Thread: Welding jacket/apron

Thanks for all the suggestions

After a visit to a local welding supplies shop yesterday, I've now got a cheap apron (without arms), and a treated cotton jacket with leather arms. Total cost was just over $80.

I was going to be lazy and just buy online, but glad I didn't as there was a big difference between the different items I tried on. One jacket had REALLY stiff leather on the arms and was horrible to wear, whereas the one I bought has much softer leather. Price was about the same.

Will see how they go...

As a side note, one of the guys in the shop is an ex-boilermaker and commented that the aprons were compulsory at his old workplace when using wire wheels on angle grinders as protection from flying wires.

Steve

If wearing overalls when grinding or welding, make sure that they are not polyester. I lost a friend because of this.

Aaron

I know I missed the boat but about 5years ago I bought a chromedcleather jacket from bobthrwelder.com.au it has burned half a dozen 20kg spools of steel wire and half that of ally wire plus some other miscellaneous welding. Great for grinding and also has heat blanket when cooking parts near sensitive stuff. Great bit of kit.

S

Well apparently I was within the Xmas "thou shalt not buy presents for oneself or risk confiscation" period, and SWMBO wrapped my new gear and put it under the tree.
Have finally been able to use it recently as I've made a start on the rear crossmember repair on my daughter's county "the Turdis". The leather sleeve jacket and apron combo is great.
Being summer its a bit warm, but either item is easy to get on/off, and the apron is great for covering your legs while you're sitting half under the vehicle. There's some decent spatter marks on it from that which would have likely made it through my overalls without the apron.

Steve

Originally Posted by steveG

Well apparently I was within the Xmas "thou shalt not buy presents for oneself or risk confiscation" period, and SWMBO wrapped my new gear and put it under the tree.
Have finally been able to use it recently as I've made a start on the rear crossmember repair on my daughter's county "the Turdis". The leather sleeve jacket and apron combo is great.
Being summer its a bit warm, but either item is easy to get on/off, and the apron is great for covering your legs while you're sitting half under the vehicle. There's some decent spatter marks on it from that which would have likely made it through my overalls without the apron.

Steve

Sounds good Steve. I don't have one either but should have invested in something like that years ago, don't know how many shirts I've burned holes into with slag balls. Probably the worst burn I did was cutting a broken link out of a scrub pulling chain - had jeans and elastic sided boots on. A lump of hot metal rolled off my jeans and went straight down the front of the boot. Talk about hopping mad.