15 Highest Rated Welding Tools for Beginners – 2022 Reviews

Top 15 Must-Have Instruments

Welding hammers are essential accessories for chipping away slab-coating to reveal the weld. The VASTOOLS high-carbon steel chipping hammer has a spring handle to absorb shocks. It features a 1 and 1/16-inch tempered chisel and a point for cleaning slag and debris from any surface.

Many reviewers are pleased with this hammer’s long lifespan and the wire scratch brush that comes with it. To some buyers, the hammer is somewhat small, but, if you are a beginner, it may be ideal for your initial projects.

As a beginner, you may use MIG welding as it is the most straightforward process to learn. The 8-inch MIG pliers from Irwin Tools are an essential piece of equipment. They can be used to safely remove the hot nozzle from your gun, to remove the contact tip where the wire comes out of your gun, and to clip your wire at the correct stick-out measurement.

People who own this product like its durability and usability. The jaw spring may be too long for the pliers to close, but you can easily cut it to the appropriate length.

The Channellock adjustable wrench is the perfect tool for tightening the regulator of a gas welder and prying metal apart. This wrench can open to 1.5 inches, and the jaws are thin for access to small openings.

People who bought this wrench were pleased with its wide opening adjustment and non-slip feel. On the downside, it was a bit heavy, but because of its weight, you don’t need to exert a lot of force to turn a bolt.

Clamps are essential to hold your workpieces together and prevent warpage from pushing them out of position. Ion Tool’s six-pack welding clamps are specifically designed to make your life as a beginner welder easier. It features a 3.25-inch jaw opening capacity and swivel pads that make surface adjustments possible without damage to your welding tables or other surfaces.

Reviewers were vocal about the strength and adjustability of these clamps. While they are not suitable for industrial applications, you will be able to derive optimal use from them as beginner welder.

A handheld grinder is a versatile and essential part of the beginner’s welding supplies. The Meterk electric angle grinder has a 6A motor with 750 watts of output power. Beginner welders who have been using this model are vocal about its ability to cut, grind, and sand workpieces to perfection.

Meterk electric angle grinders sport a relatively high price for hand tools, but you can rest assured they will provide many years of grinding and precision work.

A portable bandsaw is a perfect tool for quickly cutting metal pieces in uniform lengths. The Porter-Cable PCE700 is an excellent option for beginners with its powerful 15 Amp, 3,800 RPM motor, and quick-release material clamp.

This Portaband saw features a heavy-duty steel base and spark deflector for added safety. The saw also features a cutting fence with a miter adjustment so you can make angled cuts up to 45-degrees. With the quick-release spindle lock, you can quickly and easily replace the blade, too.

Reviewers liked the saw’s usability and the precision of its cuts, but some were not pleased with the quality of the 14-inch blade that was included. You can quickly remedy this issue, though, by replacing the blade.

Die grinders are must-have tools for precision beveling and featuring. The CP875 from Chicago Pneumatic features a ¼-inch collet and a 90-degree angle head for enhanced flexibility in small spaces.

This die grinder has a compact design, and it is lightweight to allow for enhanced maneuverability. The grinder also features a lock-off throttle to prevent it from accidentally starting up.

This grinder’s popularity is mainly due to its superior grinding abilities. The grinder discharges air to the front, which may be a problem if you prefer rear-air discharge. If this doesn’t bother you, however, it is the ideal die grinder.

A Sawzall is a perfect tool for cutting surfaces that are difficult to reach with a portable bandsaw. The Dewalt DWE305 Reciprocating Saw has a powerful 12-amp motor that can reach up to 2,900 strokes per minute, as well as a variable trigger for speed control.

The DWE305 is suitable for DIY construction projects as well as heavy-duty applications, and it is fitted with a four-position blade clamp for flush cutting. According to reviews, this saw is highly durable and easy to use.

If you are a beginner welder, a cutting torch is a viable alternative to plasma cutters. The cutting torch set from Victor offers a wide range of high-end features for easy light metal preparation, including a torch handle with built-in check valves and a cutting attachment. With the kit, you will also receive a CA411-3 cutting attachment, a torch hose, goggles, and a striker.

According to people who have been using it, this kit is durable, practical, and easy to use. The kit may not be suitable for commercial projects, but it is ideal for beginners.

Metal Fabrication Measuring Gadgets

During metal construction, measurements are crucial to the success of the final project. The best tool for this is a tape measure. Komelon’s 7125IE measuring tape features everything you need as a beginner welder, including a magnetic dual-end hook, double-sided printing, and an impact-resistant rubberized case.

Reviewers like the magnetic hook as it allows you to take measurements without the help of another person. One issue with this tape is that it is possible to overextend it. To prevent this, it has a printed warning near the end.

A speed square is a handy tool for quickly measuring and marking angled cuts in your workpieces. The folding layout square from Omni Tool Works Inc. allows you to mark all angled cuts. The blade is foldable, small enough to fit in your back pocket, and it clicks into place at 45- and 90-degrees.

The blades are made from anodized aluminum and stainless steel to prevent corrosion. It also features cut and highlighted markings.

During a project, you have to make clear marks on your metal workpieces. With IMT’s scriber, you can make legible marks on both stainless and hard steel. The scribe features a tungsten carbide tip and an aluminum tip that is highly durable, and reversible when not in use.

Many reviewers also like the fitted magnet that can pick up small metal pieces from hard-to-reach places.

A metal gauge is a tool you use to determine the thickness of the metal so you can change the welding settings accordingly. These gauge tools from OSOF have openings of different sizes. To determine the thickness of the sheet metal, slide the openings over your workpiece and take a reading.

Steel construction workers find this tool handy, especially when they have a lot of metal sheets lying around, and they need to keep track of the measurements.

After cutting a workpiece, you may see metal burrs that can impact the quality of your weld. The easiest way to get rid of these imperfections is by using a metal file. This nine-piece metal file set from Innovant Tools is made of premium high-carbon hardened steel and presents a viable option.

People who use this kit like the non-slip handle and the long-lasting teeth. The only drawback of these files is the steep price. However, you won’t have to buy new files for a few years.

To ensure the gear has the longest possible life expectancy, you must take proper care when storing it. If your equipment is exposed to moisture or heat, it can result in corrosion. You also don’t want a heavyweight object lying on top of things like hoses or rods.

Unplug all your connections during storage, especially if you have a machine connected to AC or DC. To eliminate the risk of leaks, check the valves in your tanks to make sure they are switched off and fully closed.

Tools like gauges, files, pliers, cutting torches, and tape measures should be locked inside a toolbox to prevent theft and the accumulation of dust. Store your rods in an upright position in a waterproof container and keep the different rod types separate (so you don’t accidentally use the wrong process).

In storage, hoses should be loosely coiled and free of knots and kinks to prevent damage.

The best way to prolong the life expectancy and functionality of your equipment is to establish a routine maintenance schedule. Maintenance involves weekly, monthly, and yearly servicing that includes cleaning, the application of grease, and the replacement of tips and nozzles.

Clean your tools weekly with compressed air, especially if you also do woodworking in your shop. If you live in a humid climate, inspect all pliers, cutters, and other devices once a month for corrosion. If you notice traces of rust, apply a primer containing phosphoric acid that reacts with the rust to form iron sulfate (which is dark blue and resistant to the development of iron oxide).

The best way to maintain your gear is by using it in accordance with its specifications. Stick to the recommended processes, consumables, and projects. Also, store your accessories correctly to prevent damage.