Welder's Jacket

[babzog]

So the welding class I'm taking requires cotton or other (non-combustible) clothing be worn. Jeans, no prob. I was out looking for a light jacket (even just an insulated shirt) on Fri and came up totally dry. Checked Canadian Tire, Walmart, Marks Work Wearhouse, TSC, another CT... nada. But, I suspect there's just some liability dodging going on.

At CT, the shirt/jacket offerings (the cotton canvas outer types) included a little tag saying words to the effect of "welders; do not wear this clothing where ignition is a possibility". Even the canvas outer shell type shirts/jackets had the same warning (I initially presumed because of the polyester lining, though it would be buttoned up so ). Ditto Walmart. At Marks, at least the label said words indicating that "insulated shirts shouldn't be worn since you may not know if you're on fire". Now, when I went to TSC, I found a similar clothing line to that at CT and found a cotton denim jacket (no lining, just the denim) that had the same warning label as those at CT - don't wear this if ignition is a possibility. This got me thinking that there's probably just a liability concern at the manufacturer and likely all of the jackets I looked at would be fine.

So, I ask the welders here... what would you buy and use? And are you concerned about polyester linings in your jackets?

 

[rsanter]

how about just getting some welders leathers or a second habd leather jacket?

bob

 

[Torque1st]

Many fabrics are a mixture of natural fibers and synthetic fiber. Even many advertised "cotton" types. Check the labels closely. The jacket with the poly inner liner would be dangerous if a spark gets in under the collar or burns thru the cotton. Even a cotton jacket can let sparks thru onto inner clothing. Cotton is no real "protection" from sparks, it just does not burn easily or let the sparks stick to it like synthetics will.

Get some welder's leathers.

 

[Jack Olsen]

It doesn't have to be complicated. Black Stallion cotton:

Online for $17. Keeps your neck from getting sunburned.

No warnings that I've ever paid attention to.

 

[loganp]

Why not just stop by your local praxair dealer and pick up a leather welding jacket.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

Why not just stop by your local praxair dealer and pick up a leather welding jacket.

Northern tools is another source for a set of leathers.

 

[Fast Orange]

Let me be the first to warn you about leather welding jackets-they're hot,they're uncomfortable,and they're expensive.If you're going to be working a pipeline or shipyard,they're the best protection going,but the lighter weight green fabric jackets are perfect for shop work.I used to get them 4 at a time from my local welding supply for about $20 each.Unless you're air-arcing or torch cutting,they provide excellent protection.Get a large enough size to wear a bulky shirt underneith it.
IIRC,Carhardt used to make a series of blanket liined jacket and bibs aimed at welders.
All of thier polyester jackets had warning label advising not to wear while welding

 

[TEXACMAN]

I always wear a snap front longsleeve denim work shirt , Carhartt makes them , Wrangler etc... The trick is to starch them pretty heavy it will keep the sparks from burning your shirt.

 

[Keep]

Princess Auto sells leathers and they are usually on sale.

 

[devo]

I love my Tillman ONYX jacket. Mine's all FR cotton, but they have 'em that are FR cotton with leather sleeves, which is what I preferred when I was welding all day long. Good protection on the arms, but your body stays "relatively" cool. Full leather is a drag...

 

[Doug19]

It doesn't have to be complicated. Black Stallion cotton:

Online for $17. Keeps your neck from getting sunburned.

No warnings that I've ever paid attention to.

I have this exact one. Bought it to wear during for my welding class and worked great. Can't beat the price and it held up well.

 

[Kurn]

I use a suede jacket I picked up at Goodwill.Works fine.

 

[babzog]

how about just getting some welders leathers or a second habd leather jacket?

bob

I was looking for anything that resembled welder's wear (leathers, canvas, other fire retardant wear, etc) but not knowing the pro supply shops, I've just been checking the usual haunts (Marks, TSC, CT, etc).

The second-hand option (also mentioned by Kurn) is a good one too. I'll keep that in mind.

Why not just stop by your local praxair dealer and pick up a leather welding jacket.

According to the praxair site, the local store nr me is TSC and they had nothing (only what I described earlier).

Let me be the first to warn you about leather welding jackets-they're hot,they're uncomfortable,and they're expensive.If you're going to be working a pipeline or shipyard,they're the best protection going,but the lighter weight green fabric jackets are perfect for shop work.I used to get them 4 at a time from my local welding supply for about $20 each.Unless you're air-arcing or torch cutting,they provide excellent protection.Get a large enough size to wear a bulky shirt underneith it.
IIRC,Carhardt used to make a series of blanket liined jacket and bibs aimed at welders.
All of thier polyester jackets had warning label advising not to wear while welding

The course covers the four major types of welding (incl O-A, starting this week) so I dunno if those green shirts you describe would work (assuming I could find one).

I didn't want to spend the money on leather. I don't need the all-day protection they'd provide (as I'm not a professional) and, since I must presume it's pricey (being leather), I don't want to spend that kind of money. $50 is the most I want to spend at this time.

Marks has some of the blanket lined types of jackets, and the warnings simply indicate that, since the jacket is insulated, I might not know I was on fire till I realize the smell of BBQ .. is me! It's certainly an option I'm considering, even though they're priced at nearly double what I want to spend.

I always wear a snap front longsleeve denim work shirt , Carhartt makes them , Wrangler etc... The trick is to starch them pretty heavy it will keep the sparks from burning your shirt.

A longsleeve cotton shirt is one option I was strongly considering. A big enough one that I can wear something underneath for warmth.

Princess Auto sells leathers and they are usually on sale.

I'm going there tomorrow (auto-dark helmets are on sale) so will check. PA is quite a trek for me so I hadn't planned on going there till I saw their latest flier but that might prove to be the jackpot.

If I find nothing at PA, I'll probably just go with the long sleeve shirt for the time being.

 

[Steevo]

Leather/suede jackets/coats from Goodwill, Salvation Army, D.I. are a bargain, but a pain in summer when it's too hot for a jacket.

 

[babzog]

Leather/suede jackets/coats from Goodwill, Salvation Army, D.I. are a bargain, but a pain in summer when it's too hot for a jacket.

I hear ya, but but as it's only going to get colder now, I'm more concerned with not freezing in a drafty shop in the chilly months to come.

 

[bgott]

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/...=mode+matchallpartial&Dx=mode+matchallpartial

http://www.weldwear.com/component/v...22&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=40&vmcchk=1

Google " welding leathers", there are tons of protective clothing available.

 

[wakeboarder311]

hobart has a jacket for like $20. its in the craftsman catalog. i know tsc around here has them also

 

[babzog]

Google " welding leathers", there are tons of protective clothing available.

Oh, there's tons online, for sure, but I need something sooner (Wed.) rather than later. I might still buy something from one of those outfits ('cause they're cheap!) but I'd like to also start to learn who the local suppliers are... good chance I'm gonna need something down the road and I'd like to know who and where to go to get it.

hobart has a jacket for like $20. its in the craftsman catalog. i know tsc around here has them also

Sears... damn! I never thought of them. Might be calling in a bit late tomorrow. LOL I thought my local TSC would have stuff, but their shelves are empty at the moment. I'm sure it's just that time of year.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I have a coat like this, works fine for me.

http://workingperson.com/products/6..._FR_30_Inch_Cotton_Welding_Jacket_F9-30C.html

 

[scottg1952]

Dude
I've welded in my bathrobe.
Cut heavy pipe in a sleeveless T-shirt. Welded heavy work in Key or Carrheart insulated coveralls, day after day, every winter for 15 years.
Had my granddaughter arc welding at 6 years old.
You are ---way--- overthinking this

Just put on something you don't care about to learn in.
yours Scott

 

[Harm]

Greetings. I took welding classes at a local community college (stick, Mig, Tig) and they provided jackets. I've also welded in the body shop at a GM plant and they provided jackets. I highly recommend leather sleeves, but cotton vest. It's the best of both worlds.
In addition to spark protection, it's like armor. Something sharp? No problem. Something still hot? You'll feel it before it hurts you. If it's just class you won't be wearing it long enough to be unbearably hot anyway.
I also suggest wearing one that is just adequate size for you. Going one larger feels good until you add gloves. The sleeves will kick your gloves down your hand and the sleeves will bunch up around your elbows when you try to work. Very restrictive. I'm a Large jacket, which is still roomy enough for a hooded zipper sweatshirt jacket underneath.
If cost seems prohibitive consider what else you can use it for. I keep one in my truck for convenient arm protection. For example, clearing brush, handling thorn bushes, splintery lumber, stray cats, burning yard waste, chainsaw work, etc.
If you end up at an actual welding supply house take a look at safety glasses and ear plugs and some kind of head wrap or beanie. Your helmet's headband will hurt without some kind of buffer aside from the padding band. I recommend the Tuff Nougies style. Buy a complex pattern if you sweat a lot.
Also take plenty to drink and maybe some candy. Good luck.

 

[KenS]

Get an old Levis cotton denim jacket at Goodwill and give it a good shot of spray starch.

 

[Todd.Brock]

I was at TSC about 2 weeks ago in Cincinnati. They had suede welding jackets for about 50 or 60 bones. I think the cotton ones were about 20. The suede ones felt like they weighed 10lbs!

Maybe check back or call to see if they were just out of stock??

 

[babzog]

Dude
You are ---way--- overthinking this

Just put on something you don't care about to learn in.
yours Scott

Oh, I'm famous for overthinking things. When I was messing around with the stick welder in my shop, I just wore an old longsleeve shirt. I've gained a bit more respect for the sparks that are generated (though I'd probably still use that same old shirt anyway). The school though, has some specific requirements, which I've been trying to meet.

I'll probably just end up bringing that old shirt.

Oddly, I stopped at a welder supply/car parts store this AM... not even a pair of gloves.

Still going to check out PA and Sears to see what they have. Failing all that, I'll probably just give up, conclude that there's no publicized (and stocked) welding supply shops within 1000 miles of here and order something online.

Get an old Levis cotton denim jacket at Goodwill and give it a good shot of spray starch.

I will keep that in mind as well on my afternoon rounds. I know of one nearby (well, used to be).

I was at TSC about 2 weeks ago in Cincinnati. They had suede welding jackets for about 50 or 60 bones. I think the cotton ones were about 20. The suede ones felt like they weighed 10lbs!

Maybe check back or call to see if they were just out of stock??

Yeah, I'm sure they're just changing over their stock. The shelves were REALLY bare.

 

[babzog]

Greetings. I took welding classes at a local community college (stick, Mig, Tig) and they provided jackets. I've also welded in the body shop at a GM plant and they provided jackets. I highly recommend leather sleeves, but cotton vest. It's the best of both worlds.
In addition to spark protection, it's like armor. Something sharp? No problem. Something still hot? You'll feel it before it hurts you. If it's just class you won't be wearing it long enough to be unbearably hot anyway.
I also suggest wearing one that is just adequate size for you. Going one larger feels good until you add gloves. The sleeves will kick your gloves down your hand and the sleeves will bunch up around your elbows when you try to work. Very restrictive. I'm a Large jacket, which is still roomy enough for a hooded zipper sweatshirt jacket underneath.
If cost seems prohibitive consider what else you can use it for. I keep one in my truck for convenient arm protection. For example, clearing brush, handling thorn bushes, splintery lumber, stray cats, burning yard waste, chainsaw work, etc.
If you end up at an actual welding supply house take a look at safety glasses and ear plugs and some kind of head wrap or beanie. Your helmet's headband will hurt without some kind of buffer aside from the padding band. I recommend the Tuff Nougies style. Buy a complex pattern if you sweat a lot.
Also take plenty to drink and maybe some candy. Good luck.

We were supplied with gloves, glasses and beanie. Ear plugs are recommended and we are to furnish the jacket, helmet and boots.

Good thoughts, Harm, thank you! Looking forward to learning what to do (and what not to do... not into frying myself! LOL)

 

[babzog]

Princess Auto sells leathers and they are usually on sale.

Welp, PA had one leather jacket but not on sale ($90). They also had none of the green FR jackets either (just the sleeves and the half-jacket that you'd wear with an apron). Ottawa Fastener had no clothing and another welding supply place across town was closed. I did pick up an auto-dark helmet (1/25,000s switch time, 9-13 shade) for $50. In the time it took me to lay a few beads a couple or so weeks back, I was already irritated at not being able to see before striking an arc. LOL

Checked out a few local used clothing stores and one (Value Village - powder blue disco suit, anyone?) had a leather jacket that I might go back and pick up later this week. A bit snug, but with the fleece liner ripped out, it might be fine. Just hate to destroy an otherwise nice piece of Denver Hayes clothing.

I do like those BSX jackets. What are your preferred online vendors for such gear? Any that you know of in Canada (or ship cheaply to Canada)?

 

[bayou985]

Babzog...Try Louisiana Apperal Company {Lapco} they have a website