Welding helmets..

[BellyUpFish]

Try it and see. Not sure why it wouldn't and if the batteries go out, toss the thing, get another one for not much more than a battery.

Hmm.. $5 pack of batteries vs $60 helmet..

Many have said the HF helmets don't work for tig.

 

[zkling]

Get the big 4x5 window and don't use plastic filter plates.

The standard jackson black helmet with the upgraded head gear ~$50, upgraded shade plate. You'll have great viewing, never had to worry about being flashed due to sensor block and if you drop and destroy it, won't be devastated.

 

[owenst7]

Only thing I can come up with would be quality of said unit?

Seems to be a logical assumption that an auto darkening helmet that leaves you being flashed less and has better lens material is likely to provide greater protection for your eyes?

Again...the LCD function of an auto-darkening lens has nothing to do with blocking of harmful wavelengths.

The UV protection is solely a function of the clear polycarbonate lens. Even if you (attempted) to weld without the darkening function working, you would not give yourself eye cancer. I'm sure you'd have a raging headache though. There is a legitimate argument against a lens that doesn't darken properly being undesirable, but it isn't a safety argument. That said, I've got two HF helmets (the standard black one) and have several friends that have them. Mine are several years old, and the only complaint I have is that the head gear *****.

The standard jackson black helmet with the upgraded head gear ~$50, upgraded shade plate. You'll have great viewing, never had to worry about being flashed due to sensor block and if you drop and destroy it, won't be devastated.

I recently picked up one of those and a gold glass lens for it. I love how light and flexible the shell is, and I really like the headgear. I'm thinking of getting one or two more and adding a cheap auto-darkening lens to it just for when I'm doing overhead welding under a vehicle and nodding the hood down isn't practical.

 

[K-Dog]

splurge just a little and get the 3350 viking from lincoln, best helmet i've used yet.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019G6T4RS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

there are also the 2450 and 1850 which are the smaller windows. great glass though.

I have this one also.
Fantastic helmet for sure.

 

[BellyUpFish]

Again...the LCD function of an auto-darkening lens has nothing to do with blocking of harmful wavelengths.

The UV protection is solely a function of the clear polycarbonate lens.

Ok.. I won't argue that.

So, do you have a suggestion for an auto darkening helmet that will operate with tig welding?

 

[BellyUpFish]

I have this one also.
Fantastic helmet for sure.

I've been looking at these, the Miller Digital Elites and some Strikers.

 

[sberry]

Question is how long do batteries last? My last one made it about 10 yrs and had some ******* battery, replaced it and something else went wrong, Could have bought 5 helmets for that one.

 

[owenst7]

Question is how long do batteries last? My last one made it about 10 yrs and had some ******* battery, replaced it and something else went wrong, Could have bought 5 helmets for that one.

Every auto-dark I've seen uses a 3v lithium rechargeable like a 2032 from a car key fob. I always leave mine out in the sun for a few minutes before I use them and have never had issues with the batteries dying, but you can replace them for like $1-$2 with a battery from walmart.

 

[K-Dog]

I've been looking at these, the Miller Digital Elites and some Strikers.

Well if it helps, I took welding in high school, welded in the construction field for two years. Got into collision repair a few years after that. I have had maybe seven shields in those years. The final three being auto darkening. This one is the best on every level I can think of. There is nothing I would take from the others over this one.

Well, price, but whats done is done.

 

[owenst7]

Ok.. I won't argue that.

So, do you have a suggestion for an auto darkening helmet that will operate with tig welding?

I've heard from CWIs from back when auto-darks first came out that the early ones had that issue. I think it has to do with the higher frequency that you run with TIG sometimes and I'm guessing a lesser refresh rate/resolution kind of thing with the less advanced sensors. I'm not an electrical engineer so my understanding of the subject is limited to materials and spectroscopy.

I don't have a lot of experience with TIG either so I can't speak from experience on that. I do have half a dozen friends that use a Lincoln auto-dark that's around $100 and they haven't talked about any issues with TIG.

I suppose I could test a HF helmet with one of the TIG machines in the lab when I'm in there next week if it's something that people really want to know about. I prefer to use a passive lens when I'm at a bench and TIG isn't exactly practical for working under cars, so it doesn't seem like something I'd ever be concerned about.

 

[sberry]

I never looked at the HF,, is there a problem replacing those?

 

[WILD-BILL]

I know some of the HF helmets are not rated for tig but the blue flamed one and the metal head I own both are.

I admit I have not done a lot of low amp tig with it. The lowest I've been is around 20 amps and it was just fine.

As I stated earlier though, I do use a cheater in my home tig helmet.

 

[BellyUpFish]

Question is how long do batteries last? My last one made it about 10 yrs and had some ******* battery, replaced it and something else went wrong, Could have bought 5 helmets for that one.

The batteries are just simple 2025's or whatever they are. $5 for a pack of 2 at any corner drug store.

The final three being auto darkening. This one is the best on every level I can think of. There is nothing I would take from the others over this one..

I've got a fixed shade helmet and it works when I don't have anything else. I prefer autodarkening.

I don't have a lot of experience with TIG either so I can't speak from experience on that. I do have half a dozen friends that use a Lincoln auto-dark that's around $100 and they haven't talked about any issues with TIG.

I suppose I could test a HF helmet with one of the TIG machines in the lab when I'm in there next week if it's something that people really want to know about. I prefer to use a passive lens when I'm at a bench and TIG isn't exactly practical for working under cars, so it doesn't seem like something I'd ever be concerned about.

I'd personally love to see what the HF helmet you can get your hands on will do with Tig.

I never looked at the HF,, is there a problem replacing those?

Yes, they "can't" be replaced. You have to solder up some jumpers and run an external battery holder. Which is fine, but when a quality helmet can be had for a couple more bucks, why waste the time?

As I stated earlier though, I do use a cheater in my home tig helmet.

What is a "cheater?"

 

[WILD-BILL]

A cheater is a magnifying lens that's fits in brackets on the inside of the helmet.

 

[BellyUpFish]

A cheater is a magnifying lens that's fits in brackets on the inside of the helmet.

I'm showing my noviceness here, but this just helps you see better?

 

[WILD-BILL]

Yes, Just like looking through a regular magnifying glass to see anything better.

I don't use one for mig but I find for tig it I can see the puddle that much better and can do much finer work.

 

[BellyUpFish]

Yes, Just like looking through a regular magnifying glass to see anything better.

I don't use one for mig but I find for tig it I can see the puddle that much better and can do much finer work.

I've seen people talk about them, but I was thinking just like reading glasses. My parents call them their cheaters. LOL..

Seems like a good idea. I might have to try that.

 

[t100]

As for the HF auto helmet, I've got some first hand info.

I bought one about 10 years ago as a hobby helmet teaching myself mig welding. It worked as it should. I took good care of it and didn't use it very much.

When I volunteered at local community college TA in the metal fab classes, the school bought a dozen of these and they were shared by 2-4 classes and saw some heavy abuse. the first semester 4 went bad, and by the end of 2nd semester, all ended up in the dumpster.

 

[t100]

Yes, Just like looking through a regular magnifying glass to see anything better.

I don't use one for mig but I find for tig it I can see the puddle that much better and can do much finer work.

Bi-focal safety glasses is the way to go.

 

[Coolabah]

Every auto-dark I've seen uses a 3v lithium rechargeable like a 2032 from a car key fob. I always leave mine out in the sun for a few minutes before I use them and have never had issues with the batteries dying, but you can replace them for like $1-$2 with a battery from walmart.

I have a Lincoln 3350 and IIRC it uses a CR2450. Never heard of it before, never seen it since in the stores around here but recently ordered a spare one online just for the heck of it ( brought my order up to the free shipping pricepoint so paid for itself)

edit : AND it was 12 bucks

 

[t100]

Miller Elite uses 2 CR2450 batteries.

 

[Coolabah]

Miller Elite uses 2 CR2450 batteries.

yep , well not a problem for me but hardly $1-$2 as posted for some other helmet using 2032's (which are a much more common battery). Personally , my eyes are viewed ( no pun) as my second most important body part so I happily spend whatever it takes to keep them safe.....

 

[IndyGarage]

I have three auto dark helmets.

HF is good for MIG, but not fast enough for TIG welding.

I have two Speedglas helmets that work fine for TIG - one of them I paid $69 for at the pawn shop - it was pretty beat up looking but it's a high end model and works great.

 

[BellyUpFish]

I came across an essentially new Miller Digital Elite on CL and picked it up today.

Thanks for all the help guys.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bob_the_builder]

What does every think about Save Phace welding helments. I like how you can put in the clear lense for grinding. It's makes for a nice safety face shield.

Bob

 

[lbhsbz]

I have the blue flames helmet from HF (among others) and I've been very happy...it has the sensors positioned such that it works under most all conditions....unlike the black one, which ***** for TIG

 

[owenst7]

What does every think about Save Phace welding helments. I like how you can put in the clear lense for grinding. It's makes for a nice safety face shield.

Bob

I'm wearing one in my avatar. The 180° lens and super low profile to your face is a problem solver for me working under 4x4s. I've had frequent issues with not being able to fit a helmet in a right area and see through the lens. That helmet solved that issue for me and I like it just as much as any other ~$100 auto dark. The head gear is good and the shell is very durable. The proprietary lenses would irritate me if I were doing production with it, but its easy enough to order replacements on amazon or through fastenal.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I have the blue flames helmet from HF (among others) and I've been very happy...it has the sensors positioned such that it works under most all conditions....unlike the black one, which ***** for TIG

I have that helmet as well (HF blue flames). I've TIG welded with it for a few years from 10-200 amps, both AC and DC and never had an issue with it. I would like to get a Lincoln Viking eventually, but the budget doesn't allow it right now.