Welding Tips and Tricks

I buy Walter EnduroFlex flap discs in 40 grit. They are thread on type, so they are very easy to install and remove without a tool. Their zip wheels run about $2.50 at my LWS for a 4.5” They also have a waffle disk for heavy millscale, but it is very aggressive if you apply any real pressure, so use care unless you need to clean 40 year old rusty steel...

They do offer a wide variety of different disks for specific metals too if you need something special. I use their “blue” colored disks also for stainless specific surfacing. Standard carbon steel is “orange”.

cj737 wrote:I buy Walter EnduroFlex flap discs in 40 grit. They are thread on type, so they are very easy to install and remove without a tool.

I like the idea of a threaded disc, the zip disc will get jammed when you break one. Since they are thin, they have a tendency to break more easily, I broke one last week before my grinder died.

A variety of clamps and welding magnets. For locking clamps I usually stick with Irwin but I picked up some cheap knockoffs at PA which work fine. Check them out first. Just lock them as tight as you can and if they don't deflect they are probably fine. For flap discs Zirconium is good, aluminum oxide is cheaper but wears much quicker.

homeboy wrote:A variety of clamps and welding magnets. For locking clamps I usually stick with Irwin but I picked up some cheap knockoffs at PA which work fine. Check them out first. Just lock them as tight as you can and if they don't deflect they are probably fine. For flap discs Zirconium is good, aluminum oxide is cheaper but wears much quicker.

Now your sending him down that dark hole that the rest of us have gone.....How many clamps and magnets are enough?

tungstendipper wrote:

homeboy wrote:A variety of clamps and welding magnets. For locking clamps I usually stick with Irwin but I picked up some cheap knockoffs at PA which work fine. Check them out first. Just lock them as tight as you can and if they don't deflect they are probably fine. For flap discs Zirconium is good, aluminum oxide is cheaper but wears much quicker.

Now your sending him down that dark hole that the rest of us have gone.....How many clamps and magnets are enough?

Enough? Doesn't exist!!

444e wrote:I noticed that Walter makes a Zipp wheel on Amazon but they are pretty expensive with a lot of different options. Can anyone shed some light on which of these wheels are best to get?

A good quality Metabo Slicer wheel works equally well too. I do use the Walters for stainless. Their 49 grit flapper and their Waffke disks are unrivaled for cleaning and cutting.

I just bought myself a 10 inch compound miter chop saw for steel, plastic and wood off Amazon $200. Have yet to get it. I have been cutting all my materials with a 4 1/2 hand held grinder and it is getting old fast. Saw is an Evolution Tools Rage 3.

bruce991 wrote:I just bought myself a 10 inch compound miter chop saw for steel, plastic and wood off Amazon $200. Have yet to get it. I have been cutting all my materials with a 4 1/2 hand held grinder and it is getting old fast. Saw is an Evolution Tools Rage 3.

my lws swears by the evolution circular saw. i have yet to get one as my wallet is still in shock from initial welding supplies and welder.

444e wrote:Hey guys, I am just getting into welding and was wondering what tools you guys recommend for cutting and prep work. All I have right now is a angle grinder and Sawzall. I bought a pack of wire brushes 4 the angle grinder at Harbor Freight but they don't work very well. Thanks for any help

I would recommend a portable band saw. I have a Milwaukee deep cut band saw and got the SWAG Off Road table for it. Its an expensive combo but I think it is worth it. Another item that I would recommend is getting a vice for your welding table.

I have the same setup ^ " Milwaukee deep cut band saw and got the SWAG Off Road table " and use that more than any other cutting tools.

You said NewB... I say cutoff wheels. Master them because no matter how much fancy your wallet allows for;that disc will always be a must. Make sure you're an expert with them.
#2 would be the portaband used hand held.The table is a luxury ....and a crutch.
#3 would be an oxyfuel rig. Preferably with acet and not LP since if a guy cant weld with an O/A torch he isn't really a welder.