Steel tubing first weld. Photo by Abdullah Almanayes
I recently joined the Steel Bridge team and got the opportunity to weld for the first time. I began by practicing on two pieces of square tubing, trying to weld them together along the joint. It looked simple enough when it was demonstrated to me. Actually doing it posed a greater challenge.
Before starting, I was shown how to position the torch and move it along the joint between the two pieces. The idea itself was pretty simple. Actually doing it was not. I had to keep the torch at the right distance and angle while moving consistently along the metal. Move too quickly, too slowly, or inconsistently, and it immediately shows in the weld.
I enjoyed how I could look directly at what I had just made and see where my movement had changed. Welding was not something I could understand and immediately be good at. There is a physical skill to controlling the torch that I am only going to develop by doing it repeatedly. Considering this was my first time welding, I am much more interested in seeing how my welds change with practice than worrying about how the first one looked.
I also really enjoyed the process itself. Putting on the welding helmet, working directly with the steel, and getting my hands dirty was a completely different experience from most of what I am doing academically right now. As a first-year student, my courses are mostly foundational subjects like calculus, chemistry, and biology. I spend a lot of time working through equations and concepts on paper. Welding gave me a small introduction to the technical work that exists on the other side of those concepts.
For now, I have only welded two pieces of square tubing together. Eventually, I will be working with the team toward an entire steel bridge. There is a pretty large difference between those two things, which is exactly why I am looking forward to getting better.
