So I've bought my share of harbor freight "Hardy" gloves for general carpentry and fabrication. I bust out of the index finger on the left hand in a day or two it seems.
I'd rather buy nice gloves less frequently than crappy gloves all the time. But I have 2 questions:
1 - what gloves are great and last a long time?
2 - do they last long enough to justify the cost over repeated pairs of cheap gloves?
Note, I'm not using these gloves for greasy stuff like under hood work. Mostly metal and wood splinter protection and a bit of heat protection.
I'm just here to say that in another life I used to get a brand called hand jobs. It was printed on the glove. And the cardboard shelf hanger said "better than nothing!" They were kind of rough though and did not feel as good as better alTernatives.
I've always just bought cheap leather work gloves for what you're describing - and I use them for wire welding too, I just don't grab the really hot stuff. On a whim, last time I was in the local welding shop I bought a nice pair of Tillman leather work gloves. Mid-line, nothing special, I think they were just under $15. Model 1414 drivers gloves, I think.
Man, I won't buy anything but Tillman ever again. They're comfy as heck, fit really nicely, and are tough as hell even though they're sift to the touch. I'm getting to where I guard them jealously.
There was another thread on this somewhere a while back. I have essentially given up on the leather type for dirty work (they bust through too easy and get to impregnated with grease and can make grabbing / griping small items very difficult). My go to now are the rubber coated fabric gloves. Better and much cooler than latex, almost as tough as leather and way cheaper.
Leather types are still good for yard work and welding of course.
I had a pair of Kobalt branded gloves with the spandex back that I really liked. Bought them because I needed some gloves while changing a tire in the Lowes parking lot, after I picked up a nail entering the lot, and didn't have my usual set of Mechanix gloves in the back.
They held up pretty well for a couple years. What killed them was getting the synthetic leather wet (by wet I mean soaked) repeatedly but I'd use them for firewood splitting and sawing as well as general carpentry and demo.
Harbor Freight welding gloves work well for me for welding. I don't use them for anything else.
For times when I don't need hot protection or maximum dexterity, I use full grain leather gloves - no fabric backs, just leather. Keep them in the truck, in the garage - like eye protection, if they're handy, you'll use them. I buy them from the local ranch store so I can try them on and take a look at the quality.
For when I need dexterity, I use Diamond Grip latex gloves. I like them better than nitrile, they're more comfortable. About $12/100.
I've never been happy with "mechanic's gloves".
mtn
MegaDork
9/9/19 10:38 a.m.
Recent thread (was actually a Zombie revival): https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/mechanics-gloves/1388/page1/
I use these for yard work and when something might poke me: https://www.harborfreight.com/coated-rubber-grip-gloves-large-90912.html
I use these for almost everything else, basically the same as abvoe but with better dexterity and the rubber/latex/nitrile isn't as thick: https://www.harborfreight.com/nylon-knit-gloves-with-nitrile-palms-x-large-66376.html
I subscribe to the Keith protocol on this one. I have a brand new package of them with about 5 new pairs (or the same basic item from Costco) in my garage, and a ton of pairs around everywhere else including vehicles, boats, basement, etc. If they're there, you'll use them, so I go cheap and put them everywhere. Hell, I even took them on my canoe trip to Canada.
mtn
MegaDork
9/9/19 11:10 a.m.
Oh, coupon:
https://www.hfqpdb.com/coupons/1778_ITEM_HARDY_LATEX_COATED_WORK_GLOVES_1567052481.5871.jpg
Sidenote: Anyone notice that the coupons from HF are becoming less common and just not as good as they used to be?
Interesting on the dipped knit ones. I do use them for mechanic work but haven't thought to use them for carpentry or fab.
also, mtn, I agree on the fewer and not as good coupons, but I also feel like the quality of tools is on the upswing.
I still use the mechanix brand gloves at work and for hot jobs at home. Boss provides them at work and I'm so used too them I just run with it. They do suck for small bolts and starting nuts/bolts blind.
Working near hot exhaust alot rules out all latex gloves for me.
Grease monkey spandex back rubber coated are my go to lately for general stuff. They're not hot like the HF gloves, very good touch sensitivity, thin, and last pretty well compared with the other rubber coated gloves. I wear gloves probably 4-6 hours every day.
I cut & bruise easily now that I'm getting older and on blood thinners etc. so I wear gloves for almost all physical work. I use heavy leather for some things, thin leather for some, insulated leather for some, welding gloves for that, Nitrile for certain things, long rubber for some things.
In reply to Adelphie2 :
What best gloves everyone preferred in canoeing?
Grizz
UberDork
9/9/19 10:05 p.m.
The best gloves for me are no gloves.
Adelphie2 said:
But you must pick up the right which will ensure the protection for you.
But what about the left one?
mtn said:
.....Sidenote: Anyone notice that the coupons from HF are becoming less common and just not as good as they used to be?
The reason for that should be somewhat obvious... where all the products come from,,,,
... in other word, I would expect them to return to their old glory eventually.
I think these gloves will help you. Check out this article: [lost canoe]
I would recommend [Mehcanix Canoe] - Leather M-Pact. Have you tried? They are useful to you.
Carbon
UltraDork
1/4/20 10:11 p.m.
I like mecanix wear ones, they have so many versions that you can find ones that are just right for your application. For medium duty work gloves, I agree with "Brianwansle" about the leather impacts.
Mechanix's lowest end stuff is terrible though, would not recommend.
For super heavy duty, I have ones called ironclad "Kong" riggers, theyre pretty bad ass. It seems like they tried pretty hard to make a gpod product.
Depends on the job. I like all leather for work gloves for most stuff, have some mechanic gloves that are okay though.
All the hospitals are going latex free. Nitrile gloves are just not as good as latex, Biogel surgical gloves are by far the best.
Toebra said:
Nitrile gloves are just not as good as latex
For what? My experience is the exact opposite when it comes to anything with high forces or any petroleum product contact involved. Latex gloves are basically useless when working on a car. Nitrile gloves are where it's at.
I work in heavy industry and wear baseball batting gloves 98% of the time I'm working, cuts down on the skinned knuckles and the velcro at the wrists helps with my tendonitis. I usually buy them on clearance at the end of baseball season
aircooled said:
There was another thread on this somewhere a while back. I have essentially given up on the leather type for dirty work (they bust through too easy and get to impregnated with grease and can make grabbing / griping small items very difficult). My go to now are the rubber coated fabric gloves. Better and much cooler than latex, almost as tough as leather and way cheaper.
Leather types are still good for yard work and welding of course.
Walmart makes a pack of gloves like this for about 3 bucks for 4. It's what I wear for construction and they last a lot longer than something that a buck a pair should.
Also side note, no one in construction wears leather gloves anymore. Pretty much everyone wears a variation of the ones above
3 pack for $11 at Lowe's. I use them all the time and wash them when they get too dirty. Not great for using the cutoff wheel in tight spaces, sparks burn right through.
I've never had much luck with nice gloves.