TIG Gauntlets FAQs
Straight answers to the questions people ask most when choosing and looking after TIG welding gloves and gauntlets.
How are TIG gauntlets different from other welding gloves?
TIG welding makes little spatter, but it demands fine control of the torch and the filler rod. TIG gloves are therefore thinner, softer and more flexible than the heavy gloves used for MIG and stick welding, and they are usually made from supple leather with few bulky seams.
The cuff or gauntlet part is often shorter or lighter than on heavy gloves, though it still covers the wrist. The result is a glove that lets you feel what you are doing while still giving useful protection against heat and arc radiation.
How should a TIG glove fit?
Measure around your dominant hand just below the knuckles and use the maker's size chart, because sizing varies between makers. The glove should be snug, with no loose material at the fingertips, but not so tight that it restricts blood flow or tires your hand.
Too large and you lose feel and may find the fingers catching on the filler rod; too small and the leather is stretched thin and wears out fast. Try the glove while holding a torch and rod if you can.
Can I use TIG gloves for MIG or stick welding?
It is not a good idea. MIG and stick welding produce spatter and much more radiant heat, and a thin TIG glove gives much less protection than a heavy welding glove. You could get burns, and the glove would wear out quickly.
Use a heavier glove for those processes and keep your TIG gloves for TIG work. If you do a mix of processes, many welders keep a pair of each so that they always have the right glove to hand.
Should TIG gloves be lined or unlined?
Unlined gloves give the best feel, and are the usual choice where control is vital and the heat is modest. Lined gloves add insulation and comfort, and are better when you handle hot parts or weld at higher currents, though the lining adds some bulk.
Some gloves are partly lined, with insulation on the back of the hand or the palm only. Consider how hot the work gets and how much feel you need before you decide.