I've been welding a lot of stuff so far this summer. It has been anywhere from 80-105 degrees in my garage. To protect myself from slag, I've been wearing jeans, sneakers, T-shirt, sweatshirt, hat, welding helmet, safety glasses, and gloves. I have been sweating so much in it. I find that is the only thing that protects me enough when I weld. Anyone have any other ideas of what I could wear to protect myself while welding? Obviously gloves and a helmet but what else could I not or should wear? Thanks guys
Protective Welding Gear
- Thread starter JoeyMitch
- Start date
AndyA
Well-known member
Lose the t-shirt and the sweatshirt. Get a long sleeve cotton (pure cotton, no polyester) button up shirt. These are thick enough to protect you, but still thin enough to be somewhat cool.
Jeans, long sleeve cotton shirt, gloves, helmet, leather top boots. That's standard dress for my summer time welding. I'll add a white cotton cloth over the back of my head if I'm in the sun. Just tape it to the top of the helmet and flip it back. In the wintertime I'll switch to a leather jacket. I'll add another thin jacket under the leather if it's cold enough.
I wear lace-up boots. You can have some problems with slag or hot metal getting down in the tongue area. I climb steel, so like the tighter fit of the lace-ups. A little duct tape over the laces solves any problems.
Wrangler makes a decent cotton shirt. You can buy the flame resistant ones from the welding supply for about the same price (if you don't mind the unfashionable green or blue or whatever color)
Jeans, long sleeve cotton shirt, gloves, helmet, leather top boots. That's standard dress for my summer time welding. I'll add a white cotton cloth over the back of my head if I'm in the sun. Just tape it to the top of the helmet and flip it back. In the wintertime I'll switch to a leather jacket. I'll add another thin jacket under the leather if it's cold enough.
I wear lace-up boots. You can have some problems with slag or hot metal getting down in the tongue area. I climb steel, so like the tighter fit of the lace-ups. A little duct tape over the laces solves any problems.
Wrangler makes a decent cotton shirt. You can buy the flame resistant ones from the welding supply for about the same price (if you don't mind the unfashionable green or blue or whatever color)
Ign
Well-known member
Consider some of the MiraCool or evaporative wear maybe.
Any actual welder (I'm not) with whom I've spoken does not like the FR clothing, says it may not burn but does create a big hole. They all swear by cotton like AndyA
Any actual welder (I'm not) with whom I've spoken does not like the FR clothing, says it may not burn but does create a big hole. They all swear by cotton like AndyA
What type of welding are you doing?
I wear different PE depending on what I am doing IE. ~40amp tig vs 200+amp mig or stick. Also depends on position of welding.
^ agree. The little green "welding" jackets are fine for tig and low amp mig, but anything with large amounts of spatter they are useless. I have a good scar on my inner elbow to prove it.
I wear different PE depending on what I am doing IE. ~40amp tig vs 200+amp mig or stick. Also depends on position of welding.
^ agree. The little green "welding" jackets are fine for tig and low amp mig, but anything with large amounts of spatter they are useless. I have a good scar on my inner elbow to prove it.
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lotsoftools
Well-known member
I mostly wear Wrangler shirts like these: http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/wrangler-mens-long-sleeve-twill-work-shirt-khaki
If it's real hot I'll wear a t-shirt and welding sleeves. The only time I'll wear a leather jacket is when I'm doing a lot of stick overhead.
If it's real hot I'll wear a t-shirt and welding sleeves. The only time I'll wear a leather jacket is when I'm doing a lot of stick overhead.
motobilt
Well-known member
I wear Carhartt dungaree pants, cotton tee, slip on sleeves depending on what I am welding, slip on boots, and gloves. I have a cotton apron with no pockets I wear sometimes as well when mig welding or grinding. I also have a couple different welding jackets around the shop that have no backs in them to help keep cool.
Be careful on your shoe choice. Running shoes will burn up quickly. Trust me it will not stop a hot piece of slag from the cutting torch or welder. You will not be able to get your shoe off fast enough. I wear slip on work boots with no laces. If you are climbing like mentioned above it might be better to have your shoes laced. I have burnt up a few sets of laces on leather boots over the years.
If welding overhead you might consider ear protection. A good friend of mine lost hearing in one ear completely from a piece rolling into his ear. He was working on an crane welding overhead when it happened. Since then I always think about my ears when welding overhead. You can also slightly turn the welding hood on your head to cover the exposed ear better. Just a thought.
Other than that work on dialing in your machine settings to minimize weld splatter.
If you have a fan pointing at you make sure it is not blowing away your shielding gas.
Dan
Be careful on your shoe choice. Running shoes will burn up quickly. Trust me it will not stop a hot piece of slag from the cutting torch or welder. You will not be able to get your shoe off fast enough. I wear slip on work boots with no laces. If you are climbing like mentioned above it might be better to have your shoes laced. I have burnt up a few sets of laces on leather boots over the years.
If welding overhead you might consider ear protection. A good friend of mine lost hearing in one ear completely from a piece rolling into his ear. He was working on an crane welding overhead when it happened. Since then I always think about my ears when welding overhead. You can also slightly turn the welding hood on your head to cover the exposed ear better. Just a thought.
Other than that work on dialing in your machine settings to minimize weld splatter.
If you have a fan pointing at you make sure it is not blowing away your shielding gas.
Dan
crewchief888
Well-known member
i managed to find welders FR greens at a couple of thrift stores around here.
brand new jacket, (still in the plastic) cost me a whopping $8
another jacket and pair of pants (used) were under $5 each.
i weld in whatever i happen to have on, and depending on the time of the year
i may be a t-shirt and old work pants, jeans, FR greens, tennis shoes, boots insulated bibs, mechanics/garage jacket....
brand new jacket, (still in the plastic) cost me a whopping $8
another jacket and pair of pants (used) were under $5 each.
i weld in whatever i happen to have on, and depending on the time of the year
i may be a t-shirt and old work pants, jeans, FR greens, tennis shoes, boots insulated bibs, mechanics/garage jacket....
I weld all the time, I like cotton but it needs to be new not washed, seems like when they get washed a few times they catch fire, you need to wear what you like but if you are scared of getting burned then you can't do a good weld, Tig welding not a big deal but like the rest of you guys said before, I work for the fire department and I wear my hoodie that I got for going into fires and I never have any problems with slage getting in my ears when I welding overhead and high amps200 plus
James
James
aggierailroad
Well-known member
Keep those cotton shirts and blue jeans heavily starched and you will find that the slag rolls off.
I wear a t shirt with slip on canvas miller sleeves, jeans, and steel toe slip on boots.
Ditto the ear protection. I have had slag in my ear from Oxy cutting underneath a semi trailer.
Oh, and I generally wear a hat turned backwards and a 3m pink respirator if I do much beyond tacking. Regular mechanix gloves.
I wear a t shirt with slip on canvas miller sleeves, jeans, and steel toe slip on boots.
Ditto the ear protection. I have had slag in my ear from Oxy cutting underneath a semi trailer.
Oh, and I generally wear a hat turned backwards and a 3m pink respirator if I do much beyond tacking. Regular mechanix gloves.
AZ Glen
Well-known member
are you mig welding? with gas?
brianpgriset
Well-known member
Assuming your MIG welding this is a good combo. Kevlar welding sleeves are nice.
I do 90 amp fluxcore welding. Sometimes, I will take an old cotton Tshirt, soak it with water, and put it on my lap when I weld with shorts.
I mainly weld sitting down, sometimes kneeling but never laying down or something like that.
I really like the sleeves. Seem easier than the sweatshirt.
I mainly weld sitting down, sometimes kneeling but never laying down or something like that.
I really like the sleeves. Seem easier than the sweatshirt.
stay away from synthetic materials. I like the green welding "jacket" I have been wearing one all summer in the shop and it has held up decent. thats tons of out of position stick and tig welding. It is burnt up but not destroyed. I wear that and a t shirt. It stays very cool. I agree about the hearing protection. I was mig welding and had some spatter get in my ear... not fun.
AZ Glen
Well-known member
In the warmer months I wear a stocking cap, glasses that look like goofy terminator looking knock offs, shorts, flip flops, and leather driving gloves. Sometimes a cloth apron and if the t shirt is a newer one or if I there is a lot of grinding/cutting.
machine_punk
Well-known member
check with your local welding supply...mine has a leather welding jacket where the whole back is mesh...so you can wear a t-shirt under it and stay cool(er) while welding. No way to get out of the jeans and leather shoes, though. While it is uncomfortable, it won't hurt you, as long as you drink enough water and have enough salt. I lived in Iraq for months at around 130 degrees. Wasn't fun, but I didn't die, either. Drink water, take enough breaks, eat some salty foods for snacks.
Kev
Kev
MIG, stick or cutting i put on leather sleeves or the leather jacket and long jeans
TIG welding at a table just a T-shirt, shorts and gloves, i prefer sandals over tennis shoes....some aluminum dropped into my shoe once and caught the synthetic edge on fire....NOT fun
i wear ear plugs even while TIG welding, i hate the fan on my machine
brazing not even gloves.....real dark lenses though, I use JetFlux
TIG welding at a table just a T-shirt, shorts and gloves, i prefer sandals over tennis shoes....some aluminum dropped into my shoe once and caught the synthetic edge on fire....NOT fun
i wear ear plugs even while TIG welding, i hate the fan on my machine
brazing not even gloves.....real dark lenses though, I use JetFlux
I've seen people weld laying down with just a pair of sunglasses and no gloves. T-shirt and shorts. I thought they we crazy!!! One mistake I made was when I was about to go to the gym and had to tack something up real quick. I did it real quick and looked at my shorts. Probably over 100 holes!!
lotsoftools
Well-known member
And don't forget that long sleeve shirts and pants don't protect you from just the slag and sparks, but also the UV rays! A welding sunburn is not healthy for your skin.
I wear a set of Miller Cape Sleeves...
Harbor Freight Leather Apron
A Shirt...
Usually cotton, possibly a Tee or a work shirt.
Gloves, Helmet, Safety Glasses.
Carhart Double Front Jeans.
Issue Steel Toe Boots.
Mine happen to be Doc Martins...
Harbor Freight Leather Apron
A Shirt...
Usually cotton, possibly a Tee or a work shirt.
Gloves, Helmet, Safety Glasses.
Carhart Double Front Jeans.
Issue Steel Toe Boots.
Mine happen to be Doc Martins...
ilovevocs
Well-known member
I love my miller sleeves for mig work at the bench. I rarely weld over head or out of position so I can't it comment. But the sleeves and a t-shirt with a descent set of gloves, a pair of dickies and my USA made red wings fit the bill in my shop. I'm not a weldor by trade but I do find myself welding at the bench for days on end for certain jobs. First day I spent welding during the summer in gloves and a t-shirt resulted in one hell of a welders tan that I never want to experience again. I have found the miller gear to be very nice, maybe I'm drinking the coo aid, but my gloves, helmet, and sleeves are all miller.
I used to wear greens but find the sleeves cooler and just generally more comfortable for my type if work.
I used to wear greens but find the sleeves cooler and just generally more comfortable for my type if work.
NAPPY
Well-known member
I wear Dickie pants all the time. I wear a extra large Dickie shirt so it will fit in the winter over all my clothes. I use a welding cap and thin gloves. I love my Redback slip on boots. I get them from Matco. three years on the same pair. I wear them 7 days a week. well worth the price.
justanengineer
Well-known member
Ive got a couple of proper welding jackets from Tillman down to BSX and think theyre well worth the tiny investment (start ~$30) as I can go shirtless in them without fear but still get air circulation/cooling. For a hood Im rather old-fashioned, she has a new Hobart auto-dark and Ive got my good old fixed-shade Lincoln. Gloves are different depending on the process, heavy gloves for stick/mig/heavy/hot welding and thin for TIG and gas welding, but always full rawhide gauntlets and NEVER synthetic fibers....been there, lost those layers of skin when the gloves melted and glued themselves to my hands.
The more you weld the more you are able to ignore the molten slag bouncing off your skin. Usually if I just need to weld something quick I will just do it in whatever clothes I have on (+ gloves, helmet, and welding cap) if I am constructing something that I will be spending some time on I will put on the jeans and a thick cotton button up. It ***** but it is what it is.
Other safety considerations, you really want all your skin covered at all times in order to protect from UV radiation. You also do not want to be wearing a light colored shirt as you will get a lot of glare coming up into your helmet and this can also be harmful to your eyes.
Other safety considerations, you really want all your skin covered at all times in order to protect from UV radiation. You also do not want to be wearing a light colored shirt as you will get a lot of glare coming up into your helmet and this can also be harmful to your eyes.
The Doc Martins were provided by the company I work for and the supplier doesn't carry ANYTHING US made...
Thinking out of the box, I went to a local army surplus store and found they had racks full of "Naval Combat Clothing" - which is flame resistant (for obvious reasons) - both new and used. The used stuff looked like new to me and jacket & pants cost less than $40. The new stuff wasn't much more. Works like a charm.
crewchief888
Well-known member
couple of our welders in the 1st shop i worked at (1976) wore flame resistant military stuff.
back then a pair of used pants were $2 or $3
trackwelder
Well-known member
Good boots and long cotton pants are a must. I like to wear a cotton t shirt and a green welding jacket. Any serious overhead work and the leather jacket comes out. I like shirts and jackets with snaps or zippers, no buttons. Buttons are to hard to get off in a panic.