Hands-on welding articles on stainless steel, aluminum, dissimilar metal joints, and on-site repair tactics. Every guide is written from real shop and field experience — no rehashed forum threads.
Welding Guides · Industry Reference
American Welding Blog
Practical guides written from 37 years on the torch in Chicago and DuPage County.
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Latest Guides & Articles
Aug 2026
How to Weld Aluminum
How aluminum gets welded — why it is harder than steel, the right process, and the steps a Wayne, Illinois wel…
Aug 2026
How Much Does a Wrought Iron Railing Cost?
What a custom wrought iron railing costs, what drives the price, and how to get an exact quote — from a Wayne,…
Aug 2026
MIG vs TIG Welding: What's the Difference?
MIG vs TIG welding explained — speed vs precision, what each is best for, and how a Wayne, Illinois welder pic…
Aug 2026
Can You Weld Cast Iron?
Yes, cast iron can be welded — but it cracks easily. How it is done, what can be repaired, and when to bring i…
Aug 2026
How to Fix a Sagging Gate
Why gates sag and how to fix one — the hinge, brace, and post fixes that make a gate swing true again, from a …
Aug 2026
How Much Does a Driveway Gate Cost?
What a custom driveway gate costs, what drives the price, and how to get an exact quote — from a Wayne, Illino…
Aug 2026
How Much Does a Dumpster Enclosure Gate Cost?
What a dumpster enclosure gate costs, what drives the price, and when it is smarter to repair than replace — f…
Jul 2026
The Arc Welding Process Explained Simply
Arc welding melts metal with an electric arc — but a strong weld is really a ten-step routine. Here's the arc …
Jul 2026
Arc Welding vs Stick Welding: What's the Difference (And Why It Matters)?
Arc (wire-fed) welding is fast and clean; stick welding is portable and shrugs off rust and wind. Here's the d…
Jul 2026
How to Install a Banister on a Landing
A banister on a landing lives or dies on one thing: the newel post anchor. Here is how to install one that nev…
Jul 2026
The Different Kinds of Dumpsters (and Which One You Need)
Roll-off, front-load, rear-load — the different kinds of dumpsters each suit a different job. Here is what eac…
Jul 2026
20-Yard Dumpster Dimensions: Size, Capacity, and Footprint
A 20-yard dumpster runs about 22 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 4.5 feet high, and holds 20 cubic yards — roughly…
Jul 2026
How Much Is a 30-Yard Dumpster From Waste Management?
A 30-yard dumpster from Waste Management usually runs in the mid-hundreds — but it depends on weight, rental t…
Jul 2026
How to Hide a Dumpster
A dumpster is an eyesore, a code issue, and a magnet for pests and wind-blown trash. Here is how to hide a dum…
Jul 2026
What Are the 4 Types of Welding? How to Pick the Right One for Your Job
Four ways to weld, one right answer. MIG, TIG, stick, and flux-cored each shine on different metal, in differe…
Jul 2026
Laser Welding Advantages: What Sets It Apart From Traditional Welding
Laser welding brings less heat damage, a cleaner finish, and precision on thin and delicate parts — but it isn…
Jul 2026
How to Build a Handrail for Indoor Steps
A good handrail is easy to grip, mounted into something solid, and finished so it lasts. Here is how to build …
Jul 2026
How to Install a Stair Railing to a Wall
A wall-mounted handrail has to hold a person’s full weight, so it lives or dies on hitting the studs. Here is …
Jul 2026
Where Should a Stair Railing Start?
Most stair falls happen at the very top and bottom steps — exactly where a railing needs to start and end. Her…
Jul 2026
How to Make a Welded Wire Fence Gate
A welded wire fence gate is just a braced steel frame with mesh over it — but the frame and the brace are what…
Jul 2026
Will AI Replace Welders?
Will AI replace welders? Short answer: no — not the ones doing real work. Robots dominate repetitive factory w…
Jul 2026
How to Install Stainless Steel Wall Panels in a Commercial Kitchen
Stainless wall panels keep a commercial kitchen clean and inspection-ready — but only if they go up right. Her…
Jul 2026
Why Do Commercial Kitchens Use Stainless Steel?
A commercial kitchen runs on stainless because it passes the health inspection, takes constant heat and heavy …
Jul 2026
Why Do Restaurants Use Stainless Steel?
Stainless is everywhere in a restaurant for good reason — non-porous and food-safe, tough enough for daily abu…
Jul 2026
Stainless Steel Welding Wire: A Welder's Plain-English Guide
The wire is half the weld. Pick the wrong one and even a clean-looking joint can crack, rust, or pop loose dow…
Jul 2026
The Laser Welding Process: How It Actually Works
Most people picture laser welding as science fiction. Here's how it actually works — the step-by-step process,…
Jul 2026
Balcony Railings: A Welder's Guide
Walk onto your balcony, grip the railing, and give it a firm shake — if it moves, it's failing. A welder's gui…
Jul 2026
A Service Welding Truck That Comes Loaded for the Job
A mobile welder is only as capable as the truck behind him. Properly equipped, the truck turns most calls into…
May 2026
Welding Stainless Steel to Mild Steel: The Right Way
A practical guide to welding stainless steel to mild steel — when it works, why ER309L is the right rod, how t…
May 2026
Can Aluminum Be Welded? Yes — Here's How
Yes, aluminum can be welded — but it needs higher heat, faster travel, the right shielding gas, and clean prep…
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