Welding Uses by Auto Techs
Auto repair schools in Pennsylvania, such as ATC, prepare students to provide an immediate impact for an employer of a garage or mechanic shop through industry experience. One thing that professional automotive technicians will come across during their careers is a vehicle with collision damage that needs to be welded back into place.
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While it takes training and studying to be become well-versed in welding, it’s a skill that elevates your potential as an automotive technician. Read on to learn how car mechanics use welding to repair damaged vehicles!
Different Types of Welders
There are three types of welding systems that are commonly used in the world of auto repair:
- Stick welders: A common welding system, stick welders use an electrical current to generate heat. It’s not the most precise way to weld, but it’s still successful when working on thick pieces of metal.
- MIG welders: A MIG (metal insert gas) welder uses a cloud of gas and a spool of wire for your welding torch. The process consists of touching the wire to the part of the car being welded, and the gas output provides concise welding that eliminates impurities. MIG welding is a standard for sheet metal welding.
- TIG welders: Skilled welders used a TIG (tungsten insert gas) welder for high-end, clean welding, primarily on aluminum car parts. The controlled heat index of a TIG welder creates advanced welds but require a well-versed welder to use.
Vehicle Frame Welding
Vehicle frame damage from a collision is common, and severely bent or warped parts may require that an automotive technician cuts them out and welds in new pieces. If welded correctly, the repair process will properly support the vehicle’s frame.
Stick welding is the primary method in terms of frame repair because it works better on the thicker metal parts of vehicles’ frames and suspensions.
Fender Welding
Fender benders can result in rips or tears that require welding to be repaired. Collision repair technicians will use a MIG welder to properly replace any damaged fenders.
Wheel Welding
Deep potholes can damage a metal wheel and cause it to crack, which is detrimental for a driver because it can result in quick tire air loss. Wheels are mostly built from aluminum, and if the crack is located on the back, inboard side of the wheel, an expert welder can weld the wheel the crack using a TIG welder.
Welding is a useful skill for an automotive technician who wants to carry out a fulfilling career working in auto repair or car mechanics. Because of the high rate of accidents each year, technicians who can repair frames, suspension, fenders, and wheels are in high demand in the auto industry.
If you would like to more about the collision damage training you can receive at an automotive repair school, you can download ATC’s free ebook Dents and Damage: The Car Lover’s Guide to Vehicle Restoration.
Have a question? Contact our experts at our Warminster or Exton campus!
