General use work gloves? Need upgrade over cheap Husky gloves

[stickshift]

I've been working my way through a 4-pack of the cheap Husky gloves that HD runs sales on during the holidays. Might be the 'light duty' gloves:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Medium-Light-Duty-Glove-67806-06/302751263

I find they develop holes at the fingertips long before the rest of the glove is worn out.

Need an upgrade. Not for welding and I don't need gloves that are specifically made to be anti-vibration as I'm never running a saw or grinder for very long. Just all-purpose gloves for use with tools like an angle grinder, recip saw, handling chains, yard work, etc.

These Husky gloves would be fine if the fingertips didn't develop holes so quickly. They provide enough finger dexterity and my hands don't get too hot in them, and they're easy on/off.

 

[jshailor1871]

I was using the Hardy gloves from HF for a while but would get holes after 2 or 3 months of use, mostly due to the type of materials I handle at work.

I switched to a pair of Milwaukee gloves and they have been solid so far, no holes or issues at all, but I've only been using them for a couple months. Who knows how much longer they will last, but so far they have been great.

I'll be interested in reading responses, as I am annoyed with having to go buy new gloves quarterly.

John



Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

 

[kctyphoon]

Milwaukee demolition gloves.. best work gloves ive ever used. Its all i buy now.

 

[Rickster]

I like the Mechanics Fast Fit gloves for around the house when I can find them for a good deal. Lately I picked up a couple pair of HF's Hardy gloves on sale and they're OK... a bit ill-fitting at first for me, but they wear-in soon enough. Gloves just wear out. I've got a small pile of mis-matched ones put together from blow outs that I use for really messy jobs.

 

[dogdog]

I used the orange ones from HD.. about $1 a pair...
lately the thicker HF hardy yellow ones also $1 pair with coupon... this one is more padded for some work but hands are tired easily...better cut resistance than the HD orange ones.

These..
https://www.harborfreight.com/coated-rubber-grip-gloves-large-90912.html

 

[stickshift]

I used the orange ones from HD.. about $1 a pair...
lately the thicker HF hardy yellow ones also $1 pair with coupon... this one is more padded for some work but hands are tired easily...better cut resistance than the HD orange ones.

These..
https://www.harborfreight.com/coated-rubber-grip-gloves-large-90912.html

I've used those yellow gloves before - they melted when I was handling parts that I had warmed up with a heat gun. Also, they **** for even moderately detail work.

That said, they are pretty tough in other respects. Maybe the most cost effective option is to use different gloves for different tasks instead of finding one glove to rule them all. I'll try using the HF yellow gloves for yard work (which has been very hard on the Husky gloves), and use the Husky gloves for when I need more finger dexterity.

 

[PoorOwner]

I use these from costco, similar to HF but I assume is better quality and less smelly. now $6.99 thru July. (cannot really complain for the price)

They work great. The grip is incredible. Just don't grab thorny weeds or roses with it

https://www.frugalhotspot.com/2018/03/wells-lamont-foam-latex-gloves/

 

[LeeG]

I have been using the Maxiflex Ultimate Gloves for several months now and I really like them. I almost never have to remove them - I can pick up a 6-32 nut off the floor while wearing them. They were recommended to me by an electrician who said that all the guys on his crew wear them now. I wish they had had them 30 years ago when I was doing that type of work all day.

 

[dogdog]

I've used those yellow gloves before - they melted when I was handling parts that I had warmed up with a heat gun. Also, they **** for even moderately detail work.

That said, they are pretty tough in other respects. Maybe the most cost effective option is to use different gloves for different tasks instead of finding one glove to rule them all. I'll try using the HF yellow gloves for yard work (which has been very hard on the Husky gloves), and use the Husky gloves for when I need more finger dexterity.

I used the yellow ones mainly for demo work and handling plasters,rocks/laths/splintered old 2x4/rusted metal mesh etc... so far they are great, never tried it on hot stuff... will keep that in mind.. and same thing with the HD gloves, used it when I needed dexterity or when it is the first pair I see laying around.

 

[Ign]

OP I feel your pain but fear not there are better options out there and they're very affordable, very durable and still provide decent dexterity.

First, Tillman 1418's. They should be under $10/pair at your LWS and will last as long as 3-4 pairs of Fast Fits (which unfortunately are homeowner garbage). The 1418s are considered a "drivers glove". These are fantastic for metal fab, light MIG welding, handling firewood with rough bark, and weed eating or just about anything.

Option #2: I started buying generic drivers gloves from MSC. They're a thin cowhide, and with promo codes I could get 'em around $5/pair, making them about half the price of the Tillmans. They're also good for everything listed above but the stitching burns up more easily with hot works and the fingers sometimes separate prematurely. MSC 06305320 but that's a size Small and right now they show $11.14/pair so not the best option perhaps

NOW, if you want something slightly more durable the Tillman 48's are AWESOME. These are a gauntlet style that slip on and off sooo easily and are so comfortable. These have become my primary glove in the shop each day 'cause they're so goddamn comfortable. Dexterity is better than you'd expect for a MIG glove

Don't be afraid to order from someplace like Weldfabulous on eBay or Amazon

And of course with any real leather gloves give it a few days to break in, and it'll fit, like, well, a glove

But after you've used anything like this you'll wonder why you ever wasted $ on anything Mechanix or "gardening" gloves from your local home center.

 

[mobiledynamics]

personally, I use thin PPE gloves. I prefer my hands to breath, and dexterity. They do out faster than a more heavier grade one, but I just change them. If I'm working with stuff that will abrade, I wear the higher ansi rated cut rated ones....but slip them off as soon as I'm done and go back to the thin ones.

 

[Ign]

My present 48's with more waiting when these blow out. Try to try these on at a LWS, they do not function like as nearly as bulky as they look.

They're a bit much for wrenching perhaps but I DO use them like that, esp if I need to lift something like a steering rack or d/s into place.

I just paid $11.81/pair thru Weldfabulous on Amazon, and if you consider they'll last me 3-4 times as long as Mechanix Fast Fit (~$15/pair) or conventional velcro-closure Mechanix (~$20/pair) they're a fawking STEAL!!

 

[TalonFE]

Big fan of the Wells Lamont 3-pack at Costco, usually 19.99, sometimes 15. All leather but quick break in and form well to your hands. They saved my thumb from some angle grinder buffoonery just last week.

 

[unknownroad]

I use these from costco, similar to HF but I assume is better quality and less smelly. now $6.99 thru July. (cannot really complain for the price)

Maybe it's because I was using these in a chlorinated pool and putting them out in the sun to dry, but I found that the grip material on these became very sticky after a couple of wearings... that kind of sticky that transfers itself to anything you touch, then anything you touch with that becomes sticky, and so on.

I've got half a dozen types of gloves around the garage for different types of projects... some for mechanical-type work, some for yardwork, etc. No matter what, the right index finger always wears out first.

 

[Ign]

Maybe it's because I was using these in a chlorinated pool and putting them out in the sun to dry, but I found that the grip material on these became very sticky after a couple of wearings... that kind of sticky that transfers itself to anything you touch, then anything you touch with that becomes sticky, and so on.

I've got half a dozen types of gloves around the garage for different types of projects... some for mechanical-type work, some for yardwork, etc. No matter what, the right index finger always wears out first.

It's always left index finger for me LOL, mainly cause that's the one closest to the puddle most of the time and I use that hand to feel for burrs and *************.

It's amazing how well you can feel imperfections with a decent, broken-in leather glove, but the real leather won't flake and tear like Mechanix fake leather will in the same situation

If guys start using the Mechanix fake leather for motorcycle leathers, give me a call....

 

[Mandres]

Those Tillman 1418s look nice. I think I'll try those next. I've been pretty happy with the harbor freight "ultra-durable" mechanics gloves but they're overpriced ($11-$12 pr). I use them for yard work, shop work, etc. They're a little thick for wrenching or fine stuff so I usually just stick with 5 mil nitrile for that.

 

[FTG-05]

You Tube's "Essential Craftsman" turned me onto these White Ox rigging gloves several months ago. I'm still using my first pair.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004MLSHSA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I'm pretty hard on gloves, nothing more frustrating than spending $$ on gloves only to have them hole up after a month or so.

These White Ox's have held up well and really protect my hands. The only real downside is the lack of dexterity.

 

[Odd-job]

Since joining garage journal I have come to realize gloves are like ratchets and it is best to have a variety depending on the use.

Hyflex for general mechanic stuff involving no fluid. Nice dexterity and allows my hands to breath.

9 mil harbor freight for big yucky jobs involving fluid and grease where I want a tougher glove.

5 mil nitrile gloves when I just want to throw them out after a short yucky job and they likely won’t rip.

Cowhide gloves when dealing with prickly stuff. Dexterity ***** though.

Welding gloves for welding.

Mechanix fastfit and equivalents for most everything else. These seem to be jack of all trades master of none type gloves.

Am probably forgetting some. Wish I could take a pic of my glove collection.

 

[Ign]

You Tube's "Essential Craftsman" turned me onto these White Ox rigging gloves several months ago. I'm still using my first pair.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004MLSHSA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I'm pretty hard on gloves, nothing more frustrating than spending $$ on gloves only to have them hole up after a month or so.

These White Ox's have held up well and really protect my hands. The only real downside is the lack of dexterity.

If gloves last me over a month that's an eternity. That's why I try to spend no more than $10-12/pr -- they're a consumable

Anyway for anyone trying the 1418s, give them time to break in. A thin coating of grease or motor oil never hurts, and a few days of sweating in them. Then they'll form to your hand and fingertips better

Unfortunately as is the case w most leather there are differences in thickness, fit and stitching. Most fit me quite well from the start but some need more break-in and a rare few never really fit all that great. Still for sub-$10 they're a steal and if a pair really doesn't provide good dexterity I set them aside for firewood/material handling only gloves

 

[Ign]

Also Tilman offers several goatskin options which are sa-weet!

The 1415, 1435 and 1488 are contenders.

Looking online these run $7 to 15, so still less than FastFits and I promise they'll last you at LEAST twice as long and provide better dexterity than FastFits once broken in. A broken in pair of goatskin gloves is so comfortable you almost want to just hang out in them.

 

[rmsg0040]

Leather gloves are great, right now I am using a pair of Firm Grip leather gloves and they are nice

Some leather gloves can be too thick

At first they are a little slippery but once you wear them in, they get better and form with your hands nicely

 

[Legion Prime]

Gloves are a consumable, get used to it. I have more pairs of gloves than I can count out in the garage, everything from Mechanics of various flavors to cheap nitrile dipped gloves to leather gloves both insulated and non. I know my hands are hard to fit in anything but fingerless gloves so whenever I find a pair that fits me at least decently I'll usually buy them. The gloves I pick up for clearing brush/yard waste in summer won't be the gloves I'll grab for firewood in the winter won't be the gloves I grab when I go to do a set of brakes.
Personally I like the elastic wrist Mechanics gloves for most stuff but the FirmGrip ones work just as well and the Hardy gloves? I'll grab them on sale for $3-4/pr and they get tossed in the vehicle tool bags. If a glove wears out I'll either set it aside for something else or toss it. I personally can't stand the nitrile dipped gloves but sometimes they're the right glove for the job and as cheap as they are they're right for some dirty dirty jobs. Above all it depends what you're doing, if it's a little of this and a little of that then just buy a pair here and there because you'll use them all sooner or later and if you get to like a pair then buy more of them and rotate.

 

[M6erfan]

Work gloves...

Thick and durable = low dexterity
Thin and disposable = great "feel"

Better to have different styles to suit the task at hand (see what I did there?)

 

[Millwrong]

For general use, leather all the way! Not good for greasy mechanic-type jobs, but for everything else, nothing beats these in my opinion. Also helps that I can score the odd pair from work for free...!