As a new welder, it might be overwhelming to look at the amount of information and tools available online about different kinds of welding. Don’t let the wide range of products on the market deter you from your welding journey. 

We at nexAir have compiled a list of equipment and machinery that professional welders use. This will give you a taste of what you’re getting into, helping you make informed decisions about the supplies you will need. 

After all, we’re all about helping you Forge Forward.

MIG and TIG Welding

First, let’s talk about the two types of welding processes that welders swear by — MIG (metal inert gas) and TIG (tungsten inert gas) welding. 

Both processes entail fusing two pieces of metal together using an electric arc’s heat to create a molten puddle between them. When the puddle hardens, it produces one solid piece. The gas in MIG and TIG prevents impurities like air, bubbles, and dust from accumulating in the melted liquid.

MIG

In MIG welding, the wire is automatically fed into the welder by a spool from a gun nozzle. The gun allows control over the project and delivers faster results that require less cleaning. It’s also good for beginners as it is not difficult to master. 

Though cost-effective, its disadvantages are the sometimes low quality of the weld and the low penetration of metals.

TIG

TIG uses tungsten rods that are placed inside a torch. The arc is formed by manually feeding a filler wire into the welding project. It seals beautifully, provides great aesthetics due to a more refined weld, and there is deep penetration. 

The downside to TIG is it takes a lot of practice to get right. The manual feeding of the wire results in a much slower welding process. 

Now that we know about the two main welding processes professional welders use, let’s discuss some of the tools they need. 

Professional Welding Tools

Here are five types of general welding tools:

Safety Gear

Helmets, glasses, grinding visors, noise-canceling ear protection, gloves, jackets, etc. are all extremely vital for the safety of any welding project, big or small. 

Welding Machine

In addition to MIG and TIG welding, stick welding is a common process that many professionals use to get great results. Welding machines generate intense heat so that two metal pieces can be fused together.

Welding Table

As with any workspace, you need an ergonomic table for any welding job. The welding table or cart should be durable, have room for storage, and be at a height that works for you. 

Angle Grinder

Angle grinders are important for scraping and polishing welded pieces after you’ve joined them. It helps remove excess material and gives the finished product a more polished and sophisticated look.  

Welding Wire

The welding wire is heated and melted to attach two metals together by their seams. 

At nexAir, we provide world-class welding tools along with the KnowHow you need for the highest quality results. Visit our website and our Welding Supplies page to learn more.