PLAN No. 1143. AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY
Oxy-acetylene welding of automobile parts is not in general very difficult, but as in all other welding mastery of fundamentals is here also essential to success. The work is varied in character, including cast iron, aluminum, steel, and wrought iron welding.
The process is extensively used in the repair of automobiles, and to a lesser degree in their manufacture. Both the industry itself and the repair work provide excellent fields for the prospective welder.
Repair work is done generally in either a job welding shop, where a number of welders are employed and where all kinds of welding is carried on, or else in a garage or automobile repair shop where a welder is employed to do the necessary work. In small communities the welding shop is usually run by one man who owns it and who does all the welding. In the large welding shops acetylene is generated; in other cases dissolved acetylene is used. A welder who is expert in the welding of aluminum is particularly valuable in this work.
In manufacture, the work is done in the shop. It is often simple and well suited to workers who must elect a sedentary employment. The process is broadening its scope in this field.
Closely related to the automobile is the motorcycle. A number of its parts, such as handlebars, special jigs and muffler heads, are welded in manufacture. In repair work the scope is somewhat similar to that of automobile repairing.