To become a successful welder, you will need only two things: first, skill and experience, and second, you need the right set of welding tools.
Continuous practice and training can improve your skills and become a better welder. The right welding tools and equipment will help you get there. Having welding accessories can make a significant difference in terms of precision and quality output. They also allow you to be more efficient.
In this article, we’ll go through 5 welding tools and accessories that every welder–whether beginners or professionals–must have to become more efficient.
#1: Welder
You can’t weld metal without a welder. A welder is the heart and brain of the profession. It heats up metals to high degrees of temperature to melt and fuse them with other metals. It has a glue-gun-like shape and a nozzle at the tip to create a high electrical flame.
Welders are used for different types of welding, such as MIG, Stick, or TIG. The best welders are heavy-duty and can perform different welding processes. Before purchasing a welder, think about the projects you want to work on and what type of materials they require. Make a comparison of Forney welders model here.
MIG and Stick are relatively easy to learn and use, although MIG is more powerful than Stick and offers more accuracy for welding. They also don’t cost a lot.
On the other hand, TIG welders are the most powerful but difficult to learn and use and require a high level of skill. They are the most versatile as you can use them on many types of materials.
#2: Filler Materials
Each type of welding–MIG, Stick, or TIG–requires a consumable or filler material that helps achieve high-quality weld. In the process of melting metals, they lose some components as they are burning. You will need to attach more metal to the melting weld to make up for that loss, thus creating a clean and solid piece.
MIG welders consume a type of electrode that comes in the form of a metal wire. As it’s burning up, it spools through the welding gun, connecting the metal frames. Filler rods are usually made from a mixture of stainless steel, aluminum, and carbon steel. To get the best results in your weld, amperage, and shielding gases are carefully controlled and applied to the flame.
Stick welders consume metal sticks that burn and fuse two metals. There are several factors that determine the result of the weld: material size, variety of coating, quality, and applied amperage.
Lastly, TIG welders also use a filler rod similar to what MIG welders use. Rather than consuming the tungsten electrode in the process, the metallic rod is being burned instead.
#3: Welding Gases
Most welders release a shielding gas that protects the electrodes during the welding process. Hence, professional welders
keep bottles with mixed gases at bay for a smooth welding operation.
Carbon dioxide and argon are two of the most common gases used for welding. Carbon dioxide, when used on its own, can penetrate thicker metals. However, it can also create little splatter during the welding process. For this reason, expert welders use a mixture of gases to achieve better welding results.
Take stainless steel, for example; it’s often welded with a mixture of helium, carbon dioxide, and argon. On the other hand, welding aluminum requires gas shielding made up of 100% argon.
If you plan to work on a lot of projects any time soon, ensure you have enough storage for your welding gases.
To save time when welding, keep a tank of gas ready with you in case your welding machine runs low on gas. Most advanced welding machines show you the gas level in the unit, so keep an eye on it when welding.
#4: Welding Clamps
Clamps for welding are definitely a must-have for all welders. They are designed to secure the metal being welded in place and prevent it from moving. They are made to withstand high levels of temperature generated throughout the welding process. Of course, they are made of metal, so make sure you wear your protective gloves before you start welding.
If you want to take up your welding skills to another level, you may want to invest in different clamp sizes and shapes. To be able to work on different projects professionally, you will likely need at least 10 various welding clamps. It’s impossible to hold hot pieces together without welding clamps, and you might end up with an out-of-shape weld!
#5: Angle Grinder
One of the most essential tools welders uses is our angle grinders. They make the surface of your metal workpiece smoother and chip off slag, paint, and any other impurities. Additionally, you can also use angle grinders to cut off metal sheets. A very functional tool indeed!
Bonus: Welding Helmet
The most crucial accessory for every welder. Whether you are a professional or a novice, you need a welding helmet to protect your face, including your ears.
Grinding machines can damage your hearing as they create a lot of loud noise. In the same way, sparks produced during welding can damage your eyesight. Directly looking at the welding arc for too long can severely impair your eyes or in extreme cases, cause partial blindness.
Bottomline
Now that you already know what welding tools and accessories can help you weld safely and effectively, you can head to the shop now so you can get to welding in no time!
