Does anybody do wrenching without gloves & why?

[NUTTSGT]

Since I started at the fire department, decades ago, I started to take more precaution with my hands.

I don't want to have scrapes and cuts on my hands if I have a glove failure on an EMS scene.

 

[big bab bob]

Here’s my .02 cents worth.

I was a HD mechanic and or supervisor most of my career. Back in the day, gloves were unheard of for other than hot work so I never used them for anything being the young bulletproof guy that I was. Well 40 years later, I have been diagnosed with with Multiple Myeloma, a form of cancer in your plasma cells. After talking with several Drs. I find out that that the chemicals we used in the trade, used engine oil, solvent, brake fluid and brake cleaner along with the rest of them all contributed to my cancer. General consensus is they were absorbed through my skin. Trust me folks, you do not want this type of cancer (or any other). I have been taking chemo for the last 7 years with no end in sight. While this is not the worst form of cancer to have, it is also not curable so I will be taking chemo for basically the rest of my life. And for those that don’t know, chemo can be just as bad, if not worse than all the rumours you hear about it. Put your damn gloves on! Yes, they are inconvenient. Yes they tear. Absolutely your hands sweat in them. But not having cancer from something you can prevent is a damn good trade off
End rant.

 

[Scotto]

Here’s my .02 cents worth.

I was a HD mechanic and or supervisor most of my career. Back in the day, gloves were unheard of for other than hot work so I never used them for anything being the young bulletproof guy that I was. Well 40 years later, I have been diagnosed with with Multiple Myeloma, a form of cancer in your plasma cells. After talking with several Drs. I find out that that the chemicals we used in the trade, used engine oil, solvent, brake fluid and brake cleaner along with the rest of them all contributed to my cancer. General consensus is they were absorbed through my skin. Trust me folks, you do not want this type of cancer (or any other). I have been taking chemo for the last 7 years with no end in sight. While this is not the worst form of cancer to have, it is also not curable so I will be taking chemo for basically the rest of my life. And for those that don’t know, chemo can be just as bad, if not worse than all the rumours you hear about it. Put your damn gloves on! Yes, they are inconvenient. Yes they tear. Absolutely your hands sweat in them. But not having cancer from something you can prevent is a damn good trade off
End rant.

Thank you very much for your 2 cents. THIS is why I've started wearing gloves around oils, fuels, etc. the last few years - hearing stories like this.
Good luck on your continued treatment and thanks for getting this advice out there!

 

[bobg03]

That looks like a typo. You wore a baseball glove in Maintenance?

LOL...a batting type glove, full fingered. Damn computer thinks it's smarter than I am.

 

[DGersic]

Guessing he means a batters glove, not a catching mitt

I’ve worked with guys that would have been safer and more effective if they were forced to wear catchers mitts on both hands.

 

[Fixr]

Does she let you touch her there now?

Well, she eventually married someone else, so no, she doesn't. But she did there for a while!

 

[abfish]

I honestly think I spend less money on nitrile and latex gloves than I would spend on hand cleaner and towels.

Get a phone call, rip off a glove, take the call. Put on a clean glove and get back to work.

Yeah, we used to clean our hands with gasoline in the 70's. Also dumped our used oil in a hole in the ground. I'm too old and smart to do either one of those now.

 

[rd65]

When I was younger, I never wore gloves, they probably werent available like they are today. Wound up with contact dermatitis. I would wake up with the areas between my fingers itching so bad I wanted to take a wire brush to them. Now it is nitrile always. I use the 5-6 mil ones so that I still have some sensitivity when working on smaller parts - I am a small engine tech these days, motorcycle tech before that. I also use them with using bench grinder. They are thin enough to offer some protection but will tear before pulling you into the wheel. BTW never black nitrile gloves, those just make a huge mess when you cant see the grease all over them.

 

[dchawk81]

Guessing he means a batters glove, not a catching mitt

Need a catcher's mitt for those balls.

 

[john.k]

I never dumped old oil on the ground ...........always saved it for my collection of cars ,bikes ,tractors ,machines.

 

[TxSteve]

Coming in late to the discussion, but I wear gloves most of the time. For general motor/auto/project work that's not related to oil or grease directly, I purchased three packs of Klein dipped gloves at Lowe's ($10/pack). They are fairly thin to provide quite a bit of dexterity, but they protect me from banging up my hands and keeps them cleaner.

With anything directly related to a grease or oil (oil changes, packing bearings, etc), I buy the 50 pack box of nitrite gloves. They don't last long, but they're cheap so I can just replace them as needed. Also, keeps my hands much cleaner and easier to clean up when I head in the house.

Shovel/post hole/chainsaw/firewood/etc work, 3 pack of leather gloves from Costco. Best deal in town for leather work gloves.

I also have a fingernail brush that I use over my whole hands when I'm washing...

 

[LeeG]

I pretty much wear Maxiflex gloves for everything shop related. I’ll pull nitrile gloves over them if I am working with chemicals.

 

[sjvicker]

Dipped gloves for everything except the spinning machines and nitrile if its very messy. If I need dexterity I'll pull a glove off for a few minutes but otherwise it goes right back on.

Its like safety glasses and hearing protection. Once you get used to it, it feels weird if you dont have it and its better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

 

[Whitworth]

Use nitrile gloves for almost everything. I hate grease and oil on my hands, hate the feeling plus the negative health implications. Nitrile will protect against sharp metal edges and metal splinters. Also handling solvents and coolant on the CNC machines.
Woodworking too, for handling lumber and glue ups.
One box from Costco lasts about 2 or 3 months. And I usually get more than one use out of a pair. Cheap protection.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I try to always wear nitrile gloves, or the nitrile dipped work gloves - depending on the task at hand. No reason not to wear them except for very fine work (tiny screws, etc). Half the time when I'm wrenching I also have beer brewing or meat on the smoker, and it helps to shed the gloves instead of having to scrub my hands every time something needs basting or stirring.

 

[nadogail]

I am not worried about getting my hands dirty when working in my shop. I do wear gloves when Arc Welding.

I once removed, rebuilt and replaced a fuel pump, on a 1948 Chevrolet pickup at 0 degrees Fahrenheit in a parking lot without gloves. I slipped my mittens off and worked for a few minutes then warmed them back up. It took a while to get that job done; I was 21 at the time.

This was during March of 1961 on a Highway in Alaska.

 

[king nero]

Years ago when I was still a tow truck operator/mechanic I wore gloves sometimes, depending on the job. I went on vacation and 7 days later my hands were FINALLY clean. It was amazing lol. After that I started to wear them more.

Last time I had to go to a wedding (with clean hands), I went swimming. Chlorine (and soaking for some time) really does wonders to get your hands clean.

I do have to say, since I've bought the latex gloves some time ago, I really use them. you still have all the "feel" when doing mechanics work and when they tear, you just throw 'em away. The nitrile dipped gloves aren't handy, I tried them but was constantly changing them on and off when you have to put a bolt in, to pick up a small allen key from the floor, ... so I don't use these anymore.
I also do agree, wearing latex gloves make me feel like a *****.

 

[chris142]

Last summer was especially hot. It was 110-117 inside the shop I work in with the coolers on. With gloves my hands were completely soaked with sweat,sweat that ran out of the gloves.

Simply can't work like that so off they came.

 

[Jazz1]

I only work without gloves if im not going to be in contact with chemicals/oil.
3 mechanics on my street who all have ended up with early onset dementia and i know they only wore gloves when working out in the cold. Possibly the dementia related to contact with chemicals or mainly the used motor oil which is so toxic.

 

[AJHD]

Yes. It's not really a health or getting dirty thing for me though. I tend to wear gloves if something is hot, sharp, glue/adhesive, something caustic like acid, usually if I am handling grease or something "unsanitary".

But in general I hate gloves. They rip, tear, get pinched, get in the way and reduce dexterity.

My hands sweat like crazy, especially in the summer. Wet hands and sweat leaking from the gloves down my arms or dripping onto my face. **** that.

At previous jobs my gloves would be soaked and dripping by end of shift, and next shift they were stiff and crunchy from the dried sweat.

 

[sean Buick 76]

I wear various gloves depending on the task. I like having presentable hands. I also like to avoid having cuts and gouges on my hands. Plus it’s a pain in the **** to stop your work to electrical tape my hands and fingers after I cut them.

 

[ATC]

I wore a glove this past weekend. Only because I was playing around with diesel fuel and diesel-soaked gunk. I didn't wear one during disassembly, but did for reassembly.

 

[LWB]

My outside gloves. I have a few pairs kicking around because they get wet. They don't last all that long, and they're not cheap, but if you want comfort these are the gloves you should try. Available at Princess auto in Canada.

https://www.princessauto.com/en/large-range-rider-driver-gloves/product/PA0008542433?srsltid=AfmBOorGuLfVK4K9KXyHWBKDfkpBr49ezhpl8KfmoI__cf6YuIDABEJV

 

[bradleydavidgood]

anything on the skin goes to the bloodstream in less than a minute

 

[rd65]

the guys that complain about sweaty hands in nitrile gloves crack me up. greasy, oily hands are fine but not sweaty, clean hands? come on.

 

[Huxley]

I use gloves most of the time. Leather for lifting/moving/hot stuff and whatever rubber/nitrile for chemical, oils, solvents, etc. On some occasions I started using this stuff too - Glove in a bottle - Amazon link. Helps a lot when it is time to wash your hands.

 

[Professor Fate]

the guys that complain about sweaty hands in nitrile gloves crack me up. greasy, oily hands are fine but not sweaty, clean hands? come on.

You obviously don't work on stuff in 95% humidity and 98 degree weather like Florida. Sweat literally pours out of the glove like water out of a bottle when you raise your hand. It's like having your hands in a pool for hours on end.

 

[WillyBoy]

One more story.
Leather gloves on the tractor, using the string trimmer, using one of the chainsaws, thickness and lining vary depending on the season. Heavy leather with long cuffs while using the cutting torch or the stick welder.Lighter leather while using the MIG machine.
Nitrile in the shop when painting since I can get soaked with paint while using an aerosol can, or when brush painting. Heavy nitrile when using solvents. Lacquer thinner or acetone will go right through the lighter ones.

This is the time of year when I start getting finger splits. There's an area on the end of one thumb that hasn't healed in two weeks due to getting something on it. Sometimes it's both thumbs and one or more fingers. It can make writing, brushing my teeth, or a dozen other things excruciating. Sometimes I'll hold a pencil with visegrips because my fingertips are too painful.
There are gloves all over the garage, the shop and in the pockets of the winter coats.

 

[big bab bob]

You obviously don't work on stuff in 95% humidity and 98 degree weather like Florida. Sweat literally pours out of the glove like water out of a bottle when you raise your hand. It's like having your hands in a pool for hours on end.

Sweat it much easier to deal with than cancer, trust me, I have seen both, wet hands are no big deal in comparison to chemo. Not saying it’s guaranteed that you will develop cancer from not using gloves, I did but you may not. Just remember 50% of adults develop some sort of cancer in their lives. Proper PPE can reduce that statistic. Please don’t become cancer’s next victim, trust me you won’t like it

 

[ATC]

Sweat it much easier to deal with than cancer, trust me, I have seen both, wet hands are no big deal in comparison to chemo. Not saying it’s guaranteed that you will develop cancer from not using gloves, I did but you may not. Just remember 50% of adults develop some sort of cancer in their lives. Proper PPE can reduce that statistic. Please don’t become cancer’s next victim, trust me you won’t like it

Touching greasy/oily things is not a guaranteed path to cancer. I'll take my chances and chose to work more comfortably and efficiently without them for the most part. I am much more likely to die from something else. I don't wrench on greasy things for a living.
My dad has his last chemo treatment today too!

 

[rd65]

You obviously don't work on stuff in 95% humidity and 98 degree weather like Florida. Sweat literally pours out of the glove like water out of a bottle when you raise your hand. It's like having your hands in a pool for hours on end.

and you obviously haven't had to deal with contact dermatitis where you wake up in the middle of the night with hands and fingers that itch so bad that you want to stick them in a wire wheel on a bench grinder. I take some wet, drippy hands over that any day.

 

[rd65]

One more story.
Leather gloves on the tractor, using the string trimmer, using one of the chainsaws, thickness and lining vary depending on the season. Heavy leather with long cuffs while using the cutting torch or the stick welder.Lighter leather while using the MIG machine.
Nitrile in the shop when painting since I can get soaked with paint while using an aerosol can, or when brush painting. Heavy nitrile when using solvents. Lacquer thinner or acetone will go right through the lighter ones.

This is the time of year when I start getting finger splits. There's an area on the end of one thumb that hasn't healed in two weeks due to getting something on it. Sometimes it's both thumbs and one or more fingers. It can make writing, brushing my teeth, or a dozen other things excruciating. Sometimes I'll hold a pencil with visegrips because my fingertips are too painful.
There are gloves all over the garage, the shop and in the pockets of the winter coats

Splits right at the end/corner of the finger nail? I get them on my thumbs when they dry out. I cram some Neosporin in there and pull the cut shut with 1/2" athletic tape. Then I use hand lotion at night, right before bed. That seems to help mine quite a bit.

 

[reader2580]

I wear nitrile gloves any time I am doing work that involves getting oil/grease, paint, or nasty chemicals, on my hands. I will still use paper towels to wipe off large amounts of oil, grease, or paint that end up on the gloves. I use the five or six mil gloves for painting, and eight or nine mil gloves for mechanical work. Sure, you can wash oil and grease off with hand cleaner, but it can take quite a bit of scrubbing to remove used diesel oil. I don't want to look like the mechanics who always have oil and grease under their fingernails.

I don't really have much issue with feel when using nitrile gloves. Sweat can be an issue. Sweat will literally pour out if I raise my hands.

 

[Restomod68]

Only if handling anything jagged or sharp.

It's whatever works best for you... Unbeknownst to me there are also guys who eat chicken wings with gloves, didn't know that was a thing.

 

[slow]

if the hot wings have hop peppers sauce on them, I totally understand why. My wife burned her hands with some hot peppers many years ago, she ended up soaking her hands in vodka to get the burn to go away as the alcohol helps absorb the oil and provide relief for the burning sensation.

 

[Fixr]

if the hot wings have hop peppers sauce on them, I totally understand why. My wife burned her hands with some hot peppers many years ago, she ended up soaking her hands in vodka to get the burn to go away as the alcohol helps absorb the oil and provide relief for the burning sensation.

If a food will do that to hands, it sure as hell ain't going in my mouth.

 

[BlindViper]

 

[isb cornbinder]

Another thread this morning about nitrile gloves brings up an unrelated question which I thought might warrant a separate post.

Using gloves seems to be gaining in popularity but I wonder what percentage of guys or gals who work on their cars doing greasy/messy repair work wear gloves and what percentage don't.

I personally do not use them except for painting work or cleaning parts for a number of reasons. First, I cannot grasp small objects with them because of the loss of feeling in my finger tips using gloves. Second, with grease on them, I have no feeling about where the grease is and tend to touch things I shouldn't. Third, my hands sweat a lot in gloves and they quickly become uncomfortable. Fourth, my hands are small but wide so it's difficult to get a size that fits without having those floppy tips at the end of my fingers. Some brands fit better in this regard than others. And last, I just feel more in control using my bare hands and using rags to wipe off when necessary. When finished, I use GOJO or any other gel type cleaner and my hands are back to greaseless, even under the nails. A little soap and water and maybe a brush for final cleanup to finish.

I'm sure those who use gloves have as many reasons for using them as I have for not. Would be interested in their input.

Glen

This situation reminds me of a grandson asking his grandfather, "Do you wear boxers or briefs?" Grandpa says, "Depends."

 

[scooby074]

Bare hands alot. Installers (Hyflex) gloves most of the rest of the time. Latex/neoprene when grease or solvents. My hands sweat too much with latex, like literal puddles in the fingers!

 

[Sumboodie]

Depends what I'm working on, if it's "bad"... ue some chemicals, paints, etc, and how clean my hands need to look later.