Which Welding Jacket?

[buffumjr]

Now that I have my Econotig, I can weld stick and tig. For stick, it's a bit messy, particularly with 6011 and 7014 rods. I need a welding jacket.

I live in Florida. Today, it hit 100. Total split cowhide is a non-starter. Not a union welder. What cloth, or combination leather sleeves/cloth body jacket, in your experience, would be the best bang for the buck for a hobbyist?

[aametalmaster]

I sell quite a few of these. https://www.millerwelds.com/safety/a...acket-l-244751 Use the drop down box on the right for different flavors/colors and sizes...Bob

[buffumjr]

Is the Indura worth the extra $20? Indura is 100% cotton soaked in a flame retardant chemical. How much better would that be than your suggestion?

https://www.millerwelds.com/safety/apparel/jackets/jackets-cloth#!/?product-options-title=indura-cloth-jacket-l-258098

[ryanjones2150]

Most anything but leather can be penetrated by those big ol beebees from stick welding. I have three different welding jackets that I use for different applications. Just like my welding gloves, The difference is mostly for comfort. One is just a long sleeve wrangler shirt, another is a medium weight Miller jacket and the last is a full on leather welding jacket. I live on the gulf coast of Texas. Sometimes, you're just going to have to sweat.

[buffumjr]

Most anything but leather can be penetrated by those big ol beebees from stick welding. I have three different welding jackets that I use for different applications. Just like my welding gloves, The difference is mostly for comfort. One is just a long sleeve wrangler shirt, another is a medium weight Miller jacket and the last is a full on leather welding jacket. I live on the gulf coast of Texas. Sometimes, you're just going to have to sweat.

Yeah. Narrowing it down to http://www.amazon.com/Steiner-12602-...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Looks like a good compromise. Not a bad price, either. If I get into stuff that is too messy, I can put on my machining apron over it. They cost only $2.50 apiece.

Saw sleeve protectors made out of leather. May go to Goodwill and get an old leather jacket for cheap and amputate the sleeves.

Back in the 1980's, there was a computer book author named Charles Petzold. He coined the term, "shelfware". That is, software that looks attractive until you try it. You then put it on the shelf, and never use it, again. I have kept that term in mind for purchases in many categories. $50-100 is a lot to pay for shelf-wear.

[Olivero]

I got the WeldX sleeves, I use them for TIG and Stick. Works fine for protection against minor spatter and UV, if you manage to get a blob of molten steel on your WeldX, It won't protect you from that, but then again, that should not happen. Had mine for 6 months, use them when I am welding bigger projects and not just a minor repair job.

I am also in Florida, that's why I choose the WeldX over leather.

[buffumjr]

Jury's still out. Would like Miller, but that Steiner jacket looks awfully good, and, as RyanJones said, "Sometimes, you're just going to have to sweat."

[ryanjones2150]

that one you posted with the leather sleeves should be fine unless you're going to be laying on the ground under a trailer or welding overhead on a I-beam or something. Flat and horizontal...no problem.

For years I've been forgetting to pick up a set of those leather sleeves that some guys wear. It just slips my mind when I go to the LWS or I talk myself out of them for some reason or another. For me, its really not that big of a deal to take that leather jacket off and put it back on again. I have a nice big ventilation fan that I stick weld in front of to blow the nasties away as much as possible, so that helps. But then I'm not in front of the big fan, I pretty much get my welding jacket off, which ever one I'm using, as soon as I give the torch, stinger or gun a break.

and I've come to really appreciate a good welding cap. And the absolute worst thing that has ever happened to me...I think...is welding upside down on a beat up boat trailer...6010 I think...and had a beebee bounce around inside my hood and make its way into my ear...not only did it hurt like ****, but I could also hear it scalding the tender flesh inside my ear canal. So when I'm all caddywhompus like that welding, I put ear plugs in.

and safety glasses.

[buffumjr]

and I've come to really appreciate a good welding cap. And the absolute worst thing that has ever happened to me...I think...is welding upside down on a beat up boat trailer...6010 I think...and had a beebee bounce around inside my hood and make its way into my ear...not only did it hurt like ****, but I could also hear it scalding the tender flesh inside my ear canal. So when I'm all caddywhompus like that welding, I put ear plugs in.

and safety glasses.

Yes to the safety glasses. One time, I foolishly decided it was just a short grinding job, and didn't. Took two days of discomfort for the grit to clear out. I wear regular glasses, an age thing, and no, they're NOT enough. Oddly, those el-cheapo plastic things that cover your glasses are the best. Look like a diving face mask. Because they're cheap, when they get dirty, throw them away and get new.

When competing in military pistol matches, I found a set of ear muffs with the wire behind your head. Lets you wear a Kevlar helmet. Protects the whole ear, not just the canal. Maybe I should invest in a leather hood? But that would be HOT, too.

Go to a fabric store, e.g. Hobby Lobby, JoAnns, Michaels, and buy cotton duck from the upholstery section. Cut and sew two sleeve size tubes.

http://makezine.com/projects/make-43/joseph-***-lussac-and-the-technology-of-fireproofing/

Soak them in the solution, and allow them to dry. Fire resistant sleeves. The cost of the powders, at a big box store, is under $10, and can make multiple sets. Don't know the cost of the cloth. Might make a hood, while I'm at it. Wife sews, and has a Juki industrial sewing machine that can sew leather, if needed. Cotton duck, no problem.

Oh yeah, 20 Mule Team Borax makes a great brazing flux, as well as a good forge welding flux. One box. Lifetime supply.

Still, that Steiner jacket looks nice, and, with Miller equipment, it would be nice to have a Miller jacket. Probably make my hood, and go with the Steiner. If the Steiner is insufficient, I can make, er, my wife can make, a cape out of the duck, and we can fireproof it.

For the design of the hood, I'd have to experiment.

[ryanjones2150]

I'd love to have a juki.

[buffumjr]

Coming to a resolution. All for under $100, and looks good. Miller Indura welding jacket, and Steiner 92102 leather cape with leather sleeves. The Indura jacket can be good for TIG, MIG, and even torch welding. For stick, wear the cape over it. Already have the heavy welding gloves, as thick as oven mitts, and the TIG gloves. A baseball hat on backwards (stylin'!), and I'm ready.

Did someone say spats? Ooooh!