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A Guide to Effectively Using Welding Clothing in Winter

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Welding in winter requires careful consideration of both safety and comfort. The right use of welding clothing in winter during colder months can make a significant difference in a welder’s ability to work efficiently and protect themselves from the harsh elements. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to make the most of your welding clothing in winter:

a welder wearing winter clothing in winter

How to Effectively Use Welding Clothing in Winter

Layering for Optimal Warmth:

Start with a moisture-wicking base layer to keep sweat away from the skin.

Add insulating layers for warmth, ensuring flexibility and ease of movement.

The outer layer should be a flame-resistant welding jacket and pants to protect against sparks and splatter.

Choose the Right Materials for welding clothing in winter:

Opt for flame-resistant materials to ensure protection against welding-related hazards.

Look for clothing with insulation to provide an extra barrier against the cold.

Protective Headgear:

Wear a welding helmet with a proper face shield to shield your eyes from welding arc light.

Ensure that the headgear fits snugly to prevent cold air from reaching your face and neck.

Insulated Gloves:

Invest in insulated welding gloves to keep your hands warm while maintaining dexterity.

Ensure that the gloves are flame-resistant and provide adequate protection against sparks and heat.

a welder wearing welding clothing in winter

Warm Footwear:

Wear insulated and steel-toed boots to protect your feet from both the cold and potential hazards on the welding site.

Consider adding thermal socks for additional warmth.

Utilize Heated Clothing:

Embrace the advancements in heated welding clothing technology, including jackets, vests, and gloves with built-in heating elements.

Adjust the heat settings based on the severity of the cold, providing a customizable solution for winter welding.

Stay Dry:

Use water-resistant or waterproof outer layers to prevent moisture from penetrating and compromising the insulation.

Wet clothing can significantly reduce the effectiveness of insulation, making it crucial to stay dry.

Frequent Inspections:

Regularly inspect your welding clothing for any signs of wear, tear, or damage.

Replace or repair garments promptly to maintain their protective properties.

Ventilation Management:

While it’s essential to stay warm, proper ventilation is equally crucial to disperse welding fumes.

Balance staying warm with ensuring a well-ventilated workspace.

Take Breaks and Stay Hydrated:

Working in cold conditions can lead to fatigue and dehydration.

Schedule regular breaks to warm up, and stay hydrated to maintain energy levels.

Know Your Limits:

Understand your body’s response to cold weather and know when it’s time to take a break.

Extreme cold can affect concentration and reaction time, so listen to your body and prioritize safety.

By implementing these strategies, welders can effectively use welding clothing in winter, ensuring both protection and comfort. The right combination of layering, quality materials, and modern technologies can make winter welding a more manageable and productive experience.

Pipeline Welding Protective Gear

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a pipeline welder working

In hazardous working environments such as pipeline welding, wearing the correct protective clothing while doing so is essential for the safety of both the welder and anyone who may come into contact with them. When we think about the processes involved in welding, we tend to think only about the workpiece. As a pipeline welder, you should always think of safety measures by wearing the correct protective gears and welding clothing.

 

Pipeline Welding Protective Gear and Clothing

It is important that adequate precautions are put into place and to correctly assess certain hazards before choosing the right pipeline welding protective gear. Failing to do so could result in serious injury or, in some cases, death. After all, with something as hazardous as pipeline welding, safety comes first. Here are pipeline protective gears to consider:

 

Welding Helmets

The helmet is the welder’s foremost line of eyes and skin defense against the intense heat and sparks generated by an electric arc and the ultraviolet light, infrared rays and flying particles (such as spatter) released by it.

 

Welding Gloves

Heat, contact heat, sparks, spatter, and UV exposure are all elements that could harm your hands during welding. Welding gloves not only protect your hands from burns and injury, but also helps prevent you from being hit by sparks and spatter.

 

a pipeline welder working

Welding Goggles

Welding goggles are designed to protect the eyes from heat, glowing sparks, glare, and flying debris. When choosing welding goggles, keep in mind that some specialty pairs might be more suitable for welding outdoors or for other specific processes.

 

Welding Jacket

A welder’s jacket is an essential part of PPE. It protects them from sparks, flame, intense heat, and other welding hazards. This means it’s a one-of-a-kind piece of personal protective equipment that safeguards the shoulders, arms, torso, neck, and back.

 

Welding Boots

Protective footwear should be worn during welding procedures to guard against impact, sharp objects, and spatter damage. The soles of the shoes should be made of shock-absorbing and heat/water-resisting materials.

 

welder working

Welding Respirator

Welding respirators guarantee that the wearer has access to clean air to breathe. The nature of contaminants in the air (such as gas, fume, dust, or vapor) determine the need for the type of protective gear.

 

Hearing Protection/Earplugs

Welding is a loud activity by its very nature. Hearing protection is one of the most important gears that every welder should own. The three most common types of hearing protection are earplugs, earmuffs, and semi-insert earplugs. Hearing protection is designed to keep UV/IR radiation and noise out of the welder’s ears.

Welding Gloves and Heat Resistance

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A question you might have asked yourself would be, “Are welding gloves heat resistant?” The thing about welding gloves is that they are made of different materials. Some are made out of leather while some are out of Kevlar, carbon fiber, wool, and more. Each type would also be for the specific type of welding you do. So, to answer that question, yes. Welding gloves are heat resistant but are highly dependent on the kind or type of material they are made of. 

 

According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, as mentioned by the Safety and Health Magazine, more than ⅓ of the 370 welding and heating tool-related injuries which required days away from work in 2018 were related to thermal or heat burns. Are you sure your welding gloves are heat resistant? 

 

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Type of Materials that make Welding Gloves Heat Resistant

Kevlar 

This synthetic fiber is extremely heat resistant. The best thing about this material is it doesn’t melt. Kevlar can withstand extreme temperatures of up to 800°F. It’s also cut-resistant. 

 

Carbon Fiber 

Carbon Fiber can withstand temperatures above 2000°F for as long as 2 minutes. Because of their high tensile strength property and high-temperature tolerance, these have been widely used in aerospace, civil engineering, and even in the military. 

 

Leather Welding 

Leather is known for its durability and ability to diminish heat. Leather can withstand 200°F before charring. Go for leather welding gloves that are either made out of cowhide or goatskin. Cowhide is resistant to abrasions while goatskin is known to be a more durable leather. 

 

What is the best material for heat-resistant welding gloves?

The best heat-resistant welding gloves would be one that features a combination of these high-performing materials. Welding gloves made out of cowhide or goatskin leather that comes with a Kevlar liner. That way you get the durability of leather and more of the heat resistance feature of Kevlar.  

 

welding gloves

 

Generally, welding gloves can withstand temperatures of up to 2000°F for short hold times. On the other hand, for longer hold times, welding gloves can withstand a temperature of up to 600°F.

 

As a welder, you are exposed to extreme heat, infrared radiation, ultraviolet rays, and electricity. That is why having the right welding protective clothing from the top of your head to the tip of your toes is important. This includes a reliable pair of welding gloves that protect your hands and arms from any serious burns while at work. Make sure you know if the pair you have now is heat resistant so you get maximum protection every day.

How to Clean Leather Welding Gloves

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Leather gloves are great for welding jobs but they aren’t the easiest to clean. If you keep your leather welding gloves in great condition, they’ll last longer. But cleaning your welding gloves involves some additional steps. The first thing to understanding is to determine your welding glove material.

 

All welding gloves are designed to be fire-resistant, flexible, durable, and waterproof. Two materials used for welding gloves are leather and synthetic. The more popular one, leather, is good for dispersing heat while maintaining flexibility, toughness, and resistance to water. The most common types of leather used for leather welding gloves are cowhide, sheepskin, goatskin, and pigskin. These types are cleaned the same way. 

 

leather welding gloves

How to Clean Leather Welding Gloves

1 Rough Clean

Before washing your leather gloves, you would need to “rough” clean them first, most especially if they are filthy or have visible debris like metal, cleaners, and others. Take a dry cloth and wipe your gloves down. Another way to rough clean is to take a toothbrush or soft-bristled wire brush to take off large chunks of debris off the gloves. 

 

2 Wash with cold water and Saddle Soap

After that, wash your leather welding gloves with cold water and saddle soap that is made especially to clean dirt and grime off of leather products, including welding gloves. Get your gloves into cold water and apply some saddle soap to the palm of the gloves. Work that soap into a lather and wash the gloves as if you were washing your hands. If there are areas with heavier grime, put some soap on the soiled areas and let sit for 30-45 seconds. 

 

3 Wipe

Once done, remove the dirty water and take a damp clean towel to wipe off the gloves. 

 

4 Rinse with cold water

Rinse the gloves with cold water in a utility sink. Cold water is important because it won’t affect the size of the glove. Hot water stretches the leather and might affect how the gloves fit. 

 

5 Hang them to dry

Now that your leather gloves are cleaned, squeeze the excess water off gently in a downward motion. Hang them to dry with some clothespins. Massage the gloves so the leather doesn’t stiffen. Keep doing this until it dries completely. You can also wear your leather welding gloves until they dry. This ensures a fit that molds to your hands, bringing optimum comfort.

 

6 Apply a leather conditioner

The next thing to do after washing and drying is to apply a leather conditioner to keep the leather smooth and supple. 

 

After all that, wash your hands. This might seem unnecessary but since you’ve got water inside your gloves while washing them, it is possible that the contaminants from the outside are now on your skin. So be sure to wash and dry your hands after washing your gloves. This helps you avoid chemicals or other debris from irritating your skin. 

 

Taking care of your leather welding jobs this way is paramount to keeping your working environment safe. With these steps, you’ll preserve the comfort and versatility of your leather welding gloves while extending their lifespan.

Waylander Leather Welding Gloves

Cool Gifts for Welders In Your Life

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gifts for welders

It’s Thanksgiving and that means Christmas is just around the corner. The question is – do you already have a gift for that welder in your life? It’s not that hard to please these men and women who work hard every day. But because of the nature of their job which can be tough, the least we could do for them is give them a gift that would surely make them know how much they are appreciated. Whether it’s for the holidays, birthdays, or anniversaries, we give you cool gifts for welders in your life. 

Cool Gifts for Welders in your Life

With so many things you could buy online, it can be a bit overwhelming to even start browsing the internet for what to buy. Here are some ideas that just might narrow down the choices you have. 

A Cool Leather Welding Jacket

First on the list is one that makes them look cool even while at work – the Waylander leather welding jacket. This is made with genuine split cowhide leather. It’s breathable, flame resistant, durable, and lightweight. This is hands down one of the best gifts you could give a welder. 

 

A 5 in 1 Leather Tool Holder

At the top of our list is a 5 in 1 Leather Tool Holder. All these words in one sentence just make sense. It’s handy, it can hold more tools, and it’s leather, which means it can last long. Have hammers, screwdrivers, or lumber crayons, pencils, and pliers all in one handy holder. This gives welders in your life the convenience they need and not to mention making it safer for them minimizing movement in the workplace. 

BBQ Grill Tool Set

If there’s another tool welders love using, it’s any tool to do some barbecue. Get them a BBQ grill toolset that is just as sexy as they are (wink wink). Nobody would even know they carry it with them since it comes in a metal briefcase. 

Waylander Welding Apparel

We’re not gonna lie, we want welders in your life to have that Waylander Welding apparel that looks absolutely cool for when they go out on any day. We’ve got hats and shirts that are great for that laid back weekend or that vacation you’ve planned for a long time. Let people know they’re one of the welders out there who know how to look good not just on the job. 

These five cool gifts for welders are sure to make the holidays extra special for them. If not on Thanksgiving or Christmas, any day would work. In fact, you can show them how much they’re appreciated any day of the year.

3 Factors To Consider in Buying the Best Welding Gloves

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3 Factors To Consider in Buying the Best Welding Gloves

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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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