Australian General Engineering

It’s essential to ensure that you protect as much of your body as possible while welding, to avoid burns and other harmful scrapes. That’s why a good quality welding apron is such a good idea; not only will it protect the front of your body, but it usually extends down to protect your legs, as well. The best welding aprons will feel sturdy and protective; they should have adjustable straps to hold them in place securely; they should be quick and easy to take on and off. Luckily, we’ve scoured the market to find nine of the best welding aprons that fulfill all these criteria! 1. Steiner 92166 Bib Apron The Good Whether you’re large- or small-framed, tall or short, you’ll find that this apron fits really well. This is because it features adjustable straps and a long length so it will hold securely in place while protecting the whole of your front. It’s been stitched with Kevlar thread and reinforced at all the major stress points, so this apron is incredibly durable. Add on the fa...

Our Best Plasma Cutter Reviews The top performers in our review are the Lotos LTP5000D, the Gold Award winner; the Lotos LT5000D, the Silver Award winner; and the Ramsond CUT 50DY, the Bronze Award winner. #1 Best Overall – Lotos LTP5000D The Lotos LTP5000D surprised us with its combination of low price point (it’s probably one of the cheapest plasma cutters we’ve come across), ease of use and quality cuts. While we don’t recommend it for heavy industrial use, this cutter is perfect for DIY/hobbyists and light business needs due to its light-weight, small dimensions, and portability. We tested the unit by attempting to cut alloy steel, stainless steel, copper, mild steel, and aluminum and were impressed that it managed to handle them all with ease. Since the Lotos LTP5000D comes with a pilot arc, we then attempted to cut some painted and rusted materials which cheaper cutters notoriously have difficulty with – but the LTP5000D cut right through them with no problems at all. We also...

Sparks and can be a real problem when welding – with your hands so close to whatever you’re working on, burning is a genuine risk. That’s why it’s so important to have a really protective pair of welding gloves, to keep your hands fresh and burn-free while you work. Here you’ll find ten of the best pairs that money can buy – and the best part is that they will all allow you to work safely and comfortably, while still allowing your hands and fingers to flex as usual. 1. Caiman 1878-5 21-Inch One Size Fits All Deerskin Welding Glove The Good This is the first pair of 21-inch long welding gloves to hit the market which has padding. As a result, you won’t find gloves that protect all the way up the forearm as these do anywhere else. As well as being comfortable, they’re super comfortable; they have been designed with a form-fitting shape and pre-curved fingers which are made to fit comfortably around the natural way of the hand. Large patches and reinforcements give superior protecti...

It’s essential to ensure that you protect as much of your body as possible while welding, to avoid burns and other harmful scrapes. That’s why a good quality welding apron is such a good idea; not only will it protect the front of your body, but it usually extends down to protect your legs, as well. The best welding aprons will feel sturdy and protective; they should have adjustable straps to hold them in place securely; they should be quick and easy to take on and off. Luckily, we’ve scoured the market to find nine of the best welding aprons that fulfill all these criteria! 1. Steiner 92166 Bib Apron The Good Whether you’re large- or small-framed, tall or short, you’ll find that this apron fits really well. This is because it features adjustable straps and a long length so it will hold securely in place while protecting the whole of your front. It’s been stitched with Kevlar thread and reinforced at all the major stress points, so this apron is incredibly durable. Add on the fa...

But which one is right for you? It’s no secret that the machines used for welding and plasma cutting are often quite heavy and a chore to move around. While there are some great portable plasma cutters and welders on offer, it’s still much more natural and less strain on the back to move them around using a welding cart. Doubly so when talking about some of the more massive machines used for heavy duty use. A quality welding trolley should ideally be sized to fit most welders/plasma cutters, be made of durable, durable materials, including space for gas tanks and a storage tray for accessories and smaller equipment. Today we’ll be going over the top 3 plasma cutter carts and welder carts on the market. 1) Best Overall – Hot Max WC100 hot wax plasma cutter cart The Good: We loved using this cart from the get-go. Assembly was relatively easy and took only about 30 minutes – surprisingly since all the other carts took us a bit longer. The end result was a well-constructed steel car...

If you don’t mind looking like the man in the iron mask, then this is a excellent welding helmet which offers a range of essential features for a low price. Sometimes pieces of welding equipment can be over-engineered, but this is one piece of kit that focuses on traditional no-fuss elements. Whether you’re looking for a budget buy or a basic model that is sturdy and well-made instead of being cheap and flimsy, then this is a great choice. Check the current price on Amazon.com The Good: Carbon fiber body 10% of this welding helmet is made from recycled carbon fiber, which makes it both environmentally friendly and extremely durable. This strength means that it will resist everyday wear and tear for decades, so you won’t have to worry about spending out on a new helmet anytime soon. Lightweight Many professional welding helmets can be very heavy to wear for long periods of time, but the carbon fiber content makes this one a little lighter. It weighs just 2.3 lbs, making weld...

The first welding helmet I ever owned was a blue Air-Liquide passive helmet. It had a 2”x4” flip-up window, a very boxy shell, and the most uncomfortable carriage possible. It was probably the best helmet for a beginner because literally, anything else is going to be better. I was fortunate enough to be a broke-ass college student and unable to afford a fancy ADF Miller Elite because, in all honesty, learning to weld with a passive helmet made me grow confidence and skill when striking an arc; you develop an individual awareness of the joint and electrode, almost a 3rd eye. If you use and have only ever used an ADF (auto-Darkening Filter), you just don’t have the same experience or that particular skill. If you can overcome being blind from the very beginning, you will be doing yourself a massive favor once you are in the workforce (more on this further down). Over the last decade, I have worked as a welder on military contracts, every level of government, almost every major in...