Gloves for Casting

[catmandu]

I see Harbor Freight has Mechanics Gloves on sale for under $4 this weekend.
Has anybody used them for casting?
They seem to be real flexable, might be a good thing to try if you don't have any.
If not - can always shovel snow with them. :grin: no shortage of that lately.

Paul in WNY

[Bohica793]

From my experience, if they are not full leather, you stand a good chance of a serious burn.

[country gent]

I like the lines leater gloves with a cukk on them. the lining is easy on my hands and the cuff allows sleeves to stay over them preventing that opening for lead to drop into.

[Buzzard II]

Splashed lead will burn/melt through the stretchy backs of those gloves. Use gauntlet leather welders gloves instead. Wear all cotton clothing too! Synthetics melt.

[Walter Laich]

I use a pair of split leather gloves with cuffs. I've worn same pair for 10 years and need to replace as I've worn them out. Know for a fact they keep the lead off the skin.
http://www.harborfreight.com/leather-industrial-work-gloves-5-pairs-66287.html

[bangerjim]

Those mechanics gloves are NOT for casting! They are for gripping stuff while working.

Go to HF and buy their LEATHER welding gloves.

Your skin will love you!

bnagerjim

[Hardcast416taylor]

Best bet is visit a store with a large selection of work gloves. Try on just the horse hide or steer hide gloves and gauntlets for comfort and ease in shedding them if necessary. A good sales person can probably help with your choice after explaining that you will be dealing with molten lead.Robert

[ACrowe25]

I use the grey HF welders gloves.

[w5pv]

Welders gloves

[country gent]

I tried the thinner more subtle welding gloves meant to use with a heli arc thinking more feel and dexterity. A little splash of lead and the heat transfered right thru them. I went back to the heavy lined welders gloves. at least they were more of a "shield" small splashes didnt heat thru them.

[Springfield]

Somewhat soft, comfortable, and very heat resistant. What else could you ask for?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OVE-GLOVE/151185322109?_trksid=p2045573.m2102&_trkparms=aid%3D555012%26algo%3DPW.MBE%26ao%3D1%26 asc%3D298%26meid%3D4022662119578847428%26pid%3D100 034%26prg%3D1079%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D8%26sd%3D1811798 85096%26

[R.M.]

Somewhat soft, comfortable, and very heat resistant. What else could you ask for?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OVE-GLOVE/151185322109?_trksid=p2045573.m2102&_trkparms=aid%3D555012%26algo%3DPW.MBE%26ao%3D1%26 asc%3D298%26meid%3D4022662119578847428%26pid%3D100 034%26prg%3D1079%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D8%26sd%3D1811798 85096%26

They only protect to something like 400 degrees don't they?

[trixter]

I use the grey HF welders gloves.

Yup, do that, get 2 pair they are not expensive!!

[tward]

I use the HF welding gauntlets. Work great, except when you take them off and then see if the mold has cooled down:(. You can't cure stupid! Tim

[bhn22]

I've had poor success with the HF leather gloves. I've tried some on in the store and had the seams burst when I made a fist. I did get some use out of a pair of leather and canvas gloves, but the seams let got pretty quickly on them. Oddly, I can buy chinese gloves from Menards, and they'll last for quite a while.

[sargenv]

I use the deerskin gloves from Orchard Supply.. they seem to grip better than cow hide for me and last pretty well.. Otherwise I wear a long sleeve cotton shirt to protect my wrists.

[bangerjim]

Somewhat soft, comfortable, and very heat resistant. What else could you ask for?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OVE-GLOVE/151185322109?_trksid=p2045573.m2102&_trkparms=aid%3D555012%26algo%3DPW.MBE%26ao%3D1%26 asc%3D298%26meid%3D4022662119578847428%26pid%3D100 034%26prg%3D1079%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D8%26sd%3D1811798 85096%26

Not good! Not good at all. Wife has those for the kitchen and liquids (like molton lead!!!!) can easily seep thru that woven cloth!

I value my hands and arms more than to use kitchen equipment. Same goes for spoons, ladles, cooking pots and muffin tins.

Get welders gloves. Period.

banger

[Shooter6br]

I use wifes oven gloves .......For heavy duty melting welding gloves 93120

[Advil]

The grey HF welding gloves are soft enough that you can move your fingers. Out of 3 pairs it's the only set I like to wear.

[lancem]

I like these, used them at work for years around wave solder machines. I like them because your hands can breath and so don't get sweaty. I use them to open the hot mold with and have never had a heat problem. In the past I once saw a fellow worker actually stick his hand in the solder pot with these gloves on accidentally and it was a non issue, he said he didn't feel the heat at all and had no burns. http://www.usascientific.com/high-temperature-gloves-long.aspx

[bangerjim]

No wonder this country is so messed up.....especially in Washington. We can't even agree on friggin' gloves!!!!!!!!!!!!

Go figure.............. how the Damocraps and Republicans will ever meet half way. :violin:

banger

[frkelly74]

The ove gloves are what I use. They do very well for protecting your hands from heat. I cut the sprue by hand and dump the cut offs into my gloved hand to return to the pot. I have not seen them as cheap as the ebay link shows before.

[thekidd76]

I just got a pair of these from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Caiman-1878-5-American-Deerskin-Boarhide/dp/B0085JCM1S/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1389404521&sr=8-4&keywords=Welding+gloves

I haven't got to use them to cast yet but am very happy with the feel and quality of the gloves.

[JSnover]

Another vote for welders gloves or something similar. If things go wrong and you start to feel the heat through them, you can shake them off quickly, before your fingers get REALLY hot.

[Spawn-Inc]

i also use leather welding gloves i buy at princess auto (Canadian version of Harbour freight) for $10 a pair.
http://www.princessauto.com/pal/en/Gloves/HEAT-WAVE-Blue-Steel-Welding-Gloves/8268450.p

i use them for hand cutting (can't think of the proper term as i maybe inebriated at the moment) sprue's on my molds. i cast faster then i should so breaking the sprue is very easy.

[DW475]

I've been using some elk skin work gloves for the past couple years but after looking at the great points brought up here, i think i'm going to pick up a good pair of welders gloves in the morning.

[Bullwolf]

I typically use a pair of welding gloves to melt lead, and cast boolits with. I also like to open my sprues using a gloved hand.

I have used both the common gray lined leather welding gloves, and the brown leather ones.

My hands are somewhat large, so I like try on a few pair of gloves and make a fist while wearing them looking for a pair that fits well. The bigger gloves don't seem blow out seams as much, tend to last me longer, and give a better range of movement. A pair of welding gloves that fit too tightly are neither comfortable or dextrous.

It's a roll of the dice for me with Harbor Freight. Sometimes the product is good, and other times it's low end. I have bought welding gloves from HF in the past, but the last few pairs I've purchased have not come from there.




- Bullwolf

[**oneshot**]

I picked up some cheap leather gloves at Family Dollar( a not so dollar dollar store). They handled a splatter with only heat transfer no burns to the back of my hand. They were only 4 dollars a pair.

[warf73]

I wear leather gloves, I've found welding gloves to be over kill and not needed.
93312
These are the gloves I use.

[Fernando]

Just a cheap pair of thinsulate winter work gloves works for me - even opening the sprue by hand.
if you hold the mould long enough heat will transfer but you'll feel it coming way soon enough.

[dancingbear41]

I wear welding gauntlets. Picked up two pairs at a car boot sale. Have yet to be anywhere close to needing the second pair. I like spares!

[oscarflytyer]

From my experience, if they are not full leather, you stand a good chance of a serious burn.

+10! Nothing with synthetic. All leather. Harbor Freight long cuff welding gloves. $5 or $10 - cant remember. But worth it.

[Old Caster]

I'm with you OB. I just don't pour lead on my hands.

[cali4088]

I have 2 sets of welders gloves. One to put on my hands, the others as pot holders when i grab my cast iron skillet for pouring lead into my coffee container for mold pours

[cali4088]

OB III I was melting lead in my slippers yesterday! Not enough lead exposure to do it in shorts though....

[zuke]

Leather work glove's

[Southern Son]

I have the Ove Glove, they do protect pretty well, tight enouth weave that lead won't get through, but I find them bulky. The best gloves I have tried look like Warf73s gloves, but they were lined with wool. They came off the hands quickly and easily, splashes of lead did not stick to them well, so most of the molten lead ran off without transferring heat, and they were as comfy as all get out.

OBIII, watchout with statements like that, I got a smack on the knuckles for suggesting the real men cast in a g-string.:kidding:

[Mal Paso]

The glove I have has White Sequends, don't know the manufacturer, just says MJ on the tag. Used, fleabay.

[Springfield]

I only have a small commercial bullet business, but what do I know. Lead will NOT pour through a Ove glove, tested that many, many times, and not on purpose. As for only working up to 400 deg, what is a leather glove rated? Nothing, as far as i can tell. They are just made to deflect welding sparks, which cool off almost immediately, most of the time. Pick up a hot mold or pour some lead on them and they will get HOT, right now! The really thick leather gloves may keep the heat out a bit longer, but then you have sacrificed flexibility/mobility. As for not using kitchen items for casting, I guess you don't have any cast iron pots, stirring spoons, measuring cups, cornbread molds, mini loaf pans, cookie sheet for pan lubing, paraffin, or any other handy items found in the house that we tend to use. Too bad, they can be handy.

[Le Loup Solitaire]

I use the leather welding gloves sold by HF in their welding kit. That includes the leather apron. Might all be considered overkill, but I don't like getting burned. It isn't fun. LLS

[dragon813gt]

Welders gloves. Brand isn't really important. Just make sure they are large enough to pull them off quickly if they get hot. Because you will screw up and they will get hot. As to not using gloves. I open the molds by hand so I only wear one on my right hand. I don't like whacking a mold open so gloves are a must.

Rule #1 w/ any hot work is no synthetics of any type. Leather for protection and all other garments should by 100% cotton. Synthetics melt, very quickly. You don't stand a chance against molten lead. This time of year I wear a welders apron. When it warms up I have a habit of not wearing it even though I should.

[Frank46]

Get two pairs of welders gloves. Why 2 pair?. One you use and the other in reserve. Keep them together so they don't grow wings and fly away. I have about 3 sets. One is used for smelting, one for casting and the other is a spare. Good habit to get into. The smelting gloves take a beating moving the hot ingots around have had them for years, the casting ones look almost like new. Frank

[Ramar]

I wear a leather apron, 19" welding gloves, linemen boots, full face shield and a respirator just to cook bacon. Don't get me started on my melting lead attire!
Ramar

[Hickory]

Is this another gloves/no gloves thread?

[Suo Gan]

You don't need gloves for casting. I use them when I am rendering ingots in the big pot outside. Cannot imagine needing welding gloves or gauntlets as has been suggested. When I was first starting this hobby I was paranoid too. I had a pair of welding gloves and they just were not needed. I do remember dropping a bullet in a bucket of water and it hit the water just right and a few drops hit the top of the melt and they sizzled off...no explosions.

I think this is akin to wearing a helmet while driving. Sure it would help in case of an accident, but it is not needed, and interferes/impedes.

[kywoodwrkr]

You don't need gloves for casting.
I use one glove on right hand to snap sprue plate on SC and DC.
Other hand holds handles.
Get new glove(s) whenever I go by the welding classroom.
Usually half the class is women and I have small hands and training goes on all year so I rummage through the last sessions gloves finding just what I need. :-)

Kinda like goldy locks.

[Socal147]

I wear simple leather gloves because pain hurts but stupid hurts more.

[warf73]

You don't need gloves for casting. I use them when I am rendering ingots in the big pot outside. Cannot imagine needing welding gloves or gauntlets as has been suggested. When I was first starting this hobby I was paranoid too. I had a pair of welding gloves and they just were not needed. I do remember dropping a bullet in a bucket of water and it hit the water just right and a few drops hit the top of the melt and they sizzled off...no explosions.

I think this is akin to wearing a helmet while driving. Sure it would help in case of an accident, but it is not needed, and interferes/impedes.

I'm not sure about others in this thread, but I cut my spurs with my gloved hand. I'm not worried about the lead on my hand but the HOT spur plate when I open it.

[grumman581]

I use a pair of split leather gloves with cuffs. I've worn same pair for 10 years and need to replace as I've worn them out. Know for a fact they keep the lead off the skin.
http://www.harborfreight.com/leather-industrial-work-gloves-5-pairs-66287.html

Those are just work gloves, not welding gloves. I use those when I'm working with metal that might have sharp edges or boards to protect from splinters or nails. They are sometimes used for brazing, but not for arc welding. I prefer the gauntlet type arc welding gloves. If you notice them getting hot, you can easily sling them off your hands if necessary.

http://www.harborfreight.com/welding-gloves-39664.html

94027

Not all arc welding gloves are the same though. I have noticed quite a bit of variation in the thickness of the leather. The more leather and lining, the longer it takes for the heat to make its way to your hands. If the gloves are large enough, even a pair of cotton gloves worn as a liner under the arc welding gauntlet type gloves will help.

It might be a bit of overkill for just casting, but for smelting, it is not.