Essential Welding Accessories Every Welder Should Have — Available on nexAir NOW

Your welding machine and gas supply get you maybe 60% of the way through most jobs. The rest depends on having the right accessories when you need them. 

Running out of consumables or working with worn-out tools slows everything down. We’ve identified the accessories that earn their place in busy fab shops, the ones that see daily use rather than collecting dust on a shelf. You can order all of them through nexAir NOW and skip the usual phone tag with account reps.

Personal Protection That Works

The right PPE keeps you safe without slowing you down:

• Auto-darkening helmets let you see the joint before striking the arc, improving accuracy on tack welds and starting points
• Welding gloves come in TIG weight for dexterity and heavier MIG/stick versions for heat protection
• Leather jackets and sleeves shield you from UV radiation and spatter
• Respirators matter when working in enclosed spaces or with coated materials
• Safety glasses go under your helmet to protect against grinding debris and stray sparks
• Hearing protection becomes necessary in shops where multiple grinders and welders run simultaneously
• Leather aprons add front protection without the bulk of a full jacket when you’re doing bench work

Having proper PPE available means you can work comfortably through long sessions without compromising safety or taking breaks to deal with burns and eye strain.

Consumables That Keep You Working

Running out of consumables mid-job kills productivity. Keep these stocked:

• Contact tips wear out from electrical erosion and need replacement when the opening enlarges beyond spec
• MIG nozzles accumulate spatter buildup that blocks gas flow and creates shielding problems
• Anti-spatter spray prevents buildup on nozzles and extends their life
• TIG collets and collet bodies wear over time and affect how securely tungsten stays positioned
• Tungsten electrodes in various sizes and types (2% thoriated, lanthanated, ceriated) for different applications
• Welding wire in the diameters and alloys you use most frequently
• Stick electrodes for your common rod sizes and types (6010, 7018, etc.)
• Drive rolls matched to your wire diameter prevent feeding problems

Stocking consumables means swapping a worn part takes 30 seconds instead of stopping work to track down replacements.

Tools That Make Setup and Cleanup Faster

The right tools speed up everything around welding:

• Welding clamps with wide jaw openings and heat resistance hold workpieces in position better than standard C-clamps
• Magnetic squares and fixtures provide quick setup for common joint angles without measuring every time
• Chipping hammers (spring-loaded versions are easier on your hands during extended cleanup sessions)
• Wire brushes in both carbon steel and stainless steel to prevent cross-contamination between materials
• Angle grinders for surface prep and cleanup
• Grinding discs remove material quickly for joint preparation
• Flap discs provide controlled material removal and better surface finishes for final cleanup
• Soapstone and markers for layout work that survives welding heat
• Measuring tools like squares, protractors, and calipers for accurate fitup

These tools keep setup and cleanup from eating up more time than the actual welding takes.

Stock Your Shop Through nexAir NOW

All these accessories are available through nexAir NOW, where you can browse products, check your account pricing, and place orders whenever you need to restock. Our platform makes it easy to keep essential accessories on hand without the delays of traditional ordering methods, backed by our expert KnowHow™ in welding supplies and equipment.

Having the right accessories available when you need them keeps projects moving forward and helps you Forge Forward with work instead of stopping to hunt down basic supplies. Set up your nexAir NOW account to start ordering the welding accessories that make your job easier and more efficient.