Welding

200+ products

Expected delivery: Tue, Nov 17

Welding supplies for fabrication shops, maintenance crews, fleets and contractors. The range covers welding wire and electrodes for MIG, flux-core, stick and TIG work, welders, torches and accessories including contact tips, nozzles, ground clamps and cable, and welding safety gear such as auto-darkening helmets, welding gloves, jackets and fire blankets. Prep and finishing products are under abrasives, including flap discs and wire brushes.

How to choose welding supplies

  • Match the filler to the process. Solid MIG wire needs shielding gas. Flux-cored wire can be self-shielded (good for outdoor work) or gas-shielded. Stick electrodes and TIG rod each have their own classifications.
  • Match the filler to the base metal. Use carbon steel filler on mild steel, stainless filler on stainless and aluminum filler on aluminum. Classifications such as AWS ER70S-6 and E7018 tell you the process, strength and use.
  • Size the wire or rod to the work. Thinner material calls for smaller diameter wire or electrodes and lower amperage. Check the welder's rated range.
  • Keep consumables matched. Contact tips, nozzles and drive rolls must match the wire size and your gun.
  • Protect the welder and the area. Choose a helmet shade for the process and amperage, wear flame-resistant clothing and leather gloves, and follow OSHA requirements, the equipment manufacturer's instructions and your site's hot work program.

Shops that burn through tips, nozzles and wire every week can put them on vendor managed inventory with relabeled bins and QR reordering. For a welder model or filler metal you don't see online, send a quote request.

Common questions

What is the difference between MIG and flux-core welding?

Both feed wire through a gun. MIG uses solid wire and a shielding gas from a cylinder. Self-shielded flux-core wire makes its own shielding, so it works in wind and needs no gas, but it leaves slag to clean off.

What does E7018 mean on a welding rod?

E means electrode, 70 means 70,000 psi minimum tensile strength, 1 means it can weld in all positions, and 8 describes the coating and current type. E7018 is a low-hydrogen rod and should be kept dry.

What shade welding lens do I need?

It depends on the process and amperage. Many MIG and stick jobs fall in the shade 10 to 13 range. Check the shade chart in ANSI Z49.1 or the helmet instructions for your job.

Welding by type

Welding: page 6