Welding Leathers

[TheMadMech]

I recently got a nasty 2nd degree burn which got infected from some Arc Welding I was doing. I'm in a new job which does far more fabrication than previous jobs. I want to get a full leather jacket and was considering this: http://www.blackstallion.com/index.php/products/leather-apparel/item/30wc.html?category_id=5/ What do you guys think? It looks to be in the $100 range. Good choice or are there better options? I'd probably have to wear it for a few hours at a time and it's Facilities Maintenance so, not all welding is in a shop, lots of it in dirty and difficult positions.

 

[neonnblack]

I cant stand wearing a big heavy jacket. Maybe that would change if it was a shop/production environment. But i much prefer just sleeves and a heavy long or short sleeve shirt.

 

[Tinner]

Black Stallion is generally well made and reasonably priced.

Here's that jacket for $59 plus shipping.

https://weldingsupply.com/cgi-bin/einstein.pl?PNUM::1:UNDEF:X:30WC-L

 

[koditten]

I've been kicking this around as well. I've been hitting the thrift shops looking for a leather jacket to rip the liner out of.

Haven't found one that fits, but I expect to come across one soon.

 

[crewchief888]

I cant stand wearing a big heavy jacket

i'm the same way.

i prefer FRC green jackets and pants.

i get mine used from a thrift store typically $3-$5 each.
friend of mine had gotten me a few jackets and pants in hi-viz orange.

 

[TheMadMech]

I've been using fire resistant green jackets and coveralls but spatter eats those alive. I need something more than that.

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[rockinacummins]

I hate a heavy leather welding jacket. I too prefer the green stuff but you're right, it doesn't last like leather.

 

[BD1]

Maybe consider welding leather sleeves and a bib.
http://www.blackstallion.com/index.php/products/leather-apparel/item/21cs.html?category_id=5
http://www.blackstallion.com/index.php/products/leather-apparel/item/20wb.html?category_id=5

 

[AkFordGuy]

For the handful of people who've seen my post or two, they know that I'm a welder by trade. A pipe welder, to be specific. I know what spatter is.

FR anything simply doesn't hold up. I've used Carhartt, Black Stallion, and other reputable brands. They make good clothing, but the fact of the matter is that spatter still eats through cotton.

Leathers can be hot and uncomfortable, there's no arguing that. But there's simply no other way to protect yourself from the spatter, unless you want the majority of your paycheck to go to new FR shirts.

 

[Stooge]

i have a Miller X that I got free from work, I don't wear it much since I mostly do sheet metal work but when I've been doing heavier welding or in a confined space where I would most definitely be hit with spatter, its done its job, although Im not sure how long it would hold up in every day heavy use. its alot lighter weight than leather and seems fairly breathable. Cyberweld has them for $135 http://store.cyberweld.com/miwejawecafa.html

 

[rlitman]

I've been kicking this around as well. I've been hitting the thrift shops looking for a leather jacket to rip the liner out of.

Haven't found one that fits, but I expect to come across one soon.

Interesting thought, but my Tillman welding leathers are stitched with kevlar thread that won't melt, and have rivets all over. They're also much thicker than a typical leather jacket, and weren't all that expensive.

The down side is that they're damn heavy.

For the handful of people who've seen my post or two, they know that I'm a welder by trade. A pipe welder, to be specific. I know what spatter is.

FR anything simply doesn't hold up. I've used Carhartt, Black Stallion, and other reputable brands. They make good clothing, but the fact of the matter is that spatter still eats through cotton.

Leathers can be hot and uncomfortable, there's no arguing that. But there's simply no other way to protect yourself from the spatter, unless you want the majority of your paycheck to go to new FR shirts.

What about nomex? It's far more fire resistant than treated cotton. Yeah, it can be ludicrously expensive, but deals pop up on eBay all the time.

Not all welding causes spatter in all places. It depends on your process and position. For some, a leather cape and sleeves may make FR cotton shirts last indefinitely.

 

[3 Gun Shooter]

I have Tillman leathers I bought back in 1970, they still have not fallen apart. If you are doing any overhead stick welding you need leathers.

 

[sberry]

Overhead innershield is what splatters and some of thise can be in places it is a real issue. I also a career welder but havnt put a leather on for nearly 25 years. Its not a law you got to work yourself around till it runs down your arm. It takes a little bit to get your head around setting up so the splatter falls away and in front missing the operator.

 

[joe49]

For me the only times I really wore leather was lance arcing pins out, and when circumstance put me in a confined place that did not allow me to stay out of the spatter. I mainly find a position that keeps me out of it.

 

[G-ManBart]

I'm not a professional welder, by any measure, but I bought this Hobart jacket and it seems pretty decent. I'm working on overhead welding now (all stick) and haven't gotten any burns, so it can't be that bad!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002VECL3W/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[gte718p]

Interesting thought, but my Tillman welding leathers are stitched with kevlar thread that won't melt, and have rivets all over. They're also much thicker than a typical leather jacket, and weren't all that expensive.

The down side is that they're damn heavy.



What about nomex? It's far more fire resistant than treated cotton. Yeah, it can be ludicrously expensive, but deals pop up on eBay all the time.

Not all welding causes spatter in all places. It depends on your process and position. For some, a leather cape and sleeves may make FR cotton shirts last indefinitely.

Nomex is fire resistant, but welding splatter goes right through it. Ask me how I know

Really there is no replacement for leathers. I generally wear an apron and sleeves to protect my coveralls when I weld.

 

[Jo Diesel]

Has any one tried an old leather dress coat? You know the ones that are SO DATED.

 

[Griff93]

I really like using a good heavy duty welding shirt. About the only time I get my leathers out is if I have to stick weld overhead. You should really get a heavy duty welding shirt as well. It's really nice to have something between no protection and the heavy welding leathers.

 

[TheMadMech]

I picked up the Black Stallion 30 I mentioned last night and used it most of the day today, 10hr shift.

1. Not as hot as I expected it to be.
2. Heavier than I expected it to be.
3. Comfortable with only a bit of constraint of motion.
4. It did weigh down my arms a bit.
5. The most surprising thing, and it was a pleasant surprise, was that it helped increase comfort of many of the welding positions I found myself in. I do tons of repair work on material chutes and bins in the facility and that means lots of weird and challenging positions along with very uncomfortable environment. The cost helped with that aspect tremendously.

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[strength_and_power]

Green FR sleeves are no match for overhead welding. Will be putting a set
Of leathers in the job box for the next vault I build.

 

[AkFordGuy]

What about nomex? It's far more fire resistant than treated cotton. Yeah, it can be ludicrously expensive, but deals pop up on eBay all the time.

Molten metal will still burn clean through it.

Not all welding causes spatter in all places. It depends on your process and position. For some, a leather cape and sleeves may make FR cotton shirts last indefinitely.

So as long as the FR shirt doesn't actually get anything hot on it, it'll last indefinitely? That seems to be a foregone conclusion.

No, not all welding causes spatter, nor has such a claim been made. If all you're doing is TIG, then a good long sleeve shirt with a collar will work just dandy. If you're underneath a 48" pipe with molten steel raining down on you because you're welding with a 1/4" cellulose rod, then you're going to need a whole lot more than a long sleeve shirt.

Hell, even aluminum wire eats through work shirts.

 

[AkFordGuy]

Overhead innershield is what splatters and some of thise can be in places it is a real issue. I also a career welder but havnt put a leather on for nearly 25 years. Its not a law you got to work yourself around till it runs down your arm. It takes a little bit to get your head around setting up so the splatter falls away and in front missing the operator.

Innershield is far from the only process that produces spatter.

It is not always possible to position yourself out of the rain of sparks. It IS always possible to wear the appropriate PPE to avoid getting burned by it.

 

[sberry]

Never said it was the only process but its one that is hard to get away from. It can be ran at high amps, most I have done is with 600A machines. When I first started in this biz I burned up a couple jackets and some shirts and more than a few gloves. Today it is really rare for me to drop a hot gob and cant even remember the last burn I had.
Even though I wander there is little spatter and very fine. OH 7018 SA 200 I bought on spec.

 

[Zeke]

Has any one tried an old leather dress coat? You know the ones that are SO DATED.

I welded with an old Members Only suede jacket until it finally just went to shreds. I took the lining out for safety reasons. The knitted cuffs are covered by your gloves but they are the first to go. Cheap at Goodwill.

It's thin so not too hot. IDK if it would stand up long to constant overhead arc welding. I don't do that.

 

[cwh]

This thread has been great. Reminded me that I wanted to get some decent leathers so I can stop ruining sweatshirts and carhartts.

Grinding seems to kill them nearly as fast as spatter for me.

 

[TheMadMech]

I've noticed that, when you've got to do heavy grinding it can eat gear very quickly. You've got to really watch where the sparks are aimed.

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[AkFordGuy]

Yes, you do. I've seen many unfortunate incidents come about as a result of grinding sparks.

I've caught many t-shirts on fire from grinding sparks.
Grinding sparks directed into Carhartt pants for extended periods of time eventually make the pants very "crusty".
Grinding sparks stick in windows, car paint, and aluminum boats, and melt the material or eventually leave rust spots.
I've seen grinding sparks being sprayed all over an oxy-acetylene torch setup, where the acetylene hose had a pinhole leak near the regulator. I walked in to see a flame coming out of the acetylene hose.

 

[BD1]

If you are looking for a REALLY nice apron, MOONSHINE leather has free shipping. Their wallets are great and love my apron from them.
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[22george]

My wife went to the thrift store and got me a large leather coat for welding for $15.
Great idea
Thanks

 

[texasfiremedic]

I'm thinking about getting a pigskin jacket. Anybody else have one?

 

[gmwelder86]

Pigskin is nice. Buy once cry once. A lot more flexible than split cow leather

 

[motorcycle79]

Pig skin is what I wear now. I have burned up many fr and nomex shirts and pants before I bit the bullet on the pigskin. Wish I would have bought one years ago.

 

[bdelmar2]

I welded with an old Members Only suede jacket until it finally just went to shreds. I took the lining out for safety reasons. The knitted cuffs are covered by your gloves but they are the first to go. Cheap at Goodwill.

It's thin so not too hot. IDK if it would stand up long to constant overhead arc welding. I don't do that.

I don't do a lot of welding, and I'm big, also cheap.

Haven't seen any welding leathers in 5x size, and they would be pretty expensive if I did find some I imagine.

I have an old black leather jacket, similar to a members only, might even be one.

I wear it backwards as its too small to put on normally, also a little cooler that way.

The sleeves are tight enough they basically hold it on but still let me move normally, and its a bit tight in the throat area but not uncomfortably so. I figure that keeps sparks from getting inside it.

I doubt it would be good for a professional environment and probably looks goofy besides, but seems fine for the occasional odd job I need it for.

 

[TheMadMech]

I don't do a lot of welding, and I'm big, also cheap.

Haven't seen any welding leathers in 5x size, and they would be pretty expensive if I did find some I imagine.

I have an old black leather jacket, similar to a members only, might even be one.

I wear it backwards as its too small to put on normally, also a little cooler that way.

The sleeves are tight enough they basically hold it on but still let me move normally, and its a bit tight in the throat area but not uncomfortably so. I figure that keeps sparks from getting inside it.

I doubt it would be good for a professional environment and probably looks goofy besides, but seems fine for the occasional odd job I need it for.

I got the Black Stallion jacket I've mentioned in a 4x and it's BIG. I have to sometimes have a harness on under my jacket as well as my work coveralls. It's got plenty of room. I didn't check if it came in 5x but the store had the 4x on hand. May be worth looking into. $120 and worth every penny.

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