Since welding of metal products is a process that requires strict observance of safety rules, split leggings are an integral part of the clothes of a specialist working with this tool. So, more details.
Glove use
The primary purpose of using cuffs is to completely protect the hands and arms of a person working with a welding machine from flying sparks. This piece of workwear should be matched precisely to the size of the hand. Otherwise, it may fall off during operation, which is unacceptable. In addition, split gaiters also protect against burns that can occur if a working specialist accidentally touches a hot metal surface.
This type of gloves is also suitable for other installation work related to increased loads. In other words, in addition to welders, this type of gaiters is suitable for specialists working in areas such as: steelworkers, blacksmiths, as well as all representatives of professions whose work is associated with an elevated temperature environment.
Material for manufacturing
In order to make split leggings, a certain material is needed. Which one? This is a split. It is formed in the process of processing natural goatskin or calfskin, in the leather industry. In order to achieve the necessary properties of the material, use such a manufacturing method as lamination or grinding. This process involves the separation of the skin into several layers. Most often, it turns out to divide it into 3-5 layers. It all depends on the original thickness of the object. The peculiarity of split leather leggings is that it is very convenient to work in them. Due to the great elasticity that gloves have. This thing does not hold your hands in motion, and also leaves full sensitivity to the fingers.
At the same time, the features of these gaiters include high resistance to cuts or punctures, a high degree of protection against high temperatures. As well as great strength.
Additional processing
It is important to note that gray split leather leggings without lining, without any additional processing or impregnation, can be operated in the following temperature range: from -10 to +45 degrees Celsius. However, in order to make them the most optimal for use by welders, they are most often treated with a special composition. Thanks to this action, gloves become more protected from splashing sparks or even hot metal. It is also important to add that after an additional processing process, the temperature limit increases from 45 degrees to 100 degrees Celsius.
Kevlar thread is also used in the manufacture of split cuffs. It is used for stitching gloves. This material belongs to the para-aramid group. In other words, this thread adds a high margin of safety, and, in itself, has a high rate of fire resistance.
Kinds
It is important to note that according to their design, leggings can be of several types. So.
Split five-fingered leggings is one of the most versatile models that is used in welding, as well as other installation works. One of the most important advantages of this type of gloves is that they do not reduce the mobility of the fingers, which is why their comfort in the toe area is very high. In addition, this type of clothing is characterized by reinforced inserts made of genuine leather. The inside of the gloves is made of a comfortable, breathable fabric called cotton. The length of split five-fingered gaiters is 35 cm.
Further. Another type of gloves is two-fingered split leather gloves. The advantage of this type is that they reduce the stress on the fingers of the welder during operation, with the exception of the large and index. Their protection against high temperatures is quite large, but they are poorly protected from punctures. Most often, this type of gloves is used in electrode welding.
There are also three-toed split leather leggings. All their indicators and scope are completely similar to two-fingered models.
In addition, there are several additional models. They make spilk insulated leggings and combined. The first type is characterized by the fact that their length is most often greater than 35 cm, and fur, fleece or high-density cotton fabric are used as a lining. Also, the bell of these models is larger than the rest, which means that in an emergency they are easier to remove.
The second type is characterized in that it has a textile insert on the back of the hand, as well as a reinforced area on the palm. The production of the inner lining is from cotton fabric, and a double layer of split or tarpaulin is used as the reinforcing layer.
The choice
When choosing this workwear it is very important to understand for what purposes in the future it will be used. If it will be operated in an elevated temperature environment, it is best to purchase a five-fingered split- leather welder's gaiters, which are refractory impregnated.
An important factor of choice will be the seam of the gloves. This place is considered the weakest in all models of gaiters. The seam must be made of special thread, which will provide the desired density, high strength, as well as the necessary heat resistance.
It is important to note that five-fingered gloves are also suitable for finer work. The split gaiters of this model are almost universal, the only selection criterion is the length. It is necessary to choose so that when putting on the glove, it sits tight, but at the same time does not constrain the movement of the fingers and does not squeeze the hand itself. But in no case should the glove slip off.
Care
Despite the fact that the strength characteristics of these gloves are quite high, they are still made of genuine leather, and therefore are highly susceptible to such natural influences as wear and pollution. For these reasons, in order to increase the useful life of these gloves, it is important to properly care for them.
One of the most important rules is that such products cannot be washed. To clean them from dirt, you must resort to dry cleaning. After completing all work, the gaiters dry well, after which you need to take a dry rag or brush and clean them of all contaminants. With proper use and good care, the average life of these models is up to 2 years. For instance. Split leggings "TRACK" show some of the best indicators. In terms of long life.
Properties of split cuffs
The next moment. One of the most important properties of split gloves is that their abrasion resistance is two or three times higher than the resistance of the same models, but made of tarpaulin. Additional impregnation for these models is needed only in order to further increase their upper limit of the operating temperature range. If it is absent, gaiters are still considered sufficiently refractory and resistant to carbonization during welding.
However, it is important to note that reviews about this item of clothing exist both good and bad. Almost all include the advantages of five-fingered gloves made of split leather that they are thick enough to protect not only from welding, but also, for example, from a grinder. However, there are also disadvantages that some buyers noted. One of the owners claims that one pair of gloves was made of different material. In addition, they parted after 3 days of operation. A person worked for 3-4 hours a day.
Specifications
350 mm long gaiters made of gray or red split are considered a certain standard in production. Gray gloves are most often made without any lining, and therefore are thinner, and it is more convenient to work with small details in them.
Red gloves are made of sanded and painted calf split 1.2 mm thick. They are distinguished by a stiffer cuff, and the length is 15 cm. It is also important to add that in this type of gaiters a non-woven lining can be used, which adds a certain comfort to this model, and also allows a person to perform work at lower temperatures.