A conversation with Trei got me thinking-when are you good enough to weld items like cages and suspension that have serious safety implications? I can lay down a decent bead and have equipment that will do the job, but don't know how to tell if a part I've worked on is safe in a high-load, high-risk application. I know most of the time a decent bead will be good enough, but I'm uncomfortable with "good enough" when we're talking about an item designed to protect my family. Thoughts?

Build a few test parts with varying types of weld joints, and break a few in a press with a pressure gauge, and if you can find a way to pull them apart while measuring force, also if you'd like I can gladly check out some of your skills sometime to make sure you're not undercutting the weld, have enough and not to much penetration, and if you're prepping the material properly, also you can grind through some welds and inspect for porosity, since I assume you probably don't have the ability to X-ray them

Thanks! I may take you up on that. I'd love to x-ray them, maybe I need to find a radiology tech to bribe. I've thought about buying a press, maybe this'll be the excuse I need.

Certainly is a balancing act. That is unless you weld quite frequently. I usually leave the safety welding to my friends whom I know have had the education and experience. Once upon a time, I looked for a night welding class at any local schools and came up empty. I wouldn't mind attending one just so I understand the basics and make sure I am doing the techniques right.