Barefoot welding, just me?

[FluxCore]

I weld and work in my shop at home barefooted...always have.....anyone else here do same?

Yup, and my day job is in a federal boiler/chiller plant where I go thru lots a socks cause they insist I wear 'something on my feet'...At home I go bare...always have...can't stand nuthin on my feet...My feet are tuffer than shoe leather, ran HS track as a kid barefooted....shoes really distract me to the point I can't think or work....my 20 year career on nuc submarines worked out cause they didn't care and barefoot meant less noise...

Well, anyway, just sharing my oddity and a pic of my 'shop feet'.

No flames, ok? I'm almost 60 and still have all my toes after a career in shipyards and Navy engineering spaces, so don't tell me about safety stuff..I've smashed and banged more fingers than toes and still have all of them

Here is my first aid kit

 

[BFBOB]

You're not alone.

 

[lotsoftools]

I used to go barefoot in the shop once in a while but not anymore. I stepped on a self-drilling screw about 3/4" long one night and it went all the way in. I had to use a screw driver to get it out.

 

[Armed Bear]

I always keep my shoes on to be ready for battle....either shoes or steel toe boots.

 

[FluxCore]

I used to go barefoot in the shop once in a while but not anymore. I stepped on a self-drilling screw about 3/4" long one night and it went all the way in. I had to use a screw driver to get it out.

WOW!, Now THAT would be an experience-having to use a screw driver to remove it

 

[Stuart in MN]

They're your feet - if you want to drop molten metal on them, be our guest.

 

[JimVonBaden]

I can't even walk on rough concrete bare footed. I'm a total tenderfoot.

Jim

 

[luvit]

i go commando in the shower

.

 

[koditten]

I do something similar when the outside temps cooperate. I like to use Teeva's or something similar. My pain threshold is extramly hi and my bare feet always trigger the "wand" at the airport.

KO

 

[Eric Commarato]

I'm surprised your employers would let you work without steel toed boots with all the OSHA regulations and stuff.

 

[JimL]

I'll wear sandals as much as possible in the summer. Done tons of tig welding, shirtless and in sandals. No barefoot tho!

 

[McFarmer]

The kids in school would weld in flip-flops. Hard to stay steady and finish that perfect weld with a molten drip between your toes.

 

[Caleb T]

I can't even walk on rough concrete bare footed. I'm a total tenderfoot.

Jim

This is me as well. I have complete BABY feet!

 

[GirlnAgarage]

I like going barefoot, I'm from the coast, it's what you wear when casual and relaxing. But boots when you work.

Like someone said they're your wheels so do with them what you will. Just don't show those ugly things up close anymore.

 

[FluxCore]

I admit I gotta dance around a bit when cuttin thick stuff with oxy fuel...but the ONLY time I ever been really burned on my feet was when I was wearin lace up sneakers and a big glob of slag dropped on the laced area and burned thru....it seared a hole in top of my foot that took weeks to heal.....barefooted, I can feel them and dance around them instantly....Believe it or not, being barefoot makes me MUCH more safety aware...really does....I have several friends missing fingers and toes..they still lack my awareness, tho

 

[FluxCore]

I'm surprised your employers would let you work without steel toed boots with all the OSHA regulations and stuff.

They buy me steel toed boots every year...Been there 13 years and I got 13 pair of new top o the line steel toed boots in my closet....I wear sneakers or cowboy boots to work then I shuck them and run around in grey soccer socks.....just me

 

[jimjj211]

Around the shop you really should have a proper first aid kit, not just a bottle of Jack Daniels.. Which is why Jack and Jim Beam should be on hand, just in case.

 

[koditten]

I'm surprised your employers would let you work without steel toed boots with all the OSHA regulations and stuff.

Well, when I'm in MY shop, I'm pretty much the employer.

When I'm at my my official job, I got to fallow the rules of the company.

KO

 

[purplezr2]

Won't weld bare foot, but will work on cars in the summer bare foot.

 

[ZRX61]

Barefoot welding? pah! I cook bacon naked!!

 

[StaggeringGoat]

I don't like to go barefoot in the shop, but I only wear flip flops. I have one pair of shoes...but I don't know where they are. I always drive barefoot...my truck goes faster that way!

 

[Mr.N]

I weld and work in my shop at home barefooted...always have.....anyone else here do same?

Yep, I've got feet too!
Almost a tough as nails, but do have to stop when they stick me.
I have arc welded with sandals on, just have a wider stance.


My Mom grew up on a farm, always was barefoot. Now she is in her 70's and is paying the price. The bottom of the feet needs a lot of attention each night.
My suggestion, start wearing shoes more.... some day you'll get old and wish you did.

 

[kar298]

I go days without shoes or saddles on my feet. Working in the garage or lawn does not matter for me.

 

[EvilWelder]

When I am screwing around the house it is usually in Carhart shorts, no shirt and no shoes. On the job it is another story, gotta look the part.

 

[power wagon]

all i can say its your feet, i peronally dont give a ****

 

[MFGENG]

I'll do tig welding and grinding in sandals. Mig welding is another story, shoes for sure.

Drilling can be tricky in sandals too when the chips hit your feet.

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

I used to go barefoot in the shop once in a while but not anymore. I stepped on a self-drilling screw about 3/4" long one night and it went all the way in. I had to use a screw driver to get it out.

Did you think about backing it out with a cordless drill and bit?

 

[TwoSmoke]

Natural selection has failed us again.

 

[Jarhead0408]

^^^ Don't think so. The OP did say he was 60.
I don't weld barefoot. But then, I'm don't know how to yet.
Work all the time barefooted in the shop/yard etc.
I agree with one of the posters who said being barefoot makes you much more aware of your surroundings. At least when it concerns your feet.

 

[gorilla]

I'll wear sandals as much as possible in the summer. Done tons of tig welding, shirtless and in sandals. No barefoot tho!

You must be welding some small stuff, I've got some nasty sunburns through my shirt TIG welding aluminum. 3/4" plate at 300 amp's puts out a lot of IR.

 

[88thunder]

What size boots do "they" buy you? I need a good pair of work boots. (not joking)

 

[FluxCore]

I like going barefoot, I'm from the coast, it's what you wear when casual and relaxing. But boots when you work.

Like someone said they're your wheels so do with them what you will. Just don't show those ugly things up close anymore.

ain't sposed to be no girlz in my thread....how'd you get in? I know I got ugly feet and my face ain't no prettier...I'ma guy guy...Full guy. I got scaly ruff feet and hair everywhere....I scratch and fart and belch...in public

But I'm a danged good cook and I like girls who like to eat and have a little fuffy stuff going on....

 

[lotsoftools]

Did you think about backing it out with a cordless drill and bit?

That didn't cross my mind. I tried to pull, then grabbed a screwdriver. I was almost throwing up the whole time.

 

[KCarGuy]

My Daughter is always giving me **** about the same thing.
first thing that I do when I come home is take off my shoes and socks.
I would work bearfoot all the time if I could.
And I am, as much as Possible.
I even run outside in the Chicago winter bearfoot, snow or no snow.
Not all day, but if i am taking the garbage, or running out to the garage.
So...You are not alone on this.

 

[crazytrain]

I go barefoot around the house, inside only. I don't even like socks on my feet inside. but when I go outside to my shed or to do yard work I wear a cheap pair of slip on shoes or crocks. I worked in a foundry for 2 days (worst and shortest job in my life), I had to have a good quality pair of steel toe boots along with other safety gear. I was melting solid chunks of brass and stepped on a molten piece of brass, burnt straight through the sole and burnt my foot before I could get it off. Ruined a brand new pair of Red Wings in less than 16 hours. I quit after talking to a guy who just got back to work after months off due to spilling a bucket of molten brass down his legs. To the OP, to each his own, I just could not go shoeless in the shed. I am always stepping on some thing out there plus I have to walk across the stone driveway to get to the shed and can't do it with out shoes. I'm a wuss about that!

 

[aka Larry]

This is me as well. I have complete BABY feet!

Ditto. My feet are as soft as my face. The only time I don't wear shoes is in the bed or in the shower.

 

[GirlnAgarage]

ain't sposed to be no girlz in my thread....how'd you get in? I know I got ugly feet and my face ain't no prettier...I'ma guy guy...Full guy. I got scaly ruff feet and hair everywhere....I scratch and fart and belch...in public

But I'm a danged good cook and I like girls who like to eat and have a little fuffy stuff going on....

Told the guys at the door I was the house keeper.

 

[ChargedUp!]

I've gone out to th garage a few times just to do a few quick things in flip flops. I always felt naked and came back inside to put shoes on.

 

[Tucko]

Bare feet? That's all? I'm a Full Monty welder.....

 

[Gary S]

I never go barefoot. Feet too tender. However, once I made the mistake of doing a bit of welding wearing my leather moccasins. That ended fast once the first splatter of metal fell into the top of one of the moccasins and burned through my sock into my foot. I stopped there and pulled the metal bit out of my foot and put on proper leather shoes that went higher on my legs.
Education by fire............maybe.