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Straight answers to the questions people ask most when choosing and using leather welding aprons, sleeves, spats and jackets.
Leather is tough and resists sparks, spatter and radiant heat well, so it is a standard choice for heavy, high-spatter work such as stick welding, cutting, gouging and overhead welding. It also stands up to abrasion.Flame-resistant fabric is lighter, cooler and more flexible, and it is often better for lighter work or long shifts. Many welders wear fabric overalls and add leather pieces where the hazard is greatest. Choose by process, position and how much heat and spatter you expect.
An apron is light, cool and easy to put on and take off, and it covers the front of the body where most spatter lands. A jacket gives more cover to the arms, shoulders and back, which matters for overhead or all-round exposure.For light welding in a fixed position, an apron may be enough. For heavy work, positional welding or cutting, use a jacket or an apron with sleeves. Your risk assessment should decide, based on where the hot metal will go.
Sleeves protect the forearms and upper arms and are held on with elastic, ties or fasteners. They should be snug enough to stay in place when you lift your arms, but not so tight that they cut off circulation.The key is to leave no gap between the sleeve and the glove and between the sleeve and the shoulder or jacket. Think about which way spatter will fall, and arrange the overlaps so it runs off rather than into a gap. For overhead work, check that the overlap still works with your arms raised.
Spats are leather covers that fit over the top of your boot and laces. They stop spatter and slag from landing in the boot or lodging in the laces, where it can burn through to the foot and be hard to remove.Trouser legs should go over the boots and spats, not tucked in. Spats with a quick-release fastening can be taken off quickly if hot metal gets into them. Safety footwear is still needed, as spats do not protect against impact or crushing.