What Do I Need To Start Welding? 5 Supplies Every Welding Beginner Should Have
5 Must-Have Welding Supplies for Beginners
Welding can be incredibly rewarding. Of course, buying your first welder is exciting, but there’s more to it than that. Beyond the actual welder itself, there’s a variety of equipment that can be incredibly helpful. While a longtime welder will likely have a garage filled with a variety of specialized tools, you can start off a lot more simply. Below, you’ll find five items that are particularly helpful for folks who are just getting started with welding. From working on a big project to just fixing up an old wheelbarrow, whether you’re using MIG, TIG, or stick welding, Eagle Steel has the welding equipment you need.
5. Safety Equipment
Welding produces an immense amount of light and heat, not to mention slag. All of these can be harmful, so you should make sure you have the safety equipment you need. The iconic welding helmet protects your eyes from the intense light, and it’s not a bad idea to add some safety glasses in case slag gets through. But that’s just the beginning.
Welding gloves and a welding jacket are also very important. These will help protect you from slag, and they’ll also give your skin the protection it needs from the heat of the welding process. Failing to wear gloves and a jacket can lead to burns. And, to protect your lungs, it may be a good idea to wear a respirator or dust mask for certain types of welding.
4. A Wire Brush
Wire brushes are especially useful in stick welding, but they can be helpful in MIG and TIG welding, as well. Using a wire brush can help you prepare a metal surface for welding. What’s more, if you’re using an arc welder, it can be used to scrape of the coating of slag that the process produces.
3. Measuring Tools
Whether it’s something as specialized as a sheet metal gauge (which measures how thick your metal is) or as simple as a tape measure, it’s generally a good idea to have measuring tools on hand for your welding jobs. After all, simply measuring something by eye can quickly lead to a piece of metal that’s the wrong size, making it hard to fabricate or weld.
2. Clamps
Clamps are especially important if your project involves a fair amount of fabricating. It’s important to make sure that the metal pieces are tightly in place before you weld them together, and good clamps are one of the best ways to accomplish this. Whether you’re using magnetic clamps or good old-fashioned c-clamps, make sure you have enough for your project.
1. An Angle Grinder
Having an angle grinder around can be incredibly helpful when you’re welding. When it comes to smoothing out joints, an angle grinder used with care can be a quick and easy way to make everything look right. An angle grinder can also cut metal if necessary. You can even use a wire brush attachment to make preparation and slag-cleaning go faster.
