leg wear ?

[Ranald]

hi all,
my plan is when I move to Scotland is to become a full time kilt wearer, the problem I will face is what to wear below the knees when i'm wood working and welding and grinding metal. As you maybe aware metal sparks can burn through anything and I've often had a trouser groin fire going where i've had to vigerously pat the fire out ( quite painfull you know, manhood and all).
I use a pig skin apron which comes down to just past the knees but this will not be sufficient while dressed in kilt and socks.
Any advice from those that have had similar experiences would be of help.
cheers from Richard Duncan Reynolds.

[Doc Hudson]

There are times and places where trousers are just sensible. Horseback riding is one of those times, and while welding or grinding is another of those times. I too have ruined may shirts, and trousers with sparks from grinders and welding sparks. Even without all the whirring machinery and ladders, I'd not have worn a kilt to my old job due to sparks and mosquitoes. (These Delta skeeters can stab through a pair of new khaki twill pants, and they were so thick at times a dust mask was needed to keep from inhaling the little buggers.)

If you insist on wearing a kilt while welding and grinding, for one thing a leather kilt should be considered. It might get speckled, but is unlikely to burn.

Another possibility is to wear a pair of leggins or chaps that buckle on the leg higher than the bottom of the apron. If you can't find such leggins, contact a leathercrafter who specializes in Western style leather goods and talk to him about making you a set of Chinks, these are chaps that attach below the knee rather than to the belt.

I'd also suggest getting a longer apron, or having the one you have lengthened.

[beerbecue]

How flammable is wool? I am just thinking in terms of thick kilt hose.... For some reason, I am thinking that it is not as flammable as synthetics or cotton, so maybe a thick pair of cheap socks, some high work boots and your apron, maybe there won't be much fabric showing????

How much to buy a longer apron??

[The Wizard of BC]

Once when I was young and immortal I worked in a steet casting plant. The pourers had these asbestos leggings that had spring clasps in them that they would slip on and off. They looked kinda like shin protectors baseball catchers wear.
Not sure where they got them but sounds like a good google search topic.

[Ranald]

thanks for the input ,you more or less came up with what I did.
I may try the leg protectors idea which i could make out of leather or steel and keep attached by some ties or elastic.
As for trousers this will become out of the question for me as i plan to do a ceremonial burning ! to do with a right of passage and signifies I couldn't care less what people think about me.
Leather kilt sounds very expensive , but leather socks sounds kinky but would suit me better.
cheers again.
Richard D.Reynolds.

[Alan H]

Youy say "leather socks are kinky" like that's a BAD thing....

[Nick]

A friend of mine and I are both blacksmiths, and when we were both working at a small faire wore our kilts at the forges. He wore tall leather boots, but there was still a bit of knee showing, so in your own shop I'd suggest a long apron. I just wear jeans in my own shop, since I don't wear an apron, but I know extra protection is sometimes needed with welding.