World’s Best Welder Earn?

The Japan Gas Corporation (JGC) reportedly offers an average salary of approximately $50,000 per year, as reported by salary.com. Currently Chirantan is also working as a Quality Manager in the firm. Considering the above information and Chirtantan’s designation, Chirantan’s annual salary might need to fall somewhere in the range of $120,000 to $90,000 per year.

How Can You Become World’s Best Welder?

Welding is a skilled job that requires a lot of practice and talent. With the right guidance and training, anyone can become good at welding. The most important thing you need to do is act on your dreams, which might seem unattainable in the beginning but will definitely help you reach them!

Here are a few tips that you might want to consider while starting your career as a welder:

1. Get the Required Education

Learning how to weld can be accomplished through a variety of educational and training institutes. You have the option of studying for certification exams, attending trade schools or colleges, or even going on apprenticeship programs, which give you the opportunity to work with experienced welders.

2. Find a Job and Practice What You Learned

The next step for you is to look for a job. This can be as simple as submitting an application online; however, it is essential that you approach this step with the mentality of “I want this job!” rather than “I need this job!”

Because no one wants to hire someone whose resume contains misspelled words or grammatical errors, you should have your resume proofread for errors.

After you have secured a position as a welder, you should immediately begin honing your skills by working on projects that are based in the real world. When you have finished your work and are satisfied with it, it is important to solicit feedback from your classmates and teachers regarding areas in which your performance on various assignments could be enhanced.

Do some research to find any hints that might help improve future processes or methods so that when it comes time for you to work on another project, you will already know exactly what needs to be improved!

3. Get Certified by Renowned Welding Institutions

The following step is to become certified by some of the most prestigious welding institutions. This will provide you with evidence that demonstrates your skills and knowledge. You have the ability to utilize this certificate as a marketing tool for yourself or even as an opportunity to advance in your current position within the company.

4. Improve Your Skills and Learn Modern Welding Techniques

Continuing your education and teaching yourself new techniques on a daily basis is the most effective strategy to build your experience as a welder. In the welding profession, it’s essential to have an open mind regarding new chances, since you never know what can come along.

The best way to learn new advanced methods is by doing them yourself, but if that isn’t feasible, there are numerous options for training programs accessible in most places across the globe today.

You may also consider taking a class at one of the various websites that offer free training on improving your skills as a welder or as a metalworker in general, and there are many of these websites.

5. Stay Focused and Don’t Get Distracted While Following Your Dream

You need to avoid getting distracted by other things and keep your attention on the task at hand. You should not give up on your dream simply because it appears impossible to accomplish. If you are committed to achieving your goals, there is no valid excuse for you to give up now!

Always remember to have patience with yourself and not be afraid of making mistakes; this is the single most important trait of a successful person in any endeavor, including welding!

Related Questions

1. Who is the most famous welder in the world?

When it comes to the most famous figures in welding history, there are two names that shine the most: Nikolay Benardos and Nikolay Slavyanov.

Nikolay Benardos:

It is believed that Nikolay Benardos, a Russian inventor who worked in the seventeenth century, was responsible for 200 innovations in the field of electrical engineering. In addition to developing and popularizing electric welding, he also invented a battery that was created specifically to provide the high current that is required for electric welding.

Other types of innovative welding techniques include carbon arc welding, arc cutting on land as well as underwater, indirect arc welding, and welding in a gas stream. As a result of this factor, carbon arc welding quickly became popular in the 1890s and the early 1900s.

Nikolay Slavyanov:

Slavyanov invented shielded arc welding around eight years after Benardos first introduced carbon arc welding.

And we all know that one of the most common welding techniques used in today’s world is called shielded arc welding, and it’s used for a variety of applications, including erecting massive steel buildings, producing industrial goods, and performing maintenance and repairs. Processing ferrous metals such as iron and steel, non-ferrous metals such as aluminum and nickel, and copper alloys are all areas in which it finds use.

2. What are the highest-paid welders in the world?

Currently, RIG welders are the highest-paid welders in the market. According to ZipRecruiter, as of December 5, 2022, the average yearly salary for a RIG welder in the United States is $77,686 ($1,493 per week or $6,473 per month).
The employment market for RIG welders is quite busy in both New York City and the areas that surround the city. The average yearly compensation for a rig welder in the US region is $84,988, which is $7,302 (or 9%) higher than the average annual salary throughout the country.

Wrapping It

Practice is absolutely necessary if one wishes to achieve world-class status in any endeavor. The best way to improve is to practice. Putting in the effort to perfect something through practice is what makes it so. Reading up on welding and putting it into practice are the two most important things you can do to become an expert in welding.

If you want to make it even easier for yourself, you should also practice reading up on welding. It takes commitment and a lot of effort to become the best welder in the world, but I can promise you that nothing is impossible in this world if you really have the passion to achieve your goals, including becoming the best welder.

Informational

How to Weld If You Have Long Hair? Pro Welder’s Tips

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Any welding operation that you perform puts you and anyone else in the area in danger of a number of different things. As a result, it is completely reasonable for you to be concerned about preventing your hair from becoming entangled in any welding equipment and posing a threat to your health. In this article, I will talk about how you can safely weld if you have long hair.

If you want to weld while having long hair, a French braid is the best option for keeping your hair together. This will help you in tying your hair and hold it together behind your neck. The French braid should keep the hair compact and close to your head’s shape, and it also allows you to wear a welding helmet. As a result, you will be able to wear full safety equipment.

When you are dealing with hot weld spatters, having long hair can present a particularly difficult challenge. Therefore, if you are interested in learning more about how you can safely weld with long hair, continue reading the rest of this article, where I will discuss the topic in greater detail and share some helpful hints.

How Your Long Hair Can be an Issue While Welding?

Welding procedures, as I indicated earlier, expose the operator as well as anybody else in the vicinity of the workplace to a wide variety of risks. A project involving welding presents a number of potential dangers and threats; it is important that you be aware of these issues in order to protect not only yourself but also others around you. Especially when dealing with spatters, it is easy for things to go wrong if you have long hair.

Before we look at all of the tips you may weld with long hair, we need to first understand the potential risks you run and everything that might go wrong. Long hair poses a unique set of challenges when it comes to welding. A few are mentioned below:

  • Spatters are your hair’s worst enemy.
  • UV rays can permanently damage your hair.
  • With long hair, grinders can cause serious accidents.

Let’s look at these problems one by one:

1. Take Spatters Seriously 

The spatter, sparks, and heat generated by the arc provides the greatest challenge throughout the welding process since they may travel up to 35 feet and enter any nearby place. You will want to provide enough protection for your long hair if you are going to be in an atmosphere like this.

Not just your hair, but everything else that might catch fire should be kept at least 35 feet away from the welding location. In addition, a fire extinguisher should never be far away. In the event that a fire breaks out.

2. UV Rays Can Damage Your Hair Permanently

Molten metals, welding arcs, and ultraviolet radiation will be present in the work environment while welding is being done. The interaction of all these factors puts you at an increased risk of serious burns. The actual welding arc may reach temperatures of up to 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit, making it one of the hottest processes possible.

And believe me when I say that you do not want that welding arc to get anywhere near your hair. Your hair will suffer a significant amount of damage as a result, and it is possible that it could even be burned.

3. Grinder Can Give You Nightmares

The usage of grinders is another factor that may create issues for your lengthy hair. Using grinders and welding go hand in hand when working with metals. Therefore, if you are a welder, you will most likely make extensive use of the grinder. And grinders are really your worst enemy when it comes to your long hair.

When you’re working, you can find yourself crouching over a grinder, which can cause serious accidents if you don’t protect your hair properly.

Tips from a Pro Welder to Protect Your Long Hair When Welding

Now you know what the most obvious dangers that you have when welding with long hair. The next step is to tell you how you can keep yourself safe from those dangers.

Here are a few of the tips that you can consider:

  • Braid your hair while welding
  • Put your hair in a tight knot behind your neck
  • Consider buying a welding cap
  • You can use a bandana too if you are a bandana lover

Let’s discuss these tips one by one:

Braid hair woman welding

1. Braiding is the Best Option You Have

Welding hoods, helmets, or shields will provide the optimum amount of protection from any sparks, heat, UV rays, flash burns, or infrared light that may be present. They will protect not only your face and neck but also your eyes and hair. As a result, I feel that acquiring one is the best approach to protecting oneself.

Welding hoods are often made of cotton or leather and are rather light in weight and can go easily along with helmets. Make sure that whichever helmet you decide to purchase, is not too heavy and that it is comfortable to wear. It must also include a spatter barrier, the ability to be modified, a sensor bar, and the availability of replacement components.

2. You Can Simply Put Your Hair in a Tigh Knot

The most conventional and easiest technique for a welder operator to keep their long hair out of their face is to pull it back into a tight bun. Wrap an elastic band over your buns and secure them in place to prevent them from falling on your face.

If there are any unruly hairs, just use bobby pins to push them up and you should be OK. Anything that prevents your hair from falling on your face will suffice.

3. Consider Buying a Welding Cap

A welding cap is a good option if you want something that is both lightweight and comfortable. It must adequately shield your head from any hot metal, sparks, or splatters that may be present.

Not only they are effective in protecting your hair, but they are also made completely of cotton, making them incredibly breathable and also preventing sweat from pouring down your eyebrows while working.

4. Bandana is Another Option That You Can Use

Braids are not easy to create for everyone, and they may even be difficult to perform on a regular basis. If you don’t know how to braid my easiest suggestion would be to put a bandana over your head and tuck all of your hair within.

When welding, sparks will fly everywhere, and this will keep you safe. Make use of bobby pins or a bun to tuck in all of the ends. Bandanas aren’t my first choice for headgear. But it works. It’s a good option to have in case you don’t know how to braid your hair.

Few Other Safety Measures That You Need to Take

In addition to your hair, there are a few other parts of your body that need your attention. Some of these essential measures for ensuring your safety are listed below:

  • Protect your eyes at all cost
  • Always keep a fire extinguisher in your shop
  • Wear protective clothing
  • Make habit of using respirators
  • Beware of leakages in your welding system
  • Keep your welding space clean

Let’s discuss them one by one:

1. Protect your eyes at all cost

Be sure to always wear safety glasses in your workplace to protect your eyes from flying debris, which is often composed of metal. If you routinely do welding tasks, you will be exposed to a significant amount of flying debris.

You should make it a routine to put them on as soon as you come in the door; this will ensure that you are protected at all times.

2. Always keep a fire extinguisher in your shop

You shouldn’t be shocked if anything catches fire at some time during a welding operation because of all of the intense heat and sparks that are produced throughout the process. Because fires are a very real risk, you should always have an extinguisher on hand in case one breaks out.

3. Wear protective clothing

If you’ve ever imagined yourself beginning your first welding project in a pair of shorts, an old t-shirt, and a pair of flip-flops, you should rethink that idea. Wearing the necessary protective clothing at all times when welding is required if you wish to prevent injuries to your body, notably burns, that may be caused by the process.

4. Make habit of using respirators

You should always wear a respirator if you are going to be dealing with metals or any other materials that have the potential to emit harmful vapors.

Welding or cutting certain materials may produce a welding plume, which is a combination of hazardous gases, fumes, and smoke. This is not the type of thing you want to breathe in if you want to keep your lungs healthy and prevent respiratory issues.

If you are interested in knowing more about respirators and their types, please check out my other article.

5. Beware of leakages in your welding system

There is a good chance that you have pressurized containers in your welding shop that hold liquids or gases. Take extra precautions to check that none of those containers or the items that you are attaching to them have any leaks in them.

See my other article to know more about leakages and how to detect them.

6. Maintain your equipment

If you want to establish the safest possible working environment for your welding projects, you need to give your equipment a lot of TLC and make sure it’s in good operating order at all times. If your welding equipment and tools are in disrepair, an accident is almost waiting to happen every time you use them. However, the vast majority of incidents of this kind are avoidable if proper care is taken with the equipment.

Wrapping it Up

When it comes to welding, safety is the most important thing to keep in mind at all times. Because because welding involves a significant amount of fire and spatters, it is essential that you take a significant amount of precaution to protect your hair. I really hope that you’ll be able to keep your hair under control while welding thanks to the advice that’s been provided in this article.

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Weld Types

Different Welding Methods: Applications of Each Method

welding techinques
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Welding is joining two pieces of metal together by melting and cooling them until they become one piece. Welding processes include:

  • Oxyacetylene welding
  • Shielded metal arc welding (Stick)
  • Gas tungsten arc welding (TIG)
  • Gas metal arc welding (MIG)
  • Flux-cored arc welding
  • Torch or oxyfuel brazing

Some methods employ both heat and pressure, while others employ only heat. Welding is commonly used to construct automobiles, airplanes, and buildings. Other metal-cutting methods, such as oxy-acetylene and plasma arc cutting, use heat or electricity to cut through metal.

1. Oxyacetylene welding

Oxyacetylene welding (OAW) is a method of joining two pieces of metal using heat generated by the combustion of oxygen and acetylene gas.

Torch brazing (TB) is similar, but the metal is not completely melted. Instead, a special alloy is melted and used to join the two metal pieces.

Oxyfuel gas cutting (OFC) is a method of cutting metal that uses the same tools and gases as OAW and TB.

To generate heat and bond the metal, all of these methods employ a torch and special gases. They are frequently used on small or thin metal pieces.

Applications:

  • Welding and brazing thin or small pieces of metal
  • Welding and brazing dissimilar metals
  • Cutting and piercing metal

Situations to Avoid:

  • Welding thick or heavy sections of metal
  • Welding high alloy or stainless steel
  • Welding in high wind or outdoor conditions (due to the open flame)
  • Welding in confined spaces (due to the production of harmful gases)

2. Shielded metal arc welding (Stick)

Shielded metal arc welding, or SMAW, is a way of welding metal together using an electrode that is coated with a special kind of flux.

The electrode melts and becomes a part of the welded metal. To do SMAW welding, you need a transformer, two welding cables, a work clamp, and an electrode holder.

There are many different types of electrodes you can use for SMAW welding, so you can choose the one that is best for your project. With SMAW welding, you can join different types and thicknesses of metal using the same machine.

Applications:

  • Welding thick or heavy sections of metal
  • Welding in outdoor conditions
  • Welding in dirty or contaminated environments
  • Welding on dirty or painted surfaces

Situations to Avoid:

  • Welding thin or small pieces of metal (more suited for TIG welding)
  • Welding high alloy or stainless steel (can affect the quality of the weld)
  • Welding in confined spaces (due to the production of harmful gases)
  • Welding in the presence of high winds (due to the electric arc)

3. Gas tungsten arc welding

GTAW, or gas tungsten arc welding, is a method of joining metal using a tungsten electrode. The tungsten electrode generates an electric arc, which melts the metal being welded as well as the end of the filler metal, which is manually applied.

Shielding gas is emitted from the welding gun to protect the molten weld metal from dirt and other contaminants. A foot or thumb switch can be added to the GTAW equipment to help the welder better control the welding.

GTAW welding produces very clean, high-quality welds, but it is slower and requires more skill than other welding methods. It is particularly useful for joining metal alloys that can only be joined with GTAW.

Applications:

  • Welding thin or small pieces of metal
  • Welding high alloy or stainless steel
  • Welding in outdoor conditions (with proper shielding gas)
  • Welding materials with high levels of contaminants or impurities
  • Welding in high-precision environments

Situations to Avoid:

  • Welding thick or heavy sections of metal (more suited for MIG welding)
  • Welding in high production environments (slower process)
  • Welding in confined spaces (due to the production of harmful gases)
  • Welding in the presence of high winds (due to the electric arc)

4. Gas metal arc welding (MIG)

Mig welding is a type of arc welding that uses a continuously supplied wire electrode and gas to weld metal together.

It is becoming more popular because it is easier to learn than other types of welding, like stick and tig welding, and it is faster because you don’t have to stop and change the electrode as often.

Mig welding also creates less slag and spatter, which makes it more enjoyable to use and easier to clean up.

However, MIG welding equipment is more expensive and the MIG gun, which is the portable part of the equipment, can be difficult to use in small spaces. Mig welding also requires a shielding gas to work, so it is not as good for outdoor use.

Applications:

  • Welding thick or heavy sections of metal
  • Welding high alloy or stainless steel
  • Welding in high-production environments
  • Welding in outdoor conditions (with proper shielding gas)

Situations to Avoid:

  • Welding thin or small pieces of metal (more suited for TIG welding)
  • Welding in confined spaces (due to the production of harmful gases)
  • Welding in the presence of high winds (due to the electric arc)
  • Welding materials with high levels of contaminants or impurities (can affect the quality of the weld)

5. Flux-cored arc welding

Flux-cored arc welding, or FCAW, is a method of joining metal using a special type of electrode wire known as a flux core wire.

The wire is fed from a spool continuously through the welding equipment and out of the gun. The welding current flows through the equipment, melting the wire and the base metal.

Some flux core wires generate their own shielding gas as they melt, while others require the use of additional shielding gas. As the wire melts, it produces a gaseous cloud that shields the weld surface and removes impurities from the molten metal.

After the weld is completed, a layer of slag must be removed from the weld’s top. Despite this additional step, FCAW is a popular welding technique because it produces high-quality welds quickly and is very versatile.

FCAW equipment is similar to that used in gas metal arc welding (GMAW), and both methods are semiautomatic, which means that the wire is fed automatically but the welder moves the gun manually. Welding supply stores and other retailers stock FCAW equipment and filler metals.

Applications:

  • Welding thick or heavy sections of metal
  • Welding in outdoor conditions (with proper shielding gas)
  • Welding in high-production environments
  • Welding in dirty or contaminated environments

Situations to Avoid:

  • Welding thin or small pieces of metal (more suited for TIG welding)
  • Welding high alloy or stainless steel (can affect the quality of the weld)
  • Welding in confined spaces (due to the production of harmful gases)
  • Welding in the presence of high winds (due to the electric arc)

Comparison Table:

Welding ProcessApplicationsSituations to Avoid
Oxyacetylene weldingWelding and brazing thin or small pieces of metal; welding and brazing dissimilar metals; cutting and piercing metalWelding thick or heavy sections of metal; welding high alloy or stainless steel; welding in high wind or outdoor conditions; welding in confined spaces
Shielded metal arc welding (Stick)Welding thick or heavy sections of metal; welding in outdoor conditions; welding in dirty or contaminated environments; welding on dirty or painted surfacesWelding thin or small pieces of metal; welding high alloy or stainless steel; welding in confined spaces; welding in the presence of high winds
Gas tungsten arc welding (TIG)Welding thin or small pieces of metal; welding high alloy or stainless steel; welding in outdoor conditions (with proper shielding gas); welding materials with high levels of contaminants or impurities; welding in high-precision environmentsWelding thick or heavy sections of metal; welding in high production environments; welding in confined spaces; welding in the presence of high winds
Gas metal arc welding (MIG)Welding thick or heavy sections of metal; welding in high production environments; welding in outdoor conditions; welding on dirty or painted surfacesWelding thin or small pieces of metal; welding high alloy or stainless steel; welding in confined spaces; welding in the presence of high winds
Flux-cored arc weldingWelding thick or heavy sections of metal; welding in high production environments; welding in outdoor conditions; welding on dirty or painted surfacesWelding thin or small pieces of metal; welding high alloy or stainless steel; welding in confined spaces; welding in the presence of high winds
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