The old adage, that a person is only as good as their tools, can be applied to many situations in life. That’s especially true for welding instructors.

To be effective teachers, welding instructors need the right equipment and resources at their beck and call. Without the right electrode, welding glove or torch, real learning simply cannot take place.

But with Lincoln Electric’s Education Resource & Purchasing Portal, it’s never been easier to obtain the tools you need to help up-and-coming welders perform at their best. What exactly are the essential tools all welding instructors should have?

Learn how instructor Scott Slagle uses the Education Portal to find some of the most popular items for welding instructors in one easy-to-use, convenient place.

It was a much-needed step in the right direction for economic recovery, especially considering the impact the trade has on several industries.

In preparation for this good news, it was important for the Welding Technology & Training Center to get policies and protocols established to make sure the transition back to welding education was as safe and effective as possible. These new policies took into consideration not only hygienic safety, but overall welding safety, as well.

In drafting these policies, we reviewed guidelines for school reopening from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization and other best practices recommended by national, state and local leaders.

Excalibur Stick Electrode

Consumables

It should go without saying, but having a healthy stockpile of consumables is absolutely vital. Because consumables tend to get used up quickly, it can be a challenge to make sure you have an adequate supply at all times.

That’s where the Education Portal makes a real difference. Once you load all of your items onto your account, it’s easy to come back and make sure you’re ordering the exact amount of wire and electrodes that your class needs when you need it.

Here are some of the most popular consumables I frequently need to restock:

• Excalibur® 7018 MR® (E7018) stick electrodes
• Fleetweld® 5P+ (E6010) stick electrodes
• Superarc® L-56 (ER70S-6) MIG wire
• Lincoln® ER70S-6 TIG wire
• Ultracore® 71A85 (E71T-9M-H8) FCAW-G wire

Premium Welding Gear Ready-Pak

Gear

Without the proper welding gear, no one has any business being inside a welding booth or lab. That’s Welding Safety 101.

The problem is that after a period of time, welding gloves, helmets and jackets can go through some serious wear and tear to the point they are no longer effective in providing the required level of protection.

That is why I make sure to have the following items on-hand for my students and colleagues:

• Traditional MIG/Stick Welding Gloves
• Traditional Flame-Resistant Cloth Welding Jacket
• Intermediate Education Welding Gear Ready-Paks® (these are an excellent all-in-one solution because they cover everything a welder needs – welding cap, helmet, face shield, safety glasses and gloves)

Industrial C-Clamp

Hand Tools

Welding tools like wire brushes, pliers, clamps, chipping hammers and flint strikers are a lot like a magician’s playing cards – you see them one second, and just like that, they’re gone.

That’s why it’s always a good idea to keep a couple extras on hand.

Whether I need a few replacements or have to stock up in bulk for new classes, I can quickly and easily find everything I need through the Education Portal. It’s these little things that sometimes get overlooked, but in a pinch, it’s nice to be able to add these items to my orders:

• 4 X 16 Row Carbon Steel Welding Wire Brushes
• Radius® Welding Pliers
• Industrial C-Clamp
• Flint Striker Replacements
• Radius® Chipping Hammer