How to Visually Inspect a Weld for Defects
Assessing welds for defects requires meticulous attention; discover essential techniques that can elevate your inspection process and ensure quality.
Category Automotive Welding Guide
Your complete guide to automotive welding with Ryan Mitchell — a 38-year-old professional welder with 17+ years of real-world experience in collision repair, custom fabrication, and classic car restoration.
In this category, Ryan breaks down everything you need to know: MIG, TIG, spot, stick, and resistance welding techniques, weld joints and types, common defects (porosity, undercut, burn-through, etc.), troubleshooting tips, welding parameters, materials, and all the essential terms every auto tech and DIYer should master.
Whether you’re repairing a daily driver, building a custom chassis, or restoring a vintage muscle car, you’ll find clear, practical, shop-floor advice designed to help you weld stronger, smarter, and safer.
New articles added regularly. Start learning today and take your automotive welding skills to the next level.
Shrink Sheet Metal: 6-Step Auto Body Repair Guide
Tired of stubborn stretched metal? Learn the heat-and-tap method that can restore panels cleanly and discover the pro tricks that make it work.
Types of Weld Defects: A Complete Overview
Join us to explore the critical types of weld defects that can compromise structural integrity—discover how to identify and prevent them effectively.
How to Roll Sheet Metal Into Curves for Automotive Parts
When shaping automotive sheet metal curves, what tricks keep your patch precise, weld-ready, and perfectly matched?
Slag Inclusion in Flux Core Welds: Causes and Fixes
Slag inclusion in flux core welds signals potential weaknesses; discover the causes and effective solutions to ensure your welds remain strong and reliable.
How to Flange Sheet Metal for a Tight Butt Weld
Obtain a tighter butt weld by flanging sheet metal the right way, but one small mistake can warp everything—see how to avoid it.
Cold Lap in Welds: What Causes It and How to Prevent It
Overcoming cold lap in welds requires understanding its causes and prevention techniques—discover key strategies to ensure strong, reliable joints.
Pop Rivets vs Welding for Auto Body: When to Use Each
I’ll show when pop rivets beat welding for auto body repairs—and the one mistake that can turn a quick fix into a costly redo.
Why Your Welder Overheats and How to Prevent It
Get insights on why your welder overheats and discover essential prevention tips to keep your equipment running smoothly. Don't let overheating ruin your projects!
How to Measure and Mark Sheet Metal Before Cutting
Know the exact tools and tricks for measuring and marking sheet metal before cutting—so you avoid costly mistakes and get cleaner, truer results.