Gearing Up

admin

So now that I've been accepted by the junior college (well, technically a community college these days but it'll always be a junior college to me),  I'm going to need to start getting a few pieces of work clothes. This is where I need some advice.For shirts and pants, a couple of websites suggest denim and 100% cotton. Do I need to get "work shirts," more expensive fire-resistant work shirts, or will any 100% cotton or denim work? What brands are good and which should I avoid?I know I'll need steel toe boots. My size (US mens' 7) is going to limit my choices. What should I look for or stay away from?Hoods are another thing I'm a little concerned about. The teachers suggest I avoid auto-darkeners because there's a reputed theft problem. Are the hoods with the flip- up lens any good? I know I'll need one with a replaceable glass so I can get the right shade, but that's about it.Is there anything I'm forgetting to ask?Edit: the tool list includes "welding gloves," a welding cap, ear protection, safety and cutting glasses, and leather sleeves.Last edited by teh603; 01-09-2015 at 11:55 AM.
Reply:Any 100% cotton work shirt will do. Get a good pair of leather sleeves or leather welding jacket. Maybe even think about 100% cotton coveralls. I would never wear steel toe boots! Things I dealt with steel toe boots would just take the Doctor longer to hack saw them off to get a look at my toes, If they were still there. Welding hoods, you have to figure out what works best for you.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:I would suggest work jeans relatively new, and a welding jacket. I like the Miller dark blue jackets and cape sleeves as they don't reflect light under my hood, but green or leather does work. I agree with your instructor. Passive hood with a gold lens is cheap and nearly rock solid. I would avoid Weldmark brand gold lenses as the quality can leave an orange hue which leads me to believe anything goes. Omni-view is the best platic lens out there. Phillips Safety is the best glass in my opinion. Most LWS will carry Omni-View. Anchor is a good second. Again Weldmark is horrible. As far as hoods, I prefer the Jackson/Huntsman 411p. They take a bit of break-in at the pivot screws, but after about a thousand flips they are smooth as silk. They are cheap at about $60 and made in USA and tough as nails. They have catches at the top and bottom of the travel. http://www.use-enco.com/1/1/91254-14...g-helmets.htmlWeld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:I love those Huntsman 411p hoods! Only down side is, they don't hold up to well in the rain. And if you're pouring the coals to FCAW-G or FCAW-S the black hood gets hot very fast. Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Look at the fibre metal pipeliner. And are the steel toed required?Lincoln AC-225 90 amp flux core
Reply:Originally Posted by teh603Is there anything I'm forgetting to ask?
Reply:Most of those tools are on the list, or I've added them. The required tool list for the first semester (provided things don't get all whomper-jawed) is roughly thus:Hood with filter plateSafety glassesLeather glovesVise Grips or Channel Locks (I'm going to get vise grips in several different shapes and sizes)Chipping HammerWire Brush4 1/2" Angle grinder with grinding discs and wire wheels (harbor freight?)StrikerSoapstone (my fiancee's dad suggests the rectangular kind)Shade 5 cutting glassesWelding CapFlashlightEar ProtectionLeather SleevesPipeliner FileI've also added a few things to that list:LevelTouchless Thermometer (preheating, anyone?)CallipersTape MeasureMore wire brushes (brass/copper, stainless)
Reply:I have to disagree with some, Auto darks are awesome. Go to lowes, buy the kobalt variable shade autodark and keep it with you because it's awesome. I like it better than my miller for $98
Reply:Originally Posted by nomoreusmcI have to disagree with some, Auto darks are awesome. Go to lowes, buy the kobalt variable shade autodark and keep it with you because it's awesome. I like it better than my miller for $98
Reply:Originally Posted by teh603Maybe later. Theft problem, remember?
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPI love those Huntsman 411p hoods! Only down side is, they don't hold up to well in the rain. And if you're pouring the coals to FCAW-G or FCAW-S the black hood gets hot very fast.
Reply:Always laugh that people recommend not wearing steel toe boots. Its strange the u.s. doesnt make it mandatory like most first world countries.  Its been proven that steel toe boots are much better than the alternative.  Its like not wearing  a seat belt because some accidents people would be better without.  Well its a small minority.
Reply:Originally Posted by iongarAlways laugh that people recommend not wearing steel toe boots.
Reply:So i shouldn't wear a seat belt because a head on collision with a semi will kill me anyways? I deal in large steel building construction and know of many people that have been saved from broken feet or toes because of their steel toes. Sure its not gonna help if a large piece falls and I'm not arguing that.
Reply:Originally Posted by iongarI'm not arguing that.
Reply:Good argument,  same thing when people were fighting not to have mandatory safety glasses.
Reply:Good jeans that are comfortable and a good welding jacket to start. Invest in good safety glasses. I don't like skimping on boots. Guys I work with brag about the deal they got on their boots but a month or two later complain about them hurting or falling apart
Reply:Originally Posted by iongarGood argument,
Reply:Given my small feet, I doubt I'm going to be getting any really good deals on boots. Academy seems to have exactly one pair in my size per store, and Red Wing doesn't even have all styles available in it. I'd also like to mention that some staffing agencies do require workers to have steel toe workboots, at least for some jobs.
Reply:Nobody is going to steal an autodarkening hood if you dont leave it lying around.  I say just put some special marking on the hood so that you can positively prove that its yours and get an entry level miller like a pro hobby.
Reply:So on the issue of hoods, can you decorate them? Paint? Stickers? Or would doing so be too much of a fire hazard?
Reply:I think most non-dorks would advise against decorating your hood....or maybe I am the dork, and just the opposite is trueHobart Beta-Mig 2511972 Miller AEAD-200LEMiller 250 TwinNorthern Ind. Hybrid 200Longevity Stick 140Longevity Migweld 200SThermal Arc Pak 3XR
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPWhen you deal with material like this on a daily bases, do you really think steel toe boots are going to help?
Reply:I would make sure the shirt and pants you decide to use are cotton with NO holes in them. Hot objects always seem to find their way in. Black Stallion offers some nice sleeves and jackets at an affordable price for someone who is just starting out (look on eBay).As far as your boots... I have been in construction for almost 20 years. I work with big stuff and small stuff, But I can honestly say the steel toes have saved me a few times. I used to have a steel toe plate that I took out of one of my old boots. A Scraper flight rolled onto my foot and the steel toe stopped it. the plate had a nice dent in it afterwards. Last but not least. I have always used and recommend the Huntsman 411P hood with a gold lens. mine is 20 years old and still working good. in fact I own 2 of them. I would hold off on the stickers and artwork though.Good luck!
Reply:Originally Posted by Burnt GloveIs that Schwinn Stingray inside of the well casing on the left?Originally Posted by Burnt GloveI would make sure the shirt and pants you decide to use are cotton with NO holes in them. Hot objects always seem to find their way in. Black Stallion offers some nice sleeves and jackets at an affordable price for someone who is just starting out (look on eBay).
Reply:Originally Posted by teh603Thanks. I haven't been able to find info on the 411P, though. Looks like it might be out of stock in the places I looked, or maybe it's just that I didn't look in the right places.
Reply:Nice hood, but that's going to be at the high end of my price range, at least for now. I may end up going with a Northern Tool cheapie and swapping in the right shade of glass, until I have the money for something better. A local welding supply store carries the same (or almost the same) flip-up hoods for about $20 more.On the issue of tool stores, I've been shopping around and the price and quality range seems to vary immensely, even between stores of the same chain. I saw some cheapie Vise Grips at one Harbor Freight, for example, that couldn't be made to lock no matter what I did. Comparably- priced ones at a different Harbor Freight seemed to work fine. It's certainly made my attempts at controlling costs... interesting.Last edited by teh603; 01-13-2015 at 11:18 AM.
Reply:What ever hood you go with keep one thing in mind, your neck! I have nothing but trouble with my neck from all those years of wearing heavy hard hat hoods. Sure I caught a padeye in the face one day, and blew 3 or 4 discs in my neck, and had to have neck surgery, but I had neck pain before that day. Any hood with a flip face is going to weigh more! Trust me you'll want the lightest weight hood you can find! Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Originally Posted by teh603Nice hood, but that's going to be at the high end of my price range, at least for now. I may end up going with a Northern Tool cheapie and swapping in the right shade of glass, until I have the money for something better. A local welding supply store carries the same (or almost the same) flip-up hoods for about $20 more.On the issue of tool stores, I've been shopping around and the price and quality range seems to vary immensely, even between stores of the same chain. I saw some cheapie Vise Grips at one Harbor Freight, for example, that couldn't be made to lock no matter what I did. Comparably- priced ones at a different Harbor Freight seemed to work fine. It's certainly made my attempts at controlling costs... interesting.
Reply:Strong Hand? One word or two? Northern Tool has "Strong Hand" clamps, but I don't know how spelling- sensitive they are.
Reply:Originally Posted by teh603Strong Hand? One word or two? Northern Tool has "Strong Hand" clamps, but I don't know how spelling- sensitive they are.
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPI love those Huntsman 411p hoods! Only down side is, they don't hold up to well in the rain. And if you're pouring the coals to FCAW-G or FCAW-S the black hood gets hot very fast.
Reply:Originally Posted by Burnt GloveHahaha! they do tend to get a bit warm. A small fan is always nice to have also. this is the last auto tint lens I bought. I was "pouring the coal" to some 1" plate with some FCAW a few months back. after a while the color of my lens started to change. I stopped to have a look and found this.