Montana winters are among some of the harshest in the country, with temperatures regularly dropping as low as -50° F. Montana holds the national record for the lowest reading in the lower 48 of -70° F in 1954.
Winters in Montana usually last from November to March, making up almost half the year. Therefore, you can’t hold off maintenance work and other projects in and around the house until spring finally rolls in.
This is especially true if you need to carry out work such as roof maintenance since delaying it can cause severe damage. A damaged roof will also have the cold seeping through the house.
Winter Welding
The problem, however, occurs when your project work includes welding. Welding is a thermal process, hence as the weather becomes cold, the process becomes more complicated, and the end product becomes more susceptible to cracks and damage.
However, you can still carry out a welding project in the winter. With proper preparation and care, you can make the project of your dreams even on the coldest December days.
Hire a Professional Welder
When it’s a matter of welding in the winter, your first choice should be hiring a professional welder. Welding is a complicated task, even more so in cold weather. What better and safer way than to hire a professional with years of training and experience?
Luckily, there’s no shortage of welding professionals in Montana. You can look up for companies either through your preferred search engine by typing welding Billings MT or ask around your friends and family for trusted options.
However, if you still want to take welding projects in your hand, here a few steps to help you streamline your winter welding projects:
1. High-Quality Welding Machinery
If you’re planning on undertaking a winter welding project, ensure you have invested in high-quality welding equipment and machinery. You may have bought a mediocre welding machine since your use is merely domestic.
However, for the cold weather, you must have high-end equipment. Several varieties are available in the market with different qualities that can be used for various purposes.
If you want to avoid making a hefty investment, just rent welding equipment from a local welder that lends equipment.
2. Regular Maintenance of Machinery
Welding machinery is susceptible to rust, mechanical faults, and other technical issues. Hence, you must perform regular maintenance to ensure that your welding machinery remains in prime working condition.
As a rule, schedule an annual maintenance of your welding equipment right at the start of winter to ensure that all your winter welding needs can be met without a hitch.
The exact details of the maintenance required for your welding equipment will depend on the make and model of your equipment. So if you need guidance, contact the manufacturer for more information.
3. Keep your Welding Rods Warm & Dry
Your welding rods are the most important part of your welding machinery for stick welding. Hence they must be prepared for the task when required. During the winter, the welding rods can become exposed to the cold or come in contact with water.
If this happens, the external shielding layers can become cracked and fall off while you are using the rods.
To ensure your welding rods remain protected, store them in a warm, dry place or get yourself a portable rod oven where you can keep your welding rods safely.
4. Test before Welding
The temperature and weather conditions during winter days vary significantly at different hours. Therefore, before starting your welding project, it is best to figure out the perfect time for welding. For this, carry out test welds at regular intervals during the day, keeping in mind the weather conditions such as wind, snow, etc.
To carry out test welds, use a piece of scrap metal and place it on a plywood sheet, much like you would for a typical weld. Once you determine the optimal time for your welding project, prepare for it.
5. Preheat the Metal Pieces
A pro tip to welding in the winter months is always to preheat the metals you are working with before beginning. A temperature of about 50° F is a good starting point and will help increase weld penetration.
This way, when you weld the pieces together, they will be able to cool down at a stable temperature, making them less likely to crack.
Preheating metal pieces is easy. Using a propane or oxy-acetylene torch on your metals, you can heat them to your desired temperature. However, wear appropriate safety gear before starting the preheating process.
6. Work Slowly
Welding is generally a fast job; however, in the winter months, it is recommended that you slow your speed to allow the metals to become exposed to the heat properly.
This way, your final product will be more robust and durable. Additionally, if you’re working outdoors, going slow will help you counteract the cold wind, which can bring the welded area’s temperature down too quickly.
Take your time and slow your movements by about 30% during welding, spending ample time at each point. This way, you’ll have a strong welded product, despite the cold weather.
7. Keep Warm & Stay Focused
Welding is a manual task that requires expert handling of the welding equipment. To successfully take on your welding project, you must be comfortable and prepared. Wear warm clothes that protect you from the cold without compromising your mobility. Then get comfortable with the welding equipment if you still need to get used to the specific machine you have to use.
Each machine is different, so it is essential to develop familiarity with handling the specific equipment beforehand to figure out how to control it during the welding process.
Conclusion
Welding itself is a project for the adventurous ones. However, winter welding projects are even more tasking as well as exhilarating. After all, the happiness and fulfillment you feel when you stare at the end product created with your two hands are unlike any other. If you’ve decided to take on this project yourself like a true Montanan, follow the above tips to ensure you end up with a sturdy and robust end product.
