- FMA
- The Fabricator
- FABTECH
- Canadian Metalworking
Categories
- Additive Manufacturing
- Aluminum Welding
- Arc Welding
- Assembly and Joining
- Automation and Robotics
- Bending and Forming
- Consumables
- Cutting and Weld Prep
- Electric Vehicles
- En Español
- Finishing
- Hydroforming
- Laser Cutting
- Laser Welding
- Machining
- Manufacturing Software
- Materials Handling
- Metals/Materials
- Oxyfuel Cutting
- Plasma Cutting
- Power Tools
- Punching and Other Holemaking
- Roll Forming
- Safety
- Sawing
- Shearing
- Shop Management
- Testing and Measuring
- Tube and Pipe Fabrication
- Tube and Pipe Production
- Waterjet Cutting
Industry Directory
Webcasts
Podcasts
FAB 40
Advertise
Subscribe
Account Login
Search
Welders unite on Instagram
- By Amanda Carlson
- March 12, 2019
What’s your relationship with social media? Have you fully embraced it, unequivocally sworn it off, or are you like me and fall somewhere in between?
On the surface it appears that I have fully embraced a social media-filled life. I have personal accounts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat, and I also somewhat manage Instagram and Twitter accounts for this magazine (but I will admit that my activity level on those accounts needs some work). Aside from sharing the occasional photo, comment, or “like,” I use social media mostly as a means to browse news, sports, or pop culture headlines; see photos of family and friends, or watch hilarious viral videos.
On a professional level, I use it to search for article leads, and through this practice I came to realize how valuable Instagram is to the welding community. With welding being incredibly visual, Instagram seems like the perfect match.
If you haven’t scrolled through the platform, I highly recommend it. Welders of all ages and experience levels have something to gain – and no, Instagram did not pay me to say that. You can follow equipment manufacturers, job shops, technical schools, and the men and women who live and breathe the craft. You can see photos of really beautiful welds or those that are a little bit rough.
What is most impressive about the welding community on Instagram, from a nonwelder’s perspective anyway, is how tightknit, encouraging, and responsive people seem to be. You can take photos of your welds and projects and solicit feedback – and you’ll get it, whether in the form of helpful tips or genuine praise from followers. You can vent your frustrations about a project, a process you are trying to master, or an industrywide issue that is affecting you and no doubt followers will chime in with encouragement or advice.
It’s really a cool community in that way. Real friendships and connections between fellow welders occur every day through this virtual world. Need proof? Look no further than the aisles at FABTECH® each year, where Instagram friends meet for the first time or reunite if they’ve already met before.
During a panel discussion hosted by ESAB Welding & Cutting Products at FABTECH, Jody Collier of Welding Tips & Tricks advised welders to give Instagram a try and suggested putting out whatever message they are trying to convey in a way they would like to receive it. Ian Johnson from Big Tire Garage said to strive to be the same person online that you want to be in real life. Finally, Jimmy McKnight, host of Arc Junkies, encouraged listeners not to be afraid to post about their failures. “No one is perfect,” he added.
Welders have a world of insight, tips, and experience to share with one another. If you are open to sharing your own triumphs and struggles and dispensing an encouraging word to other welders, you’ll find your experience to be rewarding on many levels.
subscribe now
The Welder, formerly known as Practical Welding Today, is a showcase of the real people who make the products we use and work with every day. This magazine has served the welding community in North America well for more than 20 years.
start your free subscriptionAbout the Author
Amanda Carlson
2135 Point Blvd
Elgin, IL 60123
815-227-8260
Amanda Carlson was named as the editor for The WELDER in January 2017. She is responsible for coordinating and writing or editing all of the magazine’s editorial content. Before joining The WELDER, Amanda was a news editor for two years, coordinating and editing all product and industry news items for several publications and thefabricator.com.
About the Publication
- Stay connected from anywhere
Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of The Fabricator.
Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of The Welder.
Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of The Tube and Pipe Journal.
Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of The Fabricator en Español.
- Podcasting
- Podcast:
- The Fabricator Podcast
- Published:
- 04/16/2024
- Running Time:
- 63:29
In this episode of The Fabricator Podcast, Caleb Chamberlain, co-founder and CEO of OSH Cut, discusses his company’s...
- Trending Articles
Sheffield Forgemasters makes global leap in welding technology
ESAB unveils Texas facility renovation
Engine-driven welding machines include integrated air compressors
How welders can stay safe during grinding
The impact of sine and square waves in aluminum AC welding, Part I
- Industry Events
16th Annual Safety Conference
- April 30 - May 1, 2024
- Elgin,
Pipe and Tube Conference
- May 21 - 22, 2024
- Omaha, NE
World-Class Roll Forming Workshop
- June 5 - 6, 2024
- Louisville, KY
Advanced Laser Application Workshop
- June 25 - 27, 2024
- Novi, MI