My first welding class, safety equipment, what would you recommend?

[DavidSim]

Folks, I've done it, I've signed up for my first welding classes at a local Community College, on Saturdays for the next couple of months, I'm looking forward to it for sure.

The first course I'll be taking is called Basic Welding, it includes classroom time and practical (of all types); the curriculum advises that I'll need to buy Safety Boots, Gloves, Eyewear, and Protective clothing.

I'm assuming we'll cover the gear at the first class, but I'm not sure (I will find out tomorrow); however, either way, would be interested in any tips you may be able to pass on so I buy the right stuff.

I assume we'll be doing all types of welding at some point, so I assume I'd need some goggles for gas welding, and a shield for MIG and TIG at some point. I've been reading up on the shields that automatically switch on and off, but I can imagine there are better quality/style goggles and shields, I want to ensure I understand and get the right gear out of the chute.

Any advice you can offer would be most appreciated.

Regards to all.

[Static-XJ]

For safety glasses goto your local weld store or industrial supply house and ask if you can try on several different styles. Get some that fit close to your face. If no one will let you try them on, buy a couple different styles as they only cost US$3-5/pair.

For gloves I stay away from any sort of dyed leather. Eventually my hands will sweat a little and pick up some of the dye.

I'm guessing that shade 5 goggles will be recommended for oxy-fuel welding and cutting, and a shade 10 for arc welding. Higher shade numbers are darker. You don't have to use the recommended shades. If you're having trouble seeing, try a lighter shade. Too bright go darker. You can get shade 3 and shade 5 safety glasses, I find them more comfortable than goggles.

I don't want to start a fixed vs autodark debate, so I'll just say that a $30 fixed shade hood will do the job just as well as an autodark. Whatever you get make sure it offers adequate coverage (ears don't stick out, and no gap at the neck).

Don't wear polyester, it will melt. Don't wear pants with fraying, the frayed parts can catch fire.

For arm protection, I like leather cape sleeves with bib. Not as cumbersome as a full jacket, and they will last a long time unlike the green firestop. If you are going to be mig or stick welding while sitting, a leather apron will keep you from buring holes in your lap.

[lugweld]

As for staying away from dyed leather....Impossible. The tannins in natural colors will sink into your skin still. A good glove should be well lined anyway.

[DavidSim]

Thanks for the tips, I appreciate it.

[Nitesky]

DON'T show up for class with sneakers on your feet. Wear work boots. Hat slag can burn right through your running shoes and into your feet.

[Bgbkwndo]

As a retired welder, may I first welcome you to the trade, and I hope you put every minute to good use in the welding booth. I would add these two items to the things already suggested: a comfortable welding cap, and earplugs. After a 40 year career in welding, I am pleased to say that I still have excellent hearing, and I attribute that to ALWAYS using adequate hearing protection!

All the best to you,

Bgbkwndo.

[DavidSim]

Thanks again everyone.

Regards to all.

[wesdavidson]

A long sleeve heavy tight weave cotton short, like a dickies etc, check the 2nd hand stores. and a cotton T under it that come clear up your neck, they keep the flash burn away.
Levis, or cotton work pants.
ditto on the boots, NO low cut shoes, no cloth top boots, nothing that slag can melt through to get to your toes or instep!
Harbor freight has an auto helmet for $50 usually we have 3 here and they work quite well! One busted out the strap so I drilled a cheap plastic hard hat and mounted the helmet to it, reversed the hard hat suspension to wear the brim on the back- oh it is nice! no more little balls of metal burning into my poor bald head. They have cheap but good welding gloves and a leather aprons, and hearing protectors. On the hearing protectors, drill a 1/16" hole in the shell to equalize preasure. My ears are sensitive from all the slab balls rolling in and burning the !@#$% out of my eardrums when I weld out of position.- hard to describe...

You can dress cheap and safe.

[tanglediver]

On your first day, they may not have much going on in the shop. There will be some sort of introduction, perhaps with a syllabus, and probably a safety run down. Cotton and leather clothing are suitable, ear protection was a good tip!! The schools generally have some loaner hoods, but bring some gloves when they cut you loose in the shop. I really like Tillman 750's made with elk skin. Tillman 750 link.

There are lots of variations in gloves, the type of leather has everything to do with dexterity. Assorted gloves link.

Safety glasses, a cotton hat, your gloves, they would be good to start with. Try the loaner hoods that the school already has to see what you like before buying, unless you have a preference.

The other thing is your jacket, our school has them to loan, but I settled on the cheap, green, cotton jackets, it gets way too hot down here for leather.

Post script; Bring your own enthusiasm!! You reap what you sow!!

[DavidSim]

Tanglediver, I attended the first class today and I must say that you were almost dead on as to what happened.

I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed the class, we had classroom time, then pushed beads around the rest of the day using oxy-acetylene and attending filler rod.

Can't wait for the next class next Saturday.

Thanks to everyone for all the tips and tricks, good stuff.

Regards to all.

[DavidSim]

Well, I've had 2 full days of classes so far (lots of theory, and some hands on) and I must say that I salute all you people whom weld for a living.

I never realized how much there is to know if you really want to get in to welding, not to mention how much of an "art" it can be. The instructor has been demonstrating techniques and he is truly amazing, if I could be half as good as he is I would be blessed.

We're currently doing Oxy-Acetylene, then we're moving to brazing, then stick, during this course; the next course will be TIG later this year (which is my ultimate goal).

BTW, I followed the advice I received in this thread (thank you) and bought some nice soft gloves that fit, flip goggles, steel toed boots, and ear plugs; used the new stuff today and it made a big difference in my confidence and comfort over the stuff the school provides.

I look forward to my next classes and thank you folks for your advice.

Regards to all.

[A_DAB_will_do]

Don't get too attached to your soft gloves. When you move to stick(SMAW) welding, you'll find that the heat of welding will stiffen and shink any leather glove ever made. Even the heavy duty gloves specificly made for stick welding are subject to this. Find a good source for them, and if you can buy them in bulk, at a discount, you'll appreciate it. During full time welding school, I 'wore out' a set of gloves about every 3-4 weeks; until I learned where the heat radiated from, and to avoid it.

Even a TIG torch or workpieces from TIG welding can do a number on leather gloves. Just consider them a consumable item, and it won't get to you...

If you're taking a shorter, evening class, your equipment will hold up longer....

[weldrwomn]

I am rather particular about gloves. I don't know how people use those bulky horrible low quality stick welding gloves. I value manual dexterity and once you learn how to keep your hands out of the heat, then you won't go through gloves as fast. I like the elkhide nomex lined Tillman gloves. Even for welding 1/8 Fluxcore wire at over 500 amps, I still used tig welding gloves.

When you weld, either wear cotton or leather. Man made fabrics (poly blends, rayon, etc) will melt when burned and cause really bad burns when they melt to your skin. Cotton just turns to ash and blows away and leather is good too.

Also, try not to leave your Bic lighter in your pocket.

Wear safety glasses even under your welding helmet. There is always a spark or two bouncing around in there.

If you have trouble with your neck getting sunburned, get one of those leather flaps for the base of your hood.

Good luck and have fun!!!!

[weldbead]

weldrwomn said it good about gloves. i have tillman elkskin stickwelding gloves and they do not get stiff and shrink up when you cook them, and i cook mines a lot. i been practicing vertical up and as the rod burns down your
hands get closer and closer to where you just welded,,and my tillmans are still real nice after that....
when i tig i am fortunate to fotz up a tungsten every minute or so which makes the whole issue of heat moot...i can tig barehanded most of the time...

[DavidSim]

Thanks folks, I appreciate your help.

Regards to all.

[sn0border88]

Id say (again this is personal pref.) but you should learn on a fixed hood. Autos are nice in some cases but if you can get comfortable with the motion of a fixed hood then going to a auto will be no problem.

Dont spend alot of money on gloves, they get beat up so fast its not worth it until you start to develop your own tendencies and likes.

You'll figure out what equipment works for you fast, just look at what everyone else has/is doing and see if you like any of it.

[ol' Stick Guy]

No Polyester! that means laces, underwear, T-shirt, scarf or doo-rag. Good long leather gloves, check around for prices and sales. A good quality welding jacket that is light enough to be comfortable Proban body with Leather sleeves. Good lightweight high-cut green patch boots and lace them up slag burns on you feet take forever to heal.
But WHATEVER YOU DO dont tack/weld with no arm coverage or gloves like those ASSHOLES on AMERICAN CHOPPER and a visor for grinding

[DavidSim]

Thank you "ol' Stick Guy" for the advice, I appreciate it, the current class I am taking is half way through at this point, we've done lots of oxy-acetylene welding (I've got lots of assignment/test pieces to hang in my garage at this point) and now we're moving on to Stick this coming Saturday (four full Saturdays left to go in this class).

I've been following the advice in this thread; today I bought some more things (respirators and a hood for the upcoming Stick classes). All the tips here have been very helpful and right on the money (thank you folks), each time I buy something that's been recommended here and try it (along with getting more used to the welding itself) I feel more comfortable and confident (but I still have a long way to go of course).

After the Basics course is completed (I'm going to Durham College in Whitby, Ontario), I will move on to the TIG class (which is my ultimate goal), then take a MIG class afterwards (perhaps that is a bit "a$$backwards", but it's my plan at the moment).

BTW, I see you are down the 401/QEW from me, thanks for taking the time.

Regards to all.

[mrandrei]

Always wear the proper welding attire. Use auto-darkening helmets. The recommended boots for welding are those that are made of high quality leather for they can withstand open flames and radiant heat without shrinking. Never wear cloth and synthetic shoes because they can easily catch a spark and smolder unnoticed.

[mb_welder]

I can't remember my first day in welding school. I think we discussed stuff, and then it was onto oxy/fuel welding. If I could go back, I would get a standard welding helmet, stick a shade 5 lense into it for oxy fuel welding/cutting and go with that over goggles. It's more a comfort thing than anything!

[ol' Stick Guy]

You're welcome, I wish I had some of the info you get in places like this, when I was coming up it would have saved a lot of burns and bacon arms.
As for the tig welding if you can really master OAW you should handle GTAW well it is more or less the same motor skills but with more versatility in metals you can weld.
GMAW is something you can learn readily with exposure to it.
In Ontario you've really got to watch your prices for Welding Gear phone around for prices and when your ready for an automatic lens do your homework but dont cheap out you want fast re-action time, an auto and manual setting, manual is awesome when you are tig welding and air-arcing. If our dollar ever comes back dont be afraid to check out stateside for deals.

[DavidSim]

Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it.

Regards to all.

[gizzardgutz]

Excellent advise here, I read all of them (I think?) but with the Grandkids bouncin' off the walls I'm not sure. Anyway, what I'm going to advise is not applicable to school probably. There is a procedure used with a torch and it is called different things in different parts of the country. I see you're from Canada, but I'm including ya'll, too. "Scarfin''g" or washing with a torch involves a hot flame and lots of blow with the oxygen. Usually a large or special tip. One time I was up in the rafters, trusses, whatever, of a very, very large warehouse and we were washing the nuts off of the bolts, and removing the bolts (to be re-used?) so some of the supporting angles and channels could be moved for a renovation. I was sitting on top of a four inch wide run and washing said nut, when low and behold, the laces on my steel toed boots captured all of the molten metal and began burning the top of my foot!! Now, there isn't a lot of room to work with and even less time. Put out the torch, put out the boot, get the boot off of the foot, balance my fat a$$ on the beam while trying to do all of the above at the same time!! My point in all of this (long winded, again, I know) is from that point on, I wore slip on boots, NEVER lace ups. Still got a scar, but when your young and dumb...?

[DavidSim]

Thanks for the advice, the more I weld the more I am thinking about safety issues, safety is a big part of the classes which is good for sure.

Regards to all.

[DavidSim]

Well, I've signed up for my second welding class, starting on September 14th, for TIG welding, at a local Community College. Two nights a week, for 9 weeks, covering both the theory and practical sides of TIG welding.

This is the class I am most looking forward too, after doing some OA and Stick welding during the first class.

Got all my gear, can't wait to start.

Regards to all.