About to start taking a welding class. What safety gear should I buy?

I signed up for a welding class at the local community college that starts at the end of the month. I have to have all my safety gear purchased before the class, but they don't seem to have a list of what is expected. My guess is:

Helmet (duh)

Gloves

And... that's all I can think of off the top of my head. I actually took this class back in high school, but it's been so long I've forgotten pretty much everything I've learned. Do you guys have any suggestions for gear I should get before class, either general categories or specific products?

They should have helmets, aprons, and the like.

You want regular PPE like safety glasses, boots (steel toe can be useful), and gloves. Ear plugs are also a plus.

Edit: some things will be for sale in the bookstore, so they might also have starting lists.

I would buy one of these. I migrated to this from different coats and I really like it.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H2C5VSW?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

This one was cheap, it shed a little when i got it but after a couple of wearings it has been fine.

Edit: Yes a helmet, get a decent auto darkening one. I have a nice Miller and it so much easier than some of the cheap older ones that had a small viewing window,

Welder cap or whatever they call the dew rag thing.   

Ear plugs. Grinders can be loud. 

In reply to AMiataCalledSteve :

When I did that they required boots (and had some specific requirements), and you should have an appropriate top (I picked up a basic, I think cotton, welding jacket.

And gloves vary with process, so depending on what you're doing you may need or want to grab heavier MIG gloves and lighter TIG gloves.

I'm surprised they didn't give you a list. You might check with them just to make sure they don't have a specific set of requirements so you don't buy something they don't like.

The more I think about it, the more specific to the class and location it seems. I got ear plugs and a compact respirator for aluminum, but those may not be as applicable depending on what you're doing.

Funny, I hear about ear plugs, and it's a great idea, but not for the noise.  If you ever get a hot bit of liquid steel in your ear, it hurts, and the soundtrack is memorable.

If you'll be welding while wearing short sleeves, consider welding sleeves or very long gloves.

I have sent an email to the instructor asking for clarification, but in the meantime thank you all for the great suggestions. I'll have to scan some of the other welding threads to see what helmets have already been suggested for the beginning welder.

Some really good info from Carl on this subject: Shop Safety.

Definitely don't cheap out on an autodarkening helmet. I made the mistake of buying an HF one and it was just slow enough to flash me every time. I forgot what brand I have now but it's a real brand like Miller.

HF does have some good gloves for a good price in my experience.

See if you can get a magnifying lens for your new helmet too, the older you are, the stronger you'll want.

You can thank me later.

I like my weldcote helmet from amazon. Look for something with 4 flash sensors. Good gloves will last a long time. I just wear an old denium jacket and call it good. If you are doing this alot, a proper jacket is wise.

3M speedglass is a great, true, budget auto darkening helmet. Much better than HF, not quite as good as red or blue, but the 3M bucket goes on sale 2-3 times a year. 

Keith Tanner said:

Definitely don't cheap out on an autodarkening helmet. I made the mistake of buying an HF one and it was just slow enough to flash me every time. 

^ that. A friend gave me an HF one that he hadn't used in a while and it quit darkening altogether.

As others have mentioned, a cap because sparks will fly up and over. Long sleeves, no shorts, all natural fibers.

Leatherwear will last longer, but a welding instructor told me all safety garments will eventually get eaten through so start with thrift store cotton sweatshirts.

1988RedT2 said:

Funny, I hear about ear plugs, and it's a great idea, but not for the noise.  If you ever get a hot bit of liquid steel in your ear, it hurts, and the soundtrack is memorable.

If you'll be welding while wearing short sleeves, consider welding sleeves or very long gloves.

This whole post pretty much describes the mistakes I made early on.

I punctured my eardrum with a piece of slag flying off a cutting torch.  The ENT doc was very impressed - I was the star of rounds for the med students that day.

Gave myself 2nd degree sunburns TIG welding in short-sleeves.

Also, +1 on Keith's point - I had a HF auto-darkening helmet for a while and got the worst headaches from it.  I actually switched back to a regular static lens.  Now I have a nice ($200) Miller auto-lens helmet and it's great.  Much more comfortable too.

Steel-toes - because dropping heavy stuff on your feet hurts a lot.

I went to welding school 3 years ago and agree with the suggestions given so far. I would also add that canvas pants (Carhartt double front-for example) prevent hot bits of metal from reaching your skin. I tried regular jeans but quickly discovered that hot bits of metal will burn right through them. Also, bring extra shields for your welding helmet and some lens cleaning wipes because looking at your welds through a spatter covered lens is difficult. Do not get a Harbor Freight welding helmet, they are a waste of money.

times 6000 on a skull cap.  Somehow a huge proportion of welding sparks somehow travel up, over your head, change directions, and land directly on the crown of your head.  I have long hair and I used to have chunks falling out and then a cowlick like alfalfa for two years until it grew out again.

Remember that not all welding stuff is really up to the task.  I looked for a welding apron at HF and it was 60% polyester, 40% cotton.  Translation: "here, strap this thing to your body which can catch fire, turn into a lava paste, and cover your body in 3rd degree burns."  Cotton, wool, leather.  They are your friends.  Jeans are great, but look at the label.  Many of them have spandex these days, and most work pants like cargos or carpenter pants are cotton/poly.  As long as it's less than about 20% poly and less than 5% spandex, I feel better.

No plastic shoes... real leather, and I prefer a taller boot so it's up in your pant legs.  Less chance of a spark falling in your shoe.

Having said all of that, I have welded before in sandals and shorts.  I'm just saying "don't be like Curtis."

Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) said:

times 6000 on a skull cap.  Somehow a huge proportion of welding sparks somehow travel up, over your head, change directions, and land directly on the crown of your head.

Plus if you're, shall we say "follicly challenged", you really want something to block the UV from sunburning your scalp after it bounces off the ceiling. :)