Freshman & Senior Welding Students Required Tools, Equipment, and Clothing

In addition to the regular college expenses, students entering the welding program must possess hand tools, safety equipment, and protective clothing.  The cost of tools is approximately $1,000 and cost of the safety equipment (not the required protective clothing) is approximately $150 depending upon where they are purchased.  It is recommended that all tools and equipment be insured under the parents' or the student's homeowner's insurance.

There are specific types of welding rod required for each of the semesters during the freshman year and are noted below.  The approximate cost of this welding rod is $700 for the freshman year.

The protective clothing must be made of flame-resistant material such as cotton or wool (NOT polyester or nylon). 

Please be aware that there are no lockers for the students to store their protective clothing and tools in.  Therefore, a roll around toolbox must also be purchased.  We recommend a size of 28"W x 18"D x 42"H (max.).  This toolbox can be purchased anywhere as long as it meets the specified measurements.  Please remember it must be big enough to hold the tools, clothing, and welding helmet.

If you have any questions, please contact George Merry, freshman instructor, at phone: (607) 587-3142 or email: merrygj@alfredstate.edu.

Freshman Welding Tools, Equipment, and Clothing

The following items (unless otherwise noted) are to be furnished by each freshman.  Please bring these with you when you begin classes.  Tools are NOT available at the Campus Store.  It is strongly recommended that these tools be insured under the parents' or student's homeowner's insurance.

Safety Equipment

1. Approved safety glasses with side shields
2. Ear plugs and ear muffs
3. Approved welding helmet with 10 and 11 lens
4. Approved face shield clear lens
5. Approved face shield #5 and lens

Protective Clothing

1. Skull cap
2. Leather jacket
3. Leather gloves
4. Leather steel toe boots (no sneakers)
5. Two long-sleeved cotton shirts
6. Two pair of cotton pants

Required Tool List

1. Tool box 28" W x 18"D x 42"H (max)
2. Lock for tool box
3. 25 ft. tape measure
4. Adjustable tri-square
5. Calculator - Casio 300fx
6. Metal scribe
7. Lineman pliers size 9"
8. Slip joint pliers size 7"
9. Arc-joint pliers size 9 1/2"
10. Bastard cut mill file 10"
11. Bastard cut flat file 10"
12. Two (2) file handles
13. #2 Phillips screwdriver
14. #2 slotted screwdriver
15. Adjustable wrenches 8" and 12"
16. Standard hex key set 5/64" - 3/8" and 2mm-10mm metric keys
17. Tip cleaners for both propylene and acetylene cutting tips
18. Spark lighter
19. Chipping hammer
20. Cold chisel 5/8" x 6" and 3/8" x 6"
21. Center punch 3/8" x 4 1/2"
22. Ball peen hammer - 24 oz.
23. Hack saw & blades
24. Wire brush (carbon steel, stainless)
25. Soap stone
26. Permanent metal marker
27. Fillet weld measuring gauge
28. Flashlight
29. Vise grip pliers
30. 4 1/2" right angle grinder
31. Grinder wheels
32. Steel protractor
33. Steel compass

Welding Rod Requirements (Call for rod recommendations)

1. Flux coated Brazing Rod 3 lb. 3/32
2. Shielded Metal Arc Welding Rod (SMAW)
   • 50 lb. E7018 - 1/8" (will use up to 100 lbs.)
   • 10 lb. E6010 - 3/32"
3. 2% Thoriated Tungsten
   • 10 electrodes 7" long (red) 
4. (GMAW) ER - 70S-6
   • 0.35 diameter
   • 12 lbs. to 20 lbs.
5. (FCAW) E71T-1
   • 0.45 diameter
   • 30 lbs. to 35 lbs.
   • DO NOT buy self shielding wire (we use 75% Ar-25% CO²Shielding Gas for our fluxcore wire)

*Textbooks:  approximately $450/year

You may visit the Alfred State Campus Bookstore for prices and/or ordering information.

• Welding and Material Fabrication - 1st ed. (ISBN 1418013749) Cengage - Auhor: Larry Jeffus
• Welding and Material Fabrication Study Guide (ISBN 1418013757) Cengage - Author: Larry Jeffus
• Mathematics for Machine Technology - 6th ed. (ISBN 1-4283-3656-7) Thomson Delmar - Author: Robert D. Smith
• Welding Print Reading (ISBN 1-59070-642-8) Goodheart-Wilcox - Authors: John Walker/Richard Polanin

*Textbooks may change - please check the Alfred State Campus Bookstore's website for updates.

Required Senior Welding Tools, Equipment and Clothing

In addition to the required tools, equipment, and protective clothing from the freshman year, the following are required for the senior year of welding technology. Tools are NOT available at the Campus Store and it is strongly recommended that all tools be insured under the parents' or student's homeowners' insurance.

Required Tools

1. Inspection mirror - approximate mirror diameter1 1/4" with telescoping handle

Welding Rod Requirements

1. Shielded Metal Arc Welding Rod (SMAW)
   
   • 20 lb. E7018 - 1/8"
   • 50 lb. E7018 - 3/32"
   • 20 lb. E6010 - 3/32"
   • 20 lb. E6010 - 1/8"
2. (GMAW) ER - 70S-6
   
   • 0.35 diameter
   • 10 lbs. to 20 lbs.