Bear arms

[Dangle_kt]

I was welding in the garden today, it was hitting silly hot, so I took my overalls off and carried on in my tee shirt and jeans, seemed to go fine, and you often see people on telly welding with bare arms.

As a hobby user, and one that isn't ginger or with a history of funny moles, is it a problem to be doing the odd bit of welding san long sleaves?

Apart from the obvious spatter burns of course.

 

[Wozzaaah]

Trust me, as one who has on far too many occasions 'risked it' by welding in a tee shirt, the UV light is very intense and will give you some redness.
It's not so bad for short tacks or runs at low currents but doing long runs at high power is a definite no-no.
Outside is better than inside too as you don't have so many surfaces to reflect the light off.

 

[malcolm]

The UV light from the welding arc gives you sunburn. It's quite strong so doesn't take long, minutes at high power. Sun cream might help, or a long sleeved shirt if you aren't bothered about the spatter.

 

[Hitch]

A cotton work shirt would be usefull.
Its always advisable to cover up, uv light can be harmful, probably not much more than a few days in direct sun unless your doing decent length runs/hot runs.

 

[Drains]

Don't do it. It's just wrong, and an H&S no-no (a real one).

The UV from a welding arc is much more intense than the sun, and you don't get a tan. Just skin cancer.

 

[Welderpaul]

It hurts. Then it starts to peel and muck gets ingrained in it. Then it itches like hell for ages. Don't bother. It frightening how quickly it happens as well!

 

[wyn]

I use a leather welding jacket they are easy to whip off when the welding is done.

 

[carlmahoney]

When i was learning to weld i did a days TIG welding in my vest and shorts.BIG MISTAKE!.I was in a lot of pain for a good few days.I would describe it as being like bad sunburn-and then some!.