Welding demands rigorous safety measures, and the welding glove is one of the most critical pieces of protective gear.
These gloves are not just a precaution—they are necessary to shield the hands from the welding process’s extreme heat, sparks, and potential electrical hazards. Understanding the various types of welding gloves and their specific functions is key to ensuring your safety on the job.
This guide will discuss welding gloves, their essentials, and how to choose the right pair to meet your needs.
Let’s get straight to the point.
Welding gloves are essential safety gear to protect welders from extreme heat, sparks, cuts, and electric shock. Made from durable materials like leather, these gloves come in different types, each suited to specific welding processes like MIG, TIG, or stick welding.
Choosing the right gloves involves considering the material, fit, cuff length, insulation, and durability. Proper maintenance, including regular cleaning, inspection, and storage, ensures that the gloves continue to provide effective protection.
What Is A Welding Glove?
Welding gloves are specialised protective gear designed to safeguard a welder’s hands from the various hazards encountered during welding tasks. These gloves shield hands from extreme heat, sparks, and potential electrical hazards.
Made from durable, heat-resistant materials, welding gloves cover the entire hand, including individual sections for each finger and thumb, ensuring protection and dexterity.
Leather is a commonly used material, including cowhide, deerskin, elkskin, and goatskin. Each offers different levels of comfort, flexibility, and durability. Understanding the different types of welding gloves and their specific functions is vital for ensuring safety on the job.
Types Of Welding Gloves
There are three main types of welding gloves: leather, cotton, and Kevlar. Each type offers different advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to choose the right pair based on your needs. Here’s a closer look at each type.
TIG Welding Gloves
TIG welding uses a tungsten electrode to create the weld. TIG gloves are typically made from leather, which is known for its durability and good protection against sparks and heat.
While leather provides strong protection, it can be bulky, making it difficult to grip small objects. TIG welding gloves usually have a lined interior for added comfort and protection.
These gloves are designed for easy removal, especially when dealing with excessive heat. However, gloves with Velcro straps can be difficult to remove quickly, which could be inconvenient in high-temperature situations.
MIG Welding Gloves
MIG welding gloves are often made from Kevlar or cotton. Kevlar gloves are lightweight and offer good talent, though they may provide less protection than leather gloves.
These gloves are typically used for light-duty welding and are not recommended for TIG welding. Cotton gloves provide good protection against sparks and heat but lack the durability of leather or Kevlar gloves.
Stick Welding Gloves
Stick welding gloves are commonly made from leather and are often used when welding in tight spaces or for long periods. These gloves usually have a lined interior for added comfort and protection.
Things To Consider Before Purchasing Welding Gloves
Choosing the right pair for your specific needs is essential when selecting welding gloves.
The gloves you pick should offer the right balance of protection, comfort, and durability. Here are key factors to consider:
Material
Welding gloves are usually made from leather, but the type of leather can vary. It’s important to choose gloves made from high-quality leather that can protect against heat, sparks, and debris. Cowhide is durable and affordable, offering good heat resistance and toughness.
On the other hand, Pigskin gloves provide a more flexible and comfortable fit, ideal for tasks requiring greater skill. Some gloves also feature reinforced areas, like the thumb and palm, to extend their lifespan in high-wear spots.
Size and Fit
Proper fit is crucial for welding gloves to provide maximum protection and control. The gloves should fit snugly on your hand, ensuring they don’t slip off or hinder your movements.
When choosing the size, consider the type of welding you’ll be doing. Remember that gloves stretch and break in over time, so a snug fit is ideal. Gloves that are too loose can decrease agility and increase the risk of injury.
Heat Resistance
Heat resistance is one of the most critical factors in selecting welding gloves. The gloves should be rated to withstand the temperature of your welding process, often measured in seconds.
The higher the heat resistance rating, the longer the gloves protect your hands from extreme temperatures. Ensure the gloves suit the specific heat levels you’ll be working with, as inadequate protection can lead to serious burns.
Agility
While protection is key, your welding gloves should allow agility and flexibility. Some gloves are designed with a pre-curved shape or a slightly bent fit to accommodate natural hand movements, making it easier to grip tools and handle small items.
If your work requires precision, look for gloves with enhanced grip features or are made from more flexible materials like goatskin or deerskin.
Cuff Length
The cuff length of welding gloves is another important consideration, as it affects the level of forearm protection. Longer cuffs provide better coverage, protecting your forearms from sparks and debris.
However, they can sometimes restrict movement. Shorter cuffs offer more flexibility but may not protect as much of your forearm.
Choose the cuff length based on the specific demands of your work environment and the type of welding you do.
Overall Comfort
Welding can be a long and demanding task, so comfort is essential. Look for gloves with a soft interior lining that reduces friction and prevents discomfort during extended use.
Adequate ventilation is also important to prevent sweat buildup, making gloves uncomfortable for long periods. Some gloves feature breathable mesh panels or padded liners to enhance comfort and reduce hand fatigue.
Durability
Welding gloves are subject to significant wear and tear. Hence, durability is a key factor.
Look for gloves with reinforced stitching and high-quality construction that can withstand the rigours of regular welding. Pay attention to areas that typically experience the most wear, such as the fingertips, palm, and thumb, and choose gloves that offer extra protection in these spots.
Maintenance And Care Of Welding Gloves
Proper maintenance of welding gloves is crucial to maintaining their protective qualities and extending their lifespan. Follow these tips to keep your gloves in top condition:
Regular Cleaning
Dirt, grease, and other contaminants can degrade the material of your gloves. Clean them regularly with a damp cloth and let them air dry to keep the leather supple and strong.
Inspect For Damage
Before each use, inspect your gloves for any signs of wear, such as holes, cuts, or frayed stitching. Replace gloves that show signs of significant damage to ensure they continue to provide adequate protection.
Proper Storage
Store your welding gloves in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture. Proper storage helps prevent the leather from drying out and cracking, which can compromise the gloves’ protective capabilities.
Conclusion
Welding gloves are an indispensable part of a welder’s safety gear. They provide essential protection against the many hazards of welding, including heat, cuts, and electric shock.
By choosing the right type of gloves—whether for MIG, TIG, or stick welding—and maintaining them properly, welders can ensure their hands are well-protected, allowing them to work safely and efficiently in any welding environment.
Selecting gloves that balance protection, comfort, and durability is key to enhancing safety and job performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Gloves Are Used In Welding?
Lines, goat, cow grain gloves, or gloves made from heavier-weight cow splits are both great options. The best MIG welding gloves are durable and protective against harmful spatters, sparks, and heat.
What Is The Use Of Gloves In SMAW?
Gloves. Leather welding gloves are required to protect the hands while welding. They should match the welding process that you are performing. Thick leather welding gloves are recommended for SMAW and FCAW.
Do Welding Gloves Protect Against Heat?
Welding and heat-resistant gloves protect workers from extreme heat, sparks, and molten splashes. Many heat-resistant gloves are aluminized for additional protection against radiant heat. They are typically made of Zetex, fibreglass, or Kevlar.
How Strong Are Welding Gloves?
Welding gloves are thick leather layered with heat-resistant material such as aluminium foil and stitched with Kevlar threading. These specialty gloves can withstand extended exposure to surfaces up to 932 degrees Fahrenheit and radiant heat that exceeds 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can Welding Gloves Get Wet?
Always be sure that your gloves, clothing and boots stay dry! If any of the articles of clothing you’re wearing should happen to become wet (for whatever reason) – stop welding – and don’t begin again until you’re completely dry.
