Welding jacket -TIG

[Shox Dr]

Any suggestions as to a good jacket for TIG welding. Doesn't have to be fire proof, but it does need heat protection on the arms, but not that much you lose movement.

 

[hotrodder]

Dunno what to suggest as a heavy denim shirt works fine for me but doesn't really cover heat protection*... dunno what's out there in the way of lightweight leather, what about some kevlar sleeves? Cheap, supple, heat resistant and flexible in terms body temp


* usually i find the glove on my torch hand shrivelling before i cook an arm but if i have to lean over/on something that's needed a bunch of preheat i usually use lay something on the work- fireblanket/chunk of wood etc

 

[ChrisJohnsSculpture]

For working on simple stuff on a bench I find extra long kevlar sleeves perfectly adequate. You hardly notice you're wearing them and they're handy for lots of other jobs too. handy for keeping your arms warm in the winter as well.

For big assemblies where I'm more likely to be leaning on hot bits I wear one of these

http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/251150208806?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&cbt=y

It gets more use for mig and stick though, most of the time sleeves are enough for tig.

 

[FranV8]

I just got one of these as a birthday present

http://www.techweld.co.uk/welding_masks.php?route=product/product&product_id=590

Leather quite soft, but not used in anger yet.

 

[tigler]

I use a similar thing. Gives full protection, just gets a bit warm in summer !

 

[the snooper]

I use a similar thing. Gives full protection, just gets a bit warm in summer !

summer, no problems in the uk then

 

[tigler]

Yeah, true, waterproof would be a good thing !

 

[Shox Dr]

I've been welding up a trike today, what with all the tubes in a small area, and moving from one area to another, they tend to get hot.

I've managed so far in life, just wondered while having a cuppa

 

[Wedg1e]

I just got one of these as a birthday present

http://www.techweld.co.uk/welding_masks.php?route=product/product&product_id=590

Leather quite soft, but not used in anger yet.

I have one near-identical to that (same colour) and another that's heavier, sort of orangey-rust coloured. Wear either for TIG; they do tend to make you sweat like a rapist in the summer though...

 

[astro_al]

At the risk of hijacking the thread, I've been half-looking for a welding-jacket-type-of-thing for forge work which is much closer fitting than a normal one - mine currently tend to kind of get in the way somehow, I'd prefer it to fit almost like a shirt, rather than a coat.

Anyone know where I might find that or get it made (possibly by cannibalising a bought welding jacket)???

Ta, Al.

 

[Ed.]

A thick work shirt would do the job and a couple of welder sleeves for resting on the hot metal, you can get rather good welding shirts which will protect you from the UV and the sleeves give you heat protection without the body restrictions that leather jackets impose.

 

[astro_al]

Yes, but I really need full thermal protection for being near large hot things.

Al.

 

[tigler]

You need something like this :-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-S...68?pt=US_CSA_MC_Outerwear&hash=item3f1a16bde4

 

[astro_al]

Probably right, but I was banking on leather as its so good for use during general fabrication too - can just leave it on all day. Might have to get myself a sewing machine...

Al.

 

[Ed.]

The other problem with full leather is that it also is a good insulator and doesn't breath real good, great in winter but a real pain in summer, I wear one here doing MIG welding in Queensland and in the summer when it is about 30-34 degrees and about 80% humidity, you will be hating every minute if you do any sort of work wearing it, you sweat profucely and it raises your body temperature, to the point that I have to sometimes just stop working for the day as heat exhaustion has set in. (litterally)

Probably not so much an issue over your part of the world though, unless you are in a boiler room or something.

A while ago I looked at jackets via ebay and there were many brands that have the full leather front and arms but the back is cloth so that it will cool you down a bit, worth considering.

 

[astro_al]

Ed - that's because whatever you're working on isn't hot enough!

At lower temps its nice to take clothes off to cool down, but as the heat source gets more intense, you need to start layering up to keep the heat back. I get to the point (or have done - not every day) where I'm pouring bottles of water down the arm of my overalls to cool it down enough that its not burning me.

You sweat like a pig underneath, sure, but its simply the only way to even get near it. You're right though - our lower ambient temp certainly helps.

Yes, I've seen those, need to investigate, but I prefer complete protection. Fussy ******, aren't I... Ta, Al.

 

[Ed.]

And we chose this profession because..........?? I can't remember now 'cause my brain has melted because of the heatSteamed Dim Sim anyone???

Out of curiosity, where are you working in or on to be surrounded by so much heat?

 

[chunkolini]

Astro Al
Do you have a secret? do you work here.

Thought we had met somewhere.
Chunkolini POD

 

[kafeira]

really Good Chunk hell is the place for sure!
I have a Leather Welding Jacket from techweld.
Really good quality cannot complain!
I will agree you cannot use on hot days.
Kevlar is a really good alternative that I haven't thought about.
Not know about the UVA and the kevlar,
probably a more expert here could through a line on that.

 

[ChrisJohnsSculpture]

Cape sleeves may be one solution, basically just the shoulders and sleeves of a welding jacket, worn with an apron for body protection.

http://www.ukwelder.com/shop2/shop_index.php?page=weldas_cape_sleeve

They could also be worn with a traditional blacksmith/farrier's type apron

http://www.gibbins.co.uk/blacksmiths.html

or bib front chaps/trousers

http://www.ukwelder.com/shop2/shop_index.php?page=leather_chaps