Spiderhand Gloves FAQs
Practical answers on choosing, wearing and looking after premium goat and deer skin MIG and TIG welding gloves.
What do Type A and Type B on a welding glove label mean?
Welding gloves made to the European welding glove standard must be labelled either Type A or Type B. Type A gives higher heat and mechanical protection but less finger movement, so it is the usual choice for general welding and cutting. Type B gives more dexterity and a closer fit but lower protection, which is why it is the one normally recommended for TIG.
Check the label on the glove itself rather than relying on the description alone, because the type tells you which job the glove was designed and tested for.
Can I use a Type B TIG glove for MIG or stick welding?
Not as a habit. Type B gloves are built for fine control, so their heat and spatter requirements are lower than those of Type A. For MIG, stick and other heavier processes, where more spatter and radiant heat reach your hand, the standard guidance is to choose a Type A glove.
A thin, supple TIG glove may be fine for light tacking or very low-current work, but check the maker's instructions and your risk assessment first. If you move between processes through the day, many welders keep a separate pair for each.
Do welding gloves protect me from electric shock?
No. Welding PPE gives some protection against heat and spatter but it is not designed to prevent electric shock, and the HSE points out that damp or contaminated clothing and gloves conduct electricity more easily. Gloves for arc welding are also expected to have a minimum electrical resistance when they are clean and dry.
Keep your gloves dry, do not touch live parts, and follow the equipment maker's instructions and your risk assessment. If your gloves are soaked with sweat or water, change to a dry pair.
Should I wear gloves that are oily or greasy?
Gloves should be clean and dry for welding, which is the HSE's advice. Oil, grease and solvent soaked into leather can make the glove more likely to catch light from spatter, and it can also make the leather harder to judge for wear.
If a glove is badly contaminated and will not come clean, it is safest to retire it rather than carry on. Follow the maker's care instructions for cleaning leather, and do not wash gloves in a way that leaves them stiff, damp or shrunken.