How to choose the right welding equipment for professionals?

Welding is a profession in its own right, and not just the hobby of a handful of individuals. The scope of the profession is wide and encompasses many sectors. From modest workshops to large industrial production, welding is very high precision work.

Choosing the right welding equipment

Whether it is a question of equipping your company with suitable equipment or carrying out your personal activity, the needs will be very different. Therefore, what to do to choose your welding equipment in a reasoned way? Seeking advice from an expert on the matter is a valid lead!

Choose high-end equipment

Depending on whether you exercise occasionally or regularly, a specialist in welding equipment can advise you on the equipment that will suit you best. In all cases, contact a recognized brand to be sure of acquire top-of-the-range and secure equipment. As a welding expert, you are aware of the potentially high dangers that this activity entails!

From TIG to MIG-MAG

TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding is a process generally used in metalwork: sheet metal workers and locksmiths are familiar with this method practiced by craftsmen and industrialists. If you have to carry out large productions, a MIG-MAG (Metal Inert Gas - Metal Active Gas) welding machine is ideal.

Indeed, this technique requires much less downtime of the welding station, unlike electric arc welding. In the latter case, the electrode needs to be replaced regularly: a bad option when you have to finish production on time!

Protective and safety equipment

For welders around Mons and Soignies, Ateliers Marin equips you with welding equipment, as well as helmets, gloves, protective clothing, welding fume extraction equipment, etc. To get the essential equipment for welding.

Why equip yourself with a welding workshop

Anyone who has never been the victim of an “arc flash” or more precisely of electrical conjunctivitis will not see very well the usefulness of setting up a corner dedicated to welding. Yet both for the welder and for people nearby, it is essential to carefully consider the area reserved for welding activity.

Let's imagine together the ideal spot as well as the appropriate equipment for optimal practice of all types of welding for a metalworker, a craftsman or a passionate handyman.

In production workshops requiring frequent welding operations, sophisticated welding cabins are fitted out to optimize the comfort and hygiene necessary for the health of the operator at work while ensuring the proper execution of the work.

The welder must be positioned in a flow of healthy air, such is the recommendation of occupational health. Without going that far, but bearing in mind the general idea of this directive, it is possible to arrange, at controlled costs, a room or location to carry out welding operations in the best conditions.

The work area

Welding area

The area dedicated to welding, which may be all or part of a room, must be clean, spacious and clear to allow the welder to carry out his work in the best conditions. The surface must not be cluttered (by iron bars, profiles or other ongoing projects, for example). Plan your accomplishments.

Delimit the area

It is advisable to delimit and protect the premises with welding screens or electric welding protection panels.

Aeration

To work in good conditions, it is necessary to choose a ventilated place? If this is not sufficient, it is possible to install a ventilation system which will evacuate the welding fumes. An extractor fan equipped with ducts, sucking the fumes at the level of the welding point, is an interesting device. The most important thing is to keep in mind the QSE objective (Quality Safety Environment).

The layout of the welder's workshop

Handling

If you have to handle heavy parts, consider installing a gantry or a handling crane with a hoist above your work area. Choose your slings carefully and be careful not to hurt them.

Storage and layout

As you may be required to cut and grind, which induces a lot of dust dispersed in the workshop, plan one-piece cabinets with freestanding or wall-mounted doors that will protect your tools from projections. For hand tools, a workshop trolley with drawer would be the best. For the preparation of a project, use a workshop trolley with trays to deposit your parts to be welded.

The workshop shelves will be positioned at the back of your room to deposit consumables and spare parts for your welding station as well as welding gas cartridges if you weld with TIG or MIG-MAG. For further, you can install modular workshop fittings: the ultimate dream of any DIY enthusiast!

Established

Choose a solid iron workbench that is large enough to place your soldering items on. A parallel vice with a fixed or swivel base is an essential complementary accessory. For angled assemblies, consider using one or more angle clamps.

Welding magnets are also popular. If you weld with TIG, you must be well positioned and avoid shaking. The sit-stand stool allows you to better control your movements during welding.

Must-Have Support Accessories

You will undoubtedly appreciate, especially if you work alone, the help of 2 or 3 trestles and roller stands for the bulky elements to be welded. C - clamps or vice-grips are essential to hold the assemblies to be welded in place. Always keep steel elements in stock, with various openings and depths.

Straighten the welds

As all welding inevitably leads to a shrinkage effect of the metal, have an anvil or a horn handy for straightening sheets and irons. For this operation, use hammers to garnish of different sizes.

The bench grinder

This accessory is essential in a welder's workshop for sharpening chisels and picket hammer points, or for sharpening the tungsten electrode of the TIG welder. Mix the wheels of the bench grinder: one side for roughing and one side for finishing.

Power tools

Grinder and chainsaw are kept nearby for any intervention. Extension cords are deployed outside the welding area so as not to damage them.

The comfort of the welder

While it is not recommended to eat in the workplace, for a welder it is recommended to drink frequently. In a secluded corner of the workshop, set up a small table with a workshop stool. Drinks can be stored in a workshop wall cabine.

Tidy welder's workshop rhymes with safety

What could be more unpleasant than presenting your workshop and your achievements to your friends or customers in a dirty, dusty and cluttered place? It is necessary to schedule regular cleaning of the work area. Rest assured, the shop vacuum will make your job much easier.

A word of advice: some dusty areas are difficult to access, with the multifunction blower vacuum cleaner, you can move the dust further to vacuum them easily afterwards.

Waste treatment

Any good welder must treat his waste in compliance with the environmental regulations in force. Provide dedicated waste bins. The scrap metal will be recycled at the metal collector, and for the rest, selective sorting is done like at home.

Personal protective equipment: equip yourself to weld safely

Welder's protective clothing such as welder's apron or welder's jacket as well as welder's gloves are essential to protect against any risk of burns or projection of weld droplets. A cabinet can be dedicated to the storage of these PPE, to which we add the first aid kit and the fire extinguisher to show that we have thought about safety.