Have you just recently discovered the various possibilities of welding? Whether you are an amateur hobbyist just getting started with welding or a welding professional seeking to build a career in the industry, you need a well-stocked welding toolkit to rely on.
Before you go ahead and get welding supplies for your welding toolkit, you need to have a clear idea about the supplies you need. This is because there are different types of welding tools, consumables, machines and other equipment in the market. And without clarity about the welding supplies you need, you may spend too much money on unnecessary items or forget to include some essentials.
So, let’s take a closer look at some must-have welding supplies for every welder.
# Must-Have Welding Supplies for Your Welding Toolkit
Irrespective of the type of welding techniques you intend to use, some supplies and consumables are essentials that will always be useful. Here is an overview of # such must-have welding supplies for every welder.
1. Welding Machine
A welding machine, of course, is an absolute necessity for any welder. There are different types of welding machines you can choose from for your toolkit, depending on the techniques that you will most commonly use. If you plan to practice MIG welding, for instance, you can invest in a MIG welder.
Alternatively, for TIG welders, there are exclusive TIG welding machines. In addition to this, there are also multi-process welding machines that can be used for different kinds of welding processes.
2. Welding Gloves
Welding gloves protect your palms and fingers from potential burns or injury from welding sparks and spatter. They are generally made of flame-resistant leather or other such durable materials. Before you add welding gloves to your kit, test them for comfort, dexterity and the right fit.
3. Welding Helmet
The welding process can expose you to ultraviolet and infrared radiation — both of which can be harmful if you are exposed to them for too long. A welding helmet protects your head and eyes from UV and IR rays and also ensures that you are not exposed to shrapnel, sparks and other flying debris in the welding workshop.
4. Welding Cables and Wires
Welding cables help you connect your welding machine to the power source while welding wires are used as consumables to melt and join the metal workpieces in the weld pool. Although these two are often confused with one another, they are both essential welding supplies to have in your welding tool kit.
The welding cables you choose must be flexible, durable and enough to cover the length between the welding machine and the power source. The composition and sizing of the welding wires, however, depend on the metals being welded together.
5. Clamps, Angle Grinders and Other Tools
In addition to the above-mentioned supplies, you will need to include different welding tools like the following in your welding kit:
- Clamps: To hold the workpieces securely in position during cutting and welding
- Angle grinders: To bevel metal edges and prepare a surface for welding
- Welding pliers: To trim welding wires and to remove welding tips, nozzles and spatter as needed
- Chipping hammer: To remove the slag and spatter in the weld pool
6. Fire Extinguisher
A fire extinguisher is a must-have in any welding toolkit or workshop. This is because welding itself is an activity that can be a potential fire hazard, and it’s always a smart idea to have a fire extinguisher around — even if your welding PPE is fire-resistant. This way, you can control a fire early on and ensure that your workplace is not damaged by the fire.
Conclusion
Now that you know which welding supplies are essential for your welding toolkit, you can prepare your shopping list accordingly and make the necessary purchases. Remember that building your welding toolkit is a journey — one that you must not compromise on. So, set a monthly budget if needed and utilize the funds to purchase high-quality welding supplies from online retailers you absolutely trust.
