newbie needs safety equipment?

[rilesdav]

Hello,
I am taking the plunge this spring taking an introductory to welding course at the local trade school. I am so green, I do not know what I do not know, and reading the welding forum makes my head spin. Anyway I need some safety equipment for the first class: welding hood with #10 shade, #5 gas welding goggles, safety glasses, welding jacket, and welding gloves. Are there any good intenet sites I should order these products from? Should I just go to a local welding supply house and purchase? Any advise is greatly appreciated. Also do you think this list of equipment is sufficient?
Thanks for the feedback.
Dave

 

[SquirmyPug]

For ppe that will get you started. You may want ear plugs. If you go to a lws tell them you are a welding student, they usually give about a 10% discount.

 

[aczlan]

I have used a hood with a flip up shade and a auto-darkening big shade. I wouldn't use anything but an autodarkening hood if I had the choice...

Aaron Z

 

[firemanmike69]

To build on what squirmy said you will also be able to try on before you buy at the local welding store(lws) and begin building a relationship wit the people there

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Get a light weight welding jacket, black if you can to keep reflective flashing down (hobart at TSC has them)...no need to get leathers to get started....You can take it and (gasp) wash it if you need to, although I've been told it removes the flame resistant qualities, but I'm still here. Get some shade 5 welding safety glasses, forget the goggles. Get regular shade 2 or 3 tinted safety glass too as it will keep accidental flashing from hurting as bad, and they look cool too. Gloves, get good ones, with either deer skin, pig skin or goat skin. The cheap ones will only last a couple days if you are doing serious welding. Tilman Onyx series works very well...and you'll save money in the long run. Get your own grinding shield too. I picked up a case of mrsa one time from 'sharing' grinding helmets. Yes, get the auto darks....all of them will go to shade 10, though you may find you need more or less. Adjustable shades with quality build can be bought for less than 100.00 and sometimes less than 50.00.

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Weld fabulous is a good, economical site to get what you want.

 

[rilesdav]

Ok, thanks for the feedback,
So auto darkening helmet,
Safety #5 glasses instead of goggles
Add grinding helmet to list?
Am I good to go?
Thanks
Dave

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Welding cap. Comeaux makes good ones. I don't care for the doo- rags unless you want to look like an ex-con or a figure head for pancake syrup. I prefer a sized fit, flat top, pill box quilted, standard black ...not those elastic-y, rounded or billowy effeminate looking ones either. Here's my personal favorite: http://www.comeauxcaps.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/main30001.jpg

But, hey, if you are a Ken fashion doll, you may go in for the more fancy pants type hats.

 

[Shield Arc]

Some more safety equipment for you to consider!:laughing:

 

[SquirmyPug]

If you don't want to spend the money on a good auto hood then don't get it. The cheap ones can have trouble with flashing, the problem that most people have is that they just aren't very clear. If the lens isn't very clear its hard to see the puddle.. if you can't see you can't weld.

 

[Shield Arc]

I've been using these for a few years now, super clear.:thumbsup:
ArcOne T240-10 Tradesman Auto-Darkening Filter 2-Inch x 4-1/4-Inch x 2-Inch - Horizontal - Amazon.com

 

[SquirmyPug]

I still want to try those fancy "smoke n' spatter" rods you used SA, my hoods are too clean

 

[Shield Arc]

my hoods are too clean

Throw them in the mud then! :laughing:

 

[Fifelaker]

Go online and see if they have a copy of the syllabus. Ours lists the required materials. The college only supply's metal, gas and filler. Hood, safety glasses, jacket, gloves, Chipping hammer, soapstone, tip cleaner. combo square..... is up to you.

 

[Arc weld]

Look for a welding supply that is part of the IWDC. They have Weldmark auto dark helmets with adjustable shade, sensitivity adjustment and battery back up for about the same price as a good lens insert. Apparently designed by the same guy that designed the Miller helmets. Around $110.00 here. Also have Steiner and Revco gloves and jackets that are quite reasonable.

 

[rilesdav]

Thanks again,
I am not too concerned with price of items like the shade, will go auto darkening cause seems like the consensus. Would rather pay a little more now for quality products than skimp on junk that will not last.
Dave

 

[SquirmyPug]

My suggestion would be to start with a 2x4 passive lens. You need to learn to drop a shield, you can't always use auto darkening. When i want the most visual clarity i use a passive lens with green GLASS not plastic. Shade 8-12 depending on what I'm doing.

 

[Oliver1655]

I have had expensive auto darkening hoods & I have the inexpensive Harbor Freight $40 auto darkening hood. If you are just starting out, The HF will do you just fine. I can normally get a couple years out of one before the rechargeable lithium battery goes out. The HF sheild adjusts from a 9 to a 13 shade. You can also get 3 pr of welding gloves from them for $8-12 depending on sales. Occasionally I will get a pair which don't hold up well, but when you get 3 pr for the price of one, I can't complain. They will also have chipping hammers, soapstone holders & leathers.

I agree with prior post recommending not sharing equipment for health reasons when ever possible. A grinding shield is fairly cheap and a cap to wear with your welding shield is a very smart investment.

Not to discourage you, I applaud anyone who tries to better themselves, but it is not uncommon to start a training program & find for one reason or another, it is not a good fit for you. I would not go over kill buying accessories/tools for welding until you feel confident it for you. Light sensitivity, wearing contacts with history of dry eyes, fumes from welding & grinding especially dirty/painted/galvanized metal can really effect one especially if they have a history of respiratory problems.

I wish you the best!

 

[rilesdav]

Hey Oliver,
You make great points, I guess I will look at the harbor freight stuff to make sure welding is a good fit for me, I can always upgrade equipment as I out grow and or wear out.
Thanks
Dave

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Those 3 pair for 10 bucks or 8 bucks or whatever are a waste of money imho. I've bought them myself and, yep....I used 3-5 pairs of gloves to one good pair. They don't provide adequate flexbility and dexterity when they start to "cook". They never fit me right. There were annoying seams and unfinished edges inside for me. Largers were barely mediums in other brands. The lining did not hold up...etc. Get one good pair of gloves. YOu cannot go wrong on spending 10-15 more dollars for a good pair of gloves...If you don't like welding, you can always use them with your barbeque grill. The HF gloves should come on a paper towel roll to dispense them because after a good day of welding, you'll need to rip another off the roll. I agree though on the HF helmets. Good to start. Vision is adequately clear. Face shielding surface area is a little small, but can be worked around. There are other places online that have them fairly cheap.