newbie needs safety equipment?

[rilesdav]

Hello,
I am taking the plunge this spring taking an introductory to welding course at the local trade school. I am so green, I do not know what I do not know, and reading the welding forum makes my head spin. Anyway I need some safety equipment for the first class: welding hood with #10 shade, #5 gas welding goggles, safety glasses, welding jacket, and welding gloves. Are there any good intenet sites I should order these products from? Should I just go to a local welding supply house and purchase? Any advise is greatly appreciated. Also do you think this list of equipment is sufficient?
Thanks for the feedback.
Dave

 

[SquirmyPug]

For ppe that will get you started. You may want ear plugs. If you go to a lws tell them you are a welding student, they usually give about a 10% discount.

 

[aczlan]

I have used a hood with a flip up shade and a auto-darkening big shade. I wouldn't use anything but an autodarkening hood if I had the choice...

Aaron Z

 

[firemanmike69]

To build on what squirmy said you will also be able to try on before you buy at the local welding store(lws) and begin building a relationship wit the people there

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Get a light weight welding jacket, black if you can to keep reflective flashing down (hobart at TSC has them)...no need to get leathers to get started....You can take it and (gasp) wash it if you need to, although I've been told it removes the flame resistant qualities, but I'm still here. Get some shade 5 welding safety glasses, forget the goggles. Get regular shade 2 or 3 tinted safety glass too as it will keep accidental flashing from hurting as bad, and they look cool too. Gloves, get good ones, with either deer skin, pig skin or goat skin. The cheap ones will only last a couple days if you are doing serious welding. Tilman Onyx series works very well...and you'll save money in the long run. Get your own grinding shield too. I picked up a case of mrsa one time from 'sharing' grinding helmets. Yes, get the auto darks....all of them will go to shade 10, though you may find you need more or less. Adjustable shades with quality build can be bought for less than 100.00 and sometimes less than 50.00.

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Weld fabulous is a good, economical site to get what you want.

 

[rilesdav]

Ok, thanks for the feedback,
So auto darkening helmet,
Safety #5 glasses instead of goggles
Add grinding helmet to list?
Am I good to go?
Thanks
Dave

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Welding cap. Comeaux makes good ones. I don't care for the doo- rags unless you want to look like an ex-con or a figure head for pancake syrup. I prefer a sized fit, flat top, pill box quilted, standard black ...not those elastic-y, rounded or billowy effeminate looking ones either. Here's my personal favorite: http://www.comeauxcaps.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/main30001.jpg

But, hey, if you are a Ken fashion doll, you may go in for the more fancy pants type hats.

 

[Shield Arc]

Some more safety equipment for you to consider!:laughing:

 

[SquirmyPug]

If you don't want to spend the money on a good auto hood then don't get it. The cheap ones can have trouble with flashing, the problem that most people have is that they just aren't very clear. If the lens isn't very clear its hard to see the puddle.. if you can't see you can't weld.