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TradeKit

What You Need for Day One

Helmet to boots to hand tools, organized by category with a product picked for each item.

The Checklist

Check items off as you buy them.

53 items

Personal Protective Equipment

  • Welding Helmet

    Required

    Your most important piece of PPE. Get an auto-darkening model with a shade range that fits your process.

    YESWELDER Auto Darkening Welding Helmet, True Color

    YESWELDER Auto Darkening Welding Helmet, True Color

    $33.99

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  • Welding Gloves

    Required

    Bring a heavier glove for stick/MIG and a thinner one for TIG.

    DEWALT Premium Leather Welding Gloves

    DEWALT Premium Leather Welding Gloves

    $34.98

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  • Welding Jacket

    Required

    Protects your arms and torso from sparks and UV. Often required even over FR clothing.

    Lincoln Electric Hybrid Shadow Split Leather Sleeved Jacket

    Lincoln Electric Hybrid Shadow Split Leather Sleeved Jacket

    $166.17

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  • Safety Glasses

    Required

    Worn under your helmet and anytime you're grinding or near someone who is.

    Radnor Clear Safety Glasses, ANSI Z87+, Box of 12

    Radnor Clear Safety Glasses, ANSI Z87+, Box of 12

    $33.50

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  • Welding Boots

    Required

    Leather boots with a steel or composite toe protect your feet from sparks and dropped metal.

    Timberland PRO 8-Inch Direct Attach Steel Toe Work Boot

    Timberland PRO 8-Inch Direct Attach Steel Toe Work Boot

    $164.99

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  • Hearing Protection

    Recommended

    Grinders and a loud shop floor add up fast, so protect your hearing early.

    3M Corded Reusable Earplugs, 3-Pair with Case

    3M Corded Reusable Earplugs, 3-Pair with Case

    $6.97

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  • Respirator / Respiratory Protection

    Recommended

    Welding fume is a real health risk. Most schools require at least an N95.

    Moldex 2200N95 Disposable Respirator, Pack of 20

    Moldex 2200N95 Disposable Respirator, Pack of 20

    $34.02

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  • Welding Cap

    Recommended

    Cotton cap under your helmet keeps sparks and hot slag out of your hair.

    Comeaux Caps Reversible Welding Cap

    Comeaux Caps Reversible Welding Cap

    $17.33

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  • Leather Welding Sleeves

    Nice to have

    Extra arm protection for overhead or heavy spatter work, without wearing a full jacket.

    YESWELDER Leather Welding Sleeves

    YESWELDER Leather Welding Sleeves

    $26.23

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  • Grinding / Face Shield

    Recommended

    Safety glasses alone aren't enough for heavy grinding. A face shield covers your whole face from flying debris.

    3M H8A Ratchet Headgear and Visor Combination

    3M H8A Ratchet Headgear and Visor Combination

    $48.69

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  • Leather Welding Apron

    Nice to have

    A bib apron protects your chest and legs for bench work where a full jacket is overkill.

    Leather Welding Bib Apron, 36 x 24 In

    Leather Welding Bib Apron, 36 x 24 In

    $51.68

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  • Welding Ear Muffs

    Nice to have

    Low-profile cups sized to fit under a welding helmet, for anyone who finds foam plugs uncomfortable on a full shift.

    3M H505B Welding Ear Muffs, 17dB

    3M H505B Welding Ear Muffs, 17dB

    $44.44

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  • TIG Welding Gloves

    Nice to have

    A thinner, more dexterous glove than a standard stick/MIG glove, for the fine control TIG welding needs.

    Lincoln Electric Grain Leather TIG Welding Gloves

    Lincoln Electric Grain Leather TIG Welding Gloves

    $31.92

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  • Leather Welding Hood/Cap

    Nice to have

    Heavier, spark-resistant leather head and neck coverage for overhead work or heavy grinding, where the cotton welding cap isn't enough.

    AP Cowhide Split Leather Welding Hood with Neck/Shoulder Drape

    AP Cowhide Split Leather Welding Hood with Neck/Shoulder Drape

    $18.79

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Hand Tools & Shop Tools

  • Welding Pliers

    Recommended

    A booth multi-tool: pulls slag, trims wire, cleans your MIG tip.

    SPEEDWOX 7" MIG Welding Pliers, Multi-Function

    SPEEDWOX 7" MIG Welding Pliers, Multi-Function

    $9.99

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  • Chipping Hammer

    Required

    Knocks slag off a stick or flux-core weld before you inspect or grind it.

    YESWELDER Welding/Chipping Hammer, 28oz

    YESWELDER Welding/Chipping Hammer, 28oz

    $21.99

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  • Wire Brush

    Required

    Cleans metal before and after welding. You'll use it constantly.

    US Forge Welding Steel Wire Brush #00302

    US Forge Welding Steel Wire Brush #00302

    $19.28

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  • Tape Measure

    Required

    For layout, fit-up, and checking your work against a print.

    Klein Tools 9225 Heavy-Duty Tape Measure, 25-Foot

    Klein Tools 9225 Heavy-Duty Tape Measure, 25-Foot

    $29.98

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  • Soapstone / Marking Tools

    Required

    Marks cuts and layout lines on metal, since pencil doesn't survive the heat.

    WYPO Flat Soapstone Holder with Soapstone

    WYPO Flat Soapstone Holder with Soapstone

    $9.99

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  • Welding Magnets

    Recommended

    Holds pieces at an angle while you tack, freeing up both hands.

    YESWELDER 4-Piece Welding Magnet Set, 50 lb

    YESWELDER 4-Piece Welding Magnet Set, 50 lb

    $19.79

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  • Angle Grinder

    Recommended

    For cutting, beveling, and cleaning up welds.

    DEWALT Angle Grinder, 4.5-Inch, 11 Amp (DWE402)

    DEWALT Angle Grinder, 4.5-Inch, 11 Amp (DWE402)

    $89.00

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  • Grinder Discs

    Recommended

    Consumables for your grinder. Get both cutting and grinding discs.

    DEWALT 4-1/2" Cut-Off Wheels, 5-Pack (DW8062B5)

    DEWALT 4-1/2" Cut-Off Wheels, 5-Pack (DW8062B5)

    $5.97

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  • C-Clamps

    Required

    Clamp pieces in place before you tack them, so nothing shifts mid-weld.

    PONY Malleable Iron C-Clamp Set, 3-Piece

    PONY Malleable Iron C-Clamp Set, 3-Piece

    $15.99

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  • Combination Square

    Recommended

    Marks square lines and 45-degree angles on metal before you cut or weld.

    Swanson 12-Inch Combination Square

    Swanson 12-Inch Combination Square

    $11.63

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  • Center Punch

    Nice to have

    Marks a starting dimple for drilling so your bit doesn't wander on smooth metal.

    Automatic Spring-Loaded Center Punch

    Automatic Spring-Loaded Center Punch

    $7.99

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  • Metal File Set

    Nice to have

    Knocks down sharp edges and smooths welds after grinding.

    ABN Hand Deburring File 3-Piece Set

    ABN Hand Deburring File 3-Piece Set

    $13.98

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  • TIG Finger

    Nice to have

    A heat shield for your back hand on long TIG passes, so you're not resting bare skin on hot metal.

    Weldmonger TIG Finger XL Heat Shield

    Weldmonger TIG Finger XL Heat Shield

    $31.95

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  • Welding Table

    Recommended

    A dedicated steel table with fixture holes gives you a flat, grounded surface to clamp and tack on instead of a wood bench that can catch fire.

    VEVOR Welding Table 36"x18", 1200lbs Capacity, on Wheels

    VEVOR Welding Table 36"x18", 1200lbs Capacity, on Wheels

    $107.91

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  • Welder's Angle Clamp

    Nice to have

    Holds two pieces at an adjustable angle hands-free for tacking frames and brackets, which magnets alone can't do on odd angles.

    Strong Hand Tools WAC45 Multi-Axis Welder's Angle Clamp

    Strong Hand Tools WAC45 Multi-Axis Welder's Angle Clamp

    $212.00

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  • Flashback Arrestor Set

    Required

    A cheap check-valve pair that stops a flame from traveling back into the hose or tank, a required item on any oxy-fuel torch setup, not an upsell.

    VAPHY Oxygen & Acetylene Flashback Arrestor Set, Regulator End

    VAPHY Oxygen & Acetylene Flashback Arrestor Set, Regulator End

    $16.22

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  • Spool Gun

    Nice to have

    Feeds soft aluminum wire without the birdnesting a standard MIG gun liner causes, needed the first time your program covers aluminum.

    Weldpro 130A Aluminum Spool Gun, 15 ft

    Weldpro 130A Aluminum Spool Gun, 15 ft

    $145.49

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  • Wire Cup Brush for Angle Grinder

    Nice to have

    Mounts on your angle grinder to strip mill scale, rust, and heavy spatter over a wider area than a hand wire brush.

    AUPREX 5-Pack Wire Wheel and Wire Cup Brush Set for Angle Grinder

    AUPREX 5-Pack Wire Wheel and Wire Cup Brush Set for Angle Grinder

    $35.98

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  • TIG Torch Cup/Collet Accessory Kit

    Recommended

    Spare cups, collets, and gas lens parts for a WP-17/18/26 TIG torch — consumables that crack or wear out mid-project.

    WeldingCity TIG Welding Torch Accessory Kit, Stubby Gas Lens Setup

    WeldingCity TIG Welding Torch Accessory Kit, Stubby Gas Lens Setup

    $22.99

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  • Welding Ground Clamp

    Recommended

    A spare/replacement ground clamp for your booth's machine, since the factory clamp is the first thing to wear a bad connection or lose its spring tension.

    Forney 54410 Welding Ground Clamp, 300-Amp, 8-Inch

    Forney 54410 Welding Ground Clamp, 300-Amp, 8-Inch

    $18.99

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  • MIG Contact Tips, .035" (30-Pack)

    Recommended

    Replacement contact tips for a MIG gun — a consumable you'll burn through and clog with spatter regularly, not a one-time purchase.

    TimelyDu MIG Welder Tips, .035", 30-Pack, Copper

    TimelyDu MIG Welder Tips, .035", 30-Pack, Copper

    $9.99

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  • Welding Paint Marker / Pencil

    Nice to have

    A silver paint pencil that marks metal for cutting or layout and stays visible through heat, smoke, and slag where soapstone can rub off.

    Markal 96101 Silver Streak Welders Pencil, Pack of 12

    Markal 96101 Silver Streak Welders Pencil, Pack of 12

    $16.13

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  • TIG Tungsten Electrodes, 2% Lanthanated, 1/16"

    Recommended

    The TIG torch's consumable electrode — you'll grind and replace these constantly as you practice arc starts and puddle control.

    Midwest Tungsten Service 2% Lanthanated (WL20) Tungsten Electrodes, 1/16", 10-Pack

    Midwest Tungsten Service 2% Lanthanated (WL20) Tungsten Electrodes, 1/16", 10-Pack

    $27.49

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  • Flap Disc Assortment for Angle Grinder

    Recommended

    Blends and finishes welds after the cut-off wheel and grinding disc have done the rough work, leaving a smoother transition than a straight grinding wheel.

    LotFancy 4-1/2" Flap Discs, 40/60/80/120 Grit Assorted, 20-Pack

    LotFancy 4-1/2" Flap Discs, 40/60/80/120 Grit Assorted, 20-Pack

    $22.35

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  • Argon Regulator and Flow Meter

    Recommended

    Sets and reads shielding gas flow for TIG (and MIG with a compatible gas mix), the equipment every TIG station needs before you can strike an arc.

    SPARC Argon Regulator & Flow Meter, CGA580

    SPARC Argon Regulator & Flow Meter, CGA580

    $45.00

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  • Fillet Weld Gauge Set

    Nice to have

    Checks bead size and throat thickness against spec before an instructor or inspector does.

    Ally Tools 7-Piece Fillet Welding Inspection Gauge Set

    Ally Tools 7-Piece Fillet Welding Inspection Gauge Set

    $15.97

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  • MIG Gun Liner & Consumables Kit

    Nice to have

    Replacement contact tip, nozzle, diffuser, and liner for a MIG gun that's clogging or arcing erratically from wire dust buildup.

    WeldingCity MIG Welding Gun Accessory Kit, .035"

    WeldingCity MIG Welding Gun Accessory Kit, .035"

    $30.99

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Clothing

  • Work Clothes

    Required

    Cotton and denim resist sparks; synthetics can melt onto skin.

    Bulwark Flame Resistant 7 oz Cotton Work Shirt, Khaki

    Bulwark Flame Resistant 7 oz Cotton Work Shirt, Khaki

    $68.19

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  • FR Jeans

    Recommended

    Regular denim works, but flame-resistant denim adds a treated layer of protection for the legs.

    Bulwark FR Straight Fit Jean

    Bulwark FR Straight Fit Jean

    $98.99

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  • FR Hoodie

    Nice to have

    Shop floors and parking lots get cold. A flame-resistant layer keeps you warm without melting.

    VATRENUS Flame Resistant Hoodie

    VATRENUS Flame Resistant Hoodie

    $52.95

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  • Welding Neck Protector

    Nice to have

    A fire-resistant cover that presses onto your helmet to shield your neck and ears from spatter.

    Fire Resistant Welding Neck Protector, U-Press Seal Design

    Fire Resistant Welding Neck Protector, U-Press Seal Design

    $9.99

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Storage

  • Tool Bag / Toolbox

    Nice to have

    Keeps your gear together and protected between classes.

    YESWELDER Welding Backpack

    YESWELDER Welding Backpack

    $59.49

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  • Cylinder Cart

    Nice to have

    Moves oxygen and acetylene tanks together with safety chains instead of walking or rolling loose bottles one at a time.

    Dual Cylinder Tank Cart Dolly, 440lb Capacity

    Dual Cylinder Tank Cart Dolly, 440lb Capacity

    $135.00

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Other Basic Supplies

  • Other Basic Supplies

    Nice to have

    A notebook, marker, and small extras that make shop days easier.

    Welding & Metal Fabrication Notebook with Reference Materials

    Welding & Metal Fabrication Notebook with Reference Materials

    $13.95

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  • Fire Extinguisher

    Nice to have

    Sparks and hot metal start fires. Worth having one within reach if you practice at home.

    Kidde Full Home Fire Extinguisher, Garage/Workshop Rated

    Kidde Full Home Fire Extinguisher, Garage/Workshop Rated

    $49.94

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  • Welding Screen/Curtain

    Nice to have

    A rolling privacy/flash screen keeps arc flash off coworkers and bystanders in a shared shop, which a fixed booth doesn't always cover.

    2-Panel Welding Screen with Frame, Portable

    2-Panel Welding Screen with Frame, Portable

    $177.99

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  • Welding Blanket

    Nice to have

    Drapes over a bench or floor to catch sparks and slag so you're not cleaning burn marks off everything nearby afterward.

    KANHIRO Fiberglass Welding Blanket, 4x6 ft

    KANHIRO Fiberglass Welding Blanket, 4x6 ft

    $25.99

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  • Anti-Spatter Spray

    Nice to have

    Sprayed on the nozzle and workpiece before welding so spatter flakes off instead of building up and clogging your MIG tip.

    Akfix A90 Anti Spatter Welding Spray, 12 oz, 2-Pack

    Akfix A90 Anti Spatter Welding Spray, 12 oz, 2-Pack

    $19.49

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  • High-Temperature Aluminum Foil Tape

    Nice to have

    Seals purge dams and masks adjacent surfaces during TIG root passes or heat-sensitive work, holding up where regular tape melts or peels.

    Impresa High Temperature Aluminum Foil Tape, 30 ft x 1.5 in

    Impresa High Temperature Aluminum Foil Tape, 30 ft x 1.5 in

    $14.99

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