Gloves Are Tools? Yes! When I say Mechanix Wear, most of you know what I’m talking about. For those that don’t, think gloves. No, not dish washing gloves, I’m talking about Shop Gloves! Rarely can you go into a parts store or hardware store without seeing the Mechanix brand on the shelves, and I am a sucker for quality gloves. I use them for all sorts of projects, from protecting my hands when fabricating or welding, to getting a better grip on parts when I’m wrenching on my rig, to keeping my hands warm while working in the cold. We all know that you can buy cheap no-name gloves, but you really do get what you pay for. When I spend money on a tool (which is what gloves really are), I expect it to perform, to last, and to help me do my work. Every pair of Mechanix gloves represents a total commitment to its intended use. There is a lot of dedication and pride in each pair they manufacture, and it all adds up to superior performing products.
Currently I own the following pairs:
I know, I know, some of you are saying ‘why in the world have so many gloves’? Well, over the years I’ve completely thrashed several pairs of Mechanix gloves using one pair for everything. They worked great until I got them into a pool of transmission fluid or Antifreeze. They still worked well afterwards, but that makes the one pair a little hard to use for tasks where you need clean gloves. So, I learned that it’s better to have a specific pair for specific tasks. Oh, and I still have the old trans-fluid and antifreeze-soaked gloves, and keep them around to use on other transmission fluid or antifreeze related projects. I try to budget one pair every other month, unless they are on sale and then I’ll pick up a few at a time.
So which pair is my favorite? Hands down, the Fabricator Gloves are my ABSOLUTE FAVORITES! I use them when I am cutting metal on the chop saw; I use them when welding; I use them when cutting on body parts; I use them when test fitting metal fabrication projects; heck, I use these things almost all the time. There is something very comforting about wearing a pair of gloves and knowing that your hands are protected from sharp objects, heat, sparks, cuts, etc. I was lying under a rig a few weeks ago using a cut-off wheel to slice through some DOM tubing. The cutoff wheel kicked back and the blade slid down quickly and hit my fingers, and the gloves completely protected them. There were only a few slight scuffs on the gloves, and my hands were completely untouched. Had I not been wearing those gloves, I’d have been at the hospital getting more than a few stitches. It’s times like that when I feel very comfortable buying quality gloves, not cheap junk that won’t really protect my hands.
I like the fact that Mechanix Wear® gloves are for more than just professionals, they are for everyone. I even use mine around the house for honey-do projects. And I’m willing to bet that many of you don’t know that they even make gloves for your wife to use while gardening! Ask me how I know……
When it comes down to it, I feel that Mechanix gloves are a shop tool that every needs, whether it is one pair or 10 pairs. They are a great addition to your shop, and they’ll keep your hands clean and safe.
For more info, visit their website at www.mechanix.com/us.
Jeep Junkie Magazine • www.JeepJunkie.com