Gaiters are a type of protective mittens that have a long part that protects the hand.
Leggings
(from Dutch kraag - “collar”) - in Russian the name of individual clothing accessories, for example:
- long bells on gloves;
- riding gloves
- overhead tops with fasteners;
- bracers that protect the forearm of an archer from being struck by a bowstring.
Initially, this was the name for large turn-down collars , then the name was transferred to the lapels of gloves and knee caps.
Leggings are an additional clothing accessory used for protective purposes.
These can be separate sockets for gloves, or gloves with sockets:
and fingerless gloves
and hockey protective gloves :
and overlaid leather tops (for example, for riding):
and separate protective pads for various types of activities (for beekeepers, trainers, welders, for sports archery, etc.):
The main purpose of these accessories is to protect hands and feet: from wind and dust for motorcyclists, from sweaty horse sides for riders, from sparks for welders, from bites and scratches for trainers, etc.
But there are also purely decorative leggings that are used only as decoration:
Depending on the specifics of the work, today there are two-fingered and three-fingered gaiters, as well as five-fingered ones, in which it is as comfortable to work as with gloves.
A welder or metallurgist who deals with heated or molten metals cannot do without gaiters, which means they must be protected from chips, hot splashes, sparks and drops. For them there is a separate set of protective clothing, which includes a special suit , shoes , shield and leggings .
If during some work hand protection is not necessary, then for a welder, mittens are an indispensable part of the suit. A special type of gloves - gaiter . Long bells cover the hand well, and in some models they can reach the elbow.
Welding gaiters are most often made of cow splits, sheepskin or canvas.
Canvas gaiters are treated with fire-resistant impregnation. They are used in enterprises where the highest level of protection is not required. gaiters will best protect your hands .
- The material used for the manufacture of protective leggings and vachegs is tarpaulin or split leather - a layer of natural leather obtained as a result of its delamination with special equipment. The materials are not subject to combustion. The palm area is further reinforced with another layer of fabric. Kevlar is sometimes used to make welding gloves .
- Thermal stability is achieved through fire-resistant impregnation, and mechanical strength is achieved through the addition of reinforced thread.
- The number of free fingers can be different and divides the models into one-, two-, three- and five-fingered. Typically, guards have five free fingers, providing the necessary freedom of action. Three-fingered and two-fingered gaiters are especially convenient when working in the cold and in cold water.
Gaiters are often used to protect against extremely high or low temperatures, sparks, and drops of hot metal. Therefore, the following qualities are required for them:
- heat resistance;
- fire resistance;
- strength.
At the same time, they must remain elastic so as not to restrict the movements of the fingers.
Types of gloves
Today, there are mittens and gloves made from several types of materials on sale. There are also combined models made using several materials at once .
- Canvas gauntlets are the least popular because they do not cope very well with the most important task - protecting the hand from high temperatures and sparks during welding. In addition, this material is burned and can even ignite, which can greatly harm the performer’s hands.
- Leggings made from genuine leather are called split leather. These products are highly resistant to high temperatures and flying sparks. Leather that has undergone special treatment is very elastic, durable, hygienic and comfortable. Split leather leggings, equipped with a fleece or cotton layer inside, provide warmth to the hands and allow the skin to breathe.
- Felt products are also very good for welding.
As for the size, welding gaiters can be up to the elbow or cover only the hand. Many models have a special cuff that serves as an additional measure of limb protection.
The nuances of correct selection
You need to carefully select gloves for welding; special attention should be paid to the following features:
- Seams are a vulnerable spot, so the stitching should be uniform, without protruding threads or gaps.
- A convenient option are samples with long bells, which ensure quick removal.
- The lining is made of different materials: for the summer version it is cotton fabric, for the winter version it is insulated with fur.
Before purchasing leggings, you must try them on, and your hand movements must be free to perform any operations.
Material options
What material is best to choose welding gloves from? This question worries young welders, since specialized stores provide a wide range of similar products. Let's consider each option in detail.
Canvas
Leggings made from this material are not in great demand , since a thin tarpaulin provides poor protection from hot sparks and high temperatures and can injure the performer’s hands.
Animal skin
Split welding leggings with such an unusual name are sewn from pig or cow leather; split leather is a layer of natural animal skin obtained by splitting it, characterized by roughness on one side . Excellent protection against temperature effects and flying small molten particles, does not constrain the welder’s hands during work. Cotton lining fabric prevents hands from sweating.
Leather
They can be one-piece or combined: gloves are made of leather, and the bells are made of thick, fire-resistant tarpaulin. A popular option is goatskin leather gaiters for five fingers - they are used for argon welding, since the softness of the leather ensures hand mobility and does not interfere with the sensitivity of the fingers when adjusting the torch.
Asbestos
Mountain flax has a fine-fiber structure, so welding gloves are comfortable, do not restrict hand movement, and also protect from high temperatures. This material prevents fire , so gaiters are made entirely of asbestos or combined, only with a percentage addition.
By season
Manufacturers offer welding gloves to performers that are designed for use in various climatic conditions.
Winter
When it gets colder, protective equipment with insulation will be convenient not only in winter, but also in the autumn-spring periods , when temperature fluctuations occur from minus to plus and vice versa.
Insulated
With a fur lining, the leggings will protect the performer’s hands not only from sparks, but also from sub-zero temperatures during severe frosts; high-density natural and artificial fur is used for insulation.
Summer
For hot days, special protective equipment is used that prevent sweating , provide complete comfort and do not limit mobility, allowing you to perform assigned tasks with convenience. Some samples do not have a cotton lining.
By number of fingers
For ease of welding, gauntlets are available in different modifications.
Two-toed
For MMA welding, a special modification is used, which ensures a reliable grip on any parts or tools and significantly reduces the load on the performer’s hands .
Three-toed
The thumb and index finger are separated, which provides the welder with comfortable work when performing electric arc welding.
Like regular gloves
Split welder's gauntlets are made like ordinary gloves and provide maximum comfort without constraining or limiting the movements of the hand, as well as each finger individually.
I. I. Sviridov, education: vocational school, specialty: 6th grade welder, work experience: since 1999: “Each welder chooses comfortable leggings for work according to his individual sensations, the main criterion is freedom of movement and reliable protection.”
Color variety
Manufacturers of protective leggings produce products in different colors, but this has no effect on the technical characteristics: for example, by purchasing gray or multi-colored products for your team of performers, you will only satisfy the wishes of each welder, and the quality of protection will be identical .
By purpose
For each type of welding, appropriate protection is produced; the right choice guarantees high productivity and comfortable work.
Manual arc welding
All models of protection are suitable for this type, but each welder will choose individual leggings for himself in accordance with his personal understanding of convenience.
For TIG welding
Work in an inert gas environment requires a special type of protection : soft, elastic gloves on all fingers will provide the sensitivity that the performer needs to properly control the torch and make the necessary adjustments to the arc burning parameters.
Appearance
There are two main types of welding gauntlets:
- short model covering only the hands;
- a product with elongated bells that protect the hands up to the elbow.
The contractor cannot predict all types of work during the working day, so it is necessary to have both options in stock .
Extended
They are worn over clothing and serve to effectively protect the performer’s hands up to the elbow; the bells do not restrict the welder’s movements. Such products are used for large amounts of work during the day and protect more reliably than simple mittens.
Short
They are in demand among welders for simple short-term work , but only the hands are reliably protected, so they are used only with special clothing made of dense material.
Reinforced
The usual version of the gaiter is reinforced in the area of the inside of the palm and thumb (two-fingered version), all seams are stitched with fire-resistant thread, and additional Kevlar linings are sewn on (glove version).
Design
This piece of workwear can be of different modifications - mittens, five-fingered or three-fingered gloves.
- 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.
- Two-fingered models are standard mittens with a thumb, which is located separately. This configuration makes it possible to firmly hold the equipment.
- 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.
Types, differences and photos
Depending on the design features, split leather leggings are divided into several types:
- Five-fingered welder's split leather leggings (photo below). They are among the universal models used for various types of welding and installation work. They do not reduce the mobility of the fingers, therefore they are highly comfortable to wear. They have reinforced inserts made of genuine leather. The interior is made of breathable cotton fabric or fleece. Length – 35 cm.
- Two-fingered split leather leggings. During use, they reduce the load on the welder’s hand, with the exception of his thumb and index finger. They protect well from high temperatures, but can be damaged by punctures. Used for electrode welding.
- Three-toed . Their design and specifics of use are similar to the previous type.
- Insulated . The length of such products can be from 35 cm and above. Thanks to the presence of an extended bell, they can be easily removed if necessary. They use faux fur, fleece or high-density cotton fabric as a lining layer.
- Combined . Models of this type have textile inserts on the back side and reinforced areas on the palm area. The inner lining is made of cotton fabric. Double split wood or tarpaulin can be used as a reinforcing layer.
Price
The cost of welding gloves depends on the material used to make them, size and manufacturer..
Canvas models are considered the cheapest, since this material is the most accessible. The most expensive ones are imported split leather.
But the industry was able to find an excellent loophole - combination gloves. They allow you to reduce the cost of production.
The cost of such products varies from one hundred to one and a half thousand rubles.
Welder's leggings
Gaiters are a type of work gloves that are used for welding work. Welder's gauntlets are elongated gloves , which are made of PVC or split leather (special split calfskin). In both cases, the thickness of the goggles is sufficient to protect the welder’s hands from both splashes of molten metal and sparks, even with prolonged exposure. There are also canvas gaiters impregnated with a special fire-resistant compound; such gaiters are equipped with additional reinforced handhelds, usually made of split leather. The welder's gloves must be selected based on the working conditions and the expected volume of such work.
How to choose welding gaiters
When choosing leggings, you should pay attention to their main function - protecting the limbs. Also, the products should not restrict the hands, but securely fix the instruments. Split leather leggings are considered the most reliable, however, they are quite expensive.
An important element of gloves is also their internal filler.:
- For use in the cold season, it is better to take an insulated model of welding gloves. The inside of such products is insulated with natural or synthetic fur.
- For use in warm weather, it is recommended to take lightweight variations that are lined with cotton material that allows the brush to “breathe.”
In the process of purchasing welding gloves and mittens, you need to pay attention to all existing seams. At first glance, it may seem that this unimportant element can be overlooked. However, it is very important. It would be great if Kevlar thread was used to make the gloves. This material is characterized by high resistance to temperature changes. It is also very durable and ductile .
If the seams are stitched with lavsan-based thread, then the product must have additional dense inserts.
Combined type gloves should be purchased taking into account the place where welding work will be carried out. This is a great option if you want to save money. Welding performed under the ceiling involves strengthening the bottom of the mitten. The wide edges of the mittens are very convenient for use in winter. These models are very convenient to wear over regular clothes.
Handling and care
Work gloves, gloves or mittens must be washed periodically , but the following problems arise:
- Split leather leggings are not suitable for periodic washing.
- Felt and tarpaulin options tolerate similar procedures normally.
- Leather products are treated with special anti-pollution agents to protect them from the negative effects of water.
If you wash split leather leggings, the leather will shrink and you will have to spend time drying, as heating makes the material brittle.
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.
