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By Erikgr7 
Date 11-02-2008 09:55
sickytwisted ,
Yes they get pretty heavy. If I was just stick welding ovehead I would
probably just use the green jackets etc. For fluxcore I always wore my
full leather jacket. They make a lighter version that just covers your
arms and chest with leather..back is exposed. My friend had one and
he liked it...not so heavy.
Hope this helps
By PlasmaHead2 
Date 11-02-2008 16:14
When I end up doing a bunch of overhead ill wear an old hooded sweatshirt that I don't care about burning up. You put the hood up and put your helmet over top of it and the hoodie keeps sparks from falling down your back. The only problem with that is hoodies aren't fireproof. You need a well made thicker hoodie, not a thin little polyester one, but a good solid cotton or heavier material.
I don't know if any company makes a hooded welding jacket. Ive never seen one which is why I keep burning up hoodies.
By chris2698 
Date 11-02-2008 16:55
I usually just use a wrangler or lapco shirt and sometimes will put a sleeve over my left arm and thats it. I see some people every now and then wearing leather an I did own a leather at one time but it's to freaking HOT. If it's winter then it would be ok but no it's all to dang heavy
or learn to weld better and you won't have so much sparks landing on you.
By sickytwisted Date 11-02-2008 18:25Edited 11-02-2008 18:50
good point. Learn to weld better. But still. Sparks, heat, all that good stuff.
By PlasmaHead2 Date 02-07-2009 06:14
Lately ive been using my old carhart jacket. The thing was shot for normal wear but still intact, so once i got a new one to wear around the old one went to the shop.
its a little bulky but its solid and quite warm for this time of year. Spatter doesnt seem to hurt it but I havent caught a good sized blob yet with it to see how well it stands up.
By Fritz T Katt 
Date 02-07-2009 01:31
When I weld overhead with an electrode, I wear a full leather upper. It is a jacket upper, but it only goes down to about your nipples. I make sure to keep my hood up enough so the arc is nearer the bottom of the field of view, as to help deter sparks from my hair. I got some real nasty half way between 2nd and 3rd degree burns just wearing my green jacket because the large sparks burn through.
By jstasney Date 07-03-2009 16:40
Well, sickytwisted dude.
The metal your welding with should be deposited on the metal your welding on, not you!
Now then,
With THAT in mind,
how about configuring yourself so that happens??
Back up from the weld puddle,
use bi-focal manifying lense "CLEAN" safety glasses and a lighter shade lens if needed to see.
Prop up with your other hand and not your elbow.
Hang the lead on something to get the weight off your arms.
Push the weld puddle away from you while welding, the sparks and BB's go that way too.
A hotter, tighter arc works better for overhead keeping the spatter down.
Use the voltage from the hotter arc to physically close arc push the puddle away from you.
Not too hot now, there's a happy medium to this.
With stick rods, put the rod at the end straight out of the holder and bend the rod to the desired angle to weld with.
That's gives your hands more valuable inches away from the rod tip.
Hold the back of the handle of a MIG gun for the same reason.
Try that and good luck.
By jstasney Date 07-03-2009 16:59
OH, I forgot, what to wear?
Personally, I wear Tee Shirts welding overhead!
However, the metal is placed on what I'm welding or fine bits on the floor.
Back in the day, however, heavy 100% cotton fabric starched and ironed Khaki Work Shirts
with metal snaps instead of buttons were the cats meow.
Cool, light and shed fire like water off an umbrella.
Most good well stocked welding supplies have them.
Carhardt/ Lapco brands are best.
About $35 ea.
If they will stand up tilted in the corner, they're good to go.
Do yourself a favor and use the cleaners to laundry, XX HVY starch and press them. $2.50 ea.
Just pre-spray with strong simple green on the stains before forking them over.
They'll last forever that way.
http://joesboots.com/welding-shirts.aspx?CategoryID=82
http://www.plwelder.com/store.php?crn=219&rn=476&action=show_detail
Good Luck!
