8 Essential Welding Tools (All For Under $50)

In this video I run through some of my favorite sub $50 welding tools and accessories.
This video is sponsored by Skillshare. The first 1000 people who click the link will get 2 free months of Skillshare Premium: skl.sh/makeeverything0820
In this video I run through some of my favorite sub $50 welding tools and accessories.
I get a ton of questions from new metal workers wondering how to improve their workflow using inexpensive tools. These 8 + tools will help you work more efficiently buy saving time and energy!
Below are some links to tools I used in this project.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Silver Streak Marker: ($8)
amzn.to/2Z3wXRJ
Magnetic V-Pads: ($24)
amzn.to/3gHPEjw
Inexpensive Corner Jigs: ($29)
amzn.to/3bg21SX
Ollie Iron Corner Jigs:
bit.ly/2XExHtP
Fireball Tool Squares:
bit.ly/2EInzvk
10 Pack Vise Grip Clamps ($51)
amzn.to/32C2eMv
1-2-3 Blocks 2-Pack ($18):
amzn.to/2QzSxIz
Magnetic Torch Holder: ($19)
amzn.to/3bl2T97
Grasshopper 3rd Hand ($26)
amzn.to/32HvGAu
House of Chop 3rd Hand:
www.thehouseofchop.com/chop-s...
Speed Square and Combo Square Combo Pack: ($10)
amzn.to/31Hf9NP
Check out the Lincoln Electric Power Mig 140MP, great for the home shop, Mig, TIG, and Stick in 1 machine!
→ bit.ly/pm140_mp_ycz
Thank you to Pferd abrasives for supporting my shop and my channel. For links to some of the grinding discs I use most see below:
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
→ Flap disc:
amzn.to/2Myxozi
→ Inside corner disc (AMAZING):
amzn.to/2WoYM2q
→ Wire Wheel:
amzn.to/31k15rx
Thanks for watching! Be careful, know the limits of your skills and your tools! Don't try this stuff at home!
Like and Subscribe for more videos and check out our Instagram
/ makeeverythi. .
To help support Make Everything and this channel become a Patron:
/ makeeverything
For Make Everything T-shirts, hats and other products check out our website:
makeeverythingshop.com/store/
We teach classes in woodworking and welding here at the shop, if your interested see the current schedule here.
makeeverythingshop.com/events/
For PDFs of some of our project check out our profile on Instructables:
www.instructables.com/member/...
Below are some links to tools I use in the shop on a daily basis.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
→ Bosch Miter Saw ( My Favorite miter saw)
amzn.to/2BeBulk
→ Sawstop Table Saw:
amzn.to/2DuAYVy
→ Wen Tabletop Metalcutting Bandsaw
amzn.to/2DrS7zf
→ Articulated Vise:
amzn.to/2FXKw9V
→ Bosch Portable Bandsaw ( 18V)
amzn.to/2mQdUq4
→ Porter Cable Restorer:
amzn.to/2BeWrfU
→ Lincoln 120V Welder ( good for a home shop)
amzn.to/2Dly6qV
→ The Camera I use:
amzn.to/2DqG325
→ The Tripod I use:
amzn.to/2rnEqfO

[@garymoore8711]

An old dog here, learning new tricks that didn't exist when I ran a Miller stick welder. Some of these tools would have come in real handy forty years ago. Thanks for your efforts on my behalf.

[@bayoutrapper3782]

Right, at home I'm still rocking an old Lincoln tombstone AC-225. God bless, y'all work safe.

[@rustydodge6167]

The sharpener for the Silver Streak mechanical pencil is the cap/button. Pull it off place it over the lead and spin it between your fingers. Perfect point every time. 👍

[@swolebro]

Also, for bright finish materials, Markal makes red pencils too which don't get visually washed out by glare/shine. I hadn't seen the mechanical ones before, so I don't know if they make red leads for them, but you can certainly get it in a traditional pencil format.

[@kingplumber]

I had one of those and the sharpener cap got lost , now it's useless.

[@heyallenify]

@@kingplumber For what it's worth, they use the same size of lead as a drafting "lead holder" and you can buy sharpeners intended for art or drafting supply channels.

[@markfryer9880]

A lot of interesting tips here. One thing I would add is that you don't have to rush out and buy all of these things straight away. If you have the money ok go for it, but otherwise make a list of things that you need and then buy something gradually. Keep an eye on your local tool shops for their regular sales. Or if you buy online, budget your purchases to qualify for the free postage.

[@derekmoore1612]

My favorite "marker"... masking tape. It wouldn't hold up to heat like soapstone or a scribe, but if your cutting "cold", it works great and leaves nothing behind. There's also no way that you won't see your mark. You can also label the part on the tape.

[@mcgam2000]

As a welder/machinist/carpenter I like the use of the 1-2-3 blocks

[@tomsdreamshopworx]

As Rusty dodge said below the sharpener is built into the cap at the back end. The other cool thing is that the silver streak reflects very well through the visor helmet, when you’re welding

[@corymcgrath5652]

Chris, this is a good list, but allow this old welder to expand. Dividers that hold a soapstone Chain grips with extentions Wedges Center finder Good magnetic torpedo level Centering punch Ball peen hammer Saskatchewan socket set ( Newfoundland, it's a TUMWRENCH, Lord thundering....) Pin/prybar and spud. Torchguide of choice ( can be a length of stock iron) Dogs of various types (shop made usually) Wrap around. All this stuff is cheap too. But heavily needed. Edit: forgot the torch (MAGlight)

[@1978garfield]

Great ideas. Inflation has really hit this stuff. It is still worth it, just takes a little longer to get the collection. If a guy was starting out welding he could do worse than go to Stronghand Tools and just ordering 1 of everything. If you can't afford that get one of everything that is under $50.

[@bayoutrapper3782]

Great video for those starting out. You earned a new sub, even though I've been welding for over 30 years, I can see that I'd wished I had this video then. God bless brother, work safe.

[@Oh6Torch]

Outstanding, no bs, and unpretentious video. I greatly appreciate your sincerity and no nonsense approach to delivering helpful information to our community, sir. Subscribed!

[@TechTimeWithEric]

A lot of "top whatever" videos just show a product and talk about it for a second. Thanks for going the extra mile to show them in use in a practical application.

[@JohnMGibby]

Love these kinds of videos where you show simple tools that provide maximum bang for buck!

[@HouseofChop]

Appreciate the 3rd Hand shoutout! Great video Chris. I use these tool all the time as well. I’d absolutely call everything you’ve shown “must haves” 🔥👍🏼🔥

[@desertratedc9596]

My little brother is taking welding classes in jobcorp and I wanted to get him some good tools as a automotive technician I don't know much about welding but I know the value of having the right tools and good made ones. Thank you for making this video!

[@kjellski]

Awesome tips and tricks Chris, thanks for sharing! The clamps have been a life saver for me as well! :) I might go shopping because of this video anyways though ;) Thank you!

[@chrisose]

While I have the same Markal silver pencil I typically just use it part numbers or orientation marks. For accurate cuts I always use a scribe. My favorite is a retractable tip model I get from McMaster-Carr.

[@ManCaveMakings]

Thanks for sharing this Chris, some great little tips in the video 👍🏻👍🏻

[@jcjones57]

Awesome video, very helpful. I ordered a couple of different sets from Ollie Iron as well as the stinger holder from Amazon. Thanks again.

[@UDoIt2]

I will be buying *_ALLLLLLL_* of this!

[@sethchyna]

fireball tool squares are awesome, he makes sum really good stuff

[@FredMcIntyre]

Thanks for the recommendations! 😃👍🏻👊🏻

[@protect.your.digits.creations]

Great video Chris , as always I was educated and entertained. Stay well your family and you my friend .....Don't Die

[@supersaiyan336]

I've been looking around my town for those clamps cheap and the always want like $20 a clamp so this video was a godsend.

[@williambeasley1984]

I like using the silver streak pencils also. If you take the cap off, it has a sharpener built in on the bottom side

[@ryansrandomshop]

Awesome video, I use a lot of these tools already

[@elong70]

Thanks - I ordered a couple items

[@topperthompson580]

Great information waiting to work on my 71 Satellite Charger!

[@michael7324]

My Starret 1-2-3 blocks were expensive, but they really are very useful tools.

[@DrewNutts]

awesome video! Thank you!

[@charlesmoeller-vu9nq]

Thank you so much. I have ordered many of your items on your links. Tool Sq no long works

[@stuartrechter5175]

That mechanical pencil you have has a lead sharpener in the end of it, so very easy to keep it sharp. It pulls out like the pencil eraser on some pencils, you sharpen your lead with it and put it back on the end of the pencil.

[@jonkwilloughby]

Thank you! Very helpful!! :)

[@andrewk.3902]

Great informational video

[@davidmcduffie1398]

They also have Red marking refills for the Silver Streak mechanical pencil that is easy to see on most materials,

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

The weld gun hands are amazing I have several if them

[@englishcoonhound9108]

Great tips

[@starforged]

Very good video. I wish the volume was higher but learned much. Thank you.

[@deankay4434]

Bought my first pair of Auto-Adjust vise grip type of pliers in 1984. I got 4 pairs for $6.40 each. I put my tool owners manuals with receipt & copy of warranty in file and saw the receipt. Same year I bought my 150 Amp MiG. Back then a 125 Cu. Ft. tank of 25/75 shield gas set me back $18 plus $1.50 delivery fee. I keep the extra tips & wire rollers in zip bag next to 6 SnapOn distributor wrenches. They look cool next to the chrome Tach/Dwell meter. Does that make you experienced or old? I think both. Cool tools! Better than the 1968 set of “Globe Master” tool kit I used. I still have one Phillips, I put a 3/4” heater hose over the handle and ground the chrome cadnium tip into a nice hole punch. It won’t break? I enjoyed the video. ASE Master Tech since 1978 (NIASE until they shortened it)

[@SchysCraftCo.]

Great video keep up the great craftsmanship and hard work make on my friend great videos

[@artmetalfab]

Awesome video and tips👌

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

That silver lead for the silver streak pencil is nice

[@erniehenshaw4066]

Great Stuff!!

[@KarlsLabReport]

Thank you!

[@mikeeagle2653]

Great video 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@garagemonkeysan]

Nice video. Great tips/suggestions. Mahalo for sharing! 🐵

[@robertgeary7520]

Great video 👍👍

[@melgross]

I use lots of 1-2-3 blocks in my machine shop, for woodworking and for welding. They’re great. But, I do have to say that you’ve got to do something about spatter. Spatter will weld itself to these unprotected steel blocks. And about torch holders. I have the silver one shown here. I ended up bending it to better work with my MiG torch. Here’s the problem; the torch isn’t held at much of an angle. It’s almost straight up. If the holder isn’t right at the edge of the table, the trigger will often touch it. Well, we know what happens then, it turns on and the wire shoots out. It it touches something, weld city! So I bent it to keep the torch more horizontal, and that solved the problem. I just tried to buy the Ollie 8” squares, but he’s sold out of every product. Hopefully, he’ll make some soon, as now I really want to try them. Said I saw them here.

[@xDrDeath78x]

Nice one mate 👍🏼

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Good tips

[@KUGW]

I bought a pair of Fireball tool squares, omg they are the bomb....

[@randymcgee9176]

Thanks for sharing I just ordered a set of pencils

[@AlanDavid1955]

THANK YOU

[@MichaelAlm]

This is really helpful. Thanks Chris!

[@marcuscicero9587]

thanks brother

[@stephenharvey5289]

When I did this we used a scribe to make steel. We always called the locking plyers "finger grips"

[@dencope5332]

Thanks for the ideas. I'll go to my local supplier to buy though.

[@mikethelandscaper41]

The silverstreak has a sharpener in the push end where an eraser would be.

[@Rambleon444]

Another cheap tool that is a game changer to remove rust on metal... Amazon 4-1/2" x 7/8" Strip Discs Stripping Wheels that Fit on Angle Grinders. They easily remove rust, don't scratch the metal or wear out like flap discs and they are cheap 6 discs for 23 bucks.

[@stevenlarsen1691]

On my third hand I have them set up for grounding. If you have a part that is grounding through a bearing and it arcs you will ruin your bearing. The third hand lets me put the ground next to the weld. I have several sizes with a brass tips.

[@susantpal]

Thanks Chris these are things people do not talk much about . But your throwing light on them was actually an eye opener.I liked it very much. But please tell me is it very essential to have a full metal table top? Can its conductivity be an issue ? Yes for magnetic apparatus as you showed they do add to your convenience, but are there more advantages to it also ? Asking just out of curiosity.

[@robertortega385]

You made me a subscriber enjoyed the video 😊

[@marioyiannari3505]

Hi mate you can slide the lid off and use that as a sharpener 👍🏻 Mario from Australia 🇦🇺

[@Witchtheif89]

NEVER. ENOUGH. CLAMPS!!!

[@alansouthwood2874]

can you please tell me where you got that pair of corner jigs

[@GoalOrientedLifting]

I work mostly on stainless, and i wish I could use magnets😔 they are really helpful

[@jeremyspecce]

I may have just bought the last pair of 1-2-3 blocks they had in stock!

[@MakeEverything]

Haha nice! I’ll have to update the link!

[@oddjobbob8742]

I’m going to bet they will make more.

[@nastyfungus7708]

What is up with the blurred out product

[@MakeEverything]

Amazon threatened to take down the video because the images I screenshotted showing the product are property of Amazon. So in order to keep the video up I had to blur them… sucks…

[@fernandomarcano4908]

Good stuff! What is the size of the Ollie corners? 5inches, 6 inches? Etc Thanks

[@loganrench5680]

When sharpie stops working due to grime or grease on the tip dip the sharpie tip in acetone for a second or 2 the sharpie will work again

[@TXscratchlines]

I'm still using paint markers. I haven't tried the steel pencil yet. Would it work with a cutting torch? With the paint marker the color of the paint will go away but you still have the mark with the marker. How is it with the steel pencil?

[@muddysteam]

I recommend Pittsburgh brand Vice grips lifetime warranties at all harbor freights

[@DavidPlass]

Unfortunately, I tried that silver streak pencil and could barely see it. I reverted to Sharpie and just clean it off before painting.

[@brianpatrick8441]

Silver berol pencils work good on mill scale and milwaukee sharpies work great on oily metal

[@matthewduhon]

The cap pops off and has a built in sharpener for the Silver streak lead.

[@christianvance2486]

Could you make fold out inline skates??

[@MakeEverything]

Only if they have rocket boosters on it...

[@willmac4229]

Squarey the great approves

[@christopherwiddis8453]

Is the cnc macho one of the essential ?

[@masonfisher5643]

I use soapstone to mark pieces

[@thuss5162]

Old school here! a tool is just a tool it doesn't know or care what it's used for as long as you use it and appreciate for what it allows you to do. However if I catch you using my wood chisels for scraping or a pry bar your a dead man!

[@lukewilliams8548]

Thank you. You've been very helpful. I'm adding to my workshop and when I look for advice your videos show up.

[@ronblack7870]

for vice grips i now buy mostly the harbor freight Bremen brand not the pittsburgh. they are pretty much as good as real vice grips . the pricing is decent . the c clamps are like 11 bucks . the pittsburgh ones are like 4 -5 bucks but they are weak.the bremen ones are good.

[@kyletomlinson9677]

Something is that’s free is cut a few things of 6” 2x2 1/8 and 1/4 angle and clips and hangers if something need to be held over head or in spot

[@frostgfx]

Nice selection of tool ideas. What's up with the out-of-focus square from time to time? Seems unnecessary.

[@MakeEverything]

Thank you! I got in trouble from amazon for posting screen shots of the actual items in recommending from their website. So I had to blur the screenshots. I thought it was helpful to show people what the tool looked like… they said it was a copyright infringement.

[@jimmarshall440]

The silver streaks have a sharpener inside the button end. At least mine does. It’s 10years old

[@nicktohzyu]

volume still needs to be turned up more. you can check by right click -> stats for nerds -> content loudness -13.6, should be between -2 to 0 dB

[@QVisionGarage]

Long Island here also, where do you find steel stock at decent prices?

[@MakeEverything]

Public Metals in Wyandanch! Tell them Chris Zep sent you!

[@QVisionGarage]

@@MakeEverything much appreciated

[@mikegallo5922]

well I'm 7 minutes into the video and I've already put the first 2 items in my Amazon cart...👍

[@brianpatrick8441]

Dont forget bosch digital readout angle finder and a 24 inch smart brand digital readout level, 12 inch dial calipers and dynabrade die grinder

[@Johny732601]

helpful vid thanks, just a little quiet on the audio

[@fixedit8689]

I work with stainless 95% of the time. Anything magnetic don’t work and pencils don’t work. Clean it off and use the sharpie or a wax pencil for roughing out

[@scottcobb4966]

👍

[@leosmith5209]

Why did you blur things out?

[@MakeEverything]

Amazon threatened to have the video taken down over the copy written images I had screenshotted from their website, so I had to blur them to avoid taking down the video

[@alootgoblin]

Crazy how much more expensive all the links are now compared to a year ago.

[@philippemontminy5031]

By the way , there is a sharpener in the cap of the silver pen.

[@erjack40]

I bought a bunch of Strong Hand magnetic postioners a few years ago, they were great until some of the little button magnets lost their magnetism...

[@shrconstruction]

Can't get them hot is all...they only lose magnetism when you over heat them.

[@erjack40]

@@shrconstruction They were never overheated. Great tools for positioning parts for tacking, I would not finish weld with any clamps in place. Some lost their magnetism gradually.

[@Zophus1]

Been looking for a good deal on vise grip clamps for some time now and was super happy to see 10 for $51! Of course they are now $76 🤬

[@brianpatrick8441]

You might regret the cheap clamps , i know from experience. The irwin clamps will last a lifetime and have good resale value

[@Zophus1]

@@brianpatrick8441 Yes I understand your point but I use clamps maybe ten times in a normal year so I'm doing things on a very tight budget

[@KevinHartsBrother]

hobart makes a badass pair of 11” with the little swivel pads for like 16 bucks at northern tool

[@Zophus1]

@@KevinHartsBrother Thanks for the tip

[@btj1844]

I like your videos but have to turn the volume all the way up to hear you speak most times. Would be great if you could fix that. Keep up the good work!

[@MakeEverything]

Thanks for the feedback. Maybe it’s Mt headphones but when I edit I always check my levels and actually felt the need to turn this audio down a bit. I’ll look into it and make sure the volumes more universal next time! Thanks!

[@Lou-hv6js]

Thanks for the tips, awesome, but the channel’s title is “Make Everything”? Don’t get wrong, I am a fan..

[@TenorDad]

Why didn't you mention welders magnetic squares? They range between $10-$15 each.

[@Ab_7777]

The link to the clamps are $70 ????

[@MakeEverything]

aka AB oh wow they much have raised the prices I’ll look for an alternative

[@Bbakke12193]

soapstone my friends.