Primary Hand Tools for a Welder’s Tool Kit

Like in all skilled trades, an experienced welder to needs to have certain primary hand tools so that they may succeed in their area of work. This is by no means a full-fledged list but just a few of the essential tools that welder will find useful to have in his kit in the course of his work. Some kind of standard level or the little torpedo level can turn out to be quite handy tool to ensure that factors are plump and level.

In most circumstances, the lengthier the level is the more accurate will the result be. Some kind of a framing square, a combination square, or a square will also prove to be handy if you have it in your tool box. It will make it easy to layout objects at 90° and at 45° in case a combination square is being utilized. Two other tools which will prove to be handy for smashing tack welds and in layout work would be a cold chisel and a ball peen hammer with a center punch.

Center punches are useful to lay out holes or other specific markings on metal while cold chisel will come in useful to get rid of spatter and such other prep efforts around and in the weld. When it comes to marking arcs and circles while working on layouts and sheet-metal applications, having a compass and dividers can really make your job a lot easier. A set of Trammel points which is fastened to a pipe, bar or stick would be the answer for marking larger arcs.

To remove sharp edges from the inside slant of a pipe, finishing off the curve of the sharpened, rough metal sheared rim or for demurring portions, it would be handy to keep a few variety of files. A round file will be handy when we have to open out an undersized, tiny hole and to have a smooth and finished surface, a draw file would be ideal to have.

There are many other files for specific procedures like the preparing sharpened edges and the repairing threads. One of the best tools for tiny, slow, simple exact cuts which may have to be carried out occasionally in difficult positions is the hacksaw. Since it doesn’t need a power cord, it can be made use of anywhere though there are some big tasks that cannot be handled by a handheld hacksaw.

Another crucial tool that a welder needs to carry around with him at all times is the tape measure as his work involves checking dimensions, measuring parts and ensuring that we have the correct and exact material are just a few of its many uses in a usual fabrication workshop. A straight edge or a precision steel rule can be considered as another must have tool which should always be kept within hands reach as welder may have to inspect the straightness or flatness of an edge or surface and in some cases where a tape measure doesn’t work and the need to make measurements

will arise, then this tool comes in handy. Having a protractor in the toolbox is also recommended as it will help in measuring angles and also to duplicate other angles. In cases where angles other than 45° or 90° have to be measured, then the only option before us is the protractor. At times, we may have to get an angle measured in order to duplicate a portion and if we don’t have a protractor,

we would have the extra work of making a separate pattern or find other means to do the measurement. Keeping a few basic vise grips and clamps is a good idea as it will be useful for gripping of parts and clamping objects into a particular position. At times all that will be needed will be the basic C clamp.

Some of the basic variations of clamps that we can include in our toolbox are the bar clamps, chain clamps, spring clamps, etc. Lastly, opt for a kit or toolbox that can be locked so that it can be easily carried around to the different work sites. Complete your tool set by investing in a good padlock so that they remain safe and sound at all times.

Refer to the Longevity website (www. Longevity.inc.com) or check out the YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/longevitywelding) for more information and details about the different equipments used for the many welding and cutting procedures. Longevity has all the right machines for your exact application, so do check out and choose what best fits for your product, materials, and requirements.