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3 Factors To Consider in Buying the Best Welding Gloves

welding gloves

With so many different kinds of welding gloves out there, it can be a challenge to choose the right one. Here we narrow down three factors to consider to make sure you get yourself the best welding gloves suited for you and the type of welding you do.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, an estimated 562,000 employees are at risk or exposure to chemical and physical hazards of welding, cutting, and brazing. That’s why having the proper welding clothing and protective equipment should always be a priority. 

welding gloves

3 Factors to consider in buying the best welding gloves

Whatever the style or material you have in mind, the functional principle remains. Welding gloves are protective equipment made to allow digit articulation while protecting the hands of the welder from extreme heat, electrical shocks, or ultraviolet and infrared radiation. These also enhance grip and provide abrasion resistance. Now, before you go ahead and buy yourself a pair, consider these 3 factors. factors. apibus leo.

Type of Welding Gloves, welding glove material

The first thing you have to consider is to know the type of welding you do. This would dictate the kind of materials your welding gloves should be made of. There are those made for MIG welding, TIG welding, and Stick Welding. For each comes these three types of welding gloves. 

MIG Welding Gloves

In Metal Inert Gas or MIG welding, metal is joined together by electricity by forming an arc between the metal and the electrode. This means that there will be more sparks flying and could get a lot messy when grinding down the weld. The best MIG welding gloves then should give maximum protection while providing some dexterity. 

These can either be made of either pigskin, cowhide, or deerskin. Pigskin is a tough hide and works well in oily and wet conditions. Cowhide, on the other hand, is a well-known leather for protective clothing because of its durability. Deerskin is a supple soft hide that provides a nice dexterity perfect for MIG welding. 

Stick Welding gloves 

Stick welding is the most common type of welding which is used for the construction of heavy steel structures. It’s similar to MIG welding such that it also uses electricity creating an arc to join metals together. This type of welding job involves a lot of sparks and high heat as well and should, therefore, offer robust protection appropriate for the kind of job.

Stick welding gloves are made of either cowhide or elk hides. While both are great materials for stick welding, elk hides don’t harden as fast as cowhides when they are exposed to heat which means there is less hand fatigue making it the ideal pair for stick welding.  

TIG Welding Gloves

Tungsten Inert Gas or TIG welding is a very technical style of welding which requires a certain type of precision. TIG welding gloves are perfect for this type of welding job since it provides finger sensitivity while still giving the needed protection. 

The best TIG welding gloves are made of goatskin, horsehide, pigskin, and deerskin. Goatskin is soft and supple and offers great abrasion. Horsehide, on the other hand, is less popular than cowhide known also for its good dexterity. It’s comfortable, tough, and durable.

If you are out in the market for one that you can use not just for one particular type of welding job, you can opt for welding gloves that are uniquely crafted for TIG and MIG welders searching for a durable yet extraordinarily light design. The Waylander Welding gloves are forged to be resistant against rubbing and scraping while maintaining comfort and mobility.

welding gloves

The outside layer is made of leather goatskin, proven to have the highest tensile strength of any welding material with the addition of a suede leather cowskin cuffs. These gloves are also hemmed with Kevlar lining to provide extra strength in extreme conditions with rubber and leather reinforcements on the back and palm of the hand to increase grip and protection.

Type of Insulation 

Now that you know the type of welding gloves you need and you know the right material for it, you now move on to the type of insulation. Whatever type of welding you do, one thing is for sure, a lot of heat will be produced from the spark and heat of the torch which will then heat up your hands. The type of insulation is then necessary so you get maximum protection from your welding gloves. 

Cotton liner

Cotton liners are good insulators for moderate temperatures which are usually above 450°F. It can be bulky but is a good choice for those who aren’t looking to spend that much. 

Kevlar liner

Kevlar is well known for its resistance to heat and cuts. It doesn’t drip or melt even at temperatures reaching 800°F. Unlike cotton liners, they aren’t bulky which makes it perfect for welding jobs that require dexterity like TIG welding. 

Aluminized Backing

This type of insulation is perfect for stick welding which involves high heat. Aluminized backing helps deflect heat away from the hands which allows welders to work longer and perform better. 

Hand Movement

The last factor to consider in buying yourself the best welding gloves is hand movement. The level of dexterity you need depends on the type of welding job you do. For TIG welding, for example, you will need welding gloves that would give you a high level of dexterity since it requires a high level of precision. For MIG welding and Stick welding, you need low level of dexterity but higher heat protection. 

With so many types and designs of welding gloves in the market, it is easy to fall for ones that look nice. In the end, we regret going with style and less of the most important features and end up spending more and getting less of the quality you deserve. Keep in mind these three factors to consider in buying the best welding gloves and you end up with nothing but comfort, quality, durability and maximum hand protection. 

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