Leather Work Gloves

[chim]

I'm currently test driving some Wells Lamont gloves that Costco had 3 pair for $19 IIRC. So far they're OK but I avoid wearing them when working around welding projects. With man-made materials on the back it is a concern that something real hot contacting the backs would melt through. Generally I wear MIG gloves or the old brownish heavy leather gloves for actual welding BUT for handling hot or sharp parts it's most often no-name unlined leather let over from before I retired. There's often a need for just a little bit of tacking / welding that doesn't justify changing gloves. You know - close your eyes and tack it quick

Reminds me of what the old guy (Kubota salesman) said when I gave him directions to deliver my tractor. "Yeah, I know the area. I delivered a tractor to a farmer close to you. Well, he wasn't a real farmer. He had gloves on and it wasn't even cold".

https://www.costcobusinessdelivery.com/wells-lamont-mens-hydrahyde-leather-work-gloves%2C-large%2C-3-pairs.product.100372921.html

 

[Daren Todd]

Observation over last few years.

For decades I got heavy duty winter-lined leather work gloves. Usually got them from my local family-owned hardware store for $15-20 or so.

Don't know the technical term, but the leather was "fuzzy" and quite tear-resistant on the outside; not the slick and soft type.

I would usually have 2-3 different "generations" of pairs of them from new to ragged.

Last few years haven't bought any because can't find them that are worth anything.

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Seems like everything is cloth and synthetic stuff, usually without lining/insulation.

For $30 I got these at the same hardware store, but they’re not going to hold up like the others.

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Hard to find anymore, or is it just me?

20 years ago, I had my last pair of heavy duty, fur lined work gloves. Got them at a truck stop in east Middlebury Vermont.

Thats also the last time I've been able to find gloves like that.

Super warm, even at -40°f. They disappeared about 18 years ago

If I hit the north during winter time, I always look for them.

 

[Splinters and Sparks]

Leather gloves shrink and become too small except the grey fuzzy ones like someone posted earlier that fall apart. Any tricks to stretch them so they fit again?

I make my own leather conditioner of 1 part unfiltered bees wax to 2 parts mineral oil. by weight) melt the bees wax and slowly stir in the mineral oil. It comes out about the consistency of petroleum jelly.
I treat all my leather with it,,,, boots belts gloves, etc.

Can't say how far the leather will re-stretch, but i have had some success. the oil rehydrates the leather, and the bees wax water proofs it. got a pair of harbor fright leather gloves going on 6 months now of tree work and construction. No holes and they still fit!