WELD

In this episode, host Beau Wigington chats with Justin Lafond — applications engineer (ESAB) who calls the role the “Swiss Army knife” of welding support. Kaeleigh Wilkins — 3M Metalworking Application Engineer who moved from sales into a highly technical role without an engineering degree. Frank Vargas — national sales leader focused on relationship-driven technical selling in welding distributio...

In this episode, host Beau Wigington visits Justin and Seth Williams of SwimShop 4x4 to unpack how they convert GM G-Series vans into capable four-wheel-drive rigs, and the MIG welding habits that keep those projects rolling. Key Topics Covered Why van conversions? The rock-n-roll roots, “rolling living room” ethos, and first builds that sparked a business. Unibody reality check: why G-Series vans...

In this episode, host Beau Wigington chats with Mark Levin, Nate Bowman, Jason Becker, Adam Stretch, Justin Nixon, and Austin Hargit about welding education that matches today’s work, how accredited testing actually runs, and practical technique myths, so you can pass tests, pick the right training path, and build a career you’re proud of. Key Topics Covered Apprenticeship that pays: Why Welder Un...

In this episode, host Beau Wigington chats with pipeline, shop, union, rig, and underwater welders about getting started, choosing a path, managing money, and building a reputation that keeps you working. Key Topics Covered Pipeline reality for new grads, why most start as helpers, and how prior plant work translates to the right-of-way Shop welding as a launch pad, learning MIG aluminum at night,...

Host Beau Wigington revisits standout moments from metal artists who turned sparks into careers. You will hear practical safety, process, and career advice from creators who weld sculptures, bikes, tanks, wildlife art, and even giant instruments.  Key Topics Covered Why “failures” are usually redirections and how to use them to grow your craft Oxy-acetylene as a lost-but-powerful gateway to unders...

In this episode, host Beau Wigington pulls together the most practical, hard-won business advice shared on WELD over the past three years—everything from getting your first customers and pricing your time, to choosing insurance, building a team, and using short-form video to keep orders flowing.  Key Topics Covered Why reliability beats “stacking dimes” perfectionism for business growth (show up,...

In this episode, host Beau Wigington chats with Adam Heffner (Hero Machine Co.) about his unconventional journey from a third-generation butcher to ironworker to fabricator, and why many small shops hit a tipping point where a 2 kW fiber laser on single-phase power outperforms plasma for cost, time, and quality. Recorded at FABTECH from the Hero Machine Co. booth, Adam breaks down real numbers on...

Host Beau Wigington chats with Bill Pharmer (National Senior Director of Advanced Fabrication, Airgas) and Bryan Thomas (National Director of Package Gas Services, Airgas) at FABTECH about unlocking the hidden cost of welding . You’ll hear how to spot leaks in your workflow including spatter, over-welding, wrong gas selection, slow change-outs, and how small fixes compound into cleaner welds, fast...

In this episode, host Beau Wigington chats with Alexander Purvis , Senior Welding & Automation Engineer at Novarc Technologies, about pairing TipTIG with a spool welding robot (SWR) to boost pipe-shop speed, consistency, and operator safety. Key Topics Covered: Learning curve & training: 1–1.5 hours to get comfortable for hands-on folks; standard onboarding is one week for three operators...

In this weeks episode, Beau Wigington & Austin Hargett visit the CN-Seamless booth at Fabtech to chat with Josh Cooper (CEO) and Sam Marcom (COO) to unpack how a class project at NC State turned into a portable CNC cutting system built for welders in the field. Key Topics Covered:Origin Story: How three classmates (Josh, Sam, and Dario) turned a senior design idea into CN-Seamless and the Mach...

In this episode, host Beau Wigington chats with artist David Madero (@madero_co) live at FABTECH in the Walter Surface Technologies booth. They dig into stainless MIG for sculptural texture, a step-by-step path to mirror polish (without those heartbreaking last-step scratches), and where automation fits in for grinding and finishing. Key Topics Covered: Mirror polish without surprise scratches : w...

In this weeks episode, host Beau Wigington chats with SendItRubi, a car builder, race car driver, and founder of Send It Nation and the Welders Foundation about real-world trail repairs, building off-road rigs on a budget, and creating opportunities for new welders. Key Topics Covered: Field fixes that hold: why most trail repairs default to stick, and when a ratchet strap and recovery plan are th...

In this episode, host Beau Wigington chats with Aaron Wulk , Director of Applied Technical Programs at South Piedmont Community College , about real-world Inconel tips, ATF certification, and how to choose the right career track in welding. Key Topics Covered: Inconel vs. carbon steel fundamentals : shielding gas (100% argon vs. 75/25), puddle behavior (sluggish vs. fluid), voltage pitfalls, and t...

In this episode, host Beau Wigington chats with Robert Carpenter (Carp Welding)—a pipefitter and stainless TIG art creator—about his path into Pipefitters Local 636 (Detroit), what a sixth-period apprentice actually does on the job, and why he chose union life to stay close to home.  Key Topics Covered: Why Robert chose the union: home nightly, benefits that keep continuity from job to job. What “...

In this episode, host Beau Wigington chats with Kenny Stewart , a 23-year-old combo rig welder out of Houston, TX. Kenny shares how he pivoted from music school to welding in just five years, the real differences between single-hand and rig welding, why he chose plant specialty work over pipeline, and how humility, curiosity, and smart gear choices (hello, laser level) accelerated his growth. Key...

In this episode, host Beau Wigington speaks with Kris Sherm , the Global Business & Product Director for Manual Plasma Products at ESAB. Kris shares insights on how advanced welding technologies, especially pulse spray transfer, can drastically improve productivity, reduce waste, and offset labor shortages in manufacturing. If you're still using outdated welding machines, this episode will...

In this episode, host Beau Wigington travels to Atlanta, Georgia, for the SkillsUSA National Championships. He speaks with competitors, instructors, volunteers, and judges to uncover the excitement, challenges, and valuable insights from competing on a national level. Key Topics Covered: Insights on overcoming nerves and succeeding in welding competitions. Essential preparation strategies and tips...

In this episode, host Beau Wigington chats with Ashley Dunlap, the founder of Ashe's Custom Welding. Ashley shares her journey of balancing a full-time job while launching her own welding business. She discusses her path into welding, the challenges of entrepreneurship, sourcing materials for her unique creations, and effectively using social media for promotion. Key Topics Covered: Balancing...

In this episode, host Beau Wigington sits down with Max Ceron , Executive Director of the Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) Association , to explore actionable ways welders of every experience level can give back, mentor others, and strengthen the industry we all rely on. Key Topics Covered: Community service as the career “cheat code” for welders Practical volunteer paths: Skills competitions, AWS/CW...

In this episode, host Beau Wigington takes listeners to the Yeti Welding Competition in Spanish Fork, Utah, where he speaks with competitors, judges, spectators, and the man behind Yeti Welding, Dillon Hales. Competitors share their biggest challenges, surprises, and strategies for success, providing invaluable insight into what it takes to thrive in a welding competition. Key Topics Covered: Comm...

In this episode, host Beau Wigington chats with John Malecki, former NFL player turned successful YouTube creator and entrepreneur in the maker space. John shares his unexpected journey from professional football to building custom furniture and creating engaging content on YouTube. He provides valuable insights on overcoming perfectionism, implementing metalwork into woodworking projects, and gro...

In this week’s episode, host Beau Wigington speaks with Jason Corder, a 28-year veteran of Ironworkers Local 433 in Los Angeles and current Welding Program Manager for Iron Workers International. Jason shares insights into the comprehensive role of an iron worker, union benefits, the apprenticeship process, and advice for aspiring tradespeople. Key Topics Covered: What differentiates ironworkers f...

In this episode, host Beau Wigington chats with Adrian Benitez, welding instructor at SteelTech Academy, part of the BZI group of companies. Adrian shares how he unexpectedly landed his role, what it's like training new welders in structural steel, and why attitude matters more than experience. From self-shielded flux core tips to game-changing tech like the Beam Champ, Adrian dives deep into what...

In this episode, Beau Wigington chats with Jason Becker, former host of Weld.com and current owner of Underground Metalworks and Weld Works Training Center as well as host of the Arc Junkies Podcast. Jason shares expert insights and practical advice on successfully preparing for and passing welding certification tests, emphasizing critical techniques, common pitfalls, and essential tools for welde...

In this episode, host Beau Wigington speaks with Guy Seguin, a welding educator at Algonquin College in Ottawa, Ontario, and creator behind Sewing with Fire Welding. Guy shares practical insights into side gigs welders can pursue, common projects to tackle for extra income, and essential considerations for successful side jobs. Key Topics Covered: Most common side gigs welders encounter Essential...