Ritter4.0

I don't know about all of you guys, but I seem to burn through a pair of welding gloves pretty quickly. I don't know if it's my style or what, but I tend to use my right index finger to guide the MIG gun(left handed). I have burned through two pairs so far, is this normal for just starting out? The left hand of both pairs is fine. I just wish I could buy just the right hand glove LOL. I use the welding shop brand (they're blue if that matters), they're only like $6-7 a pair so it's not that bad. I'm just curious if there is a good brand that doesn't burn up so fast, or how much you guys burn up your gloves.

Tankerblade

what do you mean by guiding with your right index finger? I've been welding for 2 years and havent burned through any pairs of gloves. i only use my left glove and no problems

Ritter4.0

I mean my index finger is touching the tip of the MIG gun, and I weld until I feel the heat, then stop and let the glove and the welder cool. It helps me stay within the 10% duty cycle of the welder, but sometimes I go to long and the glove starts smoking and smoldering.

I just started welding last summer,and I don't do it every week, so I think I just need to improve my technique and get my fingers away from the heat.

offroadnut36

I use my left hand to guide, but i dont put it on the tip. my left index finger and thumb have holes already and i bought those gloves 3 weeks ago. they are tillman, I like them, pretty comfortable too.

COSXJFAN

Your rest hand should be right in front of your trigger hand. This is why you are burning through gloves. Unless you change the way you hold your torch, you will always burn through gloves. It sounds as if you are rather new at welding. If so, I suggest changing, so you can enjoy years of problem free welding. Gloves should last quite awhile!! HTH!!

offroadnut36

thats how i weld, either that or a tiny bit closer to the tip

91familyxj

depending on what im welding i dont even use them. it sux some times but I have been doing it for years. If ite heaver stuff I will use just a glove on my left hand and no glove on my trigger hand. Try and slide your hand you guide with back a little if you can but everyone welds different. but the more you try and change it now the faster you will just get in the habbit of doing it. I likt black stallion and tillman

00xj-classic

I would just switch up your hand placment.. I always do what is comforatable and thats what i tell all my students at school.. I am a associate and assistant of a welding class.. I burn through gloves in about a week or two..T.I.G gloves made out of goat skin get trashed in about 2 two days.. The best advice i can give is do whats comfortable, Or switch your hand positions... GLEN

offroadnut36

i dont wear gloves when i tig

00xj-classic

Rock on man.. plan on getting burned, your choice...

offroadnut36

i havent gotten burned yet. and yeah it is my choice.

Ritter4.0

the way I weld is comfortable for me, so I guess Ill continue to weld with my cheap gloves. Thanks for your input.

COSXJFAN

FYI, welding puts of a lot of UV rays, so even if you aren't getting actually burned, you could be cause even worse damage. Just sayin...gloves protect from heat, as well as UV rays.

LittleXJ

When i started welding i just went out and got a good pair of leather gloves that cover my rist too.They costed a lil but they dont burn at all they smoke. But as for it burning, it depends on ur stance i can stand up or sit depending on what i am doing maybe a difrent stance might help it helped me.

alfreado121

i burnt through my pair of harbor freight special welding gloves in my class at school so i just dont use gloves anymore