Barefoot welding, just me?
- Thread starter FluxCore
- Start date
Buckgnarly
Well-known member
I like to weld with no faceshield......only pansies wear helmets to weld
Well, no, I can't imagine doing that at work or at home. I was union welder and OSHA might not have let me on the job in my bare feet. My arms, shoulders and chest are all pock marked with burn scars from all the 6010 and 7018 I ran. Not a single spot on my tender feet.
However, just as in the bedroom, what you do behind closed garage doors is your business!
However, just as in the bedroom, what you do behind closed garage doors is your business!
Zeke
Well-known member
I somehow doubt that working on a "federal boiler" the OP gets to go in socks only. If he does, he's the sup. I think that would be ridiculous. And that comes from a guy who pads around in bare feet or socks most of the year. But, there are 2 things that I pay the price for when going barefoot or in socks that much of the time: cracking when the weather turns and metal splinters that take a LOT of digging to remove. If I don't remove them in a timely fashion, they get real damn sore and I limp.
Screw that. I wear non laced sneakers most of the time in the garage. I do go out there barefoot often and that's usually when I pick up a splinter. I'm pretty meticulous with the shop vac and air hose to keep metal shavings and slag from being tracked around.
I couldn't imagine arc welding or burning without boots.
@OP, you should take up walking on coals as a sideshow or bet for pin money.
Screw that. I wear non laced sneakers most of the time in the garage. I do go out there barefoot often and that's usually when I pick up a splinter. I'm pretty meticulous with the shop vac and air hose to keep metal shavings and slag from being tracked around.
I couldn't imagine arc welding or burning without boots.
@OP, you should take up walking on coals as a sideshow or bet for pin money.
blazemaster83
Well-known member
I work as a glassblower, and hobby machinist in the same shop. 2 things that don't mix well with bare feet. With glass, it's not so much about the big shards you have to worry about(although they can be bad), it's the tiny needle size pieces you can't see. Get a couple of those lodged in your feet and you would change your mind. Same thing about tiny metal shavings from working on the mill. Clean as often as you like, there will always be one. I like barefeet as much as the next guy, but my working conditions just aren't friendly to them.
Richard D
Well-known member
I find that impossible to believe. I know OSHA is in Loisiana, I've worked there myself.
thightower
Well-known member
Been working so long with steel toes. I have become a soft foot.
Agreed. Seems quite foolish. As many scars as I have from welding and sharp metal already, I'd be an idiot to work in my shop bare foot
GarageEnvy
Well-known member
Agree with the "it's your feet" sentiment. As for myself, I frequently walk out into the garage barefoot for a quick project, but not welding. Every time I do it, I think, "this is stupid". Usually I step on something sharp which confirms my thought. Unlike you my feet are not tougher than leather. A week ago I dropped a piece of metal with a 45 degree cut on the end on my foot. It hurt plenty with shoes on. Without, I'd have a healthy ER bill to remind me to wear shoes. This thread reminds me of the Dual Survival show. Two survivalists; one geared up, the other in shorts and barefoot. They both manage to survive.
Zeke
Well-known member
I was thinking the same thing about the barefoot survival guy. Even the Indians wore footwear. And that got me to thinking also. I wonder if all leather tall moccasins would be suitable for "soft" footwear while welding. Seems so if the gloves work.
I might have to look into that since I like to go around in socks and barefoot.
I might have to look into that since I like to go around in socks and barefoot.
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I'm thinking having osha stopping by on a nuclear submarine sitting under the polar ice caps was probably a pretty rare occurrence
If that's all it took to make a happy male on a female-less tin can for 6-months at a time, his superiors were probably just fine with it.
Shocker
Well-known member
I rarely go barefoot anywhere. I am in socks/slippers in the house and I always have shoes on anywhere outside.
My feet are super sensitive and with diabetes, I count myself lucky to have such sensitive feet. Keeps em on my body.
My feet are super sensitive and with diabetes, I count myself lucky to have such sensitive feet. Keeps em on my body.