Welding Torch

Most small welding jobs do not need a professional welder. This is true for British households, where the men of the house prefer occasional Do-It-Yourself (DIY) repairs at home. As such, it is important that one knows a bit of knowledge about the basics of welding and own a handy welding tool at home.

An essential tool for welding is the welding torch. This is used to weld or merge metals together in a process that uses fuel and either compressed air or oxygen (oxy-fuel welding torch). A conventional welding torch comes in pair, one that holds the oxygen and the other holds the fuel to weld the metal.

A welding torch generally consists of the handle, the gas valves to hold the fuel, and the mixing chamber. Today, tips are attached to the handle to cater to welding, cutting or simple heating (bending works).

Not all torches used in welding activity can be considered a welding torch. Welding torch is not to be confused with a cutting torch, which is used to merely cut the metal into pieces. This tool is also known as a hot wrench and commonly called a hot blue spanner in the UK. A good welding torch is capable of cutting and welding at the same time.

Likewise, there are welding implements that do not use the oxy-fuel process but rather, uses atmospheric air instead of oxygen in a single-tank form. Although they are generically categorized as a welding tool, these types of implements actually cannot weld metals, and are instead used for brazing and soldering, not for actual heavy-duty welding.

Aside from the welding torch, a DIY welding project needs an accompanying apparatus like pressure regulators and gas hoses. Most hardware centers and DIY stores in the UK carry welding sets that comes with all the implements you need. You can ask your local handyman or DIY expert for some skills booster and additional knowledge about welding torches.