Safest clothing in cool weather when forging?

O

Ome108

Joined
Apr 29, 2014
Messages
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Hi Guys,
Being a total newbie, all I know is to wear cotton and do not wear polyester. What is a safe material for a cold weather jacket when outside forging. I am sure when working ,the cold is not an issue. when waiting in-between heats, one might need a good warm coat and hat, leather work boots, with all cotton socks, and some jeans with maybe some all cotton long john's.
Please let me know what is the safest .
Thank You,
Jon
 
My vote would be multiple layers of cotton ending with a leather coat. You can't go wrong with leather, after all it kept the animal warm for many years ;)
 
Go down to the Thrift Store and get a loose fitting Denim jacket or vest. Put on a tee shirt and a long sleeve cotton flannel shirt. The coat over that will be plenty. When you get hot, the flannel shirt and tee shirt will still keep you warm and protected.

If it is really cold, long johns ( thermal underwear) under denim pants and jacket work nicely.

I go through a vest every year burning up the front from sparks in grinding.
 
The material Carhartt uses for their coats, jackets, and overalls are very fire resistant. Also try Duluth Trading Posts fire hose stuff.
 
Wool and cotton, wool is warm, cotton is a durable outer layer like denim and duck.

Some use a leather apron to take the worst
 
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I wear carhart bibs and coat with a leather apron over top which seems to work well for sparks. One thing I've noticed with jackets is to make sure the cuffs aren't elastic type cuffs. It's easy to overlook but is right in the line of fire (pun intended) :)
 
Thank You all for sharing your experience and knowledge.
This thread has been very helpful.
Thanks,
Jon
 
Old sweaters from the thrift shop.
Make sure they're wool, not rayon.

Carhartt's are surprisingly un-fireproof, and are really easy to make holes in with sparks. Wanna know how I know that?
 
Best denim I've had for metalwork are the black all-cotton Ben Davis pants, which I think are only on their website. Very comfortable and tough, not to mention the ladies dig 'em.
 
Good heavy tightly woven wool, or reasonably heavy leather, are both very fire resistant. Cotton will burn, but it's better than polyester because it's harder to catch on fire, and it does not melt onto you as it burns. Frayed hems, holes, and cuffs, ...all bad. A leather welding jacket is a pretty warm outer layer, and not too expensive considering how long it will last. There are also a lot of fire resistant garments available now due to arc flash regulations over the last couple years, but they'll cost more than a wool peacoat from the thrift store
 
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