What do I need for welding other than the welder

[Beau]

Picking up my first ever welder later today. Think the Mig welder comes with regulators and I know I have to sort out some gas. Also got myself a visor and some gauntlets but what else will I need? I am completely new to this so sorry if it's dum question.

Got a couple of friends who can give me lessons but wanted to dabble with it first.

 

[novocaine]

lots and lots and lots of scrap steel.
an angle grinder to prepare said steel, lots of flap or sanding discs too.
long sleeves and a dark top (flashback from a white top isn't funny, don't ask how I know this)
10-20 contact tips of the right size (you will trash a few of these as you learn)
pliers, needle nose with a snip at the rear, you'll be pulling the wire out the tip when it burns back and it's good practice to snip the wire clean.
4 times more wire than you think you'll get through.

if the set is second hand, a new regulator. they only last 5 years (says me with a 5 year old regulator currently)
if the set is new, are you sure it has one with it?

 

[MikeG.]

Novocaine has it right.

Mini angle grinder, pointy nose pliers (for pulling crap out of the nozzle, and getting the wire to spring out of the nozzle when a blob welds itself there), a wire brush, and a fire extinguisher. Get mixed argon/ CO2 gas. Never have any flesh exposed, or any woodshavings anywhere near (and don't bother trying to weld outdoors). Get as many steel spring clamps and lockable (Moll-grip type) clamps of multiple designs as you can find. Eventually, a big welder's magnet in a 90 degree x 45 degree triangle is very useful.

 

[Beau]

Thanks

It's this one and brand new https://www.jasic.co.uk/mig160. Been assured it comes with the regulators. Got lots of steel as there some projects needing a welder. Got a grinder, lots of grinding disks but only one flap disc so will pick up some more of those. Plenty of pliers and snips here or are the specialist tools?

 

[MikeG.]

Oh, get a metal-worker's vice, too, if you don't have one.

 

[Beau]

Oh, get a metal-worker's vice, too, if you don't have one.

I have one but rather too many flammable things around the bench it's on. Might invest in a new one and some sort of mobile bench as the best space for work here is a farm shed that will get used for other things at times.

 

[novocaine]

a fecking big hammer too.
there should be a chart inside the door for setup, use it.
you can get welders pliers, but you'll be fine with what you got.

forget the wire brush, that's a good call.

my workbench is wooden, it has a sheet of steel that can be chucked over it for welding, my last bench was wooden, it had lots and lots of holes in it, never managed to set it on fire though.
put a big note on the door to your workshop too that says "did you turn the gas off? WELL DID YOU?"

 

[Beau]

Is a trolly to hold the cylinder and welder worthwhile? They were keen to sell me one but dont know how necessary it is.

 

[MikeG.]

That depends if you are bringing your work to the welder, or taking your welder to the work.

 

[Beau]

That depends if you are bringing your work to the welder, or taking your welder to the work.

It's more that I cant keep the welder in the shed larger work would get carried out in. I can use the space at times but other times we have stock in there. May well have to work outside at times.

 

[novocaine]

first project surely?

 

[Tasky]

A lamp.
I used to do a bit of welding under cars, where it was usually dark, but even in pretty well lit areas a lamp was a serious boon.

Get one that is as bright as possible, perhaps with an LED bulb, and can be positioned in a variety of places/poses.
But make sure it has clear plastic covering the bulb itself, or the sparks will see you going through 3-4 bulbs per job!!

 

[Eric The Viking]

I don't know about yours, but an auto-darkening helmet was a wonderful improvement - I could actually put a bead where I intended to after getting one!

I keep a middling-grade old file handy - you can often salvage a gummed-up welding tip by filing it on the end. I find ceramic tiles are useful to put hot things on, and you can use brass plate to clamp steel to for joining (the weld won't stick to it).

Mike G. and Novocaine have covered it pretty much. Tasky's spot on about lots of light. High neck collars and long sleeves (I get sunburn very easily). A spare faceshield if you have visitors or need an assistant temporarily (and a big "keep out!" sign too - people are stupid and _always_ look!

And anti-spatter spray - it really works.

E.

 

[Beau]

first project surely?

The bench or the trolley or both?

 

[novocaine]

the trolley. moving gas bottles is a pain in the back side.

it doesn't have to be fancy, a tray with wheels and bar to chain the bottle too. I like being able to move the welder, even when I don't work outside the shop (I do some stuff on cars which is helpful for too), let's me do bigger jobs without having lines stretched across the place.

a sweeping brush is a good tool too, lets you clean the shop before you start.

 

[nev]

Here's our welder trolley

 

[Inspector]

Wear a respirator to filter out welding fumes. There are purpose made ones that fit under the shield.

Pete

 

[Eric The Viking]

On which subject, don't weld or dramatically heat anything galvanised or painted with zinc. The fumes can be fatal, and I believe it's not a "nice" way to go (if anything is).

You can grind off the plating, but you still need to be very careful.

 

[Inspector]

All meta vapours are bad to breathe, not just zinc. Some are worse than others and with any mystery metals you have no control over the alloys, residual platings, or paints that may be present. Any decent commercial shop will have fume control and the welders wearing PPE. Why take a chance? Ultimately the choice is yours.

Pete

 

[TFrench]

Another +1 for an auto-darkening hood. Brilliant things.