welding cloths, when it is hot out Options

[obscurity]

I was just curious what people are welding in during the summer months. I am in Atlanta so it has been 95deg +/- in my garage which makes wearing long sleeves and long pants unbearable. Is everyone else just toughing it out or do you all have air conditioned garages? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[VaccaRabite]

sunscreen.

I know I should, but I usually don't bother with the long sleeves and long pants in the summer even when welding. I do put on sunscreen, though. You will burn otherwise.

Zach

[Spoke]

I tough it out with long bluejeans and a long sleeve welding jacket.

Every time I skimp on the clothing I get burned. This even includes wearing socks and a baseball cap if working above my head.

[jeffdon]

sunscreen.

I know I should, but I usually don't bother with the long sleeves and long pants in the summer even when welding. I do put on sunscreen, though. You will burn otherwise.

Zach

LOL! I can attest to that. I was once doing a little welding and was not wearing a shirt. My chest and stomach were totally burnt. And I have burnt my eyelids tacking without a helmet, just closing eyes for the quick tack.

[BigD9146gt]

Thin TIG welding gloves and sunscreen... although I should use the latter, I never do unless on my face when building roll cages in narrow areas where I have just goggles on so I can get my head to a viewable position. I have some long sleeve plaid shits that work well too, not as heavy as leather, but still stop most of the sparks. I find the worst is grinding dust/metal in the inside of the elbow... Harden the F up, mate! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/chair.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[scotty b]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif)

[charliew]

If you go to flux wire you can use a fan. I think I am getting more moles on the inside of my arms from welding with tee shirts on.

If you have time go to the nasioc site and check out the fabrication forum. Some of the beads posted look like a robot did them almost. My friend can weld aluminum and ss like a robot but I can't. He also wears long sleeve dickie type shirts with flaps on the pockets (try grinding and welding without flaps) and long jeans even on 100 degree days. He has low blood pressure and I think that helps as he doesn't like a 40 degree day.

[rfuerst911sc]

Last year during the height of summer I welded the flares on my GT clone. 95+ and humid as hell. Yes I wore my one piece mechanics overalls and toughed it out. No doubt it was brutal.

[rick 918-S]

Please people. Please do not weld without protective gear. A good friend of mine lost his brother to cancer. He used to tack weld with no gloves. He developed a sore on his finger that wouldn't heal. Didn't think anything of it. They ended up taking the finger, then his arm to the elbow then the shoulder. He lasted about 8 months from the time they discovered the little sore that wouldn't heal was skin cancer.

Please don't even tack without face protection. I started my working life as a welder at a ship yard. It's serious business.

[obscurity]

Please people. Please do not weld without protective gear. A good friend of mine lost his brother to cancer. He used to tack weld with no gloves. He developed a sore on his finger that wouldn't heal. Didn't think anything of it. They ended up taking the finger, then his arm to the elbow then the shoulder. He lasted about 8 months from the time they discovered the little sore that wouldn't heal was skin cancer.

Please don't even tack without face protection. I started my working life as a welder at a ship yard. It's serious business.

So what is the appropriate welding protection? Does it need to be leather? is the flame retardant cotton ok? Can you get by with a denim shirt? I am less concerned with the occasional slag burn than with welding sunburn.

What about gloves? Do they have to be the big clunky MIG gloves or are thin TIG gloves enough protection? I have difficulty controling the gun with the MIG gloves on.

Just curious,

[jmill]

I always wear protective gear. I'll try and find a link to the jacket I have. It's made for boilermakers. Very thin and FR. I wear mig gloves. I'm so used to them now that thin ones just don't feel right.

Here's something similar to what I use - http://www.automotiveworkwear.com/RedKap/K...FR-Jackets.html

[charliew]

Tig gloves cost more and don't last very long. But they are easier to handle small parts with. If the shirt is long enough to reach the gloves they should be ok. Tig gloves are actually only meant to be used on tigging and not for metal handling. I have also got a mildly sunburned face tacking without a helmet even though I have a auto darkening one always available. Actually they make a hang down flap that goes on the helmet in the front bottom edge to stop from burning your neck in front above the shirt. Heavy cloth is good enough for auto metal welding. Be careful with cutoffs the threads are like gasoline. All old farmers wear long sleeve shirts and pants to keep sunburn in check, they get used to it and say the sweat cools them down. The only problem I have with welding late at night is keeping the light in a good spot. Moths love a tig arc.

[patssle]

Don't forget about ventilation. I work for a company that sells air cleaning equipment - and welding is one of our biggest applications, so I am very familiar with the health effects.

In short summary, welding exhaust can cause cancer. Wear a respirator, exhaust it outdoors, or have an air cleaner.

http://www.hexavalentchromiumdangers.com/

[andys]

Actually they make a hang down flap that goes on the helmet in the front bottom edge to stop from burning your neck in front above the shirt. Heavy cloth is good enough for auto metal welding.

Yeah, I have permanent skin damage from not buttoning my shirt fully; sort of a V-neck area. I have a green retardant welding shirt that is a decent compromise between summertime comfort and slag/pop protection. Since I TIG most everything these days, the shirt is quite adequate but leather is still the best. They make an open back leather upper with sleeves you might look into.

Andys

[rick 918-S]

I just suggest you use your best judgement. I used to weld in a shipyard. There were people welding everyplace around you. I've had flash burns to my eyes from catching arcs from others working around me. It sux alot! In a case where your welding everyday protection is everthing. When spending the afternoon in the garage be aware of your potencial for injury. I use short leather work gloves. They are tight fitting compared to welding gloves which allow better fine motor control. When it's hot I wear at minimum a work shirt buttoned at the wrist and neck. Otherwise I have a mechanics style jacket that works nice.

[charliew]

Respirator yeah right, under the hood. Open ventilation for what we are doing is plenty good enough. Probably much safer that the dope people smoke or the barbeque we eat.

[jmill]

Hot slag burns right through the top of tennis shoes. I'd recommend leather shoes. One con to boots is you can't get them off fast. I found that out when a piece of slag dropped down the top between my boot and sock. Ouch!

[patssle]

Respirator yeah right, under the hood. Open ventilation for what we are doing is plenty good enough. Probably much safer that the dope people smoke or the barbeque we eat.

Yes, the BBQ we eat is safer than hexavalent chromium.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/slap.gif)

[scotty b]

These are the gloves I use. They are for tig welding, but I like them becuase they fit snugly, are easy to do most any work in. I do go through 4-5 pair a year, but I do this work all dya long, and these gloves are not intended to be used for all the metal work so they are not as thick as heavier gloves. They do however provide your hands all the protection they need, and for the average DIY'er would last a good while. They also have an elastic/velcro strap on the wrist. I personally do not like open cuff gloves, and have had sparks and slag fall in them. This velcro cuff colses tighhly and prevents tht from happening. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

For those of you who do TIG weld a lot, these gloves are thicker than the Tillmans I prefer for TIG work, but are still one of the better options IMHO.

This company also has a full line of jackets, other gloves and all types of saftey gear

http://www.revcoindustries.com/

[rick 918-S]

This is the thread I have been thinking about for months. Our cars are at an age where we are having to do extensive welding repairs. Protection is everything. If you can afford a welder you can afford protection. It's like a brain bucket for your crotch rocket.

Here's a link to the idea I had to help you all start thinking about welding safety.

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=115428