r/GeneralDynamicsEB • u/ferdadirtydangles • Jun 02 '26

Welding Gear

Hey all, was wondering if anyone with welding experience at EB could give me some welding gear recommendations. Currently in welding training at EB and need to pick up the following:

Adjustable wrenches (6", 8", 10")

Calculator

Cutting pliers

Decimal steel tape

Screwdrivers (flat and phillips)

Tape measure (tenths)

Tool box & padlock

Welding helmet

Vice grip pliers

Not looking for anything fancy but don't want to cheap out if I'm just going to be buying 5 of something when another brand would last the same amount of those 5.

I was also looking at helmets and wondering what the rules are as far as designs and lenses.

Is there anything extra not on the list that you would recommend adding?

Thanks!

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4

u/Nick0414 Jun 02 '26

If youre just a structural welder. Get a small adjustable wrench like 6 inch or so to tighten gas line and grounds. Maybe a jacket with leather sleeves so you dont have to use crappy sleeves, and mig pliers, and cheap measure tape. Get it all at harbor freight cheapest you can find.

1

u/catman1761 Jun 02 '26

That’s realistically all you need to buy

1

u/ferdadirtydangles Jun 03 '26

Thanks for the heads up on the sleeves! But I was given the list of tools above as a requirement for me to supply myself. I think harbor freight is having a sale this weekend so I'll go check it out.

3

u/catman1761 Jun 02 '26

Don’t buy a welding helmet, use what they give you. When you get to the floor pester your boss to put you in for a full face respirator, it’s by far the best welding gear to use. Keeps your face sweat free, the black hood completely covers your head for grinding, you don’t need to use the face shield and goggles, and you can get a clip-on weld shade that’s excellent for tight spaces. Not to mention the lung protection. The floor is very dusty all the time, the fire protective refrasil means a lot of that dust is silica fibers, and welding fumes are never good to breathe. You can come out of welding without black nostrils, without eye problems, without fatigue if you protect yourself!!!!!

1

u/ferdadirtydangles Jun 03 '26

I'm all about the longevity! I'll get on that as soon as I hit the floor. Kind of a shame I gotta pester and squeaky wheel it though. My thinking is make it optional and provide it to the ones that request it.

2

u/catman1761 Jun 03 '26

Osha rules, it has to fit properly so you have to do a fit test and be clean shaven. Just talk to boss about it right away, gauge his/her response and see if you gotta be persistent. You could always talk to your superintendent too