good jacket for welding in the rain ?

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It hardly ever rains here so I don't normally have to deal with welding in the rain, but lately it has been raining alot and I have jobs to do and can't afford to fall behind or lose good jobs from putting them off due to rain.   So, I need a good welding jacket for welding in the rain.   Do those smooth tanned jackets work good?  My suede one seems to just soak up the water.  Is there some other material that sheds water and doesn't melt from sparks?   I notice they sell Kevlar and Nomex welding jackets, are those rain repellant?Thanks for any replies!MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:I don't know of any welding jacket that's good in the rain, but you might check out shops and websites that sell motorcycle or snowmobile gear.  They make water proofing compounds for leather and fabric.  You might be able to treat a welding jacket and make it at least water resistant for a short time.Most of these treatments are spray-on and dry, or wash in application.  I've washed my leather welding jacket 2x; without problems.  I just air dry and/or tumble dry it with NO heat.I'd double check the product labels to make sure that the water proofing doesn't make the fabric more flammable, but I've never noticed this on any of my riding gear.The only other option I can imagine would be to get some rain gear and wear it under your welding jacket; but you'd probably roast in your own juices wearing it...Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Reply:Just get some raingear and wear it, without your coat.. The plastic coat will be warm enough and yes, it will melt holes in it. You wont get that many holes, and they are small and dont leak much. The set is not that expensive, compared to not working....I wear a sweater with the rain jacket over it and I'm ok down to around 32deg, any colder and I'll put my old field coat on under that....Also, get some Playtex or other kind of plastic glove to wear under your leather gloves....getting shocked and falling in a pool of water is not conducive to good health.....Last edited by TEK; 02-12-2009 at 02:20 PM.
Reply:Just had a thought. What if you wore a plasyic (vynal) rain jacket and an old shirt or something over it.  When the over peice gets wet it should keep the plastic from burning.And yes, I too think it would probably look dumb as h*ll.A butterfly without wings, is just an ugly bug
Reply:You can scotch gard your jacket...Not sure about the flame resistance, or you could use the same stuff they use to treat canvas to water proof it...I know that is supposed to have some flame resistance.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:Interesting ideas.  I think I like the water repellant on the leather best.  I'm thinking smooth tanned leather jacket with water repellant.   I used to use this wax called Sno Seal on my boots when I lived in snow country.   Maybe I'll try some of that.Nice sunny day today... but my truck is in the shop!  Supposed to rain tomorrow...MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Lugweld, you were posting as I was writing my last post.  Do you know the name of that stuff they put on the canvas?MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:I have done what Lug mentioned, I usually wear leathers but last spring I bought one of those green welding jackets and sprayed it with scotchgaurd, It didn't seem to make it any more flammable that those things already are Yup
Reply:Consider too, that if you are standing in the rain, your plastic jacket is already wet and that has a tendency to cool off the dingleberries that hit you and they wont burn thru...BTDT, many times...
Reply:Sno seal is 66% parafin wax and 33% mineral spirits.  Flamable, but i don't think its too bad after the solvent evaporates, as long as the wax is well mushed into the substrate.  you can make the same thing yourself with parafin or bees wax and the solvent of your choice. You can use it on canvas too.  In the pacific northwest they're into "tin pants"  which are waxed canvas and supposedly very durable.
Reply:Ever been zapped when wet?  I was on the side of a sand drier once, had to climb X bracing to get to the patch site.  Had about 2" of weld to be done.  Started to rain, ain't no way I was going to stop.  Struck an arc, damned near electrocuted myself.  Been shocked many times over the years, but not like that one.From a safety stand point, unless you can cover YOU and your work area from all rain, don't do it.  You're life ain't worth a few bucks.
Reply:horse hide biker jacket, something like the motorcycle cops use.  I dont like the heavy buf or cow hide ones, hard on mobility.  I picked my horsehide one off of  ebay, a mid to late 60s CHIPs that was like new, if not new.  Great mobility, not too hot or cold most the time and that finish is for sure waterproof.  Warm at about 15 above, too hot for 80-90 degrees.  But, hey, when was the last time it rained around here at 90 above?
Reply:I think it's just the carrier in Scotch Gard that's flamable.  After the carrier dries, all that's left is silicon.It works great on welding sleeves."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Silicone is the choice of modern cotton canvas waterproofing I think...Old school was linseed oil and some other things like beeswax melted into turpentine....Might not want that one.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:I have a carhart FR jacket that dont burn and keeps me dry
Reply:Well I just got done treating it with Sno Seal.  Found an old can of it in the closet.  I'll see how it works.  The suede sucked up the wax quick, didn't take much heat.   Thanks all for your ideas.  I may try other ideas later if this doesn't work well enough.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Originally Posted by lugweldSilicone is the choice of modern cotton canvas waterproofing I think...Old school was linseed oil and some other things like beeswax melted into turpentine....Might not want that one.
Reply:I've used a tyvek suit before, sparks will burn right through it but for a single use, its makes great rain gear, it breathes very well too.  Usually I'm on a bar stool before I get a chance to get wet!- If you can jump across it you can weld it!  - anonymous old boilermaker
Reply:Originally Posted by DesertRider33 ...Is there some other material that sheds water and doesn't melt from sparks?...
Reply:Damn SHOWOFF"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:I'm tellin' ya straight. High-style, advanced technology fabric, just doesn't compare with good old fashioned insulated leather.You don't see cows wearing C*rharts do you???
Reply:And I damn sure don't see nice lookin' young ladies out in the pasture, coat or no coat.DAMN SHOWOFF!!!!!!!!!!!!"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:I read your post then cruised down here without reading any replies.   What the hell are you doing wrong to weld in the rain??????????????????    I'm trying really hard to think of a nice way to say flunk that, or something to that effect...................I have no idea cause it doesn't happen   In fact I'm trying to think of a nice way to say "that's some real bad thinking, stop it please"...........................................  ..............................I'd rather be hunting........USE ENOUGH HEAT.......Drifting around Aussie welding more pipe up, for something different.....wanting to get home.
Reply:Just for the sake of argument, and nothing more. ( I wouldn't recomend welding in the rain, it's uncomfortable.)I'm not sure that 26 volts is gonna kill ya.  I'm just talkin' a stick welder, I don't know about TIG or any other process.I'm sure there isn't one person here who hasn't had the pleasure of putting a rod in the holder with with wet gloves, or had to kneel in wet ground and do the same.  You might get a mild buzz, but it doesn't kill you.Electricity (Oh God, HERE I GO AGAIN) always seems to choose the most efficient path.  Seems to me that while welding, the most efficient path is the steel, not your body.  I've worked standing in water, and leaning on the steel to brace my hand, and felt no ill effects.  The current path is most efficient thru the steel, not my measely body ground.Now here's where I might get into real trouble.......  Would you be afraid to change a battery on a 24v starting system in the rain?  Same approximate voltage with even higher amps.OK, SOMEBODY RIP ME A NEW ###HOLE, I PROBABLY DESERVE ITI can just see Moonrise flexin' his fingers, gettin' ready to attack the keyboard"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:I glance into this thread and find out:- Denrep is a SHE !?!!?!  With long brown hair and wearing a green leather coat.  - and Farmersamm is calling me out.  Just for Sammy,  yes 24 volts CAN kill you.  12 volts DC can kill you, in the wrong/right conditions.  And the shock/zap can also cause you to twitch or jump or FALL, and that can kill you too.  Well, it's really not the fall but that sudden stop at the end of the fall that is usually the culprit.  The threshold of perception for voltage on your hand is about 5-10 milliamps for DC and about 1-10 milliamps for 60 Hz AC.About 60 ma of 110-220V 60 Hz AC across the chest (in one hand and out the other, in one arm and out a foot or knee or butt-cheek, etc, any pathway that has the heart in between the IN and the OUT for the voltage/current) can be sufficient to cause heart problems (specifically ventricular fibrillation, which is where the heart muscle fibers twitch instead of contracting like they are supposed to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ventricular_fibrillation ).  With DC, 300-500 ma across the chest can cause fibrillation.  Ventricular fibrillation is fatal in a matter of minutes, because the heart is twitching instead of pumping blood, so there is no blood flow through the body.  The brain dies in about 4 minutes with no blood flow or oxygen from the flowing blood.  Buh-bye.  But, if there is a more direct path to the heart for the current to flow through, fibrillation can occur with AC or DC at just 1 ma.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_shockAnd Samm, TIG is usually done at a much lower voltage than SMAW aka 'stick'.  Typical TIG arc voltage is only in the low to mid teens, like 14-16 volts or so (for 90-150 amps or so) using pure argon.  Using an argon-helium mix would have an increased arc voltage, and using pure helium would have an even higher arc voltage.  This does not take into account any high-voltage or high-frequency arc-start or arc-stabilization, like in an old transformer-based GTAW machine with a high-frequency spark-gap unit inside.  And more power (amps) would mean a higher voltage as well, but that voltage is still typically less than a comparable-amperage stick weld set-up.  Multi hundreds of amps mechanized GTAW with pure helium gas would be about the highest TIG voltage.And weather or not your body is the most efficient path for the current to flwo through is not the question or problem.It's that -IF- your body becomes the or a part of the current path (efficient or not), then problems can occur.  And for arcs and sparks and heat and flame and molten metal, plastic raingear would NOT be my choice at all.  Unless the raingear was on UNDER the leathers, so the leathers stop the heat and flames and molten metal and the plastic rain gear just stops the wet leather from making me wet.  Same idea as rubber gloves on underneath the leather welding gloves.And yes suede leather typically soaks up water like a sponge.  Smooth leather would shed the water better.And adding wax or oil treatments onto the suede or cloth would definitely increase the flammability of the items.    I like my flame resistant or flame retardent or not-easily-flammable items to stay that way, thank you very much.Ever wonder about a fire on board a steel ship?  It's not the steel that's (typically) burning, but the paint on the steel and the wire insulation and all the other 'stuff'.Change an auto battery in the rain?  No real problem there.  But rain or not, I remind myself not to put my fingers onto the terminals of the battery, because I don't want a sliver or burr on the battery terminal to puncture my relatively high electrical resistance skin and make a nice circuit from the battery terminals into my nice salty blood and through my heart.  The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...Welding in the ain't fun but I have had to do it more than once. I always wore  a plain old rain coat. After a couple of times I learned to put on my rubber overshoes to keep from getting shocked. I later changed to Halliburton boots and threw those heavy overshoes away.
Reply:Ok Moonrise-- In the rare instance it's raining, ya got the electrode somehow lodged in yer butt, the machine turned on, and you just slashed your hand on piece of metal.........ya got problems.But even the referenced article mentioned that the skin was a relatively poor pathway, and as you say, must be pierced in order for the current to have access to the salty blood.  (I'm not sure I'm right here, considering defib paddles).By such logic, it would be dangerous to weld on a very hot day with sweaty salty hands.I'm "Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Here's a link to the Lincoln Electric pamphlet for arc welding safety.  Check pages 6 & 7.BTW, now Lincoln has gone bi-lingual.  Had to click on either English or Espanol button.
Reply:The open circuit voltage on most stick welders I've seen is above 50 volts (usually 60 or 70).  So while you have low voltage (high current) when you're welding.  You have high enough voltage to give a good bite when you're changing rods.  I've been bit in dry weather when it's hot and sweaty.  Sweaty butt sitting in the air on an I-beam using sweaty gloves.  I just take a small piece of wood (like 1"x1"x4") and drill a 1/4" hole halfway down the middle long ways.  Then you can get a fresh rod, put it in the wood, and hold the wood while inserting the rod in the holder.  Keep the wood in the tool bucket not in your back pocket so it doesn't also get sweaty.  A piece of solid plastic would be even better, but wood is cheap and available.Dynasty200DX w/coolmate1MM210MM VintageESAB miniarc161ltsLincoln AC225Victor O/A, Smith AW1ACutmaster 81IR 2475N7.5FPRage3Jancy USA1019" SBAEAD-200LE
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammI'm not sure that 26 volts is gonna kill ya.  I'm just talkin' a stick welder, I don't know about TIG or any other process.
Reply:Well no rain today, only a very light sprinkle and that was only on the way to the job.   Darn it,  I was looking forward to a big downpour right in the middle of the job so I could test out my wax job on the coat.  Oh well, there will be other rains I'm sure.   The truck made it out of the shop but never made it to the job, died on the way there.   I switched trucks so I could go do the job (better late than never) and had that one towed back to the mechanics.   Tow truck guy apparently hooked onto the crossmember under the tranny (why the heck he did that I have no idea) and bent the crossmember and the tranny mount.  Wonderful...  :roll eyes  Bad day, but at least the job went well and the customer has a couple other jobs for me to do, once the truck is back on the road. Thanks all for the great discussion.  I'm enjoying reading everyone's comments, especially farmer Samm's.  MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Oh I forgot to add...  that Den Rep is lookin cute  HaHa!MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Get a fireman jacket... those are fireproof and water resistence... here my set Attached ImagesUnit in my fab shop dept:my good hand and team that trust me...A lone welder make art... a village full of welder make Miracles...
Reply:I got a case of "Guilts" while I was eatin' supper, so I looked around at some articles on electrocution caused by welding activities.It can happen, it has happened, and it's something I shouldn't have poked fun at.  The articles weren't particularly well documented, but enough to make me realize that making light of the possibility was irresponsible.Under the right circumstances small amounts of current, following the proper path, can kill.  Water definitely increases the risk, and if a person doesn't have to, why take the risk?It's one thing to have fun, and another to spread disinformation.Apologies to Moonrise, and the rest of y'allNow I can have my damn  with a clear conscience"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by DesertRider33It hardly ever rains here so I don't normally have to deal with welding in the rain, but lately it has been raining alot and I have jobs to do and can't afford to fall behind or lose good jobs from putting them off due to rain.   So, I need a good welding jacket for welding in the rain.   Do those smooth tanned jackets work good?  My suede one seems to just soak up the water.  Is there some other material that sheds water and doesn't melt from sparks?   I notice they sell Kevlar and Nomex welding jackets, are those rain repellant?Thanks for any replies!
Reply:Originally Posted by NiteskyIt isn't the voltage that kills but the amps.  Only 1 amp can kill under the right conditions and I'm sure water would be one of those conditions.  Besides, only small welders have 26 OCV.  Most have 4 times that amount.
Reply:Thanks Wagin, yeah I believe at some point I will invest in an EZ-Up canopy of some sort if we keep getting alot of rain.  That makes the most sense and will help keep the tools dry too.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Originally Posted by Sparky#1This is an old saying I wish would die,no matter how you look at it voltage is still a huge factor. 1 amp at 120 volts is a whole lot worse than 1 amp at 12 volts.
Reply:i only read the first page of replies, but have you considered one of those white four peg 8x8 or 10x10 movable awnings that people temporarily set up?  (assuming the piece or pieces you are welding are small enough to put under an awning).  If you can do that, they only take 10 minutes of your time to throw up and then you'd be out of the rain.  If you cant use one of those though, Id say wear a carhardt rain jacket.  If you get waterproofing they work really well.  But the number one thing is KEEP YOUR HANDS DRY.  Seriously.  I had to weld a job on a sub in the rain and both myself and my fitter ended up getting a little shock.  the next day, I wore those rubber dishwashing gloves under my leather gloves.  Saved my ***.  There has to be a complete circuit, and if you cut the circuit off at the gloves you'll be pretty much ok.  just make sure the rest of you stays dry too."Real power is an arcair hand torch with a piece of 3/4 inch carbon and 1500 amps.  You feel like Zeus throwing a lightning bolt."
Reply:Thanks ehkneebreeashun,  I will likely get an EZ-Up type canopy if we keep having so much rain.  I hadn't thought about rubber dish gloves under the welding gloves.  Wouldn't they have a tendency to melt when the gloves get hot?  That might be painful...MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Since DesertRider33 seems high and dry now, I hope he doesn't mind if we expand his thread on the volts versus amps issue. Originally Posted by Nitesky Do yourself a favour.  Drop a wrench across the terminals of your truck battery and watch the action ONLY 12VDC can cause.  Amps does the work.
Reply:Originally Posted by denrepSince DesertRider33 seems high and dry now, I hope he doesn't mind if we expand his thread on the volts versus amps issue.
Reply:Well we assume raining is small rain not rainforest pissin contest... In remote location you need to prepare for the unexpected and worse nitemare as rescue take more than 24 hour in good condition... (my area anyway) and the term finish you stuff and get out ASAP do apply to some emergency situation.Unit in my fab shop dept:my good hand and team that trust me...A lone welder make art... a village full of welder make Miracles...
Reply:Originally Posted by DesertRider33Thanks ehkneebreeashun,  I will likely get an EZ-Up type canopy if we keep having so much rain.  I hadn't thought about rubber dish gloves under the welding gloves.  Wouldn't they have a tendency to melt when the gloves get hot?  That might be painful...
Reply:I do mostly flux and stick from the truck.   We had a good rain today, but no jobs today...  dang I keep missing the rain now that I put the wax on my coat.  MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Welding in the rain can shock you, shocking you can kill you! The whole deal with getting a shock and telling about it is that the circumstances were such that you got a shock when you normally would not have, When you know you are working in other than ideal circumstances you should either take extra precautions , or refrain from operating in the hazare. If the circumstances are just right and the electricity hits you just right you can die from very minimal current. Keep your feet dry as you can, put down boards, foam insulation whatever, don't lay across the base metals,I used to keep a beach umbrella with a C clamp on the pole for days like this but it's only good for welding that is mainly stationary, On down pour days find something else to do."Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400
Reply:Welding in the rain is CRAZY !!!!Better take the job to the dry environment of the dry environment to the job.....
Reply:Hey, I (and others) already mentioned the 'wear rubber gloves UNDER your welding gloves' thing.Rubber is an electrical insulator AND it is waterproof.  But it is not very heat resistant, so you still need the leather welding gloves on top.As to electricity and electrocution, it is usually the amperage that actually kills you by causing the heart to not beat properly (typically ventricular fibrillation).  High voltage (power line) situations are different, in that the amount of power (the combination of the voltage and the amperage) there can do very-very-very nasty things to the body besides 'just' interfering with your heartbeat.  Things like arc flash, instantly cooking your body from the inside out, third degree burns, plasma burns, etc, etc, etcOhm's Law  E = I x R  (or for the younger crowd, V = I x R)If there is enough voltage and the resistance is low enough to allow enough current to flow, you can be killed.  For a given resistance, higher voltage means more current can flow.  So, Yes Denrep is absolutely true in that high voltage can be more dangerous.But if you lower the resistance (for instance by lowering your skin resistance by getting wet, or standing in a puddle with wet shoes and your feet are wet as well, or puncturing the skin with a conductor) then a much lower voltage can still cause enough current to flow through your body and kill you.If enough current flows through the heart (see previous posting about what 'enough' current is), it can cause the heart to stop beating properly.  And then you die.If you are shocked and even if the shock doesn't go through the heart, you might still 'jump' from the shock.  If you 'jump' or recoil while on a ladder, for instance, you can fall.  Then if you don't have a fall harness on, the sudden stop when you hit the ground can kill you.  Or you can 'jump' or recoil into some other hazard.  Like jump up and crack your head on the beam/frame/whatever above you.  Etc, etc, etc.So Yes, a typical stick welder DOES have enough voltage (and amperage at that voltage) to kill you in the wrong circumstances.A vehicle battery (12 or 24 volt), although generally 'safe' from an electrocution standpoint, also still does have enough voltage (and the huge amperage capability at that voltage) to kill you in the wrong circumtances.As to the wrench-across-the-car-battery, that situation is pretty much a dead short (almost no resistance) from a 12V source that is able to supply HUNDREDS of amps instantly.So the wrench very-very-very quickly gets red hot from all the current flowing.  So I would NOT try and touch that  wrench with my hand!  In that situation, it's not so much an electrical shock situation but a red hot piece of metal.  Oh, and sparks flying and possible hydrogen gas coming off the battery and the possibilty of the battery rapidly self-destructing from the dead-short and then spewing sulfuric acid around.  Ouch.Samm, glad you looked it up and posted your findings.  Yes, a welder can shock you and kill you in the wrong circumstances.  And a hot sweaty day can change your formerly nice electrically insulating leather welding gloves into more conductive gloves.As to DesertRider33, I'd still say a smooth leather coat would be better as a welding coat for rainy days than a waxed coat (wax burns, I really don't want to set my coat on fire!) or a plastic coat (plastic burns and melts, molten plastic on skin is bad-bad-bad).  Plastic rain coat underneath a suede leather welding jacket (suede gets wet, but rain coat is between your skin and the wet suede) doesn't sound to bad.  All this is not really applicable in high-heat high-amperage situations, as then you have to worry more about all the heat and such and melting or catching on fire even more than  'normal'.  Just in case you were pondering doing 400 amp spray in the rain.    The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:A straight Jacket?Ive been shocked working on bridging in the rain. I went to grab the stinger that was passed to me, and was shocked so bad, I couldnt let go of the stinger. Finally, the guy I was working with smacked it outof my hand, and just laughed. I dont think he understood how bad i was being shocked.Sometimes you have no choice, but man it sucks when you get a real shock that feels like you're being tazered
Reply:Thank you MoonRise for your post.  I think that about covers it for me.  Thanks guys!MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op