Advise on Jacket ...

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Hi guys, Im about to start Welding school in a couple weeks and was wondering if you could help me out.Im trying to decide what Jacket to get. and have decided to go with one from Lincoln electric since im quite tall and I need a jacket with long sleves. I plan on doing welding as a career after school. So with that being said which one should I get?   #1 - Lincoln Shadow Grain Leather Sleeve Jacket Features and Specifications:Durable split cow-hide sleeves combined with Flame Retardant cotton body for MIG & TIG weldingUnique spatter guard lining behind the snaps add extra protectionTwo large outside Velcro flapped pockets for protected storageFlip-up Velcro Collar offers extra protectionBlack jacket with red shadow accents offers style while welding#2 - Lincoln Electric Heavy Duty Leather Jacket Features and Specifications:Heavy duty split cowhide leather chest and sleeves provide superior protection for stick welding9 oz. Flame Retardant Cotton back keeps you cooler than full leather backFlip-up Velcro Collar offers extra protectionLarge Inside left pocket for protected storageJacket Length varies by size from 30 to 34 inchesFirst one costs less and wouldnt be as hot to wear, but 2nd one offers more protection.Im leaning towards the second one ( full leather heavy duty) but Im just a newbie and thought the veterans on here could help me out... Thanks guys
Reply:Considering you'll be spending quite  a bit of time with a Stick weldin' machine you might wanna go with the #2Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Hard to beat a good leather jacket, thats the way I'd go...[Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:Look at the Jackets on the Pipe Rig guys on Youtube. I would not buy a fancy jacket until I was on the job and found out what every one else was wearing. Starched cotton shirt works good. Leather jacket has a lot of weight. New guy does not need to stand out. I will not hire a guy with new tools, jacket and boots unless he just got out of the service.
Reply:Originally Posted by Cat220Look at the Jackets on the Pipe Rig guys on Youtube. I would not buy a fancy jacket until I was on the job and found out what every one else was wearing. Starched cotton shirt works good. Leather jacket has a lot of weight. New guy does not need to stand out. I will not hire a guy with new tools, jacket and boots unless he just got out of the service.
Reply:Originally Posted by Cat220Look at the Jackets on the Pipe Rig guys on Youtube. I would not buy a fancy jacket until I was on the job and found out what every one else was wearing. Starched cotton shirt works good. Leather jacket has a lot of weight. New guy does not need to stand out. I will not hire a guy with new tools, jacket and boots unless he just got out of the service.
Reply:They don't look fancy... They look like someone bought the proper "tool" for the job. For my first two quarters of school, I bought a leather-sleeved cotton jacket... now I'm switching to a 100% cotton jacket for the rest of my schooling except for stick and FCAW...Miller Performance AD Helmet - Camo Edition Soon to have: Jackson HSL 100 - Forest Digi CamoMiller Thunderbolt AC/DC((Currently at welding school))
Reply:Just caus you got money does not mean you gots to spend it. Buy work clothes at Good Will. You must want to be the best dressed student welder in the class.
Reply:Originally Posted by Cat220Just caus you got money does not mean you gots to spend it. Buy work clothes at Good Will. You must want to be the best dressed student welder in the class.
Reply:Here's from just a Bed Frame Welder (TM)... the guys at the welding school who were in it to become professional welders seemed to wear a heavy cotton long sleeve shirts and leathers overtop as the class work dictated.  If it were me, and it's not, I would go to class a few times before plunking down any money.  Not only make sure it's a profession you want to be in but you will have some practice under your belt and a better idea of what works for you.  And when you figure it out, spend the money and don't look back.  Everyone will tell you buy the best you can afford in a welder, and I think that applies to your work clothes.  That MAY mean Good Will if your clothes are going to get shredded, but it may not.Wear what works for you for the conditions you are in and don't give a rats fat a-- what anyone else says.  Your instructor will give you good advice, wait till he gives it and you find out what the conditions are and what works for you.By the way, good luck in school and in your profession.
Reply:Originally Posted by Cat220Just caus you got money does not mean you gots to spend it. Buy work clothes at Good Will. You must want to be the best dressed student welder in the class.
Reply:I would consider one of the fire retardant impregnated cotton jackets. They are much cooler than the leather and they are really cheap as well. You can get the leather one later if you need it but I doubt you will.
Reply:Originally Posted by BobI would consider one of the fire retardant impregnated cotton jackets. They are much cooler than the leather and they are really cheap as well. You can get the leather one later if you need it but I doubt you will.
Reply:Prevail, I'm kind of with Cat220's first post and Bob on this.  I often wear a stiff cotton shirt, or even just a T-shirt, and the green cotton elastic sleeves.  I own a leather front-half jacket but don't wear it unless I'm welding overhead or it's wintertime and I didn't bring enough warm clothes.  It's way too hot and heavy.  You can get the sleeves in fairly long lengths, and they breathe.  When they get holes burnt in them, you just rotate them to put the holes down, so you get extra use out of them, too.I also agree with RodJ to wait and see what the school has (loaners?) and what the instructor recommends.As far as your question about the jackets looking "fancy," I'll have to say, yes, they look "fancy" to me.  I'm sure some good welders also wear them, but to me they say, "I haven't yet learned that clothes and fancy hoods don't make the welder!"  Maybe they are popular in other parts of the country and wouldn't be viewed that way everywhere.EDIT: Also, a black-colored anything clothing-wise will make for a hot, hot, hot day in the summertime outdoors.  If you want to make this a vocation, think about that.EDIT #2: I see that Sticky posted about the heat, while I was making my last edit to include it as well.Last edited by tbone550; 03-12-2012 at 09:44 PM.
Reply:I have the green jacket with leather sleeves, and it works great but it was old and worn out. So I picked up this one with a discount from being in school. I like it because it's tan and in the summer it won't attract the sun like that black one will."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:Originally Posted by RodJHere's from just a Bed Frame Welder (TM)... the guys at the welding school who were in it to become professional welders seemed to wear a heavy cotton long sleeve shirts and leathers overtop as the class work dictated.  If it were me, and it's not, I would go to class a few times before plunking down any money.  Not only make sure it's a profession you want to be in but you will have some practice under your belt and a better idea of what works for you.  And when you figure it out, spend the money and don't look back.  Everyone will tell you buy the best you can afford in a welder, and I think that applies to your work clothes.  That MAY mean Good Will if your clothes are going to get shredded, but it may not.Wear what works for you for the conditions you are in and don't give a rats fat a-- what anyone else says.  Your instructor will give you good advice, wait till he gives it and you find out what the conditions are and what works for you.By the way, good luck in school and in your profession.
Reply:Originally Posted by tbone550Prevail, I'm kind of with Cat220's first post and Bob on this.  I often wear a stiff cotton shirt, or even just a T-shirt, and the green cotton elastic sleeves.  I own a leather front-half jacket but don't wear it unless I'm welding overhead or it's wintertime and I didn't bring enough warm clothes.  It's way too hot and heavy.  You can get the sleeves in fairly long lengths, and they breathe.  When they get holes burnt in them, you just rotate them to put the holes down, so you get extra use out of them, too.I also agree with RodJ to wait and see what the school has (loaners?) and what the instructor recommends.As far as your question about the jackets looking "fancy," I'll have to say, yes, they look "fancy" to me.  I'm sure some good welders also wear them, but to me they scream, "I haven't yet learned that clothes and fancy hoods don't make the welder!"  Maybe they are popular in other parts of the country and wouldn't be viewed that way everywhere.
Reply:Full leather one for when you do overhead welding. Everything else you can get by with a flame retardant cotton jacket. The cotton ones WILL NOT hold up to overhead. Ask me how I know
Reply:I am no expert and I don't make a living on welding but I have a dime sized brown swollen spot on my forearm because of a piece of 0,45 wire (MIG welding) falling on me and burning through the stiff cotton fire resistant overall I was wearing while welding a frame overhead. It happened over a year ago and it still feels funny.I had a hard time finding a full leather jacket but I finally got it. Tan colored and with metal snaps on the front. Heay and warm but it is no big deal now in winter. And red hot metal doesn't burn through!If I had the chance of getting one of those jackets locally (the ones you are considering) I will surely buy the one that fits you better.Mikel
Reply:Originally Posted by Killroy1942Full leather one for when you do overhead welding. Everything else you can get by with a flame retardant cotton jacket. The cotton ones WILL NOT hold up to overhead. Ask me how I know