8 Useful Tips for Mig Welding

Make use of those tips to better your MIG welds!

While being trained at school, more experienced after practical work, Vietnam welders are also encouraged to draw lessons along the way and utilize welding tips to smooth their work process and perfect their finished products. There are useful tips as related to Mig welding that welders can make best use during their work.

1. Always begin with clean materials

To work with contaminated or dirty materials is the fastest to ruin a weld. Take it a note to always clean up the workpiece you are about to weld and ensure the metal is really clean and contaminate free. Examples of things that can contaminate the weld include rust, corrosion, old paint, grease, oil, or just plain dirt. Better the weld by getting it off.

2. Use the best possible welding wire for Mig welding.

This will pay off in better welds. Then get the best possible wire you can afford. Of course, you can save money buying inferior wire. Sure there is plentiful rubbish out there in the market, but it won’t last long. Your welds will just end up being poor quality and having to be redone later.

For Mig wire, always find the one with nice copper coating, accurate dimensions and without being oversized at any point along its length.

3. When you can, always use an auto darkening welding helmet

You sure will pay a little more, which will make up for the extra time you would earn to grind and redo your work. Rather, it takes some more pay to avoid lag time and have better weld. Using an auto-darkening helmet, you will kill the lag time from when you begin your weld, to when a standard helmet is flipped down into place. That very brief moment of time can make you lose track of your welding path and cause lots of extra worker afterwards because you have to grind, redo your work.

4. Always use the Earth clamp

As the welding process is just like a high voltage electric circuit, any circuit break can induce welding problems. A good clamp with a strong spring just prices around $20, and is worthy of money. One way for eliminating those circuit breaks is using a good Earth clamp, and making ready for the metal underneath by sanding off any corrosion or paint.

Bear in mind that a bad ground is one of the biggest Mig welding problems. Always ensure that your clamp comes with a good, clean ground surface for clamping onto; otherwise, you will be in trouble before you get started.

5. Get a good tip for Mig welding

You need a good Mig welding wire for good weld production. Also, you need quality contact tips. There are many cheap contact tips on the market these days; the internal surface of the tunnel that the wire feeds through can be rough or uneven. That can result in fickle or unstable welding arcs, inconsistent wire feeding, and other problems.

6. When Mig welding, use the right shielding gas

You can use directly CO2 when Mig welding though, a 75% argon and 25% CO2 mixture is rather much standard in the welding industry.

7. Have the Mig welder set to the right polarity

Just remember that when Mig welding, polarity is associated with the type of welding wire you use. If you use bar wire, you will need reverse polarity electrode positive for a good weld. For flux core welding wire, you will need reverse the polarity.

Because Mig welding machine doesn’t include a switch for polarity change, you will have to do this manually.

8. Use a good anti spatter compound

If welding is done with flux core wire, welding spatter is part of the process. Still, you can decrease the spatter for cleaner welds by using a good anti spatter compound like LPS aerosol 02116. Another upside of the LPS compound is that it is water based and non toxic, then unlike some cheaper compounds, it won’t do any extra damage to welder’s health.

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Welding in Vietnam: In-demand and Good Pay Occupation

Welding is now one of the most in-demand occupations with handsome pay in Vietnam.  Kindly check details below.

Like other mechanical occupations, welding has been gathering numerous employees as a result of its big labor force demand and attractive pay

Such a big demand for welding manpower

There now increases welding workforce demand in Vietnam and the world. As shown in the statistics by Bureau of Vocational Training (MOLISA), with the good welding skills, the welders-to-be have been topping the list of graduated trainees with highest employability (to be specific, up to 92.5%)

Indeed, this job demand is enormous to the extent that demand is higher than the supply. As shared by Mr. Dang Trung Dung, one lecturer of mechanical department – Cao Thang Engineering College, Ho Chi Minh city, many enterprises have, from time to time, had him introduce welders. Still, regrettably, there is not enough Vietnam manpower to address such big demands. Similarly, International Vocational Association Vabis –Hong Lam that is advantageous with mechanical vocational training, especially welding has failed to supplied adequate number of workers for local enterprises and export market.

As listed by Lilama2 school (Ba Ria – Vung Tau), this school’s welding graduates are more highly demanded. To be specific, quarter I/ 2011 witnessed 8 company requests for 250 welders; 6 companies with requests for about 150 welders were recognized in quarter II/ 2011; in quarter III/ 2011, 8 enterprises needed hire 250 welders; quarter IV/ 2011 came with 11 companies in need of employing over 400 welding workers. Since 2012, the demand for welders has been keeping high. There are lots of enterprises in demand for hundreds of welding jobs – for example, Zamil Steel Vietnam Company, Nam Kim Steel Joint Stock Company, etc.

Why Choose Welding Occupation?

Welding has been around for centuries. It is especially important for manufacturing industries. For example, in U.S, up to 50% of products have been manufactured thanks in part to welding. Incredibly, all of those familiar products can’t be created without welding – cars, motorbikes, bridges, ships, computers, medical device, hand phones, to name a few. Chasing this occupation means pursuing a better life not only for the workers themselves but also for others.

Welding jobs are now heading the list for most in-demand occupations. As analyzed by International Institute of Welding (IIW) and American Welding Association (AWS), those in pursuit of welding technique always stand an ample chance of being most current about new knowledge of energy, material, controlling device, equipment, etc. That way will aid them in creating amazing products for human beings. 

Amid today’s industrialization and modernization, those well trained of welding will enjoy attractive job opportunities in the large manufacturing industries – for example,

- Petroleum industry (manufacturing, repairing rig base, oil pipelines, storage tanks)

- Ships manufacturing

- Aircraft industry

- Petrochemical, chemical industry

- Hydroelectric, thermoelectric industry

- Cement industry

- Bridge, tunnel industry

Handsome pay up to tens of million dong

Good pay is guaranteed

Welding can be said to be among the hottest jobs with truly high salary those days. It doesn’t take long for fresh gradates from welding training centers to be employed in local companies with the average salary of 4-5 millions dong/ month. The figure is far higher for those with welding certificates 3G-6G, especially for those skilled and working overseas. There are now available many offshore welding manpower supplies in Vietnam. Welders of 4-6G competence sent to Japan are often paid 800 USD/ month and more. As Middle East is really in need of 6G welders working in the oil and gas factories, the skilled welders can make salary negotiation with the employers.

According to Mrs. Truong Thi Phuong – Head of Department of Vabis – Hong Lam, the wage rate for welders is high those days, 6-7 millions dong per month. As per the offshore welding job posting in Japan by Lilama2, the monthly pay rate for the first working year is 20-25 million dong, and higher at 30 million dong or more from the second year (exclusive of overtime pay).

As collected from job seeking websites, there have been numerous demands for welders in the construction of factory, prefab houses, skyscrapers, pipelines, and others. The salary given is commonly from 4.5 million dong to 1,000 USD reliant on the work type whether local jobs or exported jobs.

Vietnamese workers overseas will enjoy the really handsome salary rate equivalent to their competency and performance, especially welders properly trained and internationally certificated – for instance, DVS welding certificate authorized by IIW and tested and supplied by HwC. 

Less cost and time consuming training

It’s not difficult for you to make welding your career. It isn’t important whether you have no idea of welding occupation, a high school graduate, or whatever. What is important is that you are ensured of physical health and self-motivation.

A job that you can work out and enjoy rock music

Some people consider welding as a tiring work and welders as those with dirty hands and obsession with unblemished skin. Still, on a brighter note, this is the best job. It is welders who work out and keep fit. It is welders who make clean money with their dirty hands. And it is welders who make metal and rock music when welding.

High chances of career advancement

Students from vocational schools can find a job for money and experience accumulation while they are studying. If they are quite good at English and computer use, they can work for foreign companies with the salary of thousands of dollars. After 3-5 years of working as 6G welding professionals, learning English and office computer skills, and others, they can sit for the welding teaching certification exam to become welding teachers, welding supervisors, welding inspector or welding engineers. This is among ways they can become an engineer without getting hold of a university degree.

In short, welding has been an in-demand and good pay job in Vietnam. Of course, there is none of workplace will pay high for jobs that can be handled by anyone. If you want a high wage, you should know to do what many people can’t do. Vietnamese welders have impressed foreign employers as being clever, hard working, intelligent. They favor hiring Vietnamese welders and accept to pay them high. Then why don’t we keep trying to make that good impression never sway, but better over time? Do our best for our sake!

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Sneak Peek at Weaknesses of Vietnam Welding Industry

There are always two sides to anything. While Vietnam welders have been more recognized for quality and work attitude, there remain some limitations to be overcome in this industry towards brighter future for Vietnam welding.

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8 Top Benefits of Hiring Vietnamese Welders

It is necessary to recognize good points the welding industry got and achievements it gained. It is more necessary to figure out and fix downsides to it for national welding development and higher creditability on its workforce competencies. Below specifies 5 limitations with Vietnam welding industry and how they have been overcome.

1. While there are certified, skilled workers, there remain those without proper training 

Will your career be as bright as welding arc if you, as an amateur welder, diligently learn skills and show good work ethic?

Vietnam welders have been highly preferred among foreign employers as being clever, skilled, experienced and hard working. Their skills are often obtained from training and work practice. Still, there are some amateur welding workers without any official training and degree. They have accumulated knowledge through learning from their peers and/ or seniors that they respect and trust, and their skills grow by practical experience. Many of them were successful in this career as a result of diligent work and eager-to-learn attitude. Their work ethic and skills are amazing, and they are now making the good money. Meanwhile, some were lacking in skills and information of labor safety. This problem has been taken with best care by enterprises, vocational schools and placement agencies. Employers are more engaged in manpower training. Vocational schools have attracted increasing number of students due to their affordable fees and facilitating their students learning at school and working part time for money and experience accumulation. Those schools also offered professional training as required by employers. For best quality workers supply, hiring companies in Vietnam have poured out lots of time and efforts looking qualified welders across over the country and providing intensive trainings. 

2. There are limited modern welding equipment and devices

Some training schools haven’t kept up with continuous technology innovation at enterprises. Indeed, their facilities weren’t updated, and tools and equipment weren’t adequately offered for an increasing number of trainees. With this shortage, students will find it harder to learn and upgrade skills and miss the chance to access and get familiar with more productive equipment that produces superior weld quality. Just imagine, using FCAW will result in 300% higher productivity than when manual SMAW is employed, in terms of lbs of weld per hour.

FCAW  (left) is 300% more productive than manual SMAW (right) in terms of lbs of weld per hour

As a solution to this shortage, the Government, companies and associations have strongly encouraged and generously supported training centers and colleges with advanced equipment and devices. Those schools themselves have also attempted for proper investment in latest training equipment in response to higher skill demand. Vietnam welding industry can be confident with their further success in the near future.

3. There is inadequate information about welding industry

Let welding occupation be more known!

There have not been lots of updates about this industry in Vietnam. Not few people would consider welding as a blue collar job only and have no idea of its job types and its crucial role in national development. That’s why this promising industry needs more promotion, and proper orientation among learners.

4. There needs more effective leadership 

A good leader will hold the key to problems

Leaders are not only responsible for his work accomplishment but also his team members/ subordinates’ results. This doesn’t hold for some welding supervisors in Vietnam. It is not that they are not good at checking and discovering defects. What they lack is the ability to identify causes, root cause and come up with optimal countermeasures. That led to a waste of time, cost and efforts redoing welds. Related training and clear identification of roles and responsibilities will help this case. 

5. There needs more focus on labor safety

This cake is called S'mores because it is too delicious to eat just one. Welding safety is too important to just involve protective equipment...

Worker injuries may be the biggest financial risk employers face, especially for skilled welders. This induces really expensive downtime and lost productivity. That is why Vietnam welding industry has poured proper investment in work protective equipment – for example, welding helmet, hand shield, goggles, fire/flame resistant clothing and aprons, boots, gloves, etc. Along with the industry development, it is increasingly important to fullest equip welders with best possible safety equipment. That way not only does good to worker safety but also working performance. Any interruption due to work accidents would induce weld’s failure. Welding protective equipment has been currently available on the market at good prices. While labor safety in this regard has been improved, work arrangement with risk assessment and mitigation have not been properly taken care. There should involve careful assessment of surrounding environment, welding sites for fire and explosion prevention.

In case you love to read:
Welding Health Hazards and Prevention That Your Welders Must Know About 

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8 Top Benefits of Hiring Vietnamese Welders

Check out 8 top benefits foreign employers would gain from employing Vietnamese welders!

When you are looking abroad for talents, you will face certain challenges. This recruitment type will take time, cost and effort. Of course, the difficulties will be greatly reduced with the help of trusted offshore manpower agencies that can be by your side seamlessly overcoming the challenges and provide quick and reliable services. Despite the difficulties, you clearly see benefits of hiring internationally. If you are operating in the welding industry, employing Vietnam welders will be immensely beneficial. 

1. Vietnamese welders are skilled 

Many employers say, it is hard to find skilled welders those days. While the domestic workforce is not adequate in terms of quantity and quality, employers resort to hiring overseas workers. And one of the wise choices is Vietnam manpower. Welders from Vietnam are qualified with essential skills – for example, ability to read blueprints, awareness of safety standards, concentration, math and science, detail orientation, good eyesight, metallurgical knowledge, knowledge of welding tools and equipment, manual dexterity, eye for the arc, and more.  

2. They are hard working with low absenteeism

Vietnamese welders have impressed foreign employers as being clever, hard working, intelligent. Also, rarely do they take a leave because they are determined to stay and work in a strange country for their beloved family sake. How can they be absent from work without be paid when thinking of their children and wife working hard at home and awaiting money they send to home? That can partly reason why the foreign employers favor hiring welders from Vietnam and accept to pay them high.

3. Work ethic is extremely high

As reported by many employers, ‘can-do’ attitude is becoming rare in the today workforce. Some workers fail to learn the work ethic towards becoming a skilled welder. That way may result in a negative attitude about welding. This doesn’t apply to most of Vietnamese welders. Once they leave the home country, they are determined to be professional in their employment and earn lots of money, fending for their family. Plus, they are well trained in vocational schools and by the employment agency they trust. That’s why their work ethic is truly high. 

4. They are dedicated to overseas jobs

Vietnamese welders go to work outside of Vietnam, and consider that country as a promising land. Rather, they come with a firm desire to succeed in their new environment. It may be difficult to leave the family and friends behind and struggle with the new life. Still, Vietnamese welders leave being fearless in pursuit of a better life for their family and themselves. They choose to devote to the offshore jobs, especially working in the Middle East, Asian countries for the following reasons:

• Work export fees to those countries are cheaper than in developed ones like the US, Australia, Germany, etc.

• The pay is higher than it is in Vietnam, and experienced welders are in high demand overseas. For instance, a welder in Vietnam is often paid 4-5 million dong/ month. Comparatively, the work in Dubai is less tiring with better labor safety protection and salary 3 times higher. The welders are recommended to work in Malaysia as the employment export fee to Malaysia is considered the lowest. Specially, welder salary in this country can be on a par with other markets of Japan, Taiwan, etc. The Vietnamese welding employees would also love to work in Japan or Korean as a result of high possibility of being hired, good benefits and salary there. In the US, the average wage for overseas welding jobs is $56,000/ year. The salaries for welding occupations can vary greatly by enterprise, location, industry, experience and benefits.

• There are available modern device and equipment; working environment is safe; living standard is high; and social security is satisfying.

5. They are brave and strong in tough living and working circumstances

Vietnamese workers are truly determined and brave when it comes to what sets their soul on fire. The welding workers are not an exception. And those working is Dubai is a good example. The weather in Dubai is very harsh. While it is hottest at just 36-38oC in Vietnam, the summer heat in 3 months in Dubai is just burning up to 50-54oC. Such a torturing heat can’t frighten the workers here after all. They are, over time, get familiar to it, and work hard for their job accomplishment. 

6. Hire Vietnamese welders to fill the skill gap in your company

If you find it not easy to seek available welders in your country, especially with the experience, skills that match the industries your company serves, you can look for talents in Vietnam. They come with different levels of skills and experience and are ensured of behavioral skills.

7. Vietnamese welders help add to the work experience and contribute to your rich employee culture

Your employees are inside and outside of your country? If so, the muti-cultural background of your employees will help enhance the work experience and add complement to a rich employee culture, which is something extremely valuable.

8. Vietnamese welders are rigorously selected, well trained and committed of quantity and quality by Vietnam manpower agencies

VMST supplied Vietnamese Welders for The Gulf Encyclopedia .C & A/C

Aside from being properly trained in vocational schools, the Vietnamese welders to be  sent overseas must overcome the rigorous recruitment and selection process and have their skills and behavior well trained to address the client’s requirements. One of the most trusted offshore employment agencies in Vietnam is Vietnam Manpower Service & Trading Company (VMST). Its recruitment process includes sourcing and screening workers nationwide; organizing job applications and resumes; arranging theoretical and practical tests, arranging for its clients to interview applicants; medical check-up; passport and criminal recorded; intensive training; application for visa; ticketing and emigration. That way, VMST always ensures to supply you with the right persons that fit your company. 

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