Welding Gloves

Welding Gloves: A Must-Have for Any Welder

 

Welding is a skilled trade that requires the utmost safety precautions. One crucial aspect of a welder’s safety is wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, such as welding gloves. Welding gloves provide essential protection against heat, sparks, and burns, ensuring the welder’s hands are shielded from potential hazards. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the features, advantages, types, uses, and important factors to consider before purchasing welding gloves. Additionally, we will answer frequently asked questions about welding gloves to help you make an informed decision. Let’s dive into the world of welding gloves and understand why they are a vital accessory for welders.

What is a welding glove?

Welding gloves are also known as Welder’s gloves. A welding glove is a piece of personal protective equipment (PPE) worn by welders to protect their hands from the hazards of welding. Welding gloves are typically made from thick leather or other heat-resistant materials and may have additional features such as insulation, padding, and reinforcement.

Welding gloves protect the hands from a variety of hazards, including:

• Heat: Welding can produce intense heat, which can cause burns. Welder’s gloves help to insulate the hands from heat and prevent burns.
• Sparks: Welding produces sparks, which can fly off and cause burns. Welder’s gloves help to protect the hands from sparks.
• Flames: Welding can also produce flames, which can cause burns. Welder’s gloves help to protect the hands from flames.
• Electrical shock: Welding can create an arc flash, which is a sudden release of electrical energy. This can cause serious burns and other injuries. Welding gloves with electrical insulation can help to protect the hands from electrical shock.
• Sharp objects: Welding can produce sharp objects, such as slag and hot metal. Welding gloves help to protect the hands from these objects.

Features of Welding Gloves

Welding gloves are designed to offer superior protection and durability. The following features are commonly found in high-quality welding gloves:

1. Heat Resistance: Welding gloves are made from heat-resistant materials, such as leather or specialized fabrics, to protect against extreme temperatures.
2. Reinforced Stitching: These gloves have reinforced stitching to enhance durability and withstand the rigorous demands of welding tasks.
3. Long Cuffs: Many welding gloves feature extended cuffs to provide additional forearm protection from sparks and debris.
4. Insulation:  Welder’s gloves often include insulation layers to offer extra heat resistance and thermal protection.
5. Dexterity: Despite their robust construction, Welder’s gloves are designed to allow reasonable dexterity, enabling welders to handle tools and materials effectively.

Advantages of Welding Gloves 

Investing in quality welding gloves offers several advantages for welders:

1. Protection from Heat and Sparks:  Welder’s gloves create a barrier against heat, sparks, and molten metal, reducing the risk of burns and injuries.
2. Enhanced Safety: By safeguarding the hands and forearms, Welder’s gloves significantly minimize the chance of accidents and increase overall safety in the workplace.
3. Improved Grip: Welding gloves provide a secure grip on tools and workpieces, ensuring better control and precision during welding operations.
4. Durability: High-quality Welder’s gloves are built to withstand demanding welding tasks, offering long-lasting performance and value for money.
5. Comfort:  Welder’s gloves are designed to be comfortable to wear, allowing welders to focus on their work without discomfort or distraction.

Types of Welding Gloves 

Welding gloves are available in various types, each designed to cater to specific welding techniques and applications. Here are some common types of welding gloves:

TIG Welding Gloves

TIG welding requires precise control and dexterity. TIG Welder’s gloves are typically made from thin and flexible materials like goatskin or kidskin to provide maximum finger sensitivity and dexterity.

MIG Welding Gloves

MIG welding involves higher heat and potential spatter. MIG welding gloves are often made from thick and heat-resistant materials like cowhide or pigskin, offering increased protection and durability.

Stick Welding Gloves

Stick welding generates high heat and intense sparks. Stick welding gloves are typically heavy-duty and made from heat-resistant leather with additional padding and reinforcement in high-wear areas.

Kevlar Welding Gloves

Kevlar Welder’s gloves are ideal for tasks involving sharp objects or edges. Kevlar is a high-strength synthetic fiber known for its exceptional cut resistance, making these gloves suitable for welding applications where cutting hazards are present.

Silicone Welding Gloves

Silicone welding gloves are designed to provide heat resistance while offering excellent grip and dexterity. These gloves feature a silicone coating on the palm and fingers, ensuring a secure hold on tools and workpieces.

Uses of Welding Gloves 

Welding gloves find applications in various industries and tasks, including:

1. Welding and Metal Fabrication: Welders rely on Welder’s gloves to protect their hands while performing arc welding, MIG welding, TIG welding, and other metal fabrication tasks.
2. Construction: Construction workers handling hot materials, torches, or welding equipment utilize welding gloves to minimize the risk of burns and injuries.
3. Automotive and Shipbuilding: Welder’s gloves are essential in automotive and shipbuilding industries, where welders deal with high temperatures and sparks during assembly and repair work.
4. Manufacturing: Welder’s gloves are commonly used in manufacturing processes involving hot machinery, molten metal, or welding operations.
5. DIY Projects: Hobbyists and DIY enthusiasts utilize welding gloves for personal projects involving welding, soldering, or brazing.

Things to Consider Before Buying Welding Gloves

Before purchasing Welder’s gloves, it is important to consider the following factors:

1. Heat Resistance: Ensure that the gloves offer adequate heat resistance for the type of welding you will be performing.
2. Material: Choose gloves made from high-quality, durable materials that provide the necessary protection for your specific welding applications.
3. Size and Fit: Proper sizing is crucial for comfort and optimal dexterity. Select gloves that fit snugly but allow freedom of movement.
4. Reinforcement and Stitching: Look for reinforced stitching and additional padding in high-wear areas to ensure long-lasting performance.
5. Cuff Length: Consider the length of the cuff based on the level of forearm protection required for your welding tasks.
6. Certification: Check for appropriate safety certifications, such as EN 12477 or ANSI Z49.1, to ensure the gloves meet industry standards.

Best Welding Gloves

Looking for the best welding gloves? Our top picks offer superior protection and comfort, so you can focus on your work without worrying about your hands.

Lincoln Welding Gloves

Lincoln Welding Gloves are heat and flame resistant gloves designed for welding and cutting torch applications. They have a comfortable cotton lining, fully welted seams, and lock-stitch construction. Made of chemical resistant material, these gloves offer long-lasting wear and protection against high heat. They feature a 13.5″ gauntlet style design for extra protection and flexibility, and the exterior is made of split cowhide grade A leather.

Pros:

1. Heat and flame resistance: The gloves provide protection against the high heat and flames associated with welding and cutting torches, keeping the hands and fingers safe.
2. Comfortable lining: The cotton lining adds comfort and reduces irritation during prolonged use.
3. Durable construction: The fully welted seams and lock-stitch construction contribute to the gloves’ durability, ensuring they can withstand the demands of welding tasks.
4. Chemical resistance: The gloves are made of a chemical-resistant material, offering additional protection against corrosive substances commonly encountered in welding environments.
5. Extra protection: The long gauntlet style design provides added protection against fire sparks and grinding, reducing the risk of burns or injuries.

Cons:

1. Poor stitching: Based on the information you provided, it seems that the gloves you have experienced poor stitching, which can be a disadvantage as it may affect the overall durability and longevity of the gloves.

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RAPICCA Leather Welding Gloves

RAPICCA Leather Welding Gloves are designed to provide high-temperature protection for welding and other hot work applications. They feature a Kevlar-insulated cotton material with an air-isolated aluminum foil layer and a flame retardant cotton cloth. The gloves have double reinforced Kevlar padding on the fingers, palms, elbow, and backs for added durability. They also have a soft insulated cotton lining for comfort and sweat absorption. With a heat resistance of up to 932°F (500℃), these gloves offer extended protection. The 16-inch length and 7.5-inch long sleeve provide coverage for the forearms against welding sparks, grinding debris, and hot objects.

Pros:

1. High-temperature resistance: The RAPICCA Welder’s gloves are designed to withstand extreme temperatures up to 932°F (500℃), making them suitable for various hot work applications.
2. Double reinforced Kevlar padding: The gloves feature double layer Kevlar padding on the fingers, palms, elbow, and backs, providing enhanced durability and protection in high-stress areas.
3. Air-isolated aluminum foil layer: The inclusion of an air-isolated aluminum foil layer in the glove’s construction contributes to its heat resistance and insulation properties.
4. Soft insulated cotton lining: The gloves have a soft insulated cotton lining that offers comfort, sweat absorption, and breathability during extended use.
5. Forearm protection: With a 16-inch length and 7.5-inch long sleeve, these gloves provide extended coverage to protect the forearms from welding sparks, grinding debris, and hot objects.

Cons:

1. Reported poor heat resistance: There have been reports of the gloves not performing well in terms of heat resistance, which may raise concerns about their effectiveness in high-temperature environments.

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QeeLink Fireproof Welding Gloves

QeeLink Fireproof Welding Gloves are designed to provide durability and heat resistance for welding applications. These gloves are made from high-grade US split leather, known for its durability. They have obtained the CE EN388 and EN407 Certificates, indicating compliance with European safety standards. The gloves feature a full cow split leather back that extends to the cuff, providing added protection and a softer feel. They also have a reinforced wing thumb design for maximum flexibility during use. With a cotton liner and canvas cuff, these gloves offer heat insulation, sweat absorption, and increased comfort.

Pros:

1. Durability: The QeeLink Fireproof Welder’s gloves are made from high-grade US split leather, ensuring their durability and longevity.
2. Safety certifications: These gloves have obtained the CE EN388 and EN407 Certificates, demonstrating their compliance with European safety standards.
3. Soft and comfortable: The full cow split leather back of the gloves provides a softer feel, enhancing comfort during use.
4. Maximum flexibility: The reinforced wing thumb design allows for maximum flexibility, enabling precise movements and control.
5. Heat insulation and sweat absorption: The cotton liner and canvas cuff offer heat insulation and absorb sweat, ensuring a comfortable and dry wearing experience.

Cons:

1. Not suitable for MIG and plasma cutting: It has been reported that these gloves are not easy to use for MIG and plasma cutting applications. This limitation may impact their usability for those specific tasks.

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FAQs

What kind of gloves are best for welding?

Leather Welder’s gloves are a popular choice due to their excellent heat resistance, durability, and flexibility. However, the type of gloves best suited for welding depends on the specific application and personal preference.

Do welding gloves protect against shock?

No, Welder’s gloves are primarily designed to protect against heat, sparks, and burns. To protect against electric shock, welders should use insulated gloves specifically designed for electrical work.

Why do most welding gloves have a cuff?

The cuff on Welder’s gloves serves two main purposes. Firstly, it provides additional protection for the forearms, shielding them from sparks, heat, and debris. Secondly, the cuff helps secure the gloves in place, preventing them from slipping off during welding operations.

 

 

Conclusion: Welding gloves are indispensable safety gear for welders, providing essential protection against heat, sparks, and burns. By considering the features, advantages, types, uses, and important factors before purchasing Welder’s gloves, welders can make an informed decision and prioritize their safety during welding operations.