Hobarts leather jacket

[Flux Core joe]

I was looking at hobarts leather welding jacket on tractor supplies website and noticed it was catching a bad rep has anyone tried one and have any thoughts about it? thier alittle cheaper than most welding jackets and look okay but i dont want to buy something that has buttons that will tear off etc

[gatemaker]

I haven't seen the hobart coat. The Miller coat for about $100 seems to be the black stallion/revco. This is available at many "non-airgas" welding stores for $30-$40. Last time I was in airgas they only wanted to sell their own Radnor-brand stuff. You may want to try the flame resistant coat and a set of sleeves. Should be cooler than a full leather coat. I wear a half coat 8 months out of the year, often with some FR sleeves over it. There is definately a need and place for a leather coat, but in the warmer months you may be able to use something else.

[Flux Core joe]

I haven't seen the hobart coat. The Miller coat for about $100 seems to be the black stallion/revco. This is available at many "non-airgas" welding stores for $30-$40. Last time I was in airgas they only wanted to sell their own Radnor-brand stuff. You may want to try the flame resistant coat and a set of sleeves. Should be cooler than a full leather coat. I wear a half coat 8 months out of the year, often with some FR sleeves over it. There is definately a need and place for a leather coat, but in the warmer months you may be able to use something else.

ill look into a half coat with a bid they seem good

[Blacksmith]

I picked up the flame retardent jacket for about $30 on sale at Northern and have been fine with it. Here in Virginia you have to strike a balance between protection from the welding and not giving yourself heat stroke much of the year. It's supposed to be near 100 today (temperature) with heat indices near 110! Anyway, as my signature indicates, I use stick and mig and have never felt the need to get leather, but I'm just a hobbyist.

[Northweldor]

I picked up the flame retardent jacket for about $30 on sale at Northern and have been fine with it. Here in Virginia you have to strike a balance between protection from the welding and not giving yourself heat stroke much of the year. It's supposed to be near 100 today (temperature) with heat indices near 110! Anyway, as my signature indicates, I use stick and mig and have never felt the need to get leather, but I'm just a hobbyist.

The need usually doesn't arise until you have to do overhead stick, goudging or grinding!

[Blacksmith]

The need usually doesn't arise until you have to do overhead stick, goudging or grinding!

Very true. If I never do overhead stick or gouging that'll be soon enough. I see them doing it on the ship and have NO desire to try it. I know I'd set something on fire - probably me ...

[SidecarFlip]

keep in mind that leather has gone the way of all things of quality so there is leather and then there is water buffalo hide....

[Stahlbrenner]

I was looking at hobarts leather welding jacket on tractor supplies website and noticed it was catching a bad rep has anyone tried one and have any thoughts about it? thier alittle cheaper than most welding jackets and look okay but i dont want to buy something that has buttons that will tear off etc

I bought a Hobart leather jacket in November 2012, so I do not have experience wearing it in the summer. I usually weld at the entrance to my garage, so it is outdoors for all practical purposes. Even on cool days here in the Vancouver, WA/Portland, OR region it keeps me warm enough to work.

I have a leather apron someone gave me as a gift. It is good, but does not protect my arms like the jacket does. I have a bad habit of thinking I can do a quick weld repair on something without burning a hole in a good shirt or jacket. The leather jacket is quick and easy to use, and keeps me out of trouble with my wife by eliminating new holes in my clothing. I also need to be careful about exposure to UV rays, and a jacket provides better protection than an apron over a shirt.

The snaps are a little tight to fasten and to unsnap, but that may improve with more use. I am about 5' 10" in height and weighed around 225 when I bought the jacket. The XL size was just big enough. I have lost some weight since and the jacket fits better.

I was pleased that the purchase price was not as high as other protective clothing I had seen.

[Dale M.]

Not to get into argument good or bad about leather or cotton brand name jackets.... But I bought a cotton welding jacket that was a medium green in color and no frills and after about 10 minutes of welding realized a lot of light from arc was reflecting off jacket into back side of helmet..... Was lucky enough to not have damaged or dirtied jacket and vendor took it back and credited me with amount towards purchase of a BLACK jacket... There was no additional charge for red flames on jacket.... This is just one subtle aspect to buying a jacket that my not be apparent when trying on in store....

Dale

[ozarkie]

I tried the Hobart leather jacket...seemed well made, but was kinda heavy for me. In cold weather, it would probably be the one for me, but about 9-10 months out of the year would be too warm to wear (except overhead, etc.).

I wonder if anyone makes a leather jacket for bench welding that is like the thinner leather knee-length aprons?

[weld27]

i bought the radnor brand leather coat last fall, tired of burning up my shirts. the snaps worked good new but they are starting to get more difficult to unfasten. after i complained about the price it was just a little bit more than the one from ruralking. it was 74F here the other day and as long as i was just welding i never got too hot we'll see when the summer gets here. one nice thing in the winter was wearing a tshirt and denim shirt under it i really never got too cold. do they make chaps or pants, i just about burned up my carhart bibs over the winter.

nice point about the color never thought about it.

[aametalmaster]

keep in mind that leather has gone the way of all things of quality so there is leather and then there is water buffalo hide....

Or skinned out cats...Bob