2025-09-29 – Weekly Welding News : Welding in windy conditions

Last week in the welding community, conversations were vibrant and diverse. There was a noticeable interest in the increased demand for weld instructors, with many discussing the potential for career pivots. The challenges of welding in windy conditions sparked a lot of practical advice sharing, while others focused on optimizing small workspace setups. Additionally, the forum saw a lively debate on whether certain job offers were worth considering, reflecting a keen interest in career opportunities.


This Week’s Hot Topics

Weekly Welding Jobs: Weld Instructor roles are booming
Weld instructor positions are on the rise, prompting discussions about the skills necessary for transitioning into teaching roles.
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Field-tested weld log and consumables tracker
A practical tool for tracking welds and consumables is making waves, with users sharing their field experiences.
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When the wind is the foreman
The forum is buzzing with tips for dealing with wind as an unpredictable worksite foreman.
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Dialing in a one-car garage workflow
Optimizing small spaces for welding projects is a hot topic, with members sharing ingenious setup ideas.
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Would You Take This Job? – MIG/TIG Welder & Fabricator
A job post has sparked debate on the forum, with members weighing pros and cons.
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Plumber brain vs welder hands
An engaging discussion on the intersection of plumbing and welding skills is unfolding, highlighting the versatility of skilled trades.
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The First Spark: Your Guide to Becoming a Certified Welder
A comprehensive guide is helping newcomers navigate the certification process with confidence.
Read more here

Best quick-reference apps and meetups
Members are swapping recommendations for apps and local meetups that keep them informed and connected.
Read more here

Would You Take It? – Mobile Intrack Welder Assistant at RailWorks
This job offer is under scrutiny, with forum members discussing its potential benefits and challenges.
Read more here


Looking forward to another week of engaging discussions and shared knowledge.

In wind, I clip a welding curtain to two sawhorses upwind to make a quick V-screen and only bump gas about +5 CFH; any more just stirs turbulence, and if gusts keep hitting I switch to E71T-11. @WeldNerd, this saved me on a farm repair last week when 12–15 mph crosswinds were giving me porosity — got clean beads without moving the whole setup.

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@taylor89 your V-screen is slick; I clamp a 1 in x 12 in strip of thin aluminum about 1/2 in off the joint as a micro wind fence and keep TIG around 22 CFH, stays clean up to about 12 mph; if gusts spike I switch to FCAW-S rather than crank gas.

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When it’s gusty I stop chasing flow and switch to self‑shielded flux‑core (E71T‑11, 0.035) with about 1/2 in stickout and a slight drag; it’s not as pretty as TIG/MIG but it beats playing Whac-A-Mole with the gas knob. Caveat: on stainless or paint-critical work I’ll still rig a small shield — otherwise @jbrown49’s turbulence point stands and the flux wire gets it done.

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Windy jobs drive me nuts, so I keep a gas lens with a big #12 cup and a stubby kit to run a short arc; add 2–3 seconds of postflow and my stainless stays clean even when it’s breezy. “If my hood starts flapping, TIG stays capped” — I grab 6010 and a tight whip instead of chasing gas. @taylor89 have you tried a jumbo diffuser cup? It’s a cheap upgrade that beats cranking CFH.

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