Characteristics of welding gaiters and protective equipment for welders

Carrying out any welding work involves the use of special clothing that is resistant to flame, high temperatures, sparks, splashes, and scale. The greatest impact of all the above factors is on the hands, which are protected with leggings. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the choice of this personal protective equipment. Manufacturers offer welders two types of gauntlets: mittens and gloves . In this article we will look at mittens, their types and popular models.

Requirements

Mittens should provide a high level of protection for the welder's hands. Therefore they must meet the following requirements :

• fire resistance – protection from sparks and hot splashes;

• strength - punctures, tears and cuts are unacceptable;
• durability;
• wear resistance;
• high-quality tailoring: uniform seams, no unstitched areas;
• presence of moisture-repellent properties;
• mittens intended for use in winter must have insulation.

What are there

There are several classifications of welding gloves: by material, by season and by number of fingers . It is these groups of protective equipment that will be discussed further.

By material

The most common materials from which special mittens are made are: tarpaulin, split wood, leather, asbestos (with asbestos) .

Canvas

Mittens made of canvas are the least in demand, since they do not perform the main function at the highest level - ensuring the safety of hands from sparks, splashes and high temperatures.

This material is susceptible to fire and is quite easily burned by sparks flying during welding. All this can injure the worker. Therefore, it is recommended to use canvas gloves for auxiliary work rather than welding.

Video: test

BISON

• Two-fingered welder's gloves ZUBR (Russia) are designed to protect hands from sparks, splashes and mechanical impacts, as well as from wounds and injuries during various construction works.
• Material: tarpaulin.
• The product has good air exchange.
• Dimensions: 250 x 140 x 8 mm.
• Weight – 90 gr.

Fireproof tarpaulin Matrix 68160

• The country of brand and production is Russia.
• Two-fingered mittens are made of fire-resistant tarpaulin.
• Designed for construction and welding work.
• Weight – 133 g.

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Split

Split leather is thick leather treated with a protective compound and is the best choice for the manufacture of special equipment. This material has maximum resistance to flying sparks and open fire, strength, increased elasticity, hygiene, and does not hinder movement.

Split two-fingered Avangard-workwear

• Split two-fingered mittens protect against abrasion and mechanical stress, sparks and splashes.
• This model can be used for metalworking and welding work, has high strength and good performance characteristics.
• Dimensions: 150 x 20 x 250 mm.

Technoavia

• Mittens with split leather gauntlets protect hands when in contact with hot surfaces, from sparks and splashes, elevated temperatures and fire, and mechanical impacts.
• Material – split leather, thickness – 0.9-1.2 mm.
• Weight – 230 gr.
• Designed for use in welding work.

Leather

Leather mittens have high wear and heat resistance, are not afraid of moisture, fit your hands well, and provide comfort. We bring to your attention a model of mittens made entirely of leather, as well as a combined one: leather + split leather.

Leather gauntlets

• Manufacturer: Vyatka Leather Manufactory.
• Material – genuine leather, thickness – 1.2-1.4 mm.
• Mittens reliably protect your hands when working with metal, wood, stone and other rough materials.
• The smooth side of the leather protects against cuts, tears, abrasion, and moisture.
• The seams are made of strong and thick thread, which increases the strength characteristics of the entire product.
• In places of increased loads on the seams there are additional fastenings.

Split leather with leather bells Sisamika

• Seller – Sisamika.
• Two-fingered split-leather mittens with leather edges made in Russia.
• The mittens are made of pure split leather, thickness – 1.3-1.5 mm.
• The material of the protective gaiter is genuine leather, with the split side turned outward.
• Length – 400-420 mm.

Asbestos (with asbestos)

Asbestos or mountain flax is a general name for fine-fiber materials that have the same shape (thread-like). Asbestos mittens have a high level of heat resistance, can withstand temperatures up to +250°C and are not flammable.

Heat-resistant asbestos 4510

• Trademark – DOLONI/DOLONI (Ukraine).
• Heat-resistant asbestos gloves 4510 are used by workers in various fields of activity: steel, glass, metallurgical, rubber, pulp and paper.
• The product is used when working with hot metal, rolling, glass, plastic, rubber and other similar materials.
• Protect performers from contact with hot objects and surfaces whose temperature reaches +250°C.
• Do not ignite during prolonged contact with high temperatures.
• They have high abrasion resistance, are not susceptible to rupture, and provide protection against mechanical stress.
• The felt lining allows the hands to “breathe”.

Cloth with asbestos palm

• Models of this type are produced by several manufacturers: AVANTAGE OVERWEAR (Russia), NARE (Russia).
• Cloth mittens with an asbestos palm protect against abrasion, sparks, splashes and scale, and low temperatures.
• The main material is overcoat cloth, density – 760 g/sq.m.
• The handheld material is asbestos fabric.
• The material of the palm rest is overcoat cloth, density – 760 g/sq.m.
• The seams are treated with reinforced threads and double stitching.

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By season

The second classification criterion is the suitability of the mittens for use under certain climatic conditions. There are summer (thin) and winter, as well as insulated products. The last category of protective equipment is lined with artificial or natural fur.

Winter

Winter mittens are designed for use in the range from slightly below zero to slightly above zero temperatures.

Digger

• Three-fingered winter mittens with fur are particularly durable.
• The top material is homogeneous, polished grade A split wood, thickness is 1.2-1.4 mm.
• The product does not support combustion, has high mechanical strength, and does not shrink during operation.
• The model reliably protects against high temperatures, sparks, splashes of molten metal, and open flames.
• Length – 350-370 mm.
• Color – grey.

Split three-toed Sibir M

• Split three-fingered insulated mittens are designed to protect against open flames, sparks, splashes and scale, abrasion, high and low temperatures.
• Areas of application: welding, metallurgy, foundry, oil and gas and coal industries, agriculture.
• Material – split leather (thickness – 1.3-1.5 mm), homogeneous, sanded, painted, grade A.
• Insulation – faux fur.
• Part of the palm and thumb have an additional split leather pad.
• The seams are made with Kevlar thread.
• Length – 350 mm.

Insulated

Insulated gloves will be necessary for a welder when performing work outdoors in the winter, at low ambient temperatures.

Insulated Extra

• Insulated mittens Extra are used in metalworking, for performing rough mechanical work, in construction, the mining industry, and public utilities.
• They protect against abrasion and low temperatures (down to -25°C), and are resistant to short-term exposure to high temperatures and flames.
• Material – class A split wood, thickness 1.2 mm.
• Insulation – faux fur, density – 400 g/sq.m.
• The elastic band at the wrist ensures a comfortable fit on the hand.

Cloth OP

• Country of origin: Russia.
• Insulated cloth mittens with fire-resistant impregnation protect against sparks, splashes, scale, as well as low temperatures.
• Material – cloth, density – 750-750 g/sq.m.
• Seams made of reinforced thread are processed with overlock.

Summer

Summer mittens are used in the warm season and provide comfort and convenience for the performer.

Super-Track for welding work

• Super-Track three-fingered mittens are designed for welding work; they protect against sparks, splashes, scale, and contact with heated surfaces (from +40 to +100°C).
• Material – high quality split wood.
• Lining – 100% cotton.
• The girder is a fire-resistant tarpaulin.
• The product is durable and has a thermal insulation lining.
• There is an additional loop for attaching mittens under the sleeves.

Split leather 2hendsracha 9979

• Split gray mittens 2hendsracha 9979 are characterized by wear resistance and fire resistance, protect against sparks, splashes, burning and ignition, and are used when carrying out work involving abrasive mechanical loads.
• Weight – 155 gr.
• Gender – unisex.

By number of fingers

Another criterion for classification is the design of the mittens: two-, three- and five-fingered. Each type has its own advantages, which will be listed below.

Two-toed

Two-fingered products are standard mittens with a separate thumb. This design allows you to securely hold tools and equipment and reduces stress on your hands. Two-fingered mittens are most actively used in manual arc welding.

SIBRTECH 68160

• SIBRTECH 68160 tarpaulin fireproof welder's gloves protect against sparks, splashes, and scale.
• The product can withstand contact with surfaces heated to +830°C, as well as exposure to flame for 30 seconds (after 5 washing and drying procedures).
• Material: 52% cotton and 48% linen, density – 400 g/sq.m.
• Color – grey.
• Weight – 120 gr.

True, in testing this model from this manufacturer showed itself to be very unimportant, as shown in the video above.

Split two-toed Vostok-Service

• Manufacturer – Vostok-Service (Russia).
• Split two-fingered gloves are intended for use by metallurgists and welders.
• The product protects hands from sparks, splashes, elevated temperatures, and mechanical influences.

Three-toed

Three-fingered gloves are designed for greater convenience and comfort for the performer; they are usually used for manual welding with electrodes. In models of this kind, the thumb and index finger are separated from the rest.

Split three-toed 6527 Sirius

• Manufacturer: Sirius Group of Companies (Russia).
• Material: high quality split calfskin.
• The seams are covered with split leather inserts, which prevents the threads from burning or burning.
• The main areas of application of this model: welding, metallurgy.
• Length – 350 mm.
• Weight – 220 gr.

Tempex Magnum

• Manufacturer: ZAO Zavod Trud (Russia).
• Brand: Tempex Magnum.
• Mittens with gauntlets are designed to protect the performer’s hands from elevated temperatures.
• Material – KF-4/Z – para-amide material, twill weave, aluminized coating, density – 660 g/sq.m.

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Five-fingered

Five-fingered mittens are gloves that are the most versatile and comfortable means of protection; they do not limit the mobility of the hands and fingers. A separate article is devoted to welding gloves.

Prices for protective products for welding

The cost of welding equipment items varies for each component. The more a person is willing to pay, the higher quality of the form he will receive.

Kevlar thread for making leggings.

Classic welding shields are very similar to their counterparts that were used more than 40 years ago. Only instead of leather, pressed plastic is used. This item can provide basic eye protection.

The tinted glass can be lowered or raised depending on the presence of an arc. This is done either with the hands or with a sharp nod. To simplify this action, you can use modern shields with an automatic dimming function.

Instead of ordinary glass, an LCD display is installed here, changing its transparency depending on the presence of an arc and its brightness. This mask costs significantly more than the classic version. However, its practicality more than pays off.

Eye protection glasses are inexpensive. This piece of equipment can be easily replaced with another if necessary.

Leggings made of leather, canvas or cotton fabric for welding can vary greatly in price depending on the material and style. The most expensive are split mittens. This material is the most convenient for work and has the highest characteristics.

For tasks that do not require interaction with high temperatures, canvas gloves can also be used. They are easy to maintain and cost the least.

When working at low temperatures, you should purchase winter welding overalls and insulated leggings.

Handling and care

To extend the service life of welding gloves, you should follow several rules regarding their care:

• regular washing : split leather washes quite poorly, canvas and asbestos ones tolerate the procedure well;
• It is recommended to clean leather mittens with chemicals that are used to remove dirt from ordinary leather products;
• There should be no liquid remaining inside the products, so after washing or cleaning they should be dried thoroughly .

It is worth noting. Often welders do not take care of their gloves, but simply use them until they become unusable. After which they take new ones.

How to choose when buying

When choosing mittens, you should pay attention to the following recommendations:

• before purchasing, you should try on ; they should not hinder the movements of your fingers, arms and hands;
• check the integrity and quality of the seams;
• for use in winter, you should choose insulated models with an extended edge so that they are comfortable to put on over clothes; for use in the warm season, lightweight models covered with cotton fabric are suitable, which will prevent sweating.

Design

This piece of workwear can be of different modifications - mittens, five-fingered or three-fingered gloves.

1. The most popular option is five-fingered welding gaiters. They are very comfortable to use because the fingers and hand can move freely. In addition, the material allows you to provide effective protection even when performing hazardous work.
2. Two-fingered models are standard mittens with a thumb, which is located separately. This configuration makes it possible to firmly hold the equipment.
3. Combined products involve the use of two different materials. The most vulnerable area - the top - is reinforced with a thick stripe. Often, a tarpaulin is used for this type of gaiter, but thanks to the presence of inserts, the products become much more reliable. This sewing technology can significantly reduce the cost of leggings. The vulnerability of such models is considered to be seams.

Popular manufacturers

There are quite a large number of manufacturers on the market for the production of welding gloves. Most of the companies are located in Russia. Some major industry representatives will be listed below.

Technoavia is a large manufacturer of special and corporate clothing and uniforms, safety footwear, and personal protective equipment. The company sells its own products and goods from large factories of the relevant profile.

Vostok-Service is a manufacturer and supplier of a wide range of special clothing, footwear and personal protective equipment.

Sirius Group of Companies is one of the five best Russian manufacturers of workwear, work shoes, uniforms and personal protective equipment.

“Factory Trud” is an enterprise with a rich history, one of the oldest manufacturers of metal, fabric and leather products.

Avangard-Spetsodezhda produces and sells a wide range of quality products for specialists in various professions.

Dneprkozhgalantereya company is the undisputed leader in the market for the production of personal protective equipment for hands. the DOLONI trademark

More detailed information is presented in the article “Welder's Leggings”.

Types of models

In modern building materials and equipment stores you can find three options for welding clamps. As a rule, models differ in material, density of the protective layer, cost and appearance. There are also gloves, in the manufacture of which several materials were used at once - combined. More details about the varieties can be found below:

1. The cheapest option is canvas. They do a poor job of protecting hands, since the material is very thin and easily susceptible to temperature. If the temperature is too high, it is not recommended to use this option, because the tarpaulin may melt or catch fire.
2. Split - are considered the best option. During manufacturing, manufacturers use genuine leather, which is subjected to special processing. The end result is a durable, flexible and comfortable gaiter for the operator. The inner part is lined with cotton material or fleece. Thanks to this, you can work in them in the cold season without fear of freezing.
3. Felt models also do a good job of protecting hands, just like split models. The only drawback is that the layer of material is too dense, as a result of which it is not very convenient to use such models. Felt models have a low cost, so you can find many decent options on the domestic market.

In addition to the material, the length of the gloves plays an important role. For example, if budget models cover only the hand, then more expensive ones reach the elbow. In addition, there may be cuffs that cover the arms more tightly.