In accordance with safety precautions, when performing relevant work, the welder must be equipped with a special suit, shoes (boots or shoes), and a mask.
An apron, sleeves and knee pads can be used as additional protective devices. Gaiters - are exposed to the greatest influence of harmful and dangerous factors . These professional personal protective equipment come in the form of mittens and gloves. The article will discuss the classification criteria for gaiter and analyze the technical characteristics of models in demand among performers.
Specifications
Gaiters, performing a wide range of protective functions, must meet the following requirements for them:
- fire resistance – protecting the performer’s hands from sparks and splashes of molten metal;
- heat resistance – protection from high temperatures;
- strength - tears, punctures and cuts are unacceptable;
- durability – to increase the service life of the gaiters, it is necessary to properly care for them;
- wear resistance - resistance to wear due to friction;
- Leggings should repel moisture ;
- sewing - the strength and uniformity of the seams ensures the reliability of the product and the safety of the welder;
- winter and insulated models should have a lining made of natural or artificial fur.
Gaiters for a welder made of split leather: advantages
So, split wood remains the best material for sewing welding gaiters today. Let's consider the main advantages of this material:
- Moisture does not affect the quality of the material in any way, so if during work you accidentally wet your gloves, this will not affect the protection of your hands in any way;
- Split wood is highly fire resistant; in this parameter it simply has no equal!
- Such gloves will wear out for a very long time, so the durability of the material can only be envied;
- The split wood itself withstands various mechanical impacts well, not only ruptures, but also cuts and punctures. And if we take into account that welding work can be carried out in completely different conditions, this point remains one of the most important;
- Based on the previous point, it is important to emphasize the increased strength of the material , so there is no need to worry about possible damage and the fact that split leather leggings will suddenly tear.
What types of fireproof gloves and mittens are there?
There are several criteria for dividing welding gaiters into separate groups. The most common types will be discussed next.
What are they made of?
The first and most important criterion is the material from which the leggings are made. Companies specializing in the sale of protective equipment for welders offer a wide range of products made from different materials. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Canvas
BISON mittens
Tarpaulin is a rough, tough and dense fabric. This material is not the best option for making welder's gloves, since it is susceptible to fire and does not protect hands well enough from sparks and splashes. Therefore, canvas gaiters should be used when performing light welding and auxiliary work.
Manufacturers offer welders only mittens made of canvas . The properties of the material: hardness and density make it unsuitable for the production of gloves.
You should also pay attention to products with fire-resistant impregnation or leggings made from fire-resistant tarpaulin. Mittens treated with special substances do not have the disadvantages that canvas gaiters without impregnation have. This is what the manufacturers say, but as the test in the following video will show, these are often just words.
Video: test
Mittens Matrix 68160
Split
Split leather is genuine leather obtained as a result of tanning and treated with special heat-protective substances. Split leather leggings are the best choice for performers of any level.
Split wood has maximum resistance to open fire and reliably protects against sparks and splashes. In addition, several more advantages of this material should be noted: elasticity ensures mobility of the hand and fingers, strength and hygiene.
Split two-fingered gauntlets “Avangard-Workwear”
Gloves RUSSIAN LIONS
Leather
The leather has high thermal and wear resistance and reliably protects against hot sparks and splashes. Leather leggings fit your hands well and provide a comfortable fit, which has a positive effect on the ease of work. Welders are offered gaiters made entirely of leather, as well as combined models.
Split leather mittens with Sisamika leather bells
Gloves KWB 9311-40
goatskin leggings are quite popular . Models of this kind are designed for argon arc welding. The softness of goatskin provides finger mobility and sensitivity. These properties allow the performer to clearly regulate the movements of the torch.
TETU 106 gloves
For performers who prefer leggings made of genuine leather, we recommend paying attention to models made of cow leather . Gloves of this type are actively used not only by welders, but also by representatives of the foundry and metallurgical industries, and blacksmiths.
ESAB Heavy Duty BLACK
Asbestos
Asbestos (another name is mountain flax) is a general name for several fine-fiber materials that have the same shape.
Asbestos leggings can easily withstand high temperatures, up to +250°C, and are not flammable or burnable. Manufacturers offer welders both goggles made entirely of asbestos and models with asbestos, i.e. combined.
Heat-resistant asbestos gloves 4510
Cloth mittens with asbestos palm
By season
Manufacturers offer performers gaiters designed for use in various climatic conditions and at different ambient temperatures. In accordance with the seasonality criterion, winter, insulated and summer gaiters are distinguished.
Winter
Winter welder's gaiters are designed for use at slightly sub-zero temperatures. Models of this type will be a good option when carrying out work in the fall and spring.
Digger Mittens
WESTER WG01
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Insulated
Insulated products - welder's leggings with fur, intended for use in harsh climatic conditions, at very low ambient temperatures. Both natural and artificial fur, which has a high density, can be used as lining (insulation).
Insulated mittens Extra
EASTERN TIGERS G129
Summer
Summer (thin) leggings are suitable for use in the warm season. Models of this type provide comfort, allow your hands to “breathe” and not sweat. Cotton fabric is used as lining in summer leggings. Some products have no lining at all.
Three-fingered mittens Super-Track for welding work
BARS gloves
By number of fingers
An important criterion for classifying gaiter is the design of the product . In accordance with this property, there are three types of leggings.
Two-toed
Two-fingered gauntlets are standard mittens with a separate thumb, which are actively used in electric arc welding (MMA). This design of the mittens provides a secure grip on any tool, equipment and consumables, and also reduces stress on the hands.
The undoubted advantage of mittens is that they can be quickly taken off and put on; gloves require much more time for these actions. Also, your hands are less cold in them, because your fingers are together and warm each other.
Mittens SIBRTECH 68160
Split two-fingered mittens Vostok-Service
Three-toed
Three-fingered gauntlets are mittens with separate thumb and index fingers. Models of this type are designed for greater comfort for the performer and are used for electric arc welding.
Split three-fingered mittens 6527 Sirius
Tempex Magnum
Five-fingered
Five-fingered gauntlets are standard gloves that provide the maximum level of comfort and do not constrain or limit the mobility of the hand and fingers.
WELDER-PROFI 2
Aramax Thermo KVC-39
By color
A fairly common criterion for dividing leggings for a group is color. It should be noted that differences in shades do not imply differences in the technical characteristics of the products.
Reds
Gloves ATLANT STANDARD
Gloves FIT 12455
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Gray
Gloves ELITECH 0606.016200
Gigant SPL1 gloves
Blue
Gloves DIP 1184 F
Yellow
Jasic gloves
Siberia insulated gloves
By purpose
For certain types of welding it is necessary to choose special gloves. The correct selection of protective equipment will ensure comfort and high performance.
For RDS
All models of goggles are suitable for manual arc welding . When processing metal using this technology, the material or other factors should be selected as a priority criterion. Each performer purchases leggings for different reasons.
Technoavia gauntlets
Gloves NEWTON per26 Track
For argon welding (TIG)
Welding work in an inert argon gas environment requires the use of special goggles. For the argon operator, soft products that provide sensitivity to the fingers are suitable. This guarantees convenient control of the torch, which allows for high-quality welding.
Gloves FOXWELD 10-1009L
ESAB TIG Professional gloves
By shape
There are two types of welding gaiters based on their shape:
- short models that cover the hands;
- elongated products can reach the elbow.
It is recommended that each performer have both types of leggings in his arsenal.
Extended
Elongated models of leggings completely cover the hand and can reach the elbow. Long products should be equipped with sockets so that the leggings can be worn over clothing and can be easily removed if necessary. Extended gauntlets are designed for the welder to carry out a large volume of work and to protect against higher temperatures than short models.
Split three-fingered mittens Sibir M
Gloves TRUPER GU-SOL 15246
Short
Short models are quite in demand among performers. The length of this type of gaiter reaches the hand. This lightweight option is suitable for performing simple operations.
Split leather mittens 2hendsracha 9979
ARS-Gold gloves
Reinforced
Reinforced models are products with additional linings (on the inside) or inserts on the work areas: palm and thumb. You can also find models where the seams of the product are reinforced. For example, the firmware is made with a special fire-resistant thread or protected by additional linings.
Digger+ gloves
Can gloves be washed?
Of course, after some time, welding gloves can become very dirty, as a result of which sooner or later any welder will be faced with the question of whether it is possible to wash the gloves and how to do it correctly?
The easiest to clean are canvas gloves, which have almost no contraindications. Felt gaiters are also easy to wash, but it is important to emphasize that this may make the seams of the gloves weaker!
But what about the best option for welding – split leather gauntlets? As you know, this material is not afraid of moisture, however, you should treat washing with caution, without abusing this process. It is also important to adhere to certain rules during the washing process. First of all, carefully study the tag, which, as a rule, contains all the recommendations that need to be taken into account when washing. This approach will make it possible to increase the life of the special mold for as long as possible!
If the split leather welding gloves are too dirty, wash them in warm water at a temperature no higher than 40 degrees. neutral detergents may be used !
The rules listed above are considered basic for washing protective gloves made of split leather.
And don’t forget that welding gloves have always been and remain consumables, so if the protective gloves are very dirty or worn out, then it would be better to simply replace them with new ones.
Dimensions
Most models of welding goggles have a universal size . However, performers may (and quite often) encounter leggings with size indications. To choose the correct size of protective gaiter, you need to measure the circumference of your palm. How to do this is shown in the picture.
size table
Using the table below, each performer will be able to choose the correct size of leggings.
| Size | L or 9; 10 | XL or 10.5; eleven | 2XL or 11.5; 12 |
| Palm circumference, cm. | 21,5-23 | 24-25,5 | 26-28 |
Handling and care
Some welders neglect advice regarding goggle care. Because of this, the product quickly loses its functions and becomes unusable. Proper care will help maintain function, which ensures the safety of the welder and will also extend its service life.
It is worth highlighting a few care recommendations:
- Regular washing or cleaning . It is recommended to clean leggings made of various types of leather (natural or artificial leather, split leather, suede) with special products. Products made from other materials tolerate washing well. The water temperature should not exceed +40°C.
- stored in a dry place, no closer than one meter from operating heating devices; prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and contact with chemically active materials should not be allowed.
- After washing, the leggings must be dried thoroughly ; no moisture should remain inside.
To be fair , it should be noted that many welders do not care for the goggles in any way, but simply completely “kill” them in their work and put on new ones, using them as a disposable consumable.
Deciding on the material
The first thing that any novice welder faces is the same question: what material is best for gauntlets to use? Modern specialized stores offer a huge variety of goods, however, not all models perform well in the work process!
Tarpaulin is considered the worst material for welding gloves , so you shouldn’t even look at protective gloves made of this material. Tarps burn very quickly, so there will always be an increased risk of burns. As a last resort, it is allowed to help the welder without direct participation in the welding process, since it is unsafe to get close! Next on the list of unreliability are materials such as suede or neoprene - it is not recommended to use them as protective equipment.
Felt leggings are much better suited for this purpose . And although they are considered much more reliable in operation, they are also not the best choice for a welder.
Regardless of the material used in welding goggles, it must be impregnated with a special composition. Be sure to take this into account when choosing protective gloves!
The safest material for leggings is split leather , which is leather specially treated with a protective compound. In this case, both beef and pork skin can be used, since this factor does not play a strong role. The leather is highly resistant to fire, perfectly protecting the welder’s hands while working. We will talk in more detail about the advantages of split leather a little later.
For greater ease of use, the welding gauntlets are equipped with a gasket that prevents the gloves from coming off. The best option here is regular cotton.
For winter welding work, you should choose appropriate gloves - insulated ones ! At the same time, a lining made of natural fur best warms your hands, preventing them from freezing even at sub-zero temperatures.
How to choose when purchasing
When choosing welding goggles, you need to pay attention to the following important aspects:
- The most vulnerable point of the product is the seams . Therefore, first of all you should pay attention to the firmware. It must be done with high quality and evenly; the presence of protruding threads and unstitched areas is unacceptable.
- The most convenient gauntlets for use are models with bells , which provide convenience and quick removal of gloves.
- The lining can be made of different materials: winter models have fur insulation, summer ones - from cotton fabric. Regardless of the type of lining, it should be practical and comfortable just for you.
- To check whether the gloves are suitable for the welder, it is recommended to try .
Video
Popular manufacturers
There are a large number of manufacturers of various types of welding goggles on the Russian and world markets.
TD “Spetsglovetka” specializes in the manufacture of a wide range of protective equipment for welders. Leggings are produced under wide well-known brands: “DIGGER”, “EASTERN TIGERS”, “RUSSIAN LIONS”. Each product line has its own competitive advantages.
BARS is a brand that holds a leading position in the Russian market for the production of welding equipment, materials, and personal protective equipment.
ZUBR company is one of the largest enterprises in the field of production and sale of equipment, materials and protective equipment for industrial, production and household welding work.
The LIT Trading company is the owner of the widely known trademark “ELITECH” . This brand appeared on the Russian market in 2008 and has already won the trust of many customers.
The Russian company “Manipula Specialist” specializes in the manufacture of personal protective equipment for welders under the brand of the same name.
Technoavia is a manufacturer of a wide range of corporate and special clothing, footwear, and personal protective equipment. In addition, the company sells products from partner factories.
Vostok-Service company specializes in the manufacture of a full range of protective equipment for specialists in various fields of activity. [ads-pc-4][ads-mob-4]
Sirius Group of Companies is a manufacturer of quality products; workwear, work shoes, uniforms, personal protective equipment.
Avangard-Spetsodezhda produces and sells a wide range of work clothes and footwear, personal protective equipment, and provides custom tailoring services.
“Zavod Trud” is a company with a rich history, has a reputation as a reliable partner and supplier, and produces products from fabric, leather and metal.
The company “SIBRTECH” is engaged in the production of personal protective equipment under the trademark of the same name. The products are actively used by representatives of many areas of production and industry.
“Working Standard” company specializes in the development, production and sale of special clothing and gloves. In particular, the company produces five-fingered leggings of the “Track” type.
The Ukrainian company “Dneprkozhgalantereya” is one of the undisputed market leaders in the production of products for specialists in various fields of activity. Welders are provided with a brand of grips under the TM DOLONI/DOLONI.
Jasic Technology Co. is a Chinese company specializing in the production and sale of equipment, tools and personal protective equipment for welding work.
“UVEX ARBEITSSCHUTZ GmbH” is a German manufacturer of special clothing and protective gloves under the brand of the same name.
The Finnish company “TETU” is a manufacturer and wholesaler of high-quality products: work clothes and gloves. Customers prefer these leggings due to the good price-quality ratio.
ESAB is one of the most popular companies, whose main specialization is the production of products to meet the needs of the welding industry.
