Online Communities Spark Welding Interests (NAPSA)—Race cars, street rods and farming equipment. What do all these different machines have in common? Passion shared among metalworking hobbyists and professionals. This do-it-yourself spirit can be found in garages and homeshops across the nation—and now enthusiasts have a new tool at their disposal: each other. Online communities have been growing in popularity as a way to share project ideas, study techniques or get advice from others with the same passion. Miller Electric Mfg. Co., the world’s largest manufacturer of are welders, launched series of special-interest sites designed to help those wholove working in metal improve their skills and inspire others. Encompassing a sporty flavor for interaction, motor sports and gearhead Websites offer exten- sive communities where visitors can engage in lively discussion forums and share knowledge on welding topics and products across the automotive enthusiast industry, from NASCAR and street rods to choppers, off-road and dragracing. “Web forums benefit all metalworking enthusiasts by offering insights, trade secrets, new techniques and information on thelatest equipment for various jobs,” says Chris Fesler, owner of Fesler Built and builder of custom show vehicles for Chevy, GMC, Pontiac, Saturn, Nissan, Ford, Chrysler and manyother high-profile auto- motive companies. “Most veteran fabricators with on-the-job experience can teach newcomers skills not learned in school.” Welding project galleries and message boardsare ideal places to share photos, questions, sugges- Metalwork enthusiasts can now find project ideas, study welding technique and more through online communities. tions and information with others. Project designs can be downloaded for personal use. “The dynamics by which information is exchanged is shifting. More and more people are going online because of the wealth of information that is easily obtainable on any metalworking topic,” says Ron Covell, owner, Covell Creative Metalworking. “An online community is a great place to gain knowledge, get inspiration and keep a finger on the pulse of what’s happening right now.” Well respected in the street rod industry as a metalworking expert, Covell’s unique cars have twice won the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster award at the Grand National Roadster Shows. His works on cars and motorcycles have been featured in many national magazines. Whether you are involved in stock cars, off-road vehicles, farming equipmentrepair or any other variety of metalworking project, you can take part in the action by going to www.millerwelds.com/ interests.
