Metal Inert Gas or MIG welding uses an electrical current that melts when heat is applied. The bonding materials are cooled and will form a joint. Then, the two separate surfaces are then welded or joined tightly together. A MIG welding equipment list will be helpful if you're looking forward to starting MIG welding.

MIG Welding Equipment List for Beginners

There are many welding techniques or ways on how to carry it out. MIG welding is one of the easiest welding techniques, which makes it perfect for beginners. So, if you're looking to master a particular welding technique, you might as well consider purchasing a MIG welder before anything else.

Welding cannot be done without any equipment. There’s no set welding equipment for each type of welding as these will depend on the type of welding you'll do. If you're set on using MIG, here is a list of the equipment needed for MIG welding. These are classified under two categories: the basics and accessories. Both are needed if you want to weld metals successfully.

MIG Welder

A MIG welding equipment list isn't complete without a MIG welder. There are many variations of these welding machines that you can get. But when you're going to choose one, here are the things you should consider:

Type of metal

Carbon and stainless steel are the most commonly used welding metals. Carbon, because of its higher melting point than stainless steel, can withstand a greater amount of heat. A heavier-duty MIG welding machine is more suited if you're going to use a carbon-metal due. Using a heavier duty MIG welder will take you less time to melt the carbon. For stainless steel, on the other hand, a lighter MIG welding machine will do.

Aluminum is also one type of metal you can use. But these require a more complex MIG welding machine - even more complicated than that for carbon. Aluminum has a high heat-conductive capacity. This means it absorbs more heat than other metals. The welding machine should provide a uniform amount of heat to keep it from drying out. You can't use an extremely high heat supply type of MIG welding machine like that for carbon in aluminum since it will deform the metal.

Amperage

Amperage, or the measure of current, will significantly affect a MIG welding machine's cost. The higher the amperage, the more pricey the equipment will be. Heavier and thicker metals, like carbon and aluminum, require higher amperage. Getting the correct amperage is very important as it will dictate how properly welded the joints will be together.

Check the thickness of the base metals and fixtures you're going to use. If most of them are thin, you'd need to get a more sensitive welding machine that emits just the right amount of heat and less amperage. Get a greater amperage if the metals you're working with are thicker.

Power Source

Another beginner equipment must-have is the power source. The power source supplies the current to generate heat, melting the metals for the welding connection. There are two types of current you can choose: these are alternating and direct currents. Both of which can be used for MIG welding equipment.

Among these two, most MIG welders use direct current rather than alternating. The electrons flow in one direction for direct current in MIG welding, its polarity only positively or negatively. Since the direction of the current doesn't change, it's more stable than the alternating current. Stable electron flow produces highly reliable welded metals, making this current a good choice for complicated arcs.

Aside from these, it's also better to use it for thinner metals as it produces minimal weld spatter. Using direct current instead of alternating is recommended for beginners since it gives them good control over the weld. Better control also gives a smoother, cleaner, and stronger weld.

MIG Welding Wire

There are two things you need to consider when choosing a MIG welding wire. These are the type of metal used and their thickness. Aluminum, stainless steel, and carbon are the three most used metals in MIG welding. The metals should be the same both for the welding wire and base metal used. So if you're using aluminum as your base metal, your welding wire should also be made from aluminum.

But some welding wires are made from mixed metals. This is not uncommon as some metals such as silicon, manganese, and titanium are added to the welding wires to strengthen them. For this, you just have to make sure that a large component of the base metal should still be in the welding wire for it to be compatible.

The thickness of the MIG welding wire will also depend on how thick the base metal is. You can use the thickness indicated in its packaging. Generally, a 0.030 to 0.035 flux welding wire should be good for general welding work.

MIG Welding Accessories You Should Get

Aside from these basic must-haves, you'd also have to invest in MIG welding safety equipment. Welding is not an easy feat - you are at risk for burns, electric shock, electrocution, explosion, and many more. So aside from the list stated above, here's a MIG welding accessories list you must also get:

Final Thoughts: Get Everything In This MIG Welding Equipment List

The MIG welding equipment list above is the basic must-haves for beginners. Since you're just starting out, invest in the essentials first. You can extend your welding arsenal in the future as you move forward with the craft. This list also applies if you want to have your own welding kit at home and use it for minor repairs or renovations. Remember, you’re not required to go big on any task if you’re just testing the waters; it’s better to use this time to hone your skills.

Welding doesn’t have to be tedious and serious. With all the hard work welders put into their work to render excellent output, they deserve a bit of fun. Let these custom welding helmet stickers bring out the fun and camaraderie in the workplace, but not without learning important safety tips first.

“Funny welding helmet stickers” ranks high up on a welder’s most searched terms. It’s good to know welders can still keep it light in spite of their heavy-duty line of work. Helmets not only give welding operators protection from common work hazards but also serve as blank canvases for cool welding helmet stickers. But as with the different tools used in their occupation, welders should still practice a certain amount of caution with these fun accessories.

Safety Tips in Using Welding Helmet Stickers

Before you check the stores where you can buy cool welding helmet stickers, here are some tips on how you can enjoy while maintaining your safety. 

  1. Position the sticker properly: Ensure that the place where you will put the sticker does not inhibit you from performing your welding tasks efficiently. For instance, do not put the sticker in areas that will block your view. If you are wearing a full helmet, do not cover any air passage.
  2. Stick just the correct number of stickers: When you’re looking for welding helmet stickers, you’ll discover a bunch of different welding helmet sticker packs being sold online and offline. Keep yourself from using all of them and filling your welding helmet with stickers. 
  3. Use stickers solely for design: While stickers have medium-strength adhesives, don’t make the mistake of using them to cover any dents on your helmet. You should take your helmet to repair experts right away to avoid any possible danger. 

Dangers of Welding Helmet Stickers You Should Watch Out For

According to experts on construction safety, here is the list of the disadvantages of using stickers for welding helmets. 

  1. Not having a full helmet inspection: Stickers on a welding helmet could hinder a full assessment with some parts being covered. There may be cracks or quality decline in your helmet that wouldn’t be accessible to safety personnel for inspection. 
  2. Adhesives slowly affect the helmet's protection quality: Before using welding helmet stickers, check the materials and chemicals used for the adhesives. Ensure that it would not affect your helmet's quality like other adhesives do. 
  3. Risk of electric resistance: This is an extreme danger that rarely happens but is still a concern according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Always check the state of your helmet before putting the stickers on.

Ten Stores Where You Can Buy Welding Helmet Stickers

Now that you know the dos and don'ts of using stickers, you are now ready to hunt for some fun sticker packs. We have listed here ten stores where you can find funny welding helmet stickers that can make an otherwise serious welding place lighter and more fun.

  1. Moonstone Rose

You’ll love the hilarious designs Moonstone Rose has. Their funny welding helmet stickers include the following:

You’ll have a good laugh in the workplace if you choose Moonstone Rose funny welding helmet stickers based on the text designs above.

  1. Zonon

Zonon offers welding helmet sticker packs containing 100 pieces of stickers with two copies for each design. This is great for when you want to give the entire department a motivational boost or reward for a hard day’s work. If there are several teams of welders in your company, the stickers on your helmets can be a fun way to identify yourself with your group. The designs are mostly visual rather than text-heavy.

The Zonon welding helmet stickers are durable. They are water and tear-resistant, so trust that they will stick on your helmet for a very long time.

  1. Kakembo Stickers and Decals

A hardcore job deserves hardcore accessories. Do you know the meaning of skull designs? Kakembo gives you all that and more with their sticker packs. Offering badass designs that may or may not warrant an “explicit” label, Kakembo is a treasure trove of cool welding helmet stickers for badass welders. Take a look at some of their text designs:

Aside from having cool designs, Kakembo Stickers and Decals boast UV-resistant stickers that are also invulnerable to shrinking, wrinkling, and stretching, thanks to their 100% vinyl composition.

  1. BITEXPRESS

Another store where you’ll find the most amusing designs is BITEXPRESS. The store has assorted stickers with characters, texts, and a combination of both. They offer welding helmet sticker packs that can really lighten the mood in the workstation.

Some of the designs you can expect are the following:

These stickers can bring joy for a long time because they are made of vinyl that can withstand wrinkling, stretching, and even UV rays. Even rain and any liquid cannot penetrate its waterproof quality.

  1. FAVORGEAR

Most of the designs of FAVORGEAR have a general theme, so if you are looking for a break from welding, this is the store for you. FAVORGEAR sells welding helmet sticker packs of 50, and all of them are UV and water-resistant. They are durable and won’t wrinkle or tear easily. 

  1. Pudada

Welders are often portrayed as men and women with strength and ready to take on complex and detailed tasks. Pudada captures these characteristics through their designs featuring tough characters. The risk of danger is always present in the nature of a welder’s work; this is visually reflected on Pudada’s welding helmet stickers.

  1. Outus

Do you have a considerable team of welders of more than a hundred? Outus offers up to 300 stickers in their welding helmet sticker packs. With assorted designs, the group will not have a problem losing their helmets because of the same sticker designs. 

You can choose from skull designs, designs featuring the American flag, warning and caution designs, and more with this brand’s vast assortment.

The decals Outus offers have a laminated outer layer. So, in terms of durability, you are sure that it is water-resistant and will tear only after extremely long periods. 

  1. RYUPLT

“Danger: Stupid kills.” “Goal: Safety first.” These are just some of the texts included in RYUPLT’s catalog. It is at par with other stores' designs with a mix of skull, American flag, and construction safety signs designs. 

Welding helmet sticker packs of 100 are available, so you can surprise the team when you get to the workstation.

Under the rain or sun, RYUPLT’s quality remains solid as they are also resistant to water and IV rays. 

  1. AMAZINGSTICKERS

Funny welding helmet stickers at their finest are sold at AMAZINGSTICKERS. Stopping your laughter will be truly challenging when you see the texts on their designs. 

The hilarious designs will certainly make any work area alive with good vibes and even better humor.

  1. Jackson Welding Helmet Stickers

The Jackson Welding Helmet Stickers offer only the best. They give your helmet a more sophisticated look with their chic designs. These include popular brands, such as Jack Daniels and John Deere. These cool welding helmet stickers can really turn your helmet into an awesome armor that will make you feel good no matter how challenging the weld.

Summary

Who knew welding could be this fun and exciting! Have this level of motivation every time you go to work. Flex your hilarious and cool welding helmet stickers to your workmates and spark fun conversations in the workplace. Just be mindful of the safety precautions before anything. Your safety should be top priority!

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