Features
- Grade-A buffalo leather palm for abrasion resistance and dexterity
- Fire-resistant fabrics on back and cuff to protect from flames, sparks, slag, and spall
- Kevlar stitching throughout for heat- and fire-resistance
- Reinforced wear points at thumb saddle, palm, finger caps, and drag patch
- Cotton-padded knuckle guards for impact protection
- Long gauntlet-style open cuff for forearm protection and to accommodate sleeves/jackets
- Elastic sewn wrist to keep out debris and provide a snug fit
- Seamless palm construction with additional layers at high-abrasion areas
Specifications
Available Sizes | S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL |
Color | Black/Yellow |
Glove Length (Inches) | 13.00 |
Palm Material | Grade-A buffalo leather |
Back And Cuff Material | Fire-resistant fabric |
Stitching | Kevlar (heat- and fire-resistant) |
Includes | 1 pair of gloves |
Product Weight (Approx.) | 0.34 lb |
Dimensions (L X W X H, In.) | 13.0 x 5.4 x 1.1 |
Country Of Origin | Pakistan |
Water Resistant | No |
Wind Resistant | No |
Warranty | 30-day limited |
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Fabricator-style welding gloves intended for metal fabrication and light-duty MIG/TIG welding. They use a buffalo leather palm for abrasion resistance and leather dexterity, with fire‑resistant fabrics on the back and cuff for heat protection. Kevlar stitching is used throughout. The gloves include reinforced wear points, padded knuckles for impact protection, a long gauntlet cuff for forearm coverage, and an elastic wrist for a secure fit. Sold as one pair.
DeWalt Premium Fabricator Welding Gloves Review
First impressions and setup
I put the DeWalt fabricator gloves through a week of light-duty MIG and TIG work, mixed with the usual fabrication chores—fitting, tacking, grinding cleanup, and torch handling. They’re clearly built around the idea that you shouldn’t have to swap gloves every time you switch from a grinder to a torch or from a tack to a longer bead. Out of the bag they felt relatively supple for a thicker glove, with a noticeable gauntlet length that plays well with welding sleeves and jackets.
At 13 inches long and with a buffalo leather palm, they strike a balance I look for in a shop glove: enough toughness to drag across plate and angle without shredding, but still enough feel to run a TIG torch and pick up filler without fighting the glove. The back of hand uses fire-resistant fabric rather than full leather, which keeps weight down and improves flex. Kevlar stitching and reinforced wear points suggest a design meant to survive the abrasive, spark-filled life of a fabricator’s bench.
Build and materials
The palm is Grade-A buffalo leather, which is a smart choice for abrasion resistance and pliability. It doesn’t stretch as much as goatskin (common on TIG gloves), yet it breaks in quickly and resists glazing from heat better than softer hides. DeWalt keeps seams off the high-contact areas with a largely seamless palm and layers added where hot spots develop—thumb saddle, finger caps, and a drag patch along the pinky side.
The back-of-hand and cuff are fire-resistant fabric. That matters if you’re standing in a shower of grinding sparks or spatter; fabric doesn’t stiffen or crack the way leather can when repeatedly heat-cycled. Kevlar thread is used throughout, which is the right call for stitching that won’t melt when you inevitably lay a hot bead too close or brush a joint with a smoking workpiece.
A cotton-padded knuckle strip and a long gauntlet cuff round it out. The gauntlet is intentionally open to accommodate jacket sleeves, and an elastic wrist inside the glove keeps grit and small spall from falling in.
Fit and comfort
I wore a size that matches my usual shop glove and the fit was on point: snug at the palm with a bit of room at the fingertips—enough for air space and heat protection but not so much that I lost control. The elastic wrist makes a bigger difference than you might expect. It holds the glove in place during hammering and torch manipulation and keeps the cuff from riding back, which helps maintain coverage above the wrist crease.
Break-in was short. After a couple hours of handling plate and running short beads, the buffalo leather relaxed and conformed to my hand without losing structure. The glove never felt floppy, and the seams weren’t intrusive—credit to the seam layout and that seamless palm design.
Dexterity and control
These are not ultra-thin TIG-only gloves, but they offer enough tactile feedback for light TIG work. I could feed 1/16-in. filler consistently and maintain torch angle on fillets without feeling like I was fighting bulk. The fingertip reinforcements add durability at the cost of a touch of finesse, but the tradeoff feels worth it for a glove you’ll also use with a grinder and while handling sharp stock.
For MIG, especially short tacks and 2–6-inch beads, control was solid. Trigger work felt natural, and the palm padding didn’t numb out the feel of the handle. If you’re doing high-amp MIG on thick plate for extended runs, you’ll want a heavier, more insulated glove, but for general fabrication and light production these strike a sensible balance.
Heat and spatter protection
On TIG and low-amp MIG, the heat protection was more than adequate. The FR back handled incidental spatter and a fair amount of radiant heat without discomfort. The gauntlet length keeps the forearm covered—it overlaps nicely with a jacket sleeve and doesn’t gap when you’re reaching or repositioning. I appreciated the drag patch when running beads along plate; it took the brunt of the heat and abrasion without transmitting much to my hand.
These are not water-resistant, as noted by the manufacturer, so treat moisture as you would with any welding glove: keep them dry to avoid steam burns. On prolonged, high-heat stick work or heavy spray-transfer MIG, you’ll be pushing them beyond their comfort zone. They’re billed as fabricator gloves for a reason—versatile protection without the bulk of a stick glove.
Durability and wear
The reinforced areas are placed where I usually see gloves fail first: thumb saddle, fingertips, and the outer edge of the palm. After a week of use, I saw only light scuffing on the drag patch and finger caps with no popped stitches. Kevlar thread matters here; it doesn’t melt or shrink back when nicked by spatter, and all my seams remained tight.
Buffalo leather holds up to the constant abrasive tasks of fabrication—deburring edges, dragging across the table, and grabbing angle iron—better than softer hides. I expect the FR fabric on the back to resist stiffening, which is a common failure point on all-leather backs that repeatedly see heat.
Cuff coverage and knuckle padding
The long, open gauntlet is practical. It slips over leather sleeves and bulky jacket cuffs without a fight, and the interior elastic keeps the glove anchored so the cuff can stay loose for airflow. The cotton-padded knuckle guard is subtle but welcome when you inevitably bump a fixture or rap your hand against a bracket. It doesn’t feel bulky and didn’t interfere with back-of-hand flex.
Sizing notes
With sizes from S to 3XL, most users should find a decent fit. If you’re between sizes or prefer tighter control for TIG, consider sizing down; if heat is your main concern and you want more air space, go up. The fingers are moderately roomy. I’d rather have a slightly snug palm with these than excess fingertip length, especially for TIG.
Use cases where they shine
- Light to medium MIG on mild steel with frequent repositioning and fit-up
- TIG on small to medium parts where feel matters but you still need protection from spatter and table heat
- General fabrication: layout, cutting, deburring, and grinding, with continuous exposure to sparks
- Shop tasks that benefit from a gauntlet cuff: plasma cutting, occasional oxy-fuel work, or handling hot parts briefly
Care and maintenance
Knock off slag and grit at the end of the day, and let them air dry if they get sweaty. Don’t machine wash or oil the leather—both can degrade heat resistance and the FR properties of the fabric. Store them open and dry; the elastic wrist helps them hold shape. Because they’re not water-resistant, avoid wet environments and keep them away from coolant splash when possible.
Shortcomings
- Not ideal for sustained high-amp MIG or stick welding where thicker insulation is needed
- FR fabric back trades a bit of heat mass for flexibility; full-leather backs can feel warmer in intense radiant heat
- Not water- or wind-resistant, so outdoor jobs in poor weather will require a different glove
- The 30-day limited warranty is on the short side for a work glove
None of these are deal-breakers in a fabrication context, but they’re worth noting to match expectations with the glove’s intended use.
Who they’re for
If your day alternates between fitting, tacking, short beads, and clean-up—classic fab shop rhythm—these gloves fit right in. They’re especially good if you want one pair that can handle light TIG, routine MIG, and grinding without swapping. If most of your work is heavy stick or high-heat production MIG, you’ll be happier with a more heavily insulated glove.
Recommendation
I recommend the DeWalt fabricator gloves for metalworkers who need a versatile, durable pair that balances dexterity with real protection. The buffalo leather palm, smart reinforcements, and Kevlar stitching give them longevity; the FR back and long gauntlet provide practical heat and spatter defense; and the elastic wrist plus seamless palm make them comfortable for all-day shop use. They’re not the right choice for sustained high-heat welding or wet environments, but for the core tasks of fabrication and light-duty MIG/TIG, they’re a dependable, thoughtfully built option that lets you keep working without constantly changing gloves.
Project Ideas
Business
Small-Batch Metal Decor Shop
Sell plant stands, hose holders, address signs, and wall art online and at markets. These gloves speed production with safe handling of hot, sharp parts; stock multiple sizes to outfit helpers and keep work flowing.
Mobile Light-Duty Weld Repair
Offer on-site fixes for patio furniture, gates, brackets, and bike racks. The long gauntlet and FR back protect during quick MIG touch-ups and grinding in the field; keep several pairs for crew and clients.
Make-a-Rose Workshop
Host beginner classes where attendees build a steel rose in 2–3 hours. Provide or upsell these gloves (various sizes) as PPE; their dexterity calms new welders and the gauntlet adds confidence near sparks.
Custom Restaurant/Office Signage
Fabricate TIG-welded logo signs, menu boards, and accent panels, plus on-site install. Gloves’ precise feel helps with delicate welds and handling finished pieces without snagging, reducing rework.
Content + Plans + Affiliate
Create short-form and YouTube builds of small metal projects, sell cut files and jigs, and monetize with affiliate links to these gloves and PPE. The gloves’ visibility and features are easy to showcase on camera.
Creative
Sculpted Steel Rose Bouquet
Cut petals from thin sheet, roll with pliers, and TIG/MIG tack to a stem. The buffalo leather palm keeps dexterity for tiny tacks while the long gauntlet and FR back protect from sparks and brief heat during shaping and brushing.
Mid-Century Plant Stands
Form hairpin legs from 3/8 in steel rod and weld to a ring or plate for pots. Reinforced wear points and padded knuckles help when handling sharp rod and warm parts between light stitch welds and grinding.
Fire Pit Spark Guard
Fabricate a domed screen using expanded metal and flat bar. The Kevlar stitching and FR cuff handle spatter while tacking the mesh, and the elastic wrist keeps grit out when fitting the screen to the frame.
Backlit House Numbers Sign
Cut numerals and a backer, add TIG-welded standoffs for LEDs. Seamless palm construction gives precise tool feel for fine fit-up while the gauntlet protects forearms during edge cleanup and test fits.
Rebar Garden Trellis/Obelisk
Bend and tack lightweight rebar into a conical trellis. The buffalo leather palm resists abrasion from rebar scale, and the drag patch and finger caps hold up to frequent repositioning and short weld runs.