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welding spats

Top Welding Spats Questions

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a welder working without welding spats

Let’s talk about welding spats. You may have questions about it or unsure if having one is worth it. For starters, welding spats are an important piece of welding PPE. They protect a welder’s lower legs from sparks, heat, and molten metal. In this blog post, we answer a few of the top welding spats questions that can help any welder understand their importance and how to choose the right pair. 

Top Welding Spats Questions

What are spats used for in welding? What is the purpose of spats?

As mentioned, welding spats are used to protect the lower legs from sparks, heat, and molten metal. It’s the barrier between the skin and these hazards, therefore reducing the risk of injuries and burns.

How to wear welding spats?

Welding spats are very easy to use. You simply slip them over your shoes or work boots making sure you get a snug fit around your ankles. The good kinds allow you to adjust them as needed to make sure you get optimal coverage and comfort. 

What are leather spats used for?

Leather is very durable and is heat resistant. It’s a classic choice for welding clothing! This is primarily why leather spats are a popular choice for welders. It’s also puncture and abrasion-resistant. So, if you are looking for one that is ideal for heavy-duty welding applications, this could be at the top of your list! 

How do spats work?

Welding spats work as a barrier between welding hazards and your skin. The quality ones are made of flame-resistant materials and can withstand high temperatures and prevent heat transfer. In your line of work, welding sparks and spatter cannot be avoided and can land on your lower legs and damage your footwear or work boots. Welding spats can prevent that from happening so you’re sure to have both your shoes free from splatter on any work day! 

Why are they called spats?

“Spats” come from the word “spatter” which are the small particles of molten metal that are produced during welding.  

Where are spats worn?

Welding spats are worn over your work shoes or work boots to protect your lower leg. Ideally, you need to make it fit snugly around your ankles so sparks and molten metal don’t enter. 

What do spats look like?

Spats look like gaiters or leggings that offer coverage from the ankles to the knees or mid-calf/ They could either be made of leather, canvas, or flame resistant fabrics.

a man wearing leather welding spats

What material are spats?

Welding spats are commonly made from leather, canvas, and flame-resistant fabrics. Each fabric offers a different level of comfort and protection. Choosing the right one depends on the type of welding you do. 

Are spats worth it?

Yes! Welding spats are worth it. If you value protection for your lower legs and those work boots, you would definitely get one. They are inexpensive pieces of welding PPE that provide significant protection and comfort. Investing in a pair of quality welding spats can reduce the risk of injuries and improve your overall safety. 

Top Welding Spats Questions Answered

Having answered the top welding spats questions, we hope you now have a better understanding of what they are and can help you make a more informed decision about whether or not to wear them. Remember, safety should always be your top priority. Get quality welding spats today!

Welding Leggings: The Unsung Hero of Your Flame-Resistant Gear

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a welder at work

Safety is always a priority when it comes to welding, and with that comes quality welding PPE. You have your FR welding jacket, cooling welding gloves, multi-pocket welding apron, and even your FR welding headwear. But sometimes, we fail to remember protection for our lower extremities particularly the area below the knees. Enter welding leggings – the unsung hero of your flame-resistant gear. 

Why Consider Welding Leggings? 

While welding pants provide excellent protection for your upper legs, sparks and molten metal can still travel down and cause burns on your ankles and shins. Welding leggings are made to prevent this, therefore providing an additional layer of FR protection for your lower legs. 

a welder working

Types of Welding Leggings

Before we give you some benefits of this welding gear, let’s talk about the different types of welding leggings.

Leather Welding Leggings 

These types of leggings give heavy-duty protection. These are ideal for welding situations that have significant molten metal hazards or significant spatter.

FR Cotton Leggings

These types are made of flame-resistant cotton and are a more comfortable and breathable option which is great for lighter welding tasks. 

Kevlar Welding Leggings

Kevlar is known for its exceptional heat resistance. It offers superior protection for heavy-duty welding applications. 

What are the benefits of Welding Leggings?

An added layer of Protection

An added layer of protection means it creates a barrier against flying sparks, spatter, and slag. This minimizes the risk of burns which is the most common injury when it comes to welding. Did you know that about 25% of welding-related injuries are burns? Now you know.  

Increased Comfort

While bulky chaps and haters are available, welding leggings are more comfortable and give that flexible fit. It gives you a better range of motions while at work welding in different positions. In short, leggings move with you. 

Multi-purpose

Welding leggings can be worn in different ways. You can use them on their own for light welding tasks or use them as an added later under regular pants for heavier welding applications. They’re not only useful for welding. You can use them for cutting, grinding, or if you are working with hot materials. 

Versatile

Whether outdoors in extreme heat or indoors in a confined space, welding leggings are a lightweight, breathable alternative to heavier pants. 

Better Dexterity

Bulky chaps can restrict movement, while leggings give you a more streamlined design. This gives you better dexterity – better footwork and control while welding. 

Welding Leggings: A Smart Investment

Now that you know the different types of welding leggings, you can now add them to your welding safety gear. Pair it with the Waylander Welding welding spats and you’re sure to get maximum protection!

Stepping Up Your Safety: A Guide to Choosing the Best Welding Spats

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a man wearing leather welding spats

Because welding is a demanding profession, you need quality head-to-toe protection. While most focus on helmets, gloves, and jackets, some overlook a crucial piece of welding PPE – welding spats. These protect your legs from spatter, sparks, and molten metal which prevents any serious burns. With so many options out there, how do you choose the best one for what you need? Here’s how. 

Choose the Best Material for Welding Spats 

Choosing the best material for your welding spats plays an important role when it comes to durability and effectiveness. Let’s break it down. 

Leather welding spats: 

Leather welding spats are a classic choice. This material offers remarkable heat and spark resistance. It’s durable and it’s easy to clean, but it can be stiff and heavy, especially when they are new. 

Fire-retardant cotton welding spats: 

Fire retardant cotton welding spats provide both comfort and protection. It’s lighter and more breathable than leather which makes it perfect for hot weather conditions. However, FR treatment can wear off, unlike leather, which lasts for a longer time. 

FR welding spats: 

Flame-retardant treated blends have the breathability of cotton with the durability of synthetic fibers like Kevlar. It’s a compromise between protection and comfort, but they can be more expensive. 

a man wearing welding spats
the Waylander Welding Spats

Find the Perfect Fit

In choosing the best welding spats, the perfect fit makes all the difference. Here’s what you need to consider. 

Length: 

Welding spats need to cover your entire lower leg. They need to be able to offer protection from the top of your work boots to below your knee. 

Width: 

The perfect welding spats should not be that tight. They should be loose enough for movement but also snug enough to stay in place. 

Fastener type: 

Adjustable straps or buckles are what you should be looking for for a personalized and secure fit. 

Other Things to Consider

Welding environment: 

Welding in different weather conditions or welding environments should be considered whenever you choose welding spats. For hot environments, it’s best to choose cotton or blended materials for breathability. For heavy-duty welding, you need fire-resistant blends or leather for superior protection. 

Welding style: 

Asses whether you crouch or kneel often. If you do, you need a flexible design for welding spats to give you the freedom of movement. 

Regular Inspection: 

In taking care of your welding spats, make sure you regularly inspect them for holes and worn-out areas that could compromise protection and replace damaged spats immediately. 

There you have it! Your guide to choosing the best welding spats. Visit our webshop! We’ve got one that might just be what you need. 

 

Welding Spats and Why You Need Them

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welder working

Welding safety starts with having the proper protective gear from top to bottom. Although more attention is given to protecting the welder’s head and body, it’s the legs that are being taken for granted. However, even your lower limbs need protection, without a doubt. So, to protect your legs while welding, you’ll need good quality welding spats that keep spatter and slag out of your shoes. This article will tell you more about welding spats and why you need them in any welding job you do.

 

What are welding spats and what are they for?

 

Welding spats are shoe covers that protect your legs from sparks, spatter, and extreme heat associated with the welding process. They’re strapped around your pant legs and boot tops to protect sparks from bouncing in the top of your boots. At the same time, they protect you from sparks that may fall on your feet. Remember, though, even if you’re using spats, it is still a good idea to make sure you have durable shoes under them to offer another layer of protection.

 

welder at work

 

Some spats wrap entirely around your boot with special hooks that keep them in place. Others go up to your leg with coverings over the top of your toe. Whichever you choose, just make sure that they fit nicely over the shoes you are wearing to ensure full protection. 

 

What to look for in welding spats

First things first, choose premium leather welding spats. You’ll want to go for cowhide split leather for this because it is lightweight and allows flexibility. It is also oil-resistant, moisture-proof, and is more durable. Since this protective equipment is used for all sorts of welding applications, including grinding, construction, torch, cutting, metal fabrication, and more, you’ll need spats that provide flexibility and durability with good heat and abrasion resistance. 

 

Since welding spats are designed to protect, the stitching is equally important. Check that the welding spats are stitched with fire-resistant thread like super-strong Kevlar thread because this provides an extra spark and abrasion resistance. Another essential thing to be particular with is the length. Finally, be sure that the spats give the most coverage for your welding boots. It is also better if your footwear is covered on both sides and from your toe to your leg. 

 

 

Welding spats should also feel comfortable when wearing them. The rear of the legging should have adjustable hook-and-loop closures for superior fit. It is also ideal to have straps underneath that ensure that the shoe cover stays in place while maintaining coverage. But, again, it’s the little things that matter when it comes to safety. 

 

Welding spats are essential for protection during the harshest conditions on the job. Using and wearing welding safety equipment is important because the job is hazardous. At any time, welders are exposed to metal fumes, UV radiation, cuts, shocks, abrasions, and burns. This is why it is important always to wear work gear that complies with set safety standards. You will also need to choose only the highest grade materials for protecting the most important part of the job — You.

Why the Use of Leather Shoes in SMAW or Stick Welding is a Must

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welding leather shoes smaw

Shielded Metal Arc Welding or SMAW welding procedures produce toxic fumes which is why welders should ensure that they have proper protective equipment. Using PPE reduces the risk of injury and significantly minimizes the effects of toxins. Aside from regular PPE clothing, using the proper protective footwear, leather shoes at that, will go a long way in protecting your foot during hazardous SMAW welding projects. 

What to Know about SMAW

 

SMAW stands for Shielded Metal Arc Welding and is one of the oldest and most common types of welding. Otherwise known as stick welding because a flux-coated electrode (a metal stick or rod held in an electrode holder that is connected to a power source) is used to form the weld. This welding technique is used on full ferrous materials and in all welding positions. SMAW is used in different applications involving maintenance, repair, construction, industrial fabrication, pipelines, shipbuilding, underwater welding, farm machinery manufacturing, and more. 

 

The SMAW Process uses the arc’s heat to melt the top of a consumable covered electrode and base metal. The basic tools used when stick welding include a welding machine (arc welding power source), electrode lead cable, electrode holder, leads, cables, cable connectors, ground clamp, and a chipping hammer. Because SMAW is a tedious process, it is critical that welders use safety equipment like a helmet, gloves, protective clothing, and leather shoes. 

 

leather shoes stick welding
Photo via unsplash

 

SMAW PPE: Leather Shoes 

 

For SMAW welding jobs, using the proper shoes will protect your feet from falling objects or hot sparks. The best type of protective footwear is surely a reliable pair of leather boots. It is most essential that close-toed shoes are used during SMAW processes, as well as leather high-top work boots or metal-toe safety shoes. 

 

The boots you ought to buy should comply with the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard F2413-05 that categorizes safety footwear like Impact and Compression. Leather boots that comply with Impact and Compression Resistance standards are constructed with a toe-cap that protects your foot from falling objects that could break or crush your toes. The same standard also does not approve “strap-on” toe-caps. This means that toe-caps should be designed and constructed into the show during manufacturing and then tested. 

 

It is also important to know that your safety toe boots or shoes should meet one of two units of measurement for impact rating (75 or 50 foot-pounds). This foot-pound is determined through a test performed by dropping a steel weight from a predetermined height at a certain designated speed. So, for example, 1/75 rated leather boots will protect a welder from an impact of 75 pounds. 

 

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the American Welding Society, the best way welders can stay safe on the job is to wear head-to-toe protection. When welding safety becomes ingrained into the professional culture, lost-time incidents and improved productivity are expected.

Leather Welding Spats

Another way you can protect your feet is to get yourself a pair of reliable leather welding spats. The best ones are made with cowhide leather. These give extra protection to your leather shoes and are highly effective against sparks and splatter.

Leather Welding Clothing and Accessories Every Welder Must Have

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leather welding

Every welder needs to dress for safety. No matter what the job, protection is still a top priority. This is the reason why we have welding clothing and protective equipment that are readily available in retail stores and in online shops. While there are several materials that make good welding clothing, leather is proven to be one of the best when it comes to giving maximum protection. Here we give you a list of leather gear or leather welding clothing every welder should have. 

Leather Welding Clothing and accessories, Must-Haves

Leather is the best fabric for most welding clothing. It is known for its properties like thermal and fire resistance, flexibility, and durability. With welders exposed to heat most of the time, this material is perfect to protect them from any kind of mechanical aggression or thermal contact they may encounter while on the job. 

While leather can be very heavy giving lower breathability which can be a bit uncomfortable, the advantages totally outweigh these points. The advantages include long use life, cutting resistance, as mentioned earlier, heat and fire resistance, and it being economic. Here we share a list of leather welding clothing you should start getting for yourself to get that maximum protection while at work.

Leather Welding Jacket

Leather welding jackets are designed to give full protection from the neck down to the waist and the shoulders down to the arms from sparks, heat, and weld spatter. It also provides protection from the intense UV and IR radiation from a welding arc which increases the risk of cancer. 

Leather welding jackets are best to use in cooler climates and heavy-weight weldings like MIG and TIG welding. Read our blog on how to choose the best welding jacket so you can be guided. 

Leather Welding Sleeves 

Leather welding sleeves are the ideal alternative for arm protection most especially when welding jackets become too heavy for the job. It’s also perfect for those who need more arm movement and functionality. These are also much cooler than welding jackets. 

Choose leather sleeves for welding that are made of cowhide split leather that is reinforced with protective Kevlar. Choosing the best welding sleeves can be quite tricky but a welding sleeves buying guide would definitely help. 

welding sleeves

Leather Welding Apron

Leather Welding aprons are especially useful for front body protection. They’re not only used for welding, they’re great for grinding, woodworking, grilling, and even cleaning. There are different types of welding aprons. Here are a few of them. 

Leather waist Welding Apron

This type of apron gives protection for the waist and the upper legs. This is best used for works done on a table or platform. 

leather welding waist apron

Long Welding Apron

The long welding apron goes from the upper torso until the knees. This is most convenient for most metalworking and other activities that need full frontal protection.

Leather Welding Split Leg Apron

Whenever you need to walk and kneel a lot while on the job, a long welding apron will always be in the way. This is when leather split leg aprons become convenient. It basically straps around each leg for more movement. 

leather welding split leg apron

Leather Welding Apron with Sleeves and Pockets

The leather welding apron with sleeves is basically a full-length welding apron that provides protection from the upper chest to below the knees. It already has welding sleeves to give arm protection. Basically, this rare welding clothing gives full coverage for a high degree of safety. 

Leather Welding Cape bolero

The leather welding cape or split leather welding cape with sleeves offers the ultimate protection for the neck, arms, shoulders, and chest. and flexibility. Some leather welding capes come with a detachable apron. This is very efficient if you need sleeves and an apron to make a full-on welding jacket. 

Leather Welding Gloves

Leather welding gloves are one of the most important welding accessories a welder should have. These are protective gear that allows digit articulation while protecting the hands of welders from extreme heat, electrical shocks, or ultraviolet and infrared radiation. 

Whether it’s for MIG, TIG, or stick welding, gloves made out of leather are the best choice. Those made out of Cowhide, for example, is a top choice with the outside layer made of leather goatskin which is proven to have the highest tensile strength for any welding material. If you’re having trouble choosing which gloves are best for what you do, our buying guide will be helpful. 

leather welding gloves

Leather Welding Spats

Leather welding spats are buttoned around the ankle to protect the feet, legs, and, shoes from splatter, cuts, spark, and hear while on the job. Very useful in avoiding burns when performing welding tasks where there are flying sparks and debris. 

leather welding spats

 

Leather Welding Hood

Another must-have would be a leather welding hood. This is designed to protect the head, eyes, and neck while giving welders the needed movement and flexibility they need as compared to other welding hoods. It’s ergonomic and can allow for welding in close quarters and prevent welding slag to burn the neck and face.

leather welding hood