Tool Reviews

A multi-process welder can handle MIG, TIG and stick work from one machine, which saves bench space and makes sense for a home shop that does more than one kind…

Thin automotive sheet metal is easy to burn through and hard to weld without pulling out of shape. For most patch panels and body repairs, a MIG welder with adjustable…

Choosing a MIG welder for aluminum Aluminum is harder to feed through a MIG torch than steel. Its wire is soft, it picks up dirt easily, and it can buckle…

Choosing a 110V MIG Welder A 110V MIG welder can handle plenty of small-shop work: brackets, lawn equipment repairs, cart frames, and mild-steel projects made from material around 1/8 inch…

What it takes to weld 1/4-inch steel A MIG welder can join 1/4-inch mild-steel plate, but the machine’s advertised maximum thickness is not enough to choose one. Look for a…

Choosing a welding helmet shade starts with the process and the current, but amperage alone does not tell the whole story. Arc brightness also changes with transfer mode, electrode size,…

A welding cap is a thin, close-fitting layer between your hair and the inside of a welding helmet. It can keep sweat and loose hair under control and add a…

Welding boots with metatarsal protection add a guard over the top of the foot, where falling stock, slag and tool impacts can cause injuries. In a fabrication shop, that extra…

What a welding apron can—and can’t—do Cutting and grinding throw hot sparks, sharp scale and abrasive dust across your lap and torso. A welding apron can protect your clothes and…

Why overhead work needs more coverage Welding overhead sends hot spatter down onto your sleeves, chest, neck and legs. A jacket that works for a quick bench weld may leave…