Gold lenses

young_buck · Apr 3, 2014

Well my auto darkening helmet has started flashing me, I don't know if I'm blocking the sensors or if the cheap lens is just bad already. Anyways, I was looking at new masks and came across the miller titanium 1600, it has a larger viewing area than my AD and it is only $40, my downside on the buy is that it is a fixed shade. I was looking at ways to make a fixed shade work for me and stumble across gold lenses, did a little research and it seems that a lot of people who have used them like them, some even more than AD helmets! I was wondering what your opinions are regarding the use of gold shade lenses, I think I am going to buy the helmet and lenses to try, but would like to do a little more research before I jump on it

zkling · Apr 3, 2014

It is what I use. If you are coming from a cheap auto dark the image clarity, color and warmth is much different. Almost like welding in the daylight. The gold surface helps to reflect heat and light back at the weld to illuminate the area. Besides it just looks baller in your helmet. :lol_hitti

Wes917 · Apr 3, 2014

I keep one in a spare hood, sometimes up I need that extra viewing area that is available, and yes if you had a cheap ad the ckarity will be significantly better.

ibedayank · Apr 3, 2014

clean it

kazlx · Apr 3, 2014

Either use the fixed shade gold lens or buy a good AD helmet. 9100XX Speedglas comes to mind....

kf4zht · Apr 3, 2014

For setup and getting in position the gold lens is like any other fixed shade. Once you start welding the gold lens clearer than all but the highest end auto-darks.

I still use AD for 90% of my welding but have swapped out failed AD lens for gold in a couple hoods. Keep them on hand for rough duty or onlookers/helpers

Zeke · Apr 3, 2014

I have the fixed gold in a no. 11. I found that if I illuminate the work with a 500w halogen that I can see to set up to strike the arc, or in the case of MIG and TIG, start the arc right where I want to be.

steel 35 · Apr 3, 2014

Here are my gold ones. :thumbup:

dr_clyde · Apr 3, 2014

The clarity and viewing area are unmatched. I weld almost exclusively with a gold 10 shade in a Jackson helmet. I have a nice auto darkening helmet, almost never use it now.

shawnspeed · Apr 3, 2014

I have used a gold lens in #10 shade for 20+ years , and tried a miller "elite" AD and eneded up selling the miller...I just like the gold lens that much....and the battery never goes dead when you need it...Shawn

young_buck · Apr 3, 2014

What the price (approx.) I can expect to pay for a gold shade 11 on a titanium 1600?

Spareparts · Apr 3, 2014

I like the Gold, makes the hood much lighter than the glass #10 and i use a #8 can see much better. Got an AD and dropped it off my head several times, old habit of nodding my head is to hard to break, so the AD sits on the shelf.

dr_clyde · Apr 3, 2014

young_buck said:
What the price (approx.) I can expect to pay for a gold shade 11 on a titanium 1600?

Less than 10 bucks, I imagine.

nine4gmc · Apr 3, 2014

I have been educated...

zkling · Apr 3, 2014

young_buck said:
What the price (approx.) I can expect to pay for a gold shade 11 on a titanium 1600?

<$10, but shipping or tracking it down locally may be an issue. Not all weld shop sales people will be familiar with what you are talking about. One suggestion is I'd try to wear the titanium and the large window Jackson before you make a decision. I've looked at the titanium helmet and even the fixed shade felt heavier and just more bulky than the jackson. IIRC those titanium series were intended for high heat applications. Even the jackson stock lens is really good, just not as bright as a gold replacement.

steel 35 said:
Here are my gold ones.

I have the same one in the center. Although I sprung for the upgraded head gear, it is comfy. :beer:

Bobcat753 · Apr 3, 2014

Yup I love the gold! One helmet is missing because it was at school when I took the pic. Far left isn't gold. Also I have a spare gold lens that I'll send you that should fit the titanium. :thumbup:

hippie2cams · Apr 3, 2014

I think I still have a couple AO gold lenses stashed away somewhere around here.

Hantke · Apr 3, 2014

I'm probably about to say something really stupid:
So does the gold lens allow you to not use a darker lens? I was under the impression that you could see through a gold lens, allowing you to do minor things like propane / Oxy acetylene with a clearer view. Are you guys doing arc / stick with gold lenses, or tig / mig?

zkling · Apr 3, 2014

Hantke said:
I'm probably about to say something really stupid:
So does the gold lens allow you to not use a darker lens? I was under the impression that you could see through a gold lens, allowing you to do minor things like propane / Oxy acetylene with a clearer view. Are you guys doing arc / stick with gold lenses, or tig / mig?

They are still rated in shade darkness, ex. #10. The higher the number the darker it will be. For most electric welding you are in the ~9-13 range where as for gas operations such as cutting or gas welding down around #5. The gold just helps to illuminate the surrounding work area by reflecting much of the light produced from the welding flame or arc back towards the work piece. Unless you look directly at a light source or have a high intensity light near by you won't see much of anything through a #10 gold lens.

young_buck · Apr 3, 2014

Who sells a 4" x 4" gold lens?! I can't seem to find any online

Hantke · Apr 3, 2014

zkling said:
They are still rated in shade darkness, ex. #10. The higher the number the darker it will be. For most electric welding you are in the ~9-13 range where as for gas operations such as cutting or gas welding down around #5. The gold just helps to illuminate the surrounding work area by reflecting much of the light produced from the welding flame or arc back towards the work piece. Unless you look directly at a light source or have a high intensity light near by you won't see much of anything through a #10 gold lens.

Oh, okay, cool! thanks!

zkling · Apr 3, 2014

young_buck said:
Who sells a 4" x 4" gold lens?! I can't seem to find any online

Check the big box stores one of them Home Depot, Lowes or Tractor Supply carries Hobart gold lenses IIRC. Although I'm not sure what availability is like for you up there. Do you have a local weld supply shop? Try giving them a call just for a feeler price. Are you sure on the size, where are you getting that spec? I don't think they are square. I know the one for my jackson is not. :headscrat

:

steel 35 · Apr 3, 2014

4.5 X 5.250 May help you search, The lighter the hood the more likely it will stay on your head and the less often it will hit you in the chin.

toms73novass · Apr 3, 2014

I use #9 gold for tig welding, it is awsome, I have a speedglass ad and it can't compare for tig work.

I use the speedglass for mig.

taumac · Apr 3, 2014

I have Hobart 10 and love them. I got them at local TSC for under $10.

Have a good one, Gerard

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trackwelder · Apr 3, 2014

When I first started welding many years ago we only had fibre metal hoods with #14 lenses. I hated those big bulky hoods and those dark lenses. An old timer on the job let me use his helmet with a gold lense and I loved it. That weekend I bought a huntsman inslider and gold lense .

I still have that hood but really cannot think of the last time its been used. For myself Speedglas is the way to go. Its nice being able to weld, grind, and torch cut all with the same hood.

theknurl · Apr 3, 2014

forever ago my LWS gave me a gold lens to try in my Huntsman 711P

true color rendition wheee

have 4 Huntsman 711Ps set up with #s 7,8,9,&10 gold lenses and different diopter lenses for different distances :thumbup:

I use 3 sheepskins in each helmet

I saw my old stick helmet up on a shelf this morning.....bet I haven't put it on in 30 years LOLOL

I see no AD helmet in my future

young_buck · Apr 4, 2014

The 4x4 measurements are based on the viewing area, I just assumed that was the lens size

zkling · Apr 4, 2014

young_buck said:
The 4x4 measurements are based on the viewing area, I just assumed that was the lens size

What are you looking at? I'd be willing to bet it takes a standard 4x5 lens.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/hobart-gold-filter-lens-10-shade-5-1-4-in-w-x-4-1-2-in-h

young_buck · Apr 4, 2014

I am looking at the miller titanium 1600

camjeep3 · Apr 4, 2014

If you are going to have a fixed shade helmet (Everyone should at least for a backup) I would put a gold lens in it. The green colors from standard lenses and most AD lenses just dont do it for me, I cant see well. The gold works well for me. I recently got a jackson Balder helmet and really like it, it is more of a cool blue color than green. I love my Jackson, but you cannot go wrong with the Gold! apparently there is a company that makes a cool blue lens like the ones that used to be popular, I cant remember the name off hand though.

Gold lenses

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