Just on the gloves thing, Ambient skies mentioned TIG welders gauntlets, I use these, they are really flexible so you can operate stopwatches, cameras etc if you go into any welding distributor they go under the name of GL2 gloves.
dont take the p*** these helmets are awesome,maximum protection,light,loads of sdjustment for comfort,ive worn mine for several shows now,cat 4 mostly and will never wear any other type again,
but then we have disscussed this loads before