Welding safety equipment

Hive13 maintains a set of basic safety equipment, however members are encouraged to obtain their own safety gear that suit their needs best.

PLEASE CONSIDER THE CURRENT RISKS (due to COVID) OF STICKING AN ENCLOSED HELMET ON YOUR FACE THAT SOMEONE ELSE MAY HAVE JUST HAD THEIR FACE IN AND BREATHING HEAVILY FOR # HOURS AND FORGOTTEN TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE

It is recommended that you buy your own welding safety equipment, the below items are suggestions from Hive13 members:

Hood / Helmet

Welding is bright... The light is literally blinding, even with brief exposure, UV created from the arc can instantly damage your eyes

• the following hoods are suitable for MIG welding:
  • Antra AH6 - Inexpensive (highly rated helmet on the internet, but not everyone at Hive13 is convinced of these being safe, some prefer to stick to name brands)
  • Lincoln Electric 725S Series - Basic Helmet from a Big Brand name in Welding. Available at Lowes and Home Depot
• the following hoods are suitable for both MIG and TIG welding:
  • Miller Digital Infinity Series - high quality hood, suitable for all welding, including low current TIG
  • Lincoln Viking 3350 Welding Helmet - Reddit seems to agree this is the best hood available in late 2021/early 2022

Gloves

protect your hands from UV light and heat

• MIG gloves (heavier, more heat protection)
  • Basic Lincoln Electric MIG gloves
• TIG gloves (lighter, more nimble, but insufficient heat protection for MIG)
  • Tillman 1338M Gloves
  • BSX Welding Gloves - TIG Welding Gloves BT88
  • Tillman Welding Gloves - Kidskin TIG Glove w/4 Inch Cuff 24C

Natural Fiber Clothing

Skin exposed to the UV light of welding will develop a NASTY sunburn in minutes. Not only is it painful, it puts you at very elevated risk of developing cancer. Synthetic fibers are also dangerous because they can catch fire and burn rapidly or melt on to your skin, wear ONLY natural fiber (cotton or wool) clothing when welding.

• Welding jackets are recommended to cover your normal clothes and bare skin
  • Cheap Basic Jacket on Amazon
• Shoes - wear closed toed shoes, no flip flops or sandals, and avoid thin and synthetic materials, steel toe boots are recommended
• Pants - long pants that cover all your skin, and go over the tops of your shoes are recommended to protect from UV and to prevent hot metal falling in your shoe