- Welding Equipment & Gear -
Everything I bought to start welding. Most of which you need, some you dont.
Welder & Cart
Hobart Handler 140 Mig Welder
I went with a Hobart Handler 140 because it is a 115v, as I dont have a 230v outlet in my garage. It was in my price range of about $500 and is well reviewed. My local Tractor Supply had it on sale, so that sealed the deal for me.
CHICAGO ELECTRIC WELDING 100 lb. Capacity Welding Cart
Cheap basic cart that doesn’t take up too much space and can hold a gas bottle.
PPE & Safety
Hobart 770890 Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet
I just wanted a auto darkening hood in the $100 range that was basic and plain. Figured if I already went with a Hobart welder might as well get a matching welding helmet.
BSX BS50 Mig Gloves
First Alert HOME1 Rechargeable Standard Home Fire Extinguisher
Welding Blanket
Welding Sleeves
Welding Table
CHICAGO ELECTRIC WELDING Adjustable Steel Welding Table
A cheap adjustable table that doesn’t take up too much space.
Angle Grinder
An absolute necessity to cut and prep your metal for welding.
Milwaukee Fuel M18 4 1/2″ Angle Grinder
I was already invested in the Milwaukee lineup of cordless tools so bought one of these. Its a workhorse and the battery lasts a really long time, tho it is kinda bulky.
Metabo HPT Angle Grinder 4-1/2-Inch
I purchased this as a second grinder so I dont have to change disks as often. I leave a cutting wheel on this one, as its corded, but it is not as powerful as the Milwaukee at 6.2 amps, so it takes a bit longer to cut through things. At $30-40 with 5 grinding wheels included the value is hard to beat. This would make a great first grinder.
Consumables
These are the things you’re going to have to continually buy as they wear out or are used up. This is what I started with.
Hobart 770487 Gasless Fluxed Cored Nozzle
If your welder doesnt come with one of these and you want to start of welding flux core, I recommend getting one of these to protect your gas diffuser and contact tips from flux spatter. Not necessary tho, as some just use their mig nozzle or no nozzle at all.
INETUB BA71TGS .030 Flux Cored Welding Wire
Cheapest .030 flux core wire I could find in a 2lbs spool. 10 lbs spools are more cost effective but just starting out I want to try as many different brands as possible, but for my first beads wanted to use the cheapest stuff I could find. Went with .030 as it seems to be most versatile and fits what my machine is able to weld.
Assorted Grinding, Cut off, and Flap Wheels
Disks for your angle grinder. I didnt know what the hell I needed in this department so just got the assorted set from Harbor Freight.
Tools
These are some useful dedicated welding tools to have.
Mig Welding Pliers
Used to cut wire, remove nozzles, remove contact tips, and grab hot work pieces.
Chipping Hammer & Wire Brush
Clean slag off your welds.
For holding down your work piece:
Locking Pliers
Welding Magnets
C-Clamps
Welding Setup
Flux Core Welding
DIY
