Welding - needs? nice to have?

[timgr]

Besides the welder (say, a Hobart 187, just for example) what do you really, really need before even trying it out? What do you really need before being productive? What's handy to have or will make the work easier?

 

[doug.j]

tank of gas
regulator
wire
grinder and plenty of discs
auto darkening hood (somewhat a luxury but makes learnings easier)
goggles
clear face shield for grinding
gloves
clamps (more the better)
Something to put out the fire
bucket of water to cool stuff
an adjustable stool is nice to get it the best position.

 

[PAToyota]

bucket of water to cool stuff

Just so you know, quenching a weld makes it brittle...

 

[sunshineFC3s]

Add a pair of wire cutters to keep by the machine, and a nice welding cart. The cool thing is that the welding cart should be your first project anyways!
-a

 

[kvom]

You could add a welding blanket, for shielding if welding near something flammable/meltable (e.g., inside a vehicle). You want the 3000F blanket, not the cheap HF one.

Often welding magnets are better/easier than clamps.

 

[goodfellow]

If you're just starting out, take a short course through your local adult education system, or community college. It will get you up to speed more quickly and will reinforce proper technique.

 

[MXtras]

A solid, flat and square table is definately a nice addition to any welding area.

Lots of various sized clamps.

Multiple grinders - one with a grinding wheel, one with a cut-off disc, one with a wire wheel and a few with flapper wheels. Six grinders is a good number.

Lots of space in an area with no combustables - no wood or cardboard, gas or anything else flammable within at least 15-20 feet.

An auto-darkening shield is handy.

A few pairs of heavy leather gloves and a few pairs of disposable fabric gloves.

A few fire extinguishers of the appropriate size and type.

A competent and attractive female assistant. Or two.

Scott

 

[timgr]

If you're just starting out, take a short course through your local adult education system, or community college. It will get you up to speed more quickly and will reinforce proper technique.

I know how to weld with oxy-acetylene, but this will be my first GMAW setup.

 

[chad s]

I know how to weld with gas,.

Then you are one step ahead.

 

[george4]

Burn resistant jacket, cotton trousers and high top shoes. Something like “Gas Metal Arc Welding Handbook” by William Minnick if you need a reference work. I am pleased with my Hobart 187

 

[timgr]

A competent and attractive female assistant. Or two.

This must be in the "handy/easier" category!?

 

[dxdexter]

Multiple grinders - one with a grinding wheel, one with a cut-off disc, one with a wire wheel and a few with flapper wheels. Six grinders is a good number.

And I thought the three I use was a lot. I'm definitely under staffed on the grinder front.

 

[jay50]

tank of gas
regulator
wire
grinder and plenty of discs
auto darkening hood (somewhat a luxury but makes learnings easier)
goggles
clear face shield for grinding
gloves
clamps (more the better)
Something to put out the fire
bucket of water to cool stuff
an adjustable stool is nice to get it the best position.

Ambulance on standby to take you to local hospital/burn center when you set your clothes on fire.....

 

[dxdexter]

Ambulance on standby to take you to local hospital/burn center when you set your clothes on fire.....

I've done that a few times. You start to wonder what that strange smell is and realize its you when you begin to feel hot.

 

[jay50]

I've done that a few times. You start to wonder what that strange smell is and realize its you when you begin to feel hot.

Yeah, oily boots and hot steel; a great feeling.....

 

[doug.j]

I've done that a few times. You start to wonder what that strange smell is and realize its you when you begin to feel hot.

Plus even after you know you are on fire you finish the bead because it was just looking so nice.

 

[jay50]

Plus even after you know you are on fire you finish the bead because it was just looking so nice.

Yes, the sign of a true professional....

 

[jniolon]

if you really are a rookie. like me... Northern tool sells a video on Mig welding... it helped me alot. It gives you a good view of the actual weld pool as it's being layed down and explains how to control it....

It's about 45 minutes long and I got a lot out of it..

John

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200225224_200225224

 

[Slide]

MIG welding pliers are super handy if you're learning or dealing with pitted metal.

The squared-off outer edges of the jaws are great for cleaning the spatter out of the nozzle, and they can clip the filler wire when you run it and forget to attach the ground clamp. (I NEVER do that! yeah. right.)

Depending on what you are welding, if it ever involves right angles, a nice metal square (framing square, combo square, machinist's square, or all of the above) are nice to have.

 

[ed_v]

I have one major welding tip to add before you start............just always remember to never weld naked !. Don't know why you would but these days you gotta spell everything out for people

Ed

 

[dxdexter]

I have one major welding tip to add before you start............just always remember to never weld naked !. Don't know why you would but these days you gotta spell everything out for people

Ed

I don't know about naked. Never tried it, but bare arms are a problem especially when MIG welding (high UV). You can get sunburned quite easily. Cotton backed leather gloves can burn quite easily as well with all the spatter.

 

[nissan_crawler]

Never, never, never weld while wearing frayed jeans. Tip paste is nice for keeping it clean. Weber grill spray works great for keeping splatter off a piece that needs to be kept pretty for whatever reason. I keep some weldable primer around to spray between pieces if one is plating the other, etc., so they're protected.

 

[engnerdan]

I have one major welding tip to add before you start............just always remember to never weld naked !. Don't know why you would but these days you gotta spell everything out for people

Ed

Always wear your nomex underwear, everything else is optional.

-Dan

 

[ed_v]

Always wear your nomex underwear, everything else is optional.

-Dan

Thanks, I just spit my Pepsi on my monitor from laughing so hard.

Ed