Welders unite on Instagram

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.