Welding and soldering supplies are used to create a joint on a workpiece. They include soldering irons, stick welders, welding rods, MIG welders, and gas welders as well as the torches, electrodes, filler metals, solder, and other welding supplies that are used with them.
Welding helmets, gloves, blankets, and other safety equipment are designed to withstand hazardous glare, sparks, spatter, and heat generated during welding to prevent injury to workers and avoid damage to equipment and surfaces.
Welding tables and accessories support the workpiece to improve efficiency and accuracy during welding tasks. Browse through this category for various welding and soldering supplies available in Zambian stores.
Like many sheet metal terms, soldering and welding are used interchangeably. However, while these two operations are similar, their process and sub-techniques are different.
The main difference between welding and soldering is melting. In soldering, metal fabricators heat the metal to be bonded but never melt them. In welding, metal fabricators melt the base metal.
Soldering is most similar to brazing because it uses capillary action to flow the metal into the joint until it cools and hardens.
Common types of welding and soldering techniques:
Welding
Soldering
The common tools include soldering iron, hot air guns, and de-soldering tools. A soldering station is commonly used to solder sensitive electronic components as you can set the precise temperature of the soldering tip. You have to plug the soldering station into a power outlet and set the temperature to the lowest.
At the very minimum you will need the solder and a heat source to melt it - preferably something small which can get to 600-800 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tools and Materials
Tools for Soldering
D.C. supply is preferred for welding sheet metal, non-ferrous metals and stainless steel through it requires transformer-rectifier, (costly equipment). The welding circuit consists of a welding machine, two leads, an electrode holder, an electrode and the work itself.
In Welding, substances called filler materials or consumables are used. As the name implies, these substances provide a filler or a body of molten materials that provides a strong bond to be formed between the base metals used.