Welding is a productive and rewarding hobby that allows you to craft a host of items ranging from furniture to aesthetic pieces. In order to begin, it's essential to have the right welding supplies in addition to the compressed gas and machine setup. To discover the various welding items all beginners should have, consult the guide below.

What Welding Supplies Should Beginners Start With?

1. Protective Gear

Welding involves heavy equipment, hot metal, and an open flame. Protective welding gear is designed with thick fabrics, leather, and insulation to protect your body and clothing from stray sparks and molten metal. 

You should have an apron, gloves, sleeves, helmet, and boots designed for welding, the latter of which should be metal-toed to protect against heavy equipment landing on your feet. An auto-darkening helmet is preferred, as it allows you to check your welds when the flame is moved away while still protecting your eyes from the light.

2. Welding Magnets & Clamps

Magnets and clamps are used to hold materials in place while cutting or welding them. Clamps apply pressure to hold the base metal on the worksurface, while magnets hold pieces against each other. Magnets also have the benefit of allowing you to weld pieces into angles, and they come in multiple sizes for different projects. 

3. Angle Grinder

An angle grinder is a versatile tool that can cut metal, clean excess slag off of welds, and polish finished products. It can also clean rough pieces of metal before welding to prevent issues like cracking and porosity, which is when a contaminant creates a pit or cavity in a weld.

4. Soapstone

Soapstone is similar to chalk but is used specifically on metal. It allows you to write on the metal directly and will withstand the heat of the torch without smudging or disappearing, ensuring accurate welds. Plus, it's easy to clean off after you're done. It's ideal for marking measurements or, if you want to cut metal with your torch and draw shapes, lines, and patterns. 

5. Nozzle Gel

Nozzle gel is a wax-like substance that you can apply to the tip of your torch. It prevents the metal nozzle from being incorporated with the weld, which would ruin the materials and your equipment. Gel isn't an absolute necessity, but it can extend the life of your nozzle, as well as offer added protection in case your hand slips or if you're using a fine-tipped nozzle in close proximity.

Once you know what welding supplies you need, it's time to find a high-quality supplier. Wayne Oxygen & Welding Supply Co. in Waynesboro, VA, has over 60 years of experience providing welding equipment from Lincoln Electric Company and Miller Electric Manufacturing, including welding machines and protective gear. They service a 125-mile radius around their locations in Waynesboro, Charlottesville, and Harrisonburg. Explore their welding supplies online, and call (540) 942-4145 to speak with a member of their team.