Welding Equipment: The Basics

For any welding job, no matter how simple or complex, there are a few basic pieces of equipment you can’t go without. These are divided into two categories: personal safety equipment and basic welding tools. Personal safety equipment includes an auto-darkening welding helmet, a jacket or welding apron, welding shoes, gloves, safety glasses, ear plugs, and a mask or respirator. Welding tools include welding clamps, welding magnets, an electrode, an angle grinder, and a metal brush. In this blog, we will discuss each piece of equipment and its importance.

Personal Safety Equipment

Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet

This is the most important part of welding safety equipment. The primary purpose of this helmet is to protect your eyes from the flash of the arc, but when the arc is not active, the lens maintains a light shade allowing you to see your work. This prevents you from having to put the helmet on or take it off between each weld. A secondary purpose of this helmet is to protect your face and neck from welding radiation and sparks.

Jacket/Welding Apron

As welding can often involve sparks and molten metal being thrown in all directions, it is important to protect your body just as you would your face. To do this, a heat-resistant leather jacket is your best option. Another choice is to wear a welding apron with a long sleeve cotton shirt. Remember that protective clothing should be made from natural fibers and not synthetic materials that could burn and damage your skin.

Welding Shoes

To protect your feet during the welding process, a good pair of work shoes is a must-have. Like your clothing, make sure your shoes are not made from synthetic materials. Leather is the best choice.

Gloves

During welding, your hands are the closest part of your body to the arc. As such, it is important to protect them with high quality MIG (metal inert gas) welding gloves.

Safety Glasses & Ear Plugs

During both welding and metal grinding, safety glasses can provide extra protection under your helmet. Be sure to choose a pair that offers UV protection. Ear plugs will also provide vital protection from noise, especially if you are working long hours.

Mask/Respirator

The welding process can produce many dangerous fumes. To prevent breathing them in, a mask or respirator should be worn at all times.

Welding Tools

Welding Clamps

Welding clamps are a must-have. They allow you to firmly set your work piece, enabling the welding to form a tight joint. Without welding clamps, the metal warpage resulting from welding could lead to defects.

Welding Magnets

Another essential, welding magnets will allow you to set your work pieces at a variety of angles. They are available in many sizes, making them compatible with many different project needs.

Electrode

An electrode is a tip installed on the end of the welding tool which passes the electric current from the welder to the work piece. The specific application will dictate which type of electrode is needed.

Angle Grinder

The angle grinder is a useful tool used to prepare and finish welds. Prior to welding, the angle grinder can be used to remove rust, paint, or dirt from a work piece. After welding, the angle grinder can remove the slag (metal waste) that has accrued.

Metal Brush

If the welding process creates a lot of slag, a metal brush is necessary. After a weld, the metal brush will help scrape off the slag to reveal your finished product.

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