What clothing to get?

[DanAir]

Hi everyone, first post.
I just got my first welder and I need to get the right safety clothing. I have a flip helmet with 10,11 and 12 lenses. I have long suede gloves and a jacket although the jacket is an open collar type f.r cotton but am thinking that it should be high collar leather instead?

I did a short welding course 25 years ago (will be doing that again before welding on my own for the first time) and we were given a suede jacket and a leather apron which went down to the boots but I can only find knee length aprons on the net. Then there are spats, hoods etc. I could go head to toe totally wrapped in suede but how much is enough and how much is too much (especially in the Oz summer), without compromising on safety. Only those with experience would know this I guess, which is why I'm asking the question here.
Many thanks.

 

[Hood]

Gloves and helmet are all I usually wear (well other normal clothing, I am not going nude thankfully ) although a welding jacket could come in handy for some of the jobs I do such as overhead on corroded Aluminium
It all depends on what type of welding you are going to be doing, if for example a lot of it will be overhead then a proper jacket may be a wise investment.

 

[DanAir]

No overhead stuff, just bench work, maybe some on the floor. Gas mig 3-6mm RHS and plate regular carbon steel mostly.

I read that all skin needs to covered? which is why I was wondering about the neck....cos I would have thought that in some positions the mask wouldn't cover it.

 

[Hood]

Skin that will be exposed directly to the arc should be covered to avoid burning from the arc rays. A helmet should provide adequate protection as it should shade all parts of your head and neck from the direct rays of the arc.
There is nothing wrong with going overkill if you wish to, it is definitely better than being careless.

 

[Pete.]

I would get a decent pair of 100% cotton overalls for working at the bench. That will shield your arms,keep grinding mess off your clothes and stop hot metal getting into the top of your boots.

 

[outofthefire]

In the summer if all I am doing is tacking I weld in just a tshirt and jeans and use factor 50 on the exposed areas, when I start welding I wear proban sleeves and put on an apron I'm not particularly recommending it, but more trying to say don't get too obsessed with wrapping yourself up in leather or thick materials, especially if you're welding on a bench with clean materials.

 

[R-D-R]

Shoe choice, I normally wear old trainers but found they get holes in them from the hot bits so either dedicate a pair or get some work boots. I picked up some dewalt trainers half price for £30 that are heat resistant and steel toe capped I just need to remember to change into them!

 

[Luke]

In warmer weather, I use kevlar sleeves rather than a full jacket. They go up high enough to go under a t-shirt sleeve, and work with normal welding gloves.

They are washable and not expensive.

Just noticed - the ones I have, have velcro straps at the top, not shown on the photo below.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Charity shop(s) can be a source of leather jackets.

 

[500e]

Socks were my downfall dozens of pairs with holes the burnt bits were if I did a lot of tacking I never put the hood down = red face & not a sensible idea , the throat aria was another either do up the top button or wear a higher necked shirt

 

[andymfell]

you could search for suppliers of welding hoods

 

[Arclikeharrypotter]

I think a decent set of gauntlets and shoes and some common sense is all that's needed for bench work. If your crawling around and under things then a hood is a worthy investment.