Mid State Welding

Mid State Welding •Custom fabrication
•Custom Railings / Floating staircases
•Fabricator on “Building outside the lines”
(5)

08/29/2026

A pipeline test can be won or lost before you ever strike an arc.

Christian and I were doing a little pipe welding practice, so I figured I’d go over some of the basics I’ve learned over the years when fitting up for an X-ray pipeline test.

Line up your seams.
Pay attention to your high-low.
Know where you’re putting your tacks and why.
Understand how that pipe is going to move once you start putting heat into it.

There are a hundred little things an experienced pipeline welder does without even thinking about anymore—but when you’re learning, those little things matter.

This isn’t the only way to do it. It’s just some of what I’ve learned from taking tests, welding X-ray pipe, and working around a lot of good welders over the years.

That’s part of why I like showing Christian this stuff. You can tell somebody how to do it all day, but eventually you’ve got to fit it, tack it, burn it, and learn what that pipe is going to do.

Pipeline welders—what’s the #1 piece of advice you’d give somebody getting ready for their first X-ray test?

WeldingTips

08/18/2026

Nearly 20 years wearing Tom Waters Pipeliner Glasses.

If you’ve spent much time around pipeline welders, you’ve probably seen a pair of these.

I’ve worn Tom Waters glasses for nearly 20 years now. I’ve had clear ones, blue ones, mirrored ones, and the pair I’m wearing here has transition lenses.

One of the biggest reasons I’ve always liked them is how well they work for a pipeline welder. You can get your prescription in them, choose the lenses that work for you, and the smaller frames fit inside a pancake welding hood.

The process has always been pretty simple too. Get your eyes checked, send Tom Waters your prescription, and they’ll work with you on the frame and lens setup you want.

I’m due for another eye exam now, and Tom Waters reached out and is going to get me set up with another pair once I get my prescription updated.

After almost 20 years of wearing them, I’m looking forward to getting another set.

Pipeline welders—who else is still running Tom Waters? What color lenses are you wearing?

08/15/2026

Will she start?

This is Ol’ Betsy, my 1968 Lincoln Red Face SA-200. I hadn’t fired her up since I was out on the pipeline, and Austin needed to borrow her, so it was time to see if she was still ready to go.

Then I fired up my 1969 Red Face SA-200. That one means a little more to me—it was the first SA-200 I ever bought, and I bought it when I was 18 years old.

I’ve changed a few things on these machines over the years, but there’s a reason these old Lincolns are still around.

1968. 1969. And they’re still burning rod.

SA-200 guys, let’s hear it—what year are you running and is it a Red Face?

Lincoln Electric

08/12/2026

We’re working on cutting out base plates for a pipe entrance. We ran into some hiccups with our CN-Seamless, Inc. BUT the guys are awesome about helping us out to figure the situation out what ever that looks like with the machine. Great customer service! So if you ever purchase one you’ll be taken care of!

07/29/2026

One piece of gear that’s stayed in my truck for years…

I’ve had my PIPELINERS CLOUD for over two years now. I’ve used it on pipeline jobs, and now I use it on our own jobs at Mid State Welding.

When you’re welding in the middle of summer, having some shade makes a huge difference.

I’ll be honest… it’s even got a hole in it from someone leaning a w**d burner against it. 😅 But it’s still holding up and still rides in my truck every day.

If you’re looking for a good portable shade, I’d definitely recommend checking them out.

Anybody else running a Pipeliners Cloud?👇

07/28/2026

Everybody talks about work boots—but hardly anybody talks about the socks inside them.

We’ve been welding, walking, and working outside in 100-degree heat, and that’s where these Camel City Mill socks really surprised me.

At the end of a normal hot day, I’m used to taking my boots off and having that wet, sticky, swampy feeling. With these, my feet have felt noticeably drier and more comfortable.

They’re made with Merino wool, which helps manage moisture and regulate temperature year-round. They also have venting across the top of the foot, cushioning in the heel and toe, light support through the arch, and they’re made in North Carolina with U.S. wool. Camel City Mill even backs them with a 10-year durability guarantee against holes from normal wear.

A lot of people only think about wool socks during the winter, but after wearing these through triple-digit summer heat, I understand why the right work sock matters just as much as the right work boot.

So far, I’m impressed. Now I’m looking forward to seeing how they perform when winter hits South Dakota.

What matters more to you in a work sock—keeping your feet dry, cushioning, or durability?

Camel City Mill Work Socks

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340 Industrial Drive
Spearfish, SD
57783

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Monday 7am - 5pm
Tuesday 7am - 5pm
Wednesday 7am - 5pm
Thursday 7am - 5pm

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+14053342213

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