Attention Welders!!

[Timothy F. Lewis]

I’m not a welder, I need some under $100 ideas for a gift for my nephew who will be welding up the old blue headed lady grill! Helmet? Chaps? What do you guys think?
Thanks in advance!

 

[timothy]

Gift card.
He can buy what he wants.

 

[LMichaels]

Yep, perhaps if you have a welding supply house as I do nearby, or heck just a Harbor Freight. Gift cars are always a welcome thing

 

[Timothy F. Lewis]

No, not a gift card, that’s not my direction for him, he has done so much for family, I want something more thoughtful. I’m thinking welding chaps?
He will likely NOT buy them for himself! I decided that a chap/bib thing might be smart. Thanks guys, I know this will be the beginning of a “Safety equipment” wardrobe which I am happy to help with!
I’m still open to ideas!
There are always gift giving occasions down the road!

 

[B.A. Poole]

I do use my leather apron quit a bit. Nothing fancy, as it was from Harbor Freight.

Good gloves are always appreciated. Thin goat skin with a gauntlet. Just make sure both gloves are the same size; again from Harbor Freight....ask me how I know to check both gloves.

 

[JKalchik]

Chaps might be nice. If he doesn't have sleeves, that might be a bang-up idea. I can see the leather apron also being useful.

I'd be careful with gloves, as the fit is really important, and you're going to be looking a different gloves for different processes.

Helmets? No offence intended, good lids start at a few hundred bucks. Me, I'd be happy to spend the money, as I've only got 1 set of eyes. Actually, hey.... if he doesn't wear prescription eyeglasses, get him a good fitting set of OSHA approved eyewear. That would require him to go with you, like gloves, you want a good fit.

Honestly, even though I know and understand that you want to do something really personal, getting him a gift card really has the benefits that he can get something that does fit.

 

[Ed P]

Does he have an auto-darkening helmet/lens? I haven't priced one in years so I don't know what they sell for these days but they are handy. Some vise-grip clamps with pads, without pads, in various sizes are always welcome...no matter how many you have, it always seems like you need just one more. Check out the Irwin Store on Amazon for ideas. The pipe clamp in the first picture is amazingly useful! I have an 18" or 24" piece of black pipe, threaded at both ends, with an electrical (straight thread) coupler on one end and with the clamp in the middle, it fits in a drawer in my work rollaway, and I can add to it easily as needed.

 

[Timothy F. Lewis]

Thanks guys, “Bib chaps” are on the way! Leather bib overalls that have open legs with ties. I thought they were an interesting option, things that require fitting he will buy for himself, these he would not! He’s stubborn as a mule!

 

[Andy Kaminski]

Find out his hat size and have some one on Etsy make him some nice ones. Do not get elastic one size fits all with this.
Hint, they are supposed to be somewhat wild.
A set of Tillman’s TIG gloves is always appreciated.
If his normal glove size is large get him some mediums and they will stretch to custom fit his hands.
An aluminum soapstone holder is nice too.
Most companies supply a 25-30 foot tape measure a nice 12 foot one is really nice for laying out something that is normal size.
A small first aid kit for his car to tend to burns, splinters, pain relief and eye flush/wash is cool too.