Auto darkening welding helmets?

[dr_clyde]

I went all out and bought the best helmet money can buy. I have yet to be disappointed. I refuse to use an auto darkening helmet with less than 4 sensors, because I have been flashed by cheaper helmets, and it *****. This helmet also has a gold lens, rare for an auto darkening.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1751&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

 

[t100]

I have had the HF helmet failed on me twice at school. I was doing light tig stuff on a fender of my classmates 30 years old truck. while I welded a piece of patch 18ga. sheet metal and had a bad ground due to serious rust. the arc didn't start well and the lens didn't turn dark at all, thank god the welder was only set to 50 amp. it would be a different story if I was welding 1/4" aluminum.

I've never had that kinda problem with Miller or Speedglas.

like I said, it only takes a half of a second to blind you for the rest of your life, don't bet your eyes on a cheap pair. good choice for the Jackson, that's what my instructor has had.

 

[kartracer55]

I went all out and bought the best helmet money can buy. I have yet to be disappointed. I refuse to use an auto darkening helmet with less than 4 sensors, because I have been flashed by cheaper helmets, and it *****. This helmet also has a gold lens, rare for an auto darkening.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1751&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

While I'm sure its not a bad helmet, I wouldn't call it the best helmet money can buy. It isn't a whole lot of helmet for $515.

Why can't your helmet lock to full dark(or any shade you choose)? Where is your "tack comfort mode"? Where are your peripheral view side lenses? What does your head gear look like? Probably not as adjustable as my helmet, which I bought for about %25 less.

Also, there is nothing wrong with 3 sensors. I can place my hand between the lens and the arc (read between, not against the lens) and It will go dark when I strike due to the reflected light. I'll take 3 high quality sensors over 4 mediocre ones any day.

 

[WhiffySpark]

Regardless of what i use, I still close my eyes for a second when i start. i don't care how quick the reaction time is, that split second adds up eventually

 

[1stwarrior95]

I went all out and bought the best helmet money can buy. I have yet to be disappointed. I refuse to use an auto darkening helmet with less than 4 sensors, because I have been flashed by cheaper helmets, and it *****. This helmet also has a gold lens, rare for an auto darkening.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1751&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

I dunno if that's the best helmet money can buy, but I'd almost guarantee you could've got the EXACT same helmet for 200 bucks less. That's a rebadged Jackson HaloX if I've ever seen one.

 

[1stwarrior95]

Regardless of what i use, I still close my eyes for a second when i start. i don't care how quick the reaction time is, that split second adds up eventually

I'd agree with that. That's exactly why I didn't like the auto helmets years ago.

I've had alot of guys tell me they can't see the flash when they strick an arc with an auto helmet. I think they must be closing their eyes too.
The specs on the jackson are the best I've seen, (1/25000 sec)and I can still see the arc flash when I strick the arc.
Maybe I should practive your technique Whiffy.

Anybody ever figure out how far light can travel in 1/25000 of a sec? I'm willing to bet it's alot farther than a couple feet.

If I was welding for a living I still wouldn't use an auto helmet all the time.

 

[mjn]

My new job I dont do anywhere the amount of welding I used to but I used one of my co works auto helments and in our shop we also around corner have forklifts getting batteries changed and the strob on the forklifts flashing sends the sensor on the helment into a flashing frenzy also. Even when you start welding and just turn your head right it would lighten the helment up and start flashing again.

Now it was not the most expensive helment but did buy it form our local welding supply store. Just cant seem to get the feel for them yet because of things like that.

 

[1stwarrior95]

I understand that too.
The light over my workbench seems to do the opposite to mine. If I'm in the wrong position it won't lighten up. LOL

 

[E.rodz]

my vote for speedglass by 3m just replaced my jackson entry level helmet with top of the line speedglass and wow.what a difference everything about the helmet is awsome the headgear is super comfortable stop locks work perfect.and the side windows are really cool that you can see out of the corners of your eyes while your welding.I use my welding helmet for plasma cutting also so shade selection is important. NO HARBOR FREIGHT ****!!!!
support our country and help bring back mfg. to the USA!!!

 

[mr2autoxr]

I have the all black Miller Elite and I really like it. I just do small welding at home in my garage. I would like to know what sensitivities and shades everyone sets theirs to for just MIG welding. I have it set very dark and a as little delay as possible thinking this would be safest for doing tack welding and stuff on sheet metal.

 

[1stwarrior95]

I use shade 10 and 0 delay myself.
I think the shade realy depends on your sight. You want it as dark as possable and still be able to see your weld.

 

[crewchief888]

for normal position welding i use my old trusty jackson big J with a 10 or 12 shade.
i have an elcheapo fixed shade auto darkening lense in a skull face hood that was a gift from the wife.
she saw it a few months ago and was surprised i still had it. i recently bought an adjustable shade hood from northern tool and havent had any problems with it at all

 

[ephotrod]

A Jackson nexgen fits in there regular big window helmets and its not a real expensive auto lenses with a grinding and torch feature. Yes its a bit heavy, and not the best looking unit out there but it functions real well. I also like to use a gold lens to weld with.
Josh

 

[kartracer55]

my vote for speedglass by 3m just replaced my jackson entry level helmet with top of the line speedglass and wow.what a difference everything about the helmet is awsome the headgear is super comfortable stop locks work perfect.and the side windows are really cool that you can see out of the corners of your eyes while your welding.I use my welding helmet for plasma cutting also so shade selection is important. NO HARBOR FREIGHT ****!!!!
support our country and help bring back mfg. to the USA!!!

Many (all?) speedglas helmets are made in sweden...

 

[kartracer55]

You guys bring up a pretty good point with the auto-dark and the initial switching of the shade. I usually only use my AD for tig, and I use the HF start, so the lens goes dark before the arc is actually struck, which is neat. Its almost like watching a mini-arc if you hold the pedal just right.

But even still, say your hood switches in 1/10,000th of a second, that means that for every 10,000 starts, you have 1 second of exposure to the light. I doubt 1 second of exposure will be a problem in the long run.

Also, I would be interested in the effects of wearing "99.9% UV blocking" glasses behind your hood. I know that I do just out of habit of being in the shop, but any validity behind the idea that maybe its saving your eyes ever so slightly?

 

[scooby074]

Miller BWE. Before i bought it i tried a buddies Princess auto (harbour freight) cheapie.

My eyes felt like they had gravel in em after 10 mins. THe lens darkened, but i think it was too slow? dont know, all i know is that never happened in many hours with my BWE.

 

[FoMoCoPower]

Have had the HF one for a few years now and have had zero problems with it,well worth the money. Have used a friend`s that cost 5-6 times as much and feel absolutely no difference.

 

[speed bump]

You guys bring up a pretty good point with the auto-dark and the initial switching of the shade. I usually only use my AD for tig, and I use the HF start, so the lens goes dark before the arc is actually struck, which is neat. Its almost like watching a mini-arc if you hold the pedal just right.

But even still, say your hood switches in 1/10,000th of a second, that means that for every 10,000 starts, you have 1 second of exposure to the light. I doubt 1 second of exposure will be a problem in the long run.

Also, I would be interested in the effects of wearing "99.9% UV blocking" glasses behind your hood. I know that I do just out of habit of being in the shop, but any validity behind the idea that maybe its saving your eyes ever so slightly?

Somewhere there is an AWS article that stated that most of your UV blockage comes from you safety glasses. I remember reading it when I needed something for a weld procedure but I can't remember where. I know I wear safety glasses whenever I weld (Jackson Nemesis) and I have never ever had a problem with an AD giving me a headache or gremlins even on 12 hour straight welding shifts. Personally I would say the AD is better for my eyes because I really minimize the risk of getting flashed if I move the wrong way or stick a rod or have somebody welding next to me.

Since everybody seems to be so concerned about AD helmets I have to ask. Do you also wear UV blocking sunglasses whenever working around shiny objects or water or snow. Over time it will do a whole lot more damage than your going to experience welding with an AD will.

 

[ears]

Welding helmets give full UV and IR protection whether clear or shaded. Getting flashed is not bad for your eyes just annoying, like a camera flash. More likely way to hurt your eyes is unfiltered reflected light coming into your helmet

 

[caper]

I've been using an Optrel OSC going on 6yrs now.Never had any issues in that time.Nice light helmet,flexible,comfortable head gear.Been thrown around in my service truck and car trunks for all those six years,no babying it.I'm more than satisfied with it,I'd buy another tomorrow if this one died.

 

[kartracer55]

Welding helmets give full UV and IR protection whether clear or shaded. Getting flashed is not bad for your eyes just annoying, like a camera flash. More likely way to hurt your eyes is unfiltered reflected light coming into your helmet

Im not really willing to be the one to experiment, but seeing as how my contact lenses block 100% of UVA/UVB rays, does this mean that aside from discomfort due to the intensity, I can not get eye damage from exposure to the light?

 

[ears]

Im not really willing to be the one to experiment, but seeing as how my contact lenses block 100% of UVA/UVB rays, does this mean that aside from discomfort due to the intensity, I can not get eye damage from exposure to the light?

To clarify a little staring at bright lights is not good for your eyes. UV is what causes welders flash which is painful and can send you to the hospital and can permanently damage your eyes. Filter out the UV and the bright lights will have you seeing spots give you a headache and annoy the **** out of you. It can damage your eyes but takes a lot more than UV, camera flashes, high beams etc. are the same. The little split second flash you may get from time to time just wont hurt you. Far worse to see a little unshielded flash from someone else's arc off to the side.

 

[stephanwelder]

Selecting the Welding Auto Darkening Helmet is crucial AS Welding Helmets are the most common safety protection for a welder. Choosing the right welding helmet can be a major task as there are many options with different brands, series, and price ranges.

 

[Rockaholic555]

I've used a bunch and am actually in the market for one now myself since I'll probably be getting my first home welder. My advice, go with a name brand helmet that is adjustable and has the biggest viewing area you can afford. Nothing more annoying than not being able to see what around you. Plenty of people I know use to opportunity to sneak up on you in the middle of a weld. I'm seriously drooling over those Miller Elite's