Protective equipment

The glove material determines what it is used for. Leather withstands heat and spatter, and thick nubuck leather suits stick and MIG welding. For TIG welding, choose a thin goatskin glove, because feeding the filler rod requires fingertip feel – a thick glove makes it almost impossible.

Protective clothing must be made of flame-retardant material. Ordinary cotton catches fire from a spark and synthetic fibres melt onto the skin, so neither is suitable for welding. The EN ISO 11611 standard specifically covers protective clothing for welders.

Remember to protect your neck and ears too. Sparks find their way into the collar and sleeve openings, and that is where the most typical burns come from.