27 Welding Tools and Accessories That Welders Can’t Work Without

If you’re getting started as a new welder, you'll need many great welding tools, equipment, and accessories to set up your workstation. While there are plenty of essential items to include in your welding supplies checklist, the cost of investing in these accessories can add up quickly. We’ll cover the essential welding equipment, tools, and accessories you’ll need to get started.

Must-Have Welding Tools

These welding tools are what you’ll need to start setting up your workstation. If you work for a contractor or company with all the required equipment, you’ll likely have access to all these items at the site. If you want to set up your welding station on the job site, it’s essential to include the items listed below.

1. Welding Machine

If you’re working in a manufacturing or construction environment, your employer will provide the welding machine, though it’s important to get familiar with this equipment in the event you decide to set up a small operation on your own.

2. Angle Grinder

An angle grinder is essential, especially if you’re working with a stick welder or TIG welder, as it’s used to polish metal and remove slag or excess material from a piece right after it’s been welded. It’s a good tool to use when you’re working with metal pieces that are thick or coarse, which may leave behind debris or slag.

3. Welding Table

A welding table, also known as a welding cart, is essential for all your welding jobs. Welding carts provide a clean, stable surface that’s adjustable to fit any project. Most repair shops or facilities provide a stationary table, ideal for MIG welding, while portable welding tables are great for stick welding and repairs in various locations.

4. Vice Grips & Welding Pliers

Welding pliers are essential tools that provide several options for welding. They are excellent for wire cutting and removing weld splatter; they can be used for tip and nozzle installation and may also work to chip debris from a weld.

5. Welding Clamps

Welding clamps are essential for every welding project. You’ll need a minimum of ten clamps, which keep workpieces fixed together tightly, to prevent metal warpage during the welding process. These necessary accessories maintain accuracy and keep your object in place to create precise welds.

6. Chipping Hammer

Some welding projects have spatter and slag that must be removed to improve the finished result. A chipping hammer is ideal for removing this debris and providing a smoother surface, and it’s often used before sanding the surface for a finer result.

7. Steel Wire Brush

A steel wire brush is vital for cleaning a workpiece before welding. This preparatory process is especially important before using a MIG welder.

8. Hand File / Metal File

A hand metal file is what you’ll need to smooth rough or uneven surfaces from metal by grinding them down. This file is often used for fine sanding after using a grinder or a steel wire brush.

9. Welding Torch

You’ll need a good quality welding torch, which welds metals together. Metal fusion occurs when two pieces are heated to a high temperature to create a welding pool or puddle. This molten metal is used with the welding torch and filler metal to create a weld.

Welding Protection Gear

One of the most important aspects of welding is ensuring you have all the personal protection gear to ensure safety. While you won’t need to invest in the most expensive safety equipment, covering all affected areas, including your face, eyes, hands, and upper body, during the welding process is essential.

10. Welding Helmet

There are many welding helmets, though you won’t have to spend a fortune to invest in good quality. An auto-darkening welding helmet is recommended, as it provides protection against the intense light of a welding arc and allows you to see what you’re working on more accurately. It’s easy to use and one of the most essential items you’ll need when you weld.

11. Welding Jacket

A welding jacket provides essential protection for the upper body and arms. The material is typically suede or leather. It’s best to invest in a fire-resistant welding jacket, which protects against slag and sparks.

12. Ear Protection

Welding creates a lot of noise, which may cause damage to your hearing with prolonged use. Ear protection is essential for all types of welding, and ear protection gear should be easy to wear under a face shield and with safety glasses.

13. Grinding Visor

This lightweight item is worn when you grind metal as a part of the welding process. A grinding visor protects your face and eyes from flying dust and debris.

14. Welding Gloves

There are several types of welding gloves worth considering for your welding project. Thin leather gloves are ideal for TIG welding projects, as they give you a proper grip on the welding torch and handling tools. If you’re working with a stick or MIG welder, a thick pair of welding gloves are best, especially for beginners, and prevent you from getting burned, even if you pick up a hot piece of metal briefly.

15. Safety Glasses

Safety glasses are an essential item required during the welding process. You’ll also need eye protection when you use the grinding disk, as there are sparks and small pieces of metal, which can cause injury without protection. In addition to safety glasses, a face shield is essential to protect your face from debris, and it’s one of the most critical pieces of safety equipment you’ll need during the welding process.

16. Steel Toe Work Shoes

Steel toe shoes or boots are required on construction sites and manufacturing facilities. Always wear these heavy-duty shoes, as they protect your toes from heavy tools and items you’ll work with welding equipment.

17. Welding Screen

Installing a welding screen or curtain is essential for protecting people and spaces around your workstation, including high heat, debris, and other welding-related risks. Having a welding screen in an environment where multiple worksites and people can be adequately protected from the welding area is crucial.

18. Welding Finger Heat Shield

A welding finger heat shield protects your fingers from hot, scorching metal. This protective gear is made with highly heat-resistant material and gives you several layers of protection.

Essential Welding Accessories

From preparing your welding workspace to cleaning welds and accurately fusing metals, you’ll find these welding accessories essential for a wide range of projects. These items guide sizing and securing metals and help produce clean, good-quality welds.

19. Welding Magnets

Welding magnets are available in various sizes, depending on your welding project, and work great with various objects, such as frames for tables, square frames, and grates for fire pits. It’s ideal for creating 90-degree angles, and welding magnets are typically inexpensive.

20. Speed Square

A speed square is a must-have tool for your welding project. This handy tool allows you to mark accurate measurements to cut a precise 45-degree or 90-degree angle. It’s an easy welding accessory to use and perfect for any type of project size or type.

21. Sheet Metal Gauge

If you’re working with steel or similar metals, a sheet metal gauge measures the thickness of your workpiece, which determines which type of welding method or technique is best suited for the job. For example, a MIG welder may not be ideal for tackling thick steel or metal pieces. Though it’s a good option for thinner materials, it’s a must-have for welders of all levels.

22. Welding Cleaning Supplies

You'll need specific materials to clean your weld and welding site in between jobs to ensure a clean working surface. Using cleaning chemicals or pickling paste is crucial with caution while wearing personal protective gear, as it often contains toxic ingredients, including nitric, sulfuric, and hydrofluoric acids.

23. Marking Tools

Marking tools, such as soapstone, are ideal for welding workpieces, as they are highly resistant to heat and work on many metal surfaces.

24. Welding Wire

This thin metal rod is heated to a high level that melts metals to create a weld and fuse two pieces together.

25. Remote Control for Welder

If you work with semi-automatic or automatic welding machines, remote control is essential for setting parameters without risking errors or using more expensive equipment to create the same precise results.

26. Oxy Acetylene Hand Cart

Oxy Acetylene hand carts provide a holding tank for welding projects and industrial settings. These carts can hold multiple cylinders, which is ideal for multiple welding jobs in one site.

27. Acetylene Tank Setup

An acetylene tank setup is used in welding for brazing, spot heating, flame gouging, texturing, brazing, and cutting many metal materials.

Where You Can Rent Welding Equipment

Sunbelt Rentals offers all the welding accessories, equipment, and tools you’ll need to complete any task, whether setting up a workstation at home, warehouse, or production facility. Our expert staff provides online support and tips on which welding safety gear and equipment you’ll need for every project.