guys where i used to work, ran HUGE drill presses, they had to wear nitrile gloves, the reasoning was that it protected them from oils and small shavings, but tore away if the glove became entangled in the drill
I don't like gloves with blacksmithing; but when I do wear them, I wear the heavy loose-fitting stick-welding gloves. With quenching and sweating, it's too easy to get gloves wet, and a wet glove touching hot metal is a steam burn. Touching hot metal with your hand is often just a first-degree burn. Ungloved hands are nice and quick at letting go of hot things. Gloves make the heat happen slow, and continue to happen after you've let go as the heat transfers from the glove to the finger. If I can't yank the glove off in a flick of an arm, I don't want to use it with a forge.
I think the worst thing about leather gloves is that the leather can shrink fit to your hand when it gets hot and you won’t be able to get it off at least that’s what I’ve been told
first, thanks so much for all you great videos 2.I would really like to hear more about gloves with good dexterity and good feel and great heatresistent 3. do you know if horsehide is used anywhere for anything? 4. you are so right about the lathe, i had a big industeri one grapping me and my gloves ones and i got a way from it with only a fracture in my hand, that was the most lucky day of my life
I used to have an old pair of Razorback welding gloves that my dad gave me when I took welding in high school. They were assume I used them for years, until they fell apart.
I personally am a shit smith and am in between what I’m going to be making but I would usually wear gloves only when my hand is gonna be really fuckin close to the metal or when I’m doing something that will 100 percent mess up my hand, saying that I usually have a glove on my left hand holding the tongs. That is so I can block a hot piece of metal if one does get thrown at me (I think of that because it has happened before and I will have a marking of that likley for the rest of my life)
Id say to never use gloves when dealing with wire wheels, ever. Even if it's a hand power tool. If you lose grip that wire wheel will make a Beeline up the glove and rip your arm up something nasty. Happened to me once and i always wire wheel stuff in a vise now.
I've ruined so many gloves I can't count them. The leather wasn't ruined but the stitching was burned or damaged during use and the gloves fall apart. The elk hide glove that I can get have no exposed stitching and they last much longer.
Good on you, Trent, for pointing out when NOT to wear gloves. I have seen a fellow machinist have their hand degloved (NSFL, Do not google this term, it does not mean having JUST the glove removed) by a milling machine. Zero out of ten, would not recommend, a good time was NOT had by all.
its problably the same as a cat having a degloved tail and that is not a good thing at all, tearing the skin from the muscle and bone, from the wikipedia entry A degloving injury is a type of avulsion in which an extensive section of skin is completely torn off the underlying tissue, severing its blood supply. It is named by analogy to the process of removing a glove.
"tearing the skin from the muscle and bone" Yeah, it can mean that. It can ALSO mean that everything is loosened away from the skeleton. Which is rather NOT fun.
Not really a blacksmithing question, but it still somewhat pertains to it. What do you and your employees talk about on a daily basis? Do you guys talk/yell when working on small, individual projects? I guess, what's your shops environment? It seems like a more relaxed workplace than the average one. I apologize if this is too personal of a question. Thanks for all the videos Trent! I find this stuff fascinating.
I'd like to add never wear gloves when using a bench grinder. First, if you are doing something small and your hands are going to be THAT close to the wheel...get some dang vice grips or something. Second, if whatever you are grinding is too hot to touch, QUIT IT. Grinders do not work better if the steel turns purple, all it does is ruin any temper in the steel and cause oxidation. Bonus safety tip: Don't grind aluminum on a stone wheel!
another one i'd add is always try to stand out of the plane of rotation of the grinding disk, that way if it does shatter the big chunks won't be flying at you.
Great video, wore mechanix gloves this weekend forging bottle openers. Got over the metal to punch the hole and basically seared a hole right through the side of one just from the ambient heat almost 4" above my work, this wasn't big stock either. Melted a good size hole, thankfully really none of it stuck to my skin and the burn was tiny. Definitely sticking to my shitty old leather gloves when I need them. I also both never thought of, but definitely noticed, that hammering with a gloved hand wears you out quick, will be sure not to do that anymore either. Thanks!
YES! also when operating a Metal lathe and your trying to make your part looking nice. NEVER! NEVER! NEVER! use Steal wool!! the part will grab it ant ball up with you in it faster than you can think Whoops! please be safe and have fun making stuff!
I've used many Tillman TIG gloves (they're comfy motorcycle riding gloves too and their light colors are a plus in hot weather) and love them for welding. You can size them to easily flick them off like stick gloves, just order a larger size than normal.
This cannot be stressed enough. Also around lathes, No Hoodies with strings, and long sleeves are a terribly bad idea. A customer of mine when I worked at John Deere some 15 years ago was killed when he bent over a Power Take Off on a tractor. It broke every bone from his hips up, when it grabbed the strings on his Carhart jacket. His brother and uncle watched him die from 50 or so feet away. Ghastly, Horrible stuff. Nothing anyone could do, even though they got the machine shut off in just 20 or 30 seconds.
Gloves are great but your right.. around machines.... hell no.... even pully systems they'll grab and pull.... And if you didnt know your nail goes to your first knuckle and will rip up and threw your finger.... Which a tip break and sever is the worst... 7 stitches in the nail bed and you realise your hands twitch 24/7 lol
I can also tell you that using a Table Saw to cut up a Deer has it's Hazards. :D I do Lite Blacksmithing-mostly beating handles from lawn mowers into needed tools for Metal Smelting and some minor 'Mower Blade to Knife Blade' work but I need gloves that don't melt or burst into flames near my furnce. /:-P
I have a nerve disorder with chronic pain and trigger nerves in the outside of my left hand. I wear a mechanics glove when turning wood, but it is one size smaller (medium on a meat fisted hand) and I always am aware of that hand's proximity to anything spinning. I typically only need it for roughing out the wood, but in fibrous hard woods I'll have to use it or not do it at all. The shavings and chunks feel like needles and glass being bore into my skin with out it. So, advantage vs risk is my call in my shop. Having said this, I agree, gloves and spinning tools are not a good mix, especially as loose as most people's gloves are on their hands. I don't wear gloves for anything else other than welding (usually MIG).
Gloves and 2x72 knife grinders, lathes, drill presses, mills, routers, planers jointers, and bench grinders with wire wheels all bad ideas with gloves. Forging , welding, torch cutting, hand grinders All Good. A friend of mine was wearing a rubber glove using a meat grinder. Glove pulled her whole hand through the meat grinder. Horrific and sad!
Gloves and lathes...hell I do not even wear a long sleeve shirt or coat around a lathe, etc.,!GREAT videos! Just found them and very nice! Thanks you...
My lady is pretty handy, so at one point in time a while back I bought her a pair of work gloves. They came in handy to protect her hands when we were dealing with firewood, for the wood stove here. What did not go well was when she was using the chop saw to trim some of the stuff that was a bit too long. That saw somehow grabbed a hold of one glove and ripped it pretty good. Scared the crap out of me, for sure. Thankfully, it was only the glove that was damaged, and her hands weren''t hurt at all. But yeah, wearing gloves around machine that's trying to injure/murder you you probably not a good plan.
Welding gloves tend to be a very good option so if your just getting into blacksmithing and can’t ask a black smith what gloves to wear it’s is much easier to find a welder to ask what they use for glives
last time I wore a glove I got hot splatter inside it and got a good burn, bare handed it would have just bounced off, it is swings and roundabouts for me and depends on what I am doing
Observe! *holds up hands* At NO point in time do the fingers leave the hand. And THAT has been achieved, in part, by making VERY sure that no, and I do mean NO, loose material is anywhere near a spinning piece of machinery, be that shirtsleeves, loose and untucked shirts, gloves, or anything else you can imagine.
Excellent finish, thank you. Also worth mentioning, long sleeves, especially loose one, are just as dangerous on things like lathes and table saws. Be safe.
I like to forge with a fabric glove on my hammer hand. Without it I get lots of blisters since I'm not doing this full time. And the chance of getting something hot on there is pretty low. But you're right I should probably try some good leather gloves instead😄
Not all fabric is inherently bad for what you're describing. Some synthetic fabrics melt, stick to skin and burn, but many natural fibers aren't so problematic, especially if they're treated for fire resistance. A wool or flame resistant cotton glove on your hammer hand should be OK. But in my experience leather gives a better grip.
Ever deal with heat resistant silicon gloves? Most look cheap and more of the Ginsu knife buy one get one free type. Not sure if there is any high quality ones that would work good.
Whats your opinion on gloves for a bench grinder? They have saved my hands from getting bit many times when I dont have good light or am in a hurry. Also, they protect you from the heat build up while grinding. I can imagine getting caught in one, but when I have accidnetly touched them they dont act like they would.
I don't know about grinding wheels, but I do know that wire wheels and gloves *do not* mix. I only needed that lesson *once*. Pain. Lots of pain. Also blood. But I know it could have been so much worse, so I'm grateful. And I never wear gloves around bench grinders (period) or angle grinders (when equipped with wire wheels, especially; Sometimes I'll risk it with a grinding disk) anymore. Too much risk for too little benefit. But that's just my $0.02 of course. ;-)
Giotto Laudo I *ABSOLUTELY* agree about gloves & wire wheels. I did that once, and bent my left ring finger 90° (towards my pinkie) at the second knuckle (closest to the hand). This was shortly before I was to get married. I didn't break it, but the knuckle was decidedly enlarged, and I had to get a bigger ring to get it over my knuckle. It could have easily been much worse.
I like nitril gloves for my lathe, but for working in the field I enjoy a range of them. I really live my high voltage gloves because they are comfortable for me when working on live wire. But application is huge
Interesting. I am actually shopping gloves now. What I do is probly the distant, inbred cousin to Blacksmithing-meltal melting and casting for jewelry and antbed so my techniques are different as are many of my tools, occaisionally I might have to bend Rebar to form a tool but it's not Blacksmmithing. I burned up a pair of welders gloves with my first furnace, my lid was not proper so I used pavers, picked them up but on more than one occasion I scorched my fingers so my gloves have metly fingers all shriveled up. Resolved that but still have to be careful lifting and pouring molten metals. The gloves were Top-grain, however, what they used to sew them together on the sides was...PLASTIC THREADS! Anyhoo, I've been considering some of those fireplace/BBQ gloves rated for 900, not likely unless I mess up I'll be holding 900 degrees but the cowhide really gets freaking hot when stirring and de-drossing a pool of metal.
WHY are there so many videos on RUclips from blacksmiths and bladesmiths using grinders / linishers using gloves?! I am completely perplexed by this. I was told years ago, and it still makes sense as per your video, with ANY rotating machinery, NEVER using gloves as they can grab and pull you into the machine. Why do people take this risk? Is it lack of knowledge or just carelessness ? Or is there something else I'm missing??? I've rubber my finger a little on my belt grinder before (a big, 3HP machines), and it does very minimal damage to the skin. But my skin grew back! I don't think arms are able to grow back. P.s. Enjoyed your perspective on anvil shaped objects. Recently got a lump of rail track to begin with but will certainly go to the scrap yard if I ever feel the need to upgrade.
When I was working as a welder with my uncle, he used to say “it’s gonna be hot or it’s gonna be heavy, so prepare accordingly. Don’t show up for work in shorts wearing some chicken sh*t Harry the homeowner Mechanix gloves or I’ll send you home for being stupid”. I would like to get a pair of those elk skin gloves though. I’ve got a few pairs of deer skin general purpose gloves and they instantly spoiled me the first time I put them on.
Never wear a glove on your hammer hand. It causes you to grip tighter and you'll blow your elbow out. Also fat hammer handles will cause the same sort of issues. I only wear a glove when I don't have tongs to grab the steel. Other than that, I leave the b%$#t mittens off. Thanks for another great video!
Good stuff to know! I have just started blacksmithing as a hobby and the number one problem I've had so far is wearing a glove while using a hammer. I had no clue why but in very short order I could tell you that I could forge twice as long without gloves than with. Now I know why. As far as cloth getting caught on rotating objects I got a story for ya. Lol I was taking a welding course at the time and I was using a grinder with a wire brush attachment. I had started getting too comfortable with the grinder and got just a little to close to my shirt. The wire wheel snagged the bottom of my shirt and rolled itself up in my shirt, launching towards my head and ran into my face shield I had on at the time... And there I was! Half naked, with a grinder just precious inches away from my face, and in need of a new shirt.
I work as an electrician, I've been wearing gloves I get at a local metal dealer, they are no name made from Italian goat skin, and last as long as it takes me to loose the right hand one. Never the left always the right! Old guy I worked with said "Gloves are only good for making your pee your pants!"
Excellent video! I would include jewelry too such as a ring, watch or bracelet. Even a long chain necklace and long hair. I learned the last one the hard way :P And loose clothing! Did that one too :(
Amen Trent. I have a close friend at work that should of seen this video before he started doing some work on a drill while wearing gloves. It didn't turn out so good for him, he lost 3 of the fingers on his right hand when it wrapped his hand around a piece of steel he was trying to polish . Not what you should try to do in a drill press. If this video stops one person from getting hurt wearing gloves when they shouldn't be, you have done your job well.
Your warning was great. When I worked in a foundry, one of my coworkers lost a finger in the big drill press due to an old glove with threads hanging off it. Same goes for long hair.
Trent- ty for coming back to RUclips with these great small tips on the practical nature of smithing! Been watching since you had that tiny little office with the wood paneling, so I'm glad to see this back to ROOTS movement! Keep it up!
guys where i used to work, ran HUGE drill presses, they had to wear nitrile gloves, the reasoning was that it protected them from oils and small shavings, but tore away if the glove became entangled in the drill
Sorry, but even nitrile gloves are bad. A coworker that didn't want to get dirty put on a pair and lost 2 1/2 fingers.
great video! this is very informative & should help a lot of blacksmiths decide when to wear gloves or not.
I don't like gloves with blacksmithing; but when I do wear them, I wear the heavy loose-fitting stick-welding gloves. With quenching and sweating, it's too easy to get gloves wet, and a wet glove touching hot metal is a steam burn. Touching hot metal with your hand is often just a first-degree burn. Ungloved hands are nice and quick at letting go of hot things. Gloves make the heat happen slow, and continue to happen after you've let go as the heat transfers from the glove to the finger. If I can't yank the glove off in a flick of an arm, I don't want to use it with a forge.
I think the worst thing about leather gloves is that the leather can shrink fit to your hand when it gets hot and you won’t be able to get it off at least that’s what I’ve been told
"You're going to have a bad time!" lol yup! Keep up the good work!
I wear a glove on my right hand a lot when I forge... but then I'm left handed. lol
first, thanks so much for all you great videos
2.I would really like to hear more about gloves with good dexterity and good feel and great heatresistent
3. do you know if horsehide is used anywhere for anything?
4. you are so right about the lathe, i had a big industeri one grapping me and my gloves ones and i got a way from it with only a fracture in my hand, that was the most lucky day of my life
1. Thanks!
2. Try elk hide drivers glove. The best!
3. Horsehide is not
4. Them big machines will hurt you!
Gotta say I'm loving the videos, they are incredibly informative for a beginner like myself. Any chance you could cover tongs in an upcoming video?
We have a ton planned but getting to them is tricky. Keep your eyes peeled.
I used to have an old pair of Razorback welding gloves that my dad gave me when I took welding in high school. They were assume I used them for years, until they fell apart.
I personally am a shit smith and am in between what I’m going to be making but I would usually wear gloves only when my hand is gonna be really fuckin close to the metal or when I’m doing something that will 100 percent mess up my hand, saying that I usually have a glove on my left hand holding the tongs. That is so I can block a hot piece of metal if one does get thrown at me (I think of that because it has happened before and I will have a marking of that likley for the rest of my life)
I use leather welding gloves or split leather I like split leather and they cost like 1 dollar so :)
What about the leather and Kevlar gloves they are pushing now? Are they any good? Are they worth the $ 25.00 to $ 50.00 price tag? Thanks!
Id say to never use gloves when dealing with wire wheels, ever. Even if it's a hand power tool. If you lose grip that wire wheel will make a Beeline up the glove and rip your arm up something nasty. Happened to me once and i always wire wheel stuff in a vise now.
Where I work gloves are a no-no on anything that is a standing machine with any spinning or motor driven parts.
hay thanks for the info on gloves but i do have one question what was the make of your old gloves as i can only find tillman deerskin (number 864)
can you talk about aprons?
I've ruined so many gloves I can't count them. The leather wasn't ruined but the stitching was burned or damaged during use and the gloves fall apart. The elk hide glove that I can get have no exposed stitching and they last much longer.
Good on you, Trent, for pointing out when NOT to wear gloves. I have seen a fellow machinist have their hand degloved (NSFL, Do not google this term, it does not mean having JUST the glove removed) by a milling machine. Zero out of ten, would not recommend, a good time was NOT had by all.
N, de-gloving is FIRMLY not a good thing. *shudder*
its problably the same as a cat having a degloved tail and that is not a good thing at all, tearing the skin from the muscle and bone,
from the wikipedia entry A degloving injury is a type of avulsion in which an extensive section of skin is completely torn off the underlying tissue, severing its blood supply. It is named by analogy to the process of removing a glove.
"tearing the skin from the muscle and bone"
Yeah, it can mean that. It can ALSO mean that everything is loosened away from the skeleton. Which is rather NOT fun.
none of it is
Thanks I had to Google that and I will not be useing a lathe
Not really a blacksmithing question, but it still somewhat pertains to it.
What do you and your employees talk about on a daily basis? Do you guys talk/yell when working on small, individual projects? I guess, what's your shops environment? It seems like a more relaxed workplace than the average one. I apologize if this is too personal of a question.
Thanks for all the videos Trent! I find this stuff fascinating.
I'd like to add never wear gloves when using a bench grinder. First, if you are doing something small and your hands are going to be THAT close to the wheel...get some dang vice grips or something. Second, if whatever you are grinding is too hot to touch, QUIT IT. Grinders do not work better if the steel turns purple, all it does is ruin any temper in the steel and cause oxidation. Bonus safety tip: Don't grind aluminum on a stone wheel!
another one i'd add is always try to stand out of the plane of rotation of the grinding disk, that way if it does shatter the big chunks won't be flying at you.
Also, never wear jewelry or loose fitting clothing with machine tools and tie up long hair.
broke my hand when the shavings from a heavy drillpress catched my glove.
Great video, wore mechanix gloves this weekend forging bottle openers. Got over the metal to punch the hole and basically seared a hole right through the side of one just from the ambient heat almost 4" above my work, this wasn't big stock either. Melted a good size hole, thankfully really none of it stuck to my skin and the burn was tiny. Definitely sticking to my shitty old leather gloves when I need them. I also both never thought of, but definitely noticed, that hammering with a gloved hand wears you out quick, will be sure not to do that anymore either. Thanks!
YES! also when operating a Metal lathe and your trying to make your part looking nice. NEVER! NEVER! NEVER! use Steal wool!! the part will grab it ant ball up with you in it faster than you can think Whoops! please be safe and have fun making stuff!
I've used many Tillman TIG gloves (they're comfy motorcycle riding gloves too and their light colors are a plus in hot weather) and love them for welding. You can size them to easily flick them off like stick gloves, just order a larger size than normal.
This cannot be stressed enough. Also around lathes, No Hoodies with strings, and long sleeves are a terribly bad idea. A customer of mine when I worked at John Deere some 15 years ago was killed when he bent over a Power Take Off on a tractor. It broke every bone from his hips up, when it grabbed the strings on his Carhart jacket. His brother and uncle watched him die from 50 or so feet away. Ghastly, Horrible stuff. Nothing anyone could do, even though they got the machine shut off in just 20 or 30 seconds.
Gloves are great but your right.. around machines.... hell no.... even pully systems they'll grab and pull....
And if you didnt know your nail goes to your first knuckle and will rip up and threw your finger....
Which a tip break and sever is the worst... 7 stitches in the nail bed and you realise your hands twitch 24/7 lol
I can also tell you that using a Table Saw to cut up a Deer has it's Hazards. :D I do Lite Blacksmithing-mostly beating handles from lawn mowers into needed tools for Metal Smelting and some minor 'Mower Blade to Knife Blade' work but I need gloves that don't melt or burst into flames near my furnce. /:-P
I have a nerve disorder with chronic pain and trigger nerves in the outside of my left hand. I wear a mechanics glove when turning wood, but it is one size smaller (medium on a meat fisted hand) and I always am aware of that hand's proximity to anything spinning. I typically only need it for roughing out the wood, but in fibrous hard woods I'll have to use it or not do it at all. The shavings and chunks feel like needles and glass being bore into my skin with out it. So, advantage vs risk is my call in my shop. Having said this, I agree, gloves and spinning tools are not a good mix, especially as loose as most people's gloves are on their hands. I don't wear gloves for anything else other than welding (usually MIG).
Gloves and 2x72 knife grinders, lathes, drill presses, mills, routers, planers jointers, and bench grinders with wire wheels all bad ideas with gloves. Forging , welding, torch cutting, hand grinders All Good. A friend of mine was wearing a rubber glove using a meat grinder. Glove pulled her whole hand through the meat grinder. Horrific and sad!
Gloves and lathes...hell I do not even wear a long sleeve shirt or coat around a lathe, etc.,!GREAT videos! Just found them and very nice! Thanks you...
My lady is pretty handy, so at one point in time a while back I bought her a pair of work gloves. They came in handy to protect her hands when we were dealing with firewood, for the wood stove here. What did not go well was when she was using the chop saw to trim some of the stuff that was a bit too long. That saw somehow grabbed a hold of one glove and ripped it pretty good. Scared the crap out of me, for sure. Thankfully, it was only the glove that was damaged, and her hands weren''t hurt at all. But yeah, wearing gloves around machine that's trying to injure/murder you you probably not a good plan.
Welding gloves tend to be a very good option so if your just getting into blacksmithing and can’t ask a black smith what gloves to wear it’s is much easier to find a welder to ask what they use for glives
I got a set of furnace gloves 2000 degree rated. When making hoops often I gotta just get a grip on it with my hands. They work great
What about longer gloves for forging? I noticed you doing mention glove length. I happen too bee in the market right now.
last time I wore a glove I got hot splatter inside it and got a good burn, bare handed it would have just bounced off, it is swings and roundabouts for me and depends on what I am doing
Observe! *holds up hands* At NO point in time do the fingers leave the hand. And THAT has been achieved, in part, by making VERY sure that no, and I do mean NO, loose material is anywhere near a spinning piece of machinery, be that shirtsleeves, loose and untucked shirts, gloves, or anything else you can imagine.
Excellent finish, thank you. Also worth mentioning, long sleeves, especially loose one, are just as dangerous on things like lathes and table saws. Be safe.
Always wear glove when breaking up a cat fight.
I love your channel and everything, but every time you say, "You're gonna have a bad time." I think of south park.
I think of Undertale. I'm a nerd 😊
I like to forge with a fabric glove on my hammer hand. Without it I get lots of blisters since I'm not doing this full time.
And the chance of getting something hot on there is pretty low. But you're right I should probably try some good leather gloves instead😄
Not all fabric is inherently bad for what you're describing. Some synthetic fabrics melt, stick to skin and burn, but many natural fibers aren't so problematic, especially if they're treated for fire resistance. A wool or flame resistant cotton glove on your hammer hand should be OK. But in my experience leather gives a better grip.
Thanks for the tips 👍👍
what about grinding wheels?
you are a mind reader . I was just thinking aboit that.Thanks
Ever deal with heat resistant silicon gloves? Most look cheap and more of the Ginsu knife buy one get one free type. Not sure if there is any high quality ones that would work good.
Purdune Tae The original Ove Glove actually does a pretty good job.
Hammer bare handed. Use Welding gloves to grab hot stuff. Simple.
altho, don't grab something too hot or you'll ruin a perfectly good pair of gloves.
Would thick pigskin gloves suffice
Whats your opinion on gloves for a bench grinder? They have saved my hands from getting bit many times when I dont have good light or am in a hurry. Also, they protect you from the heat build up while grinding.
I can imagine getting caught in one, but when I have accidnetly touched them they dont act like they would.
I don't know about grinding wheels, but I do know that wire wheels and gloves *do not* mix. I only needed that lesson *once*. Pain. Lots of pain. Also blood. But I know it could have been so much worse, so I'm grateful. And I never wear gloves around bench grinders (period) or angle grinders (when equipped with wire wheels, especially; Sometimes I'll risk it with a grinding disk) anymore. Too much risk for too little benefit. But that's just my $0.02 of course. ;-)
Giotto Laudo I *ABSOLUTELY* agree about gloves & wire wheels. I did that once, and bent my left ring finger 90° (towards my pinkie) at the second knuckle (closest to the hand). This was shortly before I was to get married. I didn't break it, but the knuckle was decidedly enlarged, and I had to get a bigger ring to get it over my knuckle. It could have easily been much worse.
I like nitril gloves for my lathe, but for working in the field I enjoy a range of them. I really live my high voltage gloves because they are comfortable for me when working on live wire. But application is huge
watching kitty
Interesting. I am actually shopping gloves now. What I do is probly the distant, inbred cousin to Blacksmithing-meltal melting and casting for jewelry and antbed so my techniques are different as are many of my tools, occaisionally I might have to bend Rebar to form a tool but it's not Blacksmmithing. I burned up a pair of welders gloves with my first furnace, my lid was not proper so I used pavers, picked them up but on more than one occasion I scorched my fingers so my gloves have metly fingers all shriveled up. Resolved that but still have to be careful lifting and pouring molten metals. The gloves were Top-grain, however, what they used to sew them together on the sides was...PLASTIC THREADS! Anyhoo, I've been considering some of those fireplace/BBQ gloves rated for 900, not likely unless I mess up I'll be holding 900 degrees but the cowhide really gets freaking hot when stirring and de-drossing a pool of metal.
WHY are there so many videos on RUclips from blacksmiths and bladesmiths using grinders / linishers using gloves?! I am completely perplexed by this. I was told years ago, and it still makes sense as per your video, with ANY rotating machinery, NEVER using gloves as they can grab and pull you into the machine.
Why do people take this risk? Is it lack of knowledge or just carelessness ? Or is there something else I'm missing???
I've rubber my finger a little on my belt grinder before (a big, 3HP machines), and it does very minimal damage to the skin. But my skin grew back! I don't think arms are able to grow back.
P.s. Enjoyed your perspective on anvil shaped objects. Recently got a lump of rail track to begin with but will certainly go to the scrap yard if I ever feel the need to upgrade.
When I was working as a welder with my uncle, he used to say “it’s gonna be hot or it’s gonna be heavy, so prepare accordingly. Don’t show up for work in shorts wearing some chicken sh*t Harry the homeowner Mechanix gloves or I’ll send you home for being stupid”. I would like to get a pair of those elk skin gloves though. I’ve got a few pairs of deer skin general purpose gloves and they instantly spoiled me the first time I put them on.
Never wear a glove on your hammer hand. It causes you to grip tighter and you'll blow your elbow out. Also fat hammer handles will cause the same sort of issues. I only wear a glove when I don't have tongs to grab the steel. Other than that, I leave the b%$#t mittens off. Thanks for another great video!
Good stuff to know! I have just started blacksmithing as a hobby and the number one problem I've had so far is wearing a glove while using a hammer. I had no clue why but in very short order I could tell you that I could forge twice as long without gloves than with. Now I know why.
As far as cloth getting caught on rotating objects I got a story for ya. Lol I was taking a welding course at the time and I was using a grinder with a wire brush attachment. I had started getting too comfortable with the grinder and got just a little to close to my shirt. The wire wheel snagged the bottom of my shirt and rolled itself up in my shirt, launching towards my head and ran into my face shield I had on at the time... And there I was! Half naked, with a grinder just precious inches away from my face, and in need of a new shirt.
I work as an electrician, I've been wearing gloves I get at a local metal dealer, they are no name made from Italian goat skin, and last as long as it takes me to loose the right hand one. Never the left always the right!
Old guy I worked with said "Gloves are only good for making your pee your pants!"
Bench grinder has sucked in metal before so I don't doubt it would grab a glove
I am an industrial welder and I approve 100% of what your talking about.
Excellent video! I would include jewelry too such as a ring, watch or bracelet. Even a long chain necklace and long hair. I learned the last one the hard way :P And loose clothing! Did that one too :(
Amen Trent. I have a close friend at work that should of seen this video before he started doing some work on a drill while wearing gloves. It didn't turn out so good for him, he lost 3 of the fingers on his right hand when it wrapped his hand around a piece of steel he was trying to polish . Not what you should try to do in a drill press. If this video stops one person from getting hurt wearing gloves when they shouldn't be, you have done your job well.
I use the rough welding gloves from tractor supply they are tan and smell really good. I think they work good though
Your warning was great. When I worked in a foundry, one of my coworkers lost a finger in the big drill press due to an old glove with threads hanging off it. Same goes for long hair.
At least you have a decent price range for you're sizing lol
Personally the only time i wear a glove is when im working on a gas forge because they get do effing hot
Loving the tutorial series!
Good stuff!
Trent, you keep saying guys, some girls like me are in your audience too!! 😂🤣😁
Trent- ty for coming back to RUclips with these great small tips on the practical nature of smithing! Been watching since you had that tiny little office with the wood paneling, so I'm glad to see this back to ROOTS movement! Keep it up!