The welders we have available today are much more capable than the welders we had five years ago, and are changing the repair process in stores.

Mitch Becker has been a trainer in the collision industry for 30 years and an I-CAR instructor for more than 25 years. Contact him at (763) 585-6411 or [email protected]

We all know that vehicles are changing. But the way we fix them is the same. These changes have forced shops to reassess the equipment they use to repair vehicles.

This reassessment shows that we as an industry need better equipment with more functions. In this industry, the most noticeable is the new welding requirements for today's vehicles. For example, new heat-sensitive steel and aluminum-intensive vehicles. The welding and bonding process has also changed the way we work. Having the right equipment is no longer a luxury, but a necessity.

In this environment, welding companies have strengthened their competition. The welders we can use today are far more capable than the welders we had five years ago. These new welders are changing the repair process in the shop. As an industry, they have not only changed the "what" and "how" of our welding.

In the auto body repair industry, nothing is more important than welding. Whether it is the weld itself, the spacing or spacing between welds, or the correct number in a given panel, all of this must be done correctly. Every weld is important. 

In the past (and honestly, it is still the case today, as far as I can see), welding machines used in shops should have been in the trash can. They are too old, poorly maintained or just dilapidated. The store does not replace the machine, the technician uses what is available-"This is the store’s problem." This creates a major problem in the industry, because every time any store launches a poorly maintained vehicle, we suffer loss. 

This is why training all technicians is a must for the entire industry. It doesn't matter if you decide not to become a certified dealer shop. If you don't want to be an I-CAR gold store, it doesn't matter. For the safety of the family in the car, this work must be done correctly. Especially welding training is a must for everyone.

When I traveled all over the country and obtained the I-CAR welding qualification, I learned a lot about the industry. I see a change in the store. I also saw the frustration of technicians who struggled with inferior equipment. I'll be honest with all store owners and managers: if a store does not have the right equipment and/or maintains it properly, the attitude of the store is very different from that of a store that has the appropriate equipment and makes a plan for everyone to maintain the equipment. 

Technicians know how they make money. Any device or program that can save time and energy is a valuable asset to them. I personally saw that after buying a new welder with more powerful functions and working properly in the store, the morale of the store increased. Everyone's attitude has improved a lot. They don't want to struggle with the qualification exam, but want to understand what welders can do. 

As a lecturer, there is nothing more frustrating than hearing a technician say, "This is what we have, let's work hard to complete this test." The technician will apply this attitude directly to vehicle maintenance. When using a new welder, you will not only see the technicians testing, but also all the technicians watching and wanting more information. This is very different from "Oh no, I must do my I-CAR test"! Never assume that all technicians do not want to learn to do better. I know some people don’t; as lecturers, we will still see those people. But most will. 

For those who don’t think of spending big money on more capable welders, considering that not only is the welding quality better; the attitude and morale are also improved, which is priceless!

I-CAR has done a very good job in improving maintenance standards in the industry, especially in welding qualification testing. Shops and technicians are receiving training and the tools needed for the correct job. Technicians are accustomed to seeing new equipment arrive, either without training or receiving poor training. This frustration hurts our workforce. The I-CAR welding program made us all aware of the need for proper equipment and maintenance procedures. If I-CAR does not exist, where will we be? 

I get this statement almost every week: "Our welders are bad." They may refer to new or old machines. This is my dilemma: which one is bad-is it the machine or the person who uses it? I must determine which welder has the problem. Nine out of ten, it boils down to training. 

I often hear "our welder sucks" when a store gets a new welder. New machines are usually no problem; the problem is lack of training. Training should be almost as important as choosing a machine.

One problem I saw in technicians and in my own store was that the instructions for these new machines were too vague. Some are too complicated. It takes a special group of people to get everything needed to operate the machine from the instructions. Unless you have a good soldering background, most instructions are worthless. 

I know we want technicians to understand all aspects of welding, terminology and technology. They will be in time, and many people will do it. But in fact, it is different from ordinary short-circuit machine to pulse welding machine. If you haven't seen or heard it, the process can be daunting, if not scary. 

I urge you to make short videos and post them on your website or YouTube. However, I tell the technicians to be careful what they see on the Internet. I also told them to visit the manufacturer's website because they can trust what they see there. I think many dealers did not do a good job of training when the machine was delivered. They may be in rare cases, but I rarely hear someone comment that this is good. 

A welding manufacturer has created a great learning website. They produced a set of short and relevant videos on how to use and maintain the welding machine. Many are just two-minute short videos showing certain programs, rather than half-hour videos showing everything. This keeps the viewer's attention and allows them to quickly check or view certain content on the phone when they are ready to weld. These videos also provide reminders or tips in case the technician forgets or just doesn’t know how to do something. They provided great help on how to set up and maintain the equipment.  

Learn your machine! Know how to set up and solder them. You don't need to be perfect; you only need help to get where you need to go.

I walked into a shop and saw a great welding machine. I asked first: "Do you like it? They replied: "We don't use it often because no one shows us how to use it. "So, a machine worth $10,000 sits in a corner with dust. I have seen a squeeze resistance spot welder (STRSW) that has not been used for months. If you walk into a store and see the equipment they bought Covered by a layer of dust, there is a problem!

Based on personal experience, I know that every I-CAR welding instructor must educate every welder, because they eventually have to receive training on how to use the equipment correctly, because some dealers have not done so. This is a bold statement to the dealer: if you just put it down and leave, please don't sell it. I know I will be criticized for this. The technicians have struggled enough, and time is precious. My request to the dealer is: know how to use the machine and teach the store. Set the time and become a resource. You will sell more equipment and earn a good reputation. Many shopkeepers commented: "I will never buy from them again. They did not help us in any way." Follow the shop.

You are buying a machine that costs a lot of money. Don't just buy a machine-also buy services and training. Someone can help when needed, such as when you have a new technician or the machine is damaged, which is another invaluable asset of the store. Your money is hard-won. Use it wisely and research who will follow up when you need it.

Whether it's an aluminum welder, a STRSW machine or a MIG/MAG steel welder, you know which machine you need and which features are needed in today's vehicles. If you have not purchased a STRSW machine, you will need to buy it as soon as possible, as it becomes more important for getting the job done correctly. I know you will pay a high price for this machine, but I don't know how a shop would repair newer vehicles without it. Know which machines can weld new steel and have welding bonding capabilities.

Wire feed welders also need to have more functions, such as pulses for aluminum and MIG brazing and welding with 0.030 diameter wire, and cannot reach the duty cycle so quickly. Understand what duty cycle is and how it affects welding and welding time. 

Note: Knowing the usage of the welding machine is the key to which machine to buy. Many people sell multi-torch MIG/MAG welders, most of which are huge and heavy. If you really need it and switching wires is a task you don't want to do, then multiple flashlights are great. Many companies only provide a smaller version with the same functions on a flashlight. In some cases, you must replace the welding wire and cutting torch, but many of these machines cost much less than larger machines. Many of the same size is the welding machine we have used for many years, making them highly mobile. The size of the machine does not change its capabilities. You can buy two smaller machines at the price of a larger multi-torch system.  

There are enough articles about welders and requirements to understand your needs. Manufacturers have made considerable progress, and many features are becoming standard. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to use many machines, some of which have had many significant improvements in their functions. 

There are many good STRSW machines out there. Please note that in some cases, car manufacturers have specific power requirements for specific welds. Some require manual setting capabilities and must consider welding bonding or welding with adhesives. I see many old welding machines still in use. Sometimes be careful, even if they are welded, they may not be welded with the correct strength. The era of cumbersome heads that are difficult for technicians to use and access hard-to-reach areas is changing. In addition, please be sure to check if your store has the power supply for the STRSW machine and the correct wiring. If not enough power or inconsistent power is a problem, then the best machines will fail. 

During the I-CAR welding qualification certification, I tried many new and outstanding MIG/MAG welders. Many have multiple functions on each machine. No longer is a welder just for welding steel.

There are many good welding machines there. However, if there is no training and service to support, the value of the machine is zero. The value of the machine does not lie in how much it costs your store, but in the ability and ability to boost morale it brings to your store. 

So, if your welder is not working, what is the problem: is it the machine or the person who uses it? Both are easy to remedy. Second

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