Christmas gift for a welder

[arrowhead]

My son is a welder and doesn't have any good suggestions for any gifts. He is very particular and only buys quality tools for his personal use (his work provides most of the bigger stuff). But he does have large Mig, Tig and engine driven welders of his own. Has plenty of the usual like gloves, helmets, hand tools ,etc. Any other ideas? I can get most anything at the local welding suppliers. Thanks

 

[kv501]

If he's already well established as a welder it might be tough to get him something he doesn't already have. I welded for a living for quite a few years, and if he has his own equipment at home I'd say get him stocked up on consumables. It won't be a semi-permanent thing like a tool, but he'll appreciate it.

It's kind of like how you can tell which people at a baby shower have already had kids of their own. They are the ones who give gifts like diapers, formula, and white onesies...seems like they put no thought into it but just the contrary

I'd say if he's pretty well set up already, stock his personal shop up with wire, tips, gas, etc. That would make his day.

 

[Tunajoe]

Nice plasma cutter

 

[Thumper68]

Replacement outer shields for his favorite helmet, welders never have enough angle grinders and consumables to go with them.

Good layout tools

A higher end leather welding jacket.

Look at what he uses and is worn out or getting there and get him replacements.

 

[Ohmthis]

This could be an unpopular choice, but..........Get him a hood designed to be used with a respirator or a respirator that will fit a standard hood. Life long welding can cause pulmonary and nuerological diseases. That will fulfill a dads duty to protect their children and give him something he doesn't have. Merry Christmas!

 

[royesses]

Clamps Clamps and more Clamps. Try Harry J Epstein for welding clamps.

 

[FigureItOut]

Possibly an another unpopular choice, but why not consider something unrelated to welding? I'm sure it's enjoyable to him or he wouldn't have chosen it as profession, but maybe consider something related to his spare time activities. That way the gift is connected to pleasure more than to the daily grind.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I437Z using Tapatalk

 

[Loscaldazar]

Clamps/Magnets or angle grinders. I don't think you can ever have too many of those! I know strong hands makes some really cool switchable magnets. It's very useful to have a welding magnet that switches on/off.

 

[arrowhead]

Great ideas, thanks! I already have a plasma cutter so he's good there (we share my shop). I think we're covered as to non work related presents. I think ill swing by the welding supplier on the way home and pickup a few trinkets. Thanks

 

[jeepinerdeep]

Second layout and clamp stuffs. Scribes, center punches etc.Can't have enough.

Also I've been using the **** out of the markal silver end red metal marking pencils. ( stocking stuffer )

 

[dr_clyde]

I'm a welder by trade. My favorite tools are my layout and fitup tools. I would recommend an very high quality combination square set. My personal one is Starrett, but my dad has a mitutoyo one that I like as well.

 

[Superbec]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stilo-Tig-Tungsten-Electrode-Sharpener-Grinder-1-16-3-32-/261584879391

outer shields and sweatbands...

they make some nice welding theme t-shirts these days...

 

[spike99250]

How about some Duke Cannon soaps, A CH Ruler, some Bandanas or Hankerchiefs, Tear mender fabric glue, a pocket knife, anything Carhartt, bullets and lastly beef jerky. Just some non tool ideas.

 

[danielbuck]

Second layout and clamp stuffs. Scribes, center punches etc.Can't have enough.

I definitely Third this! I love me some Starret automatic center punches

Personally, I'd probably just ask him what he could really use, or what would really make his job easier/safer/funner/whatever. Rather than trying to guess.

What type of welding does he do? If he TIG welds, a luxury item would be a quality tungsten grinder. Most hobbyists won't shell out for good one, but I'd love to have one! I settled for a small cheap bench grinder cut in 1/2 (only 1 wheel instead of 2), mounted to my welding cart.


One thing I've been enjoying lately is the large strong hand magnets that have an on/off switch. The largest one really does work really good!

I'm not a welder, I'm a hobbyist who migs and tigs for garage and vehicle projects, so I don't know what type of tools he can (or can't?) use on the job, but pretty much anything from StrongHand seems to be nice for hobby garage use!

 

[bczygan]

How about a gift certificate at the local steel supply house...

Bill

 

[bigjeff94]

Idk what he works on but a lot of the time I'm doing any fab work my cordless grinder is never far behind. Great to clean off rust, mill scale, and those unfortunate times you make a mistake and your away from the bench.

 

[bigjeff94]

On another note. I haven't seen a bad suggestion on this thread yet.

 

[Hondarancher4435]

A nice grinder is always good to have

 

[arrowhead]

So I stopped by the welding supply house and picked up a dew rag, a couple of large swivel pad Irwin vice grip clamps. a switchable magnetic (same as pictured above) and real nice rubber gripped chipping hammer. The wifey also picked him up a pair of the high end Chippewa boots he likes. So between all that and some other personal items I think he covered. Thanks for the ideas!

 

[padronanniversary]

how about get him a strong hand build pro table . he would love that I bet, I sure would