How to choose welding gaiters?

For safety reasons, the worker must wear special clothing during welding. Welding gaiters are an important protective element.

Leggings are special heat-resistant elongated gloves for welding work, made of a certain type of material. Welding gaiters are designed to protect the hands of the worker during welding. They must have certain properties.

• Fire resistance. This quality is necessary to protect the welder's hands from sparks and splashing molten metal.
• Heat resistance. The gaiters must withstand high temperatures in order to protect against possible burns if accidentally touching the surface of the part, which is hot during welding.
• Hygroscopicity, that is, the inability to absorb water and other liquids.
• Reliability. The gaiters must be of high strength, excluding various damages (cuts, punctures and cuts).
• Quality tailoring, on which the durability of the gloves and the safety of the welder depend. The quality of the seams is of great importance, since the strength and reliability of the product are ensured only when using special strong threads that are resistant to high temperatures and at the same time do not damage the fabric at the sewing site.
• Wear resistance. The high wear resistance and frictional resistance affects the durability of the product.

All types of refractory leggings for welding are produced in accordance with GOST 29122-91, which specifies the requirements for product quality (stitch size, types of threads), as well as GOST 12.4.010-75 and GOST 12.4.183-91. The classification of gaiters for a welder is based on certain parameters.

There are three types of leggings depending on the shape.

• Two-toed. They are ordinary mittens with a compartment for the thumb. This form of armguards is usually used in electrode welding and is convenient to use, since it creates less stress on the hands and guarantees a firm grip on tools, equipment and consumables. The ability to quickly take off or put on gloves is their indisputable advantage.

• Three-toed. This is a type of mittens that have compartments for the thumb and forefinger. They provide greater working comfort and are designed for electric arc welding.

• Five-fingered. Such leggings look like ordinary gloves. They guarantee maximum comfort as they provide the greatest mobility of the fingers and hands. They are considered universal and are used in various types of welding. Wearing gloves is convenient to carry out such work as replacing electrodes, preparing material, using a variety of tools.

In length, welding leggings can be short and elongated.

• Short. These models cover the arms slightly above the wrist. They are used mainly for simple welding.

• Elongated. These products cover the arms well above the wrist and can be as long as the elbow. Such models have sockets so that they can be worn on the sleeves of clothes. They are designed to protect against very high temperatures and to perform large jobs.

The material is one of the most important characteristics of welding arms.

• Tarpaulin. Tarpaulin is a fabric with a rough, rigid and compacted texture. Such properties do not allow using it for sewing gloves - only mittens are made from it. The tarpaulin has low refractoriness: trapped scales and sparks can burn through the product. Therefore, such gloves do not guarantee absolute hand protection when welding. Another disadvantage of tarpaulin products is the ability to quickly heat up during welding, and since the tarpaulin has good thermal conductivity, the temperature inside the mittens rises. As a result of overheating, it becomes impossible to work. It is recommended to use tarpaulin gloves only for light welds.

• Split. Split is one of the layers of any natural leather, impregnated with special compounds with heat-shielding properties. This fabric has the highest degree of resistance to open flames and guarantees maximum protection against metal scales and sparks - such leggings will not burn through. Hand and finger mobility is ensured by the elasticity of the material. Split leather gloves are usually lined with fleece or cotton to provide ventilation so your hands don't sweat. They are also distinguished by good durability and hygiene.

• Leather (including suede). The leather has such properties as high wear resistance and heat resistance, which allows to reliably protect the welder's hands. Leather leggings are able to fit the hands well, which makes it comfortable to use.

• Asbestos. Asbestos is the collective term for a range of fine-fiber minerals made up of fine and flexible fibers. Asbestos products are able to withstand high temperatures (up to +250 degrees), at the same time they do not burn or smolder. They are characterized by high refractoriness, heat resistance and strength. Asbestos gloves are usually lined and provide adequate protection for the hands while working.

• Felt. Such leggings have poor thermal conductivity and provide sufficient protection during welding: hot metal drops do not burn through the felt, and it does not ignite. However, felt products have a high rigidity, so it is inconvenient to take and hold the tool in them.

• Kevlar. Kevlar is a synthetic polymer (para-aramid) fiber characterized by a very high level of heat resistance (withstands temperatures up to +350 degrees). Kevlar gloves guarantee absolute protection from hot metal drops, as well as from various types of mechanical stress.

• Combined, or reinforced. For sewing such leggings, 2 types of fabric are used. Often they combine tarpaulin, split or leather. Split leather or leather inserts protect the most vulnerable areas, such as the top of the garment and the area between the thumb and the rest of the fingers, gripping part of the palm.

Felt mittens are often supplemented with asbestos patches. Such models have a longer service life and are more resistant to burn-through formation. They also combine leather and split leather: the outer surface of the gloves is split leather, and the inner surface is leather.

Welding leggings can be painted in different colors: gray and red, white and black, brown and yellow. The color has no effect on the technical parameters of the product.

Manufacturers also take into account such important factors as climatic conditions, temperature regimes in different regions and seasonal changes. Accordingly, the following types of products are produced: winter, insulated, summer.

• Winter. Such welding leggings are used in conditions of a slight decrease in temperature (with slight frosts in autumn and spring). The lining of winter models is made of natural or artificial fabrics.

• Insulated. Warmed models with fur lining are used in regions with harsh climatic conditions (with severe frosts).Enhanced heat-retaining properties are provided by the use of insulation in the form of a fur lining. Both artificial and natural fur can be used. For sewing insulated leggings, a dense thick material is used - ox or leather split.

• Summer. These leggings are used in warm seasons. These are thinner pieces and may or may not be cotton-lined. Such models have a "breathable" effect that does not allow your hands to sweat. It is quite comfortable to work in them.

When performing certain types of welding, gaiters of a certain type are required. When carrying out this type of welding, such as manual arc welding, the type of protective accessory does not matter, and any product model can be used. However, when carrying out argon welding, special gaiters should be used.

To protect the Argonian's hands, only gloves made of soft material are needed: they provide a feel and freedom of finger movement during work, easy operation of the welding machine and high-quality welding performance. For this type of action, special especially durable products are produced, characterized by increased heat resistance. The material for them is goat or pig skin.

Many manufacturers that make tools, equipment, production consumables also produce welding gaiters. Among them are the most popular brands.

• "Bison OVK". The company is considered one of the largest manufacturers of equipment, tools and consumables not only for industry, but also for household use. It is a participant in both the Russian and world markets. Welding gloves "Zubr" are reliable and ergonomic. The Bison Master model is especially popular.

• "Russian Lions". The company is known in the market for its welding accessories. The products of the Russian manufacturer are characterized by functionality, reliability and affordable prices. In the production of leggings, only high-quality, natural material is used, which makes these products comfortable to use. Welding leggings are manufactured in accordance with GOSTs and labor protection requirements. Products are necessarily tested for strength and tear and are resistant to damage.

• Manipula Specialist. This domestic company specializes in the production of various accessories for the protection of hands in an industrial environment. Manipula is renowned for its proprietary flexible and wear resistant polymer technology. In the production of protective equipment, he uses the best foreign innovative methods and produces products from para-aramid and anti-cut fibers. Product testing takes place in real production conditions.

• TETU. The Finnish company carries out the production and wholesale of protective clothing for workers, including gloves for the welder. TETU products are highly resistant to wear and tear, are made of high-quality materials and provide good protection against thermal burns and mechanical damage. Products of this brand are distinguished by their quality at a quite affordable price. All types of hand protection products are produced: gloves, mittens, gaiters.

• "Leopard". Another domestic manufacturer of protective equipment, which occupies a leading position in the market of the products in question. Split leggings of this brand are distinguished by a high level of fire resistance, softness with high strength and versatility of use.

• Trade House "Spetsglove". Produces welding leggings under the Digger brand. In addition, the company is a representative of well-known Russian and foreign manufacturers (Manipula Specialist, Dupont, Ansell and others).

• Uvex Arbeitsschutz JmbH. German manufacturer of a variety of high quality protective clothing and premium gloves, which are produced under the UVEX brand. Welding gloves are made of quality leather with a thickness of at least 1.3 mm and have a cotton lining. They are characterized by excellent resistance to high temperatures and strong mechanical stress, long service life.

• Company from Sweden ESAB is a world leader in the manufacture of welding equipment and welding consumables. Products are produced on the basis of innovative developments and taking into account the wishes of consumers. This brand is considered the benchmark for quality, reliability and functionality. Gloves are characterized by an excellent ergonomic design, as close as possible to the shape of the hand, made of thick soft leather and have edged seams with Kevlar stitching.

When choosing welding leggings, you should pay attention and take into account a number of important factors.

• The quality of the seams. The stitching is evenly sewn and has no loose stitches or broken threads. The best models have kevlar stitches. Models, the joints of which are stitched with lavsan threads, must have additional protective inserts.
• Cotton lining provides more comfort while working.
• Models with sockets are more convenient - they can be quickly removed. These options are best used in winter because they can be used to tuck in the sleeves of clothes.
• Elbow-length leggings provide more protection.
• Leggings must fit. It is determined by the volume of the palm. Products can have the following dimensions: L - from 21.5 to 23 cm; XL - from 24 to 25 cm; 2XL - from 25 to 28 cm.

However, many models do not indicate the size. Before buying, you should try on all leggings - both with and without size. They should sit comfortably on the hand: tightly fit the hand, but do not press on it, do not jump off, do not restrict the movements of the fingers.

• All year round welders are advised to purchase multiple models for different seasons.
• The specifics and working conditions should be taken into account. Gloves are considered universal, since they allow you to perform different types of welding and a large amount of work. Mitts are more suitable for electric welding. Professional welders are advised to purchase more reliable split wood products. For infrequent use and performing simple types of welding, felt models are quite suitable. If you intend to work at a height under the ceiling, leggings with reinforced edges will be required.
• It is recommended to select the best models that meet the standards. They are produced only by proven and well-known brands. Products from unknown Chinese and other manufacturers are usually of poor quality and do not last long.

Welding gaiters are consumable items. They serve a certain period of time, which depends on many factors: the intensity of operation, the material of manufacture, the quality of the model. The longest period of use for split and Kevlar models. With proper care, their service life can be about 2 years.

But high-quality models also deteriorate over time and as a result of numerous washes: the seams lose strength, the fabric becomes thinner. In this case, it is necessary to purchase new leggings.

Proper care allows you to extend the life and protective properties of the product. Caring for welding leggings consists in performing simple actions.

• Clean or wash items regularly. Leather and suede leggings should be cleaned with products specially designed for these types of material. After cleaning, leather products are recommended to be lubricated with a special leather cream - to maintain their elasticity. It is especially necessary to process the areas between the fingers. Split leather models should also be cleaned with leather cleaners.Felt and canvas mittens are washable. Washing should be carried out as follows: first, the products are soaked for 45 minutes in a warm (with a temperature not higher than +40 degrees) solution of antibacterial soap to remove all dirt. After that, the mittens are thoroughly rinsed in cold water, and then dried well: they must be dry both outside and inside.
• Store the products in a dry place, in a place inaccessible to direct sunlight, avoiding contact with chemically active substances and away from the heating system (no closer than 1 m).

The following video provides an overview of welding gaiters.