Tensioning Up the Drive Rolls Correctly
Whatever you’re welding, you need to properly adjust your drive roll tension to ensure consistent wire feeding and a stable arc. First and foremost, though, choosing a drive rolls that’s the right size for the wire being used is key. If the drive roll is too large or small, then it can lead to issues with feeding.
WINS for WQMA Drivers: 2022 Western Grand Nationals – “Battle at Big Sky” in Billings, MT
Congratulations to WQMA Drivers that brought home WINS from the Western Grand Nationals, dubbed “Battle at Big Sky” at Big Sky Speedway in Yellowstone County on Friday, Aug. 21, 2022. Central Welding Supply is a happy sponsor of the WQMA Washington Quarter Midget Association in Monroe, WA.
Roger Burt #78R, Hornet Series Class Win at Skagit Speedway
Congrats to Roger Burt on his 1st Place Win at Skagit Speedway, Saturday, August 27, 2022. Roger started in position 6 in the heat race and finished 2nd in his heat. The field was inverted for the main event, Roger started in position 3, took the lead going into turn 2, and never looked back. “There were a few challenging cars, but never close enough to pass,” Roger took home his first main event win in his Hornet Series class,” said Roger’s Dad, Mike Burt.
CWS 125: Results and Recap of Family Night at the Races, Evergreen Speedway
Thanks to Mike Buell, Central Welding Supply VP, who leads our Motorsports Sponsorship program, for sharing the Results and Recap from the Central Welding Supply 125. The event was an exciting “Family Night at the Races” at Evergreen Speedway, August 20, 2022!
Vancouver WA: 50-ton Vertical CO2 Receiver Installation
We’re excited to get this up, installed and in service, primarily to support our BevCarb (bulk CO2) deliveries and CO2 squirt trucks serving the Kelso, Vancouver, Portland and Albany territories. We’ve outgrown the 14 ton receiver in Portland that’s been the primary source in that region. Keeping up with local business growth in the area required multiple deliveries per week to meet the needs of our customers.
Congratulations to Chris Evans on his win in Portland, OR
Central Welding Supply is proud to be a long-time sponsor for Chris Evans Racing. We’re happy to celebrate Chris’s dominating win at the Portland International Raceway!
The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli Western Championship had an exciting day at Portland International Raceway, with three classes represented in the top-three finishing positions when the checkered flag waved.
What if I have issues TIG Welding?
The following addresses some of the common issues of TIG welding. In all cases of equipment malfunction, the manufacturer's recommendations should be strictly adhered to and followed.
SkillsUSA: Nationals – Bruxton Leair, Sophomore, Grants Pass High School in Oregon Takes 4th Place Win at Nationals
Bryan Blackhurst, Outside Sales/Gas Products, from our Medford, OR location shared the great news. “Bruxton almost made the podium this year. His goal was a top 10 finish, and he almost won the whole dang thing. Such a close race from the top 5. He finished 4th and got to see his buddy Trey from Rhode Island make the stage. Lots more work to put in to prepare for the opportunity to go back next year. I have no doubt he will continue to chase the ship, and put in the long, lonely hours under the hood,” said Bryan.
Haley Constance Racing: Congratulations, Haley!
Haley Constance, 17-year-old driver of the Central Welding Supply sponsored #78 Pro Late Model car received some national press with an article about her on the NASCAR news website.
SkillsUSA: Alaska “Weld Off”
Congratulations to students in the Mat-Su Valley region who participated in the “Weld Off” Friday, April 29, 2022. The competition was hosted at Colony High School led by Dan Trotter. Thanks to David Ratner, Manager of Central Welding Supply in Wasilla, AK for his sponsorship and support for the event!
SkillsUSA: Oregon – Grants Pass High School Students Take Top Honors!
Congratulations to five Grants Pass High School students who took home top honors at SkillsUSA Oregon in April! At SkillsUSA Oregon, students took home 1st place in every individual welding event, from tig and mig to stick and flux core.
NEW LOCATION OPEN: Fairbanks, Alaska
Our newest location in Fairbanks, Alaska is our new frontier to the North. Fairbanks is the brick-and-mortar footprint in the area, for business we’ve been carrying on from Washington State, and through our existing location in Wasilla, AK…
SkillsUSA: Tacoma, WA Winner takes State Champion and heads to the Nationals!
The SkillsUSA competition was attended by 13 students, representing various schools around the State of Washington.
Thanks to Bob Throndsen, welding instructor at Sno-Isle Tech Skills Center for everything he’s done to support students preparing for SkillsUSA competitions. Bob is working closely with Cameron to prepare for the National Competition. We’re proud to see the Central Welding Supply logo!
Central Welding Supply is proud to be a sponsor for SkillsUSA and welding education throughout our regions in Washington, Oregon, and Alaska.
Top 10 Things to Teach Novice Welders
Learning to weld is no easy task. It takes patience, practice and a solid foundation of knowledge. For companies who find themselves faced with the challenge of training novice welders, it is important to instill good habits early on in the training process. Doing so helps ensure that these individuals are well prepared not only to create quality welds, but also to contribute positively to the overall welding operation. It can also help the welders gain the confidence they need to become increasingly proficient. Following are 10 important things to teach novice welders, to help them improve their skills and stay safe in the process.
SkillsUSA: Tacoma, WA – Welding Competition, April 1, 2022
Congratulations to ALL the students who participated in the SkillsUSA welding competition hosted by Bates Technical College in Tacoma, April 1, 2022. Students get a head start and they can teach the neighbor a thing or two. Many will become the experts at new ways in the future.
Central Welding Supply 2022 Racing Sponsorships: Midget/Dwarf Car Divisions
Central Welding Supply is a proud sponsor of 3 different Midget or Dwarf Car Divisions: the AMCA Dwarf Bandits, the NW Focus Midgets, and the WQMA Quarter Midgets.
Midget cars are 5/8 replicas of 1928-1948 coupes, sedans and panel trucks. They run with open wheels and have all sheet metals bodies. Quarter Midgets if a racing division for boys and girls ages 5-17 in all different classes. Quarter Midgets are ¼ of the size of full midget cars. Races are typically run on a smaller track.
Haley Constance Racing: Sponsored by Central Welding Supply
At 16 years old, Haley may be the youngest pro-late model driver on the track, but she’s racked up plenty of time and experience. We’re proud that she rolls with the Central Welding Supply logo!
WELDING EDUCATION: “Welder Bob”
Bob Throndsen leads the Welding and Metal Fabrication program at Sno-Isle TECH., He is a local to the Seattle area and was raised by parents who owned one of those cool old service stations in the Magnolia District of Seattle. He has a background as a mechanic but bitten by the welding bug early on. His love of street rods led him to open his own business of fabricating custom street rod frames and parts in 1981.
SkillsUSA – Napavine, behind the scenes…
The SkillsUSA Napavine High School competition was carried out at the beginning of January, and in an extraordinary way due to COVID restrictions. Students completed projects at their own schools and instructors brought projects to Napavine for the final judging. Pictured are the instructors that presented the prizes and medals to the winning students.
Carbon Arc Gouging
In the past these words brought fear into most welding techs minds. Arc gouging was a process that TORE up machines. We would recommend customer getting old trashed machines so they could use them to gouge out metal, so they did not hurt their better equipment. 300-amp inverters were the worst. NOW at the present day, manufactures have quickened the welder's response time to not allow carbon arc gouging to tear up or damage equipment, Matter of fact if your machine has a dedicated process for CAG that is specifically made for this process and can be used very efficiently.