9 Best Welding Pants with FR Durability & Comfort

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Made from a sturdy flame-resistant (FR) material, the best pants for welding will repel or self-extinguish red-hot sparks and molten spatter. Keep in mind that even good welder pants are only flame-resistant—not burn-proof. They won’t last long under direct exposure to molten spatter or heavy grinding sparks. FR welding pants are best worn as secondary … Read More

Hobart 140 vs Lincoln 140: A Full Comparison

Hobart 140 vs Lincoln 140 comparison.

Many in the market for a good-quality 140 amp MIG welder for home or small-business use will face a Hobart 140 vs Lincoln 140 decision. First-time beginners wary of no-name, cheap, knock-off welders (or second-time buyers replacing one) look to trusted brands like Lincoln and Hobart. When comparing build quality and specs, the Hobart 140 … Read More

Hobart Handler 140 Review: Would I Buy Again?

This hands-on Hobart Handler 140 review features a welder I purchased three years ago.  My research found this MIG welder popular with DIY’ers tackling the same light welding tasks I do: home and business maintenance repairs, auto bodywork and just creating stuff in the garage. I like that it has an excellent reputation going back … Read More

Best Welding Shirts for Comfort and Protection

A welder is protected from sparks by wearing a FR welding shirt and jacket.

Designed to self-extinguish hot sparks, the best welding shirts protect and provide peace of mind from stray sparks that may sneak past welding helmets, jackets, and leathers.  The best shirts for welding can keep you warm in cold weather, or even release trapped heat, so you’re more comfortable in summer when things get extra hot. … Read More

Best Welder for Beginners? 19 Smart Reasons for MIG

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Why The Best Welder For Beginners Is A MIG Welder The best welder for beginners is a true MIG welding machine capable of gas metal arc welding (GMAW) using a shielding gas. Plus, you can use it for flux-cored welding without gas. The MIG welding process is easier to learn than any other welding method. … Read More

MIG Welding With 100% Argon Shielding Gas

MIG Welding with 100% Argon Shielding Gas

Running out of MIG gas in the middle of a project is a problem most welders will eventually face.

Since many of us also have a tank of pure Argon on hand for other types of welding, would MIG welding with 100% Argon on mild steel allow you to finish your project without a trip to the gas supplier?

Or, is it possible to MIG weld with Argon alone, and get by with using 100% Argon welding gas for all your MIG and TIG work?

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Best Welding Helmet Lights: 4 to Fit Any Hood

It might surprise you how much welding helmet lights can improve your welding experience.  If you frequently need to lift your hood to position the torch or have trouble making a straight weld that tracks the joint, installing a welding helmet led light kit is a real game-changer. This quick and simple upgrade improves your … Read More

How to MIG Weld Aluminum Without a Spool Gun

MIG welding aluminum without a spool gun.

You’ve heard the horror stories about MIG welding aluminum without a spool gun—but you’re still thinking of giving it a try. I get it. Spool guns are expensive and have drawbacks. It’s no secret that aluminum welding is tricky even if you’re using a $250 spool gun. But if you’re up for the challenge—and have … Read More

Best Work Light for Welding: How to See What You Weld

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Trying to weld under dim lighting increases your odds of injury and making terrible welds. It’s just not worth the risk when it’s so easy to remedy this problem. I’ve narrowed the choices of best work light for welding down to the top ten. The options include task area lighting, along with some general lighting … Read More

How to Make Small Welding Projects From Scrap

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If you’re new to welding, you might be thinking about using discarded items in smaller projects.
After all, if you keep it simple, you can build your skills and confidence gradually, and using scrap keeps your costs down. If you want to test your welding skills and learn more, here are some great suggestions for small welding projects from scrap metal.