Welding Shop TipsA well thought out welding shop layout is very important due to safety issues from fire hazards and poisonous gasses. A newbie welder may not be familiar with the extreme temperatures related to effective welding, and the gasses that are created from welding metals and plastics. 
So, it's crucial to have a well ventilated welding area, as well as all flammable's taken well away. If you are going to do a little bit of welding, you don't need to build out a welding shop. You can get a welder, a welding helmet, and start welding in a ventilated dry area free from flammable's. Welding outside is not a good idea. There are too many variables out of your control. Plus, cold metal doesn't weld as well as warm metal. So controlling your environment in this regard is crucial. Lighting is important too. It's frustrating not being able to see your work well, especially when you are trying to finish up tough welds. So setting up lighting right over your work area is an important factor in your welding shop. And setting up just anywhere without proper consideration of the hazards of welding can result in a disaster. For example, sparks can scatter 40 feet or more. However, if you are going to be welding quite a bit, you should set up a welding shop and consider getting the basic equipment to make your welding shop work for you. For example you'll need a welder: Tig Welding or Mig Welding? A Mig welder can be more versatile and has a short learning curve. It's ideal for one handed tack welds. A Tig welder is ideal for serious welders. If you want strong professionally done welds, Tig is for you. A welding Helmet. You can't or shouldn't weld without a welding helmet. Here is a short list of the basic welding equipment to consider for your shop...
And there's more! Check out this article on welding supplies. It might help you as well. 
Another consideration is whether you want to be mobile or not. Are you going to be going on-site for welding jobs? Consider the mobile welding business aspect of your shop and you might save yourself some time and energy hauling around the wrong equipment. And lastly, you'll need power tools. The list can be very long, and it all depends on what you will be doing. For example, a custom motorcycle fabrication shop will find the following tools helpful:
Like I said. That's just a few tools you'll need. Smaller tools could be a cold chisel, metal file, a hack saw, clamps, a ball peen hammer, and other hand tools. To save money on some shop tools and equipment see our welding plans page. Good luck :-) Related Articles: Copyright WcWelding.com All Rights Reserved. |
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