Interesting Welding Helmet Info
Moderator: Harold_V
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- Location: Woodinville, WA
Re: Interesting Welding Helmet Info
The low rating for TIG is the MINIMUM current that the helmet will auto darken. My Speedlight 9002vx is 5 amps.
I have HF type cheap helmet for lurkers to use if they feel the need to need to watch my welding attempts, but I don't ever use it after buying my nice but expensive helmet. The Speedlight is great (wide view, interchangeable lens, diopter adjustment etc), and the only reservation I have is I wish I'd spent another $100 (on top of the original $300) and bought the even larger field-of-view version.
For those that haven't tried a high end helmet, all I can say is "stick one on and look through it; it's hard to beat a "big picture" (but $$).
I have HF type cheap helmet for lurkers to use if they feel the need to need to watch my welding attempts, but I don't ever use it after buying my nice but expensive helmet. The Speedlight is great (wide view, interchangeable lens, diopter adjustment etc), and the only reservation I have is I wish I'd spent another $100 (on top of the original $300) and bought the even larger field-of-view version.
For those that haven't tried a high end helmet, all I can say is "stick one on and look through it; it's hard to beat a "big picture" (but $$).
Re: Interesting Welding Helmet Info
After using the Jackson and other helmet in class, I discovered that the HF helmet was 10x better. It was the first one with which I could see the puddle and effectively weld....
With the Jackson etc, all I could ever see was a big ball of light, no matter what number I set it to. It was really no better than closing my eyes and going thru the motions, since I could see so little with it that I couldn't even stay on the seam..... I ran the beads off the edge all the time.
With the HF, everything is visible, shade of the lens is fine, I can hardly understand what could be better.
With the Jackson etc, all I could ever see was a big ball of light, no matter what number I set it to. It was really no better than closing my eyes and going thru the motions, since I could see so little with it that I couldn't even stay on the seam..... I ran the beads off the edge all the time.
With the HF, everything is visible, shade of the lens is fine, I can hardly understand what could be better.
- steamin10
- Posts: 6712
- Joined: Sun Jun 08, 2003 11:52 pm
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Re: Interesting Welding Helmet Info
I have a HF helm, and it does ok. It does not compare with the much more expensive, and much clearer picture and turn time of the better helms.
For $60 bucks get the HF, and weld a few times a month. If you weld 10-20 hours a day, there is no question in my mind that you need the better picture and turn on time in better helms.
For $60 bucks get the HF, and weld a few times a month. If you weld 10-20 hours a day, there is no question in my mind that you need the better picture and turn on time in better helms.
Big Dave, former Millwright, Electrician, Environmental conditioning, and back yard Fixxit guy. Now retired, persuing boats, trains, and broken relics.
We have enough youth, how about a fountain of Smart. My computer beat me at chess, but not kickboxing
It is not getting caught in the rain, its learning to dance in it. People saying good morning, should have to prove it.
We have enough youth, how about a fountain of Smart. My computer beat me at chess, but not kickboxing
It is not getting caught in the rain, its learning to dance in it. People saying good morning, should have to prove it.
- SteveHGraham
- Posts: 7788
- Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2009 7:55 pm
- Location: Florida
Re: Interesting Welding Helmet Info
My HF helmet worked great. When it worked. The Hobart is definitely nicer, though, and I really was not ready for a desperate hack job to make the HF helmet work. Maybe I'll fix it later so I'll have a spare for guests.
Ordered myself an LED welding light to fit the MIG gun.
Ordered myself an LED welding light to fit the MIG gun.
Every hard-fried egg began life sunny-side up.
- tornitore45
- Posts: 2077
- Joined: Tue Apr 18, 2006 12:24 am
- Location: USA Texas, Austin
Re: Interesting Welding Helmet Info
For those that bought a cheap wire welder and used it once a year (with horrendus results)...
What is a reflected flash? Do you weld in the house of mirrors?
What is a reflected flash? Do you weld in the house of mirrors?
Mauro Gaetano
in Austin TX
in Austin TX
Re: Interesting Welding Helmet Info
The light from the arc can be reflected off your shirt into the helmet if the helmet doesn't have good blocking from below. (it can also sunburn part of your neck, which is why I usually stuff a clean rag into the neck of my welding shirt....just in case)
or, maybe it gets reflected elsewhere, off the work etc..... you don't need mirrors (and a mirror probably would absorb a good bit of UV on the two passes through the glass). Reflection from a surface can be pretty good and low loss.
Can make you feel pretty much like a good "flash" in your eyes does...
A "flash" as I mean it isn't when the sensor is blocked and lets the lens lighten up, it's when you get welding light directly.... might be from a crack in an old blue lens, or etc.... Supposed to make your eyes feel rough and sandy.... haven't had that , don't need it. Maybe wearing glasses is slightly protective.
or, maybe it gets reflected elsewhere, off the work etc..... you don't need mirrors (and a mirror probably would absorb a good bit of UV on the two passes through the glass). Reflection from a surface can be pretty good and low loss.
Can make you feel pretty much like a good "flash" in your eyes does...
A "flash" as I mean it isn't when the sensor is blocked and lets the lens lighten up, it's when you get welding light directly.... might be from a crack in an old blue lens, or etc.... Supposed to make your eyes feel rough and sandy.... haven't had that , don't need it. Maybe wearing glasses is slightly protective.
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Re: Interesting Welding Helmet Info
the higher the current usually the higher level of uv i have really fryed myself on tig at 200 amps with out a diaper of leather hanging off the lower front of the helmet and any where the shirt has a hole or thin spot will get you to the point of blisters.
if your medications say they will make you photosensitive welding flash will get you quickly
if you already wearing glasses you have more uv shielding. as i suspect with the cheaters for computer. someone may prove me wrong on this.
top of the line helmet in the 400 dallor range are a world apart . with settings for cutting,grinding and all the standard darkness along with sensitivitie and time delay adjustment and they do a better job at side shielding.
before all the improvments many welders had trouble seeing at night and usually developed cataracts at a early age.
of course then 50 was a old guy am most were not expected to live past 65.
if your medications say they will make you photosensitive welding flash will get you quickly
if you already wearing glasses you have more uv shielding. as i suspect with the cheaters for computer. someone may prove me wrong on this.
top of the line helmet in the 400 dallor range are a world apart . with settings for cutting,grinding and all the standard darkness along with sensitivitie and time delay adjustment and they do a better job at side shielding.
before all the improvments many welders had trouble seeing at night and usually developed cataracts at a early age.
of course then 50 was a old guy am most were not expected to live past 65.
- steamin10
- Posts: 6712
- Joined: Sun Jun 08, 2003 11:52 pm
- Location: NW Indiana. Close to Lake Michigan S. tip
Re: Interesting Welding Helmet Info
UV radiation is peculiar. Why dont you get an arm sunburn in your car when you run the air with windows up? The Uv is mostly blocked by simple glass. Roll the window down and do the Drive in short sleeves, and the farmers tan shows up quickly.
Brightness is one thing, wavelength is another. Tropical countries have problems with cataracts because of the raw UV exposure, and that includes High altitude people of the North, Mountain and snow climbers, where UV bounces off the white landscape.
It is exposure time weighted for the eyes, as I have known many welders that have vision problems after 40 yrs of cooking their eyes. Not so bad for the occasional welder, the home guy, but heavy use, means heavy protection. Best is barely enough.
Brightness is one thing, wavelength is another. Tropical countries have problems with cataracts because of the raw UV exposure, and that includes High altitude people of the North, Mountain and snow climbers, where UV bounces off the white landscape.
It is exposure time weighted for the eyes, as I have known many welders that have vision problems after 40 yrs of cooking their eyes. Not so bad for the occasional welder, the home guy, but heavy use, means heavy protection. Best is barely enough.
Big Dave, former Millwright, Electrician, Environmental conditioning, and back yard Fixxit guy. Now retired, persuing boats, trains, and broken relics.
We have enough youth, how about a fountain of Smart. My computer beat me at chess, but not kickboxing
It is not getting caught in the rain, its learning to dance in it. People saying good morning, should have to prove it.
We have enough youth, how about a fountain of Smart. My computer beat me at chess, but not kickboxing
It is not getting caught in the rain, its learning to dance in it. People saying good morning, should have to prove it.
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Re: Interesting Welding Helmet Info
steamin10
what helmet would you buy today for home/hobby (1-3 times a week) use
tks
what helmet would you buy today for home/hobby (1-3 times a week) use
tks
- steamin10
- Posts: 6712
- Joined: Sun Jun 08, 2003 11:52 pm
- Location: NW Indiana. Close to Lake Michigan S. tip
Re: Interesting Welding Helmet Info
As stated before. The HF is ok, I think, or I wouldnt use it. I have used the high value helms at work, and they are very good, when not beat to death. I wear glasses all the time, but that is my condition, others will vary.
The rest I offer as grist for the Home Guy, with tool buying habits. I buy used and second hand to stretch my tool dollar, and usually buy out of need, so the next job pays for the tool, and I dont have to look back. Tools are for doing work, and should provide a handsome return, when used for hire. Hobbies are nice, but getting dirty and paid is ok too.
You can start with any yard sale dark lense sheild, and be fine. The idea of the change shade helm, is hands free, and no nod to bring the helm down, which I found always played with my welding aim, or parts setups. It just removed one big variable from my welding practices, and made starting with wire spot on, every time. No guessing and dragging the arc to the weldpoint.
For me, stepping up from a good goldsheild lense with a fine picture, to a change shade adjustable lense was like a lightyear leap in performance and easing the work for me.
My welding Engineers and instructors, all had one hand leather pocket shields, they could whip out and show you things on the job. They were meant for short jobs and tack ins. There are always diferent roads to travel according to the use and abuse you need to survive.
I always try to fit the tools to the job, for best effect. I cant see buying a primo weld machine to use it a few hours a year, where I could farm that out and be happy for $50. If you are a tool junky, trying to master your trade, then you may have to weigh in diferently for future use, real not imagined. Thinking otherwise will keep you broke with new paint and shiny tools you cant remember the names of.
Remember: a shiny toolbox with all the best tools, needs a set of skilled hands to make money. Skilled hands with ordinary tools can make money every day, for the Crafter that knows how to use tools. My Sons tool box was $6500, before he added high end tools. His retail value, a regstered inventory with his company is $38,K US currency. They provide insurance for that. Not everyone should think that way, or need to.
The rest I offer as grist for the Home Guy, with tool buying habits. I buy used and second hand to stretch my tool dollar, and usually buy out of need, so the next job pays for the tool, and I dont have to look back. Tools are for doing work, and should provide a handsome return, when used for hire. Hobbies are nice, but getting dirty and paid is ok too.
You can start with any yard sale dark lense sheild, and be fine. The idea of the change shade helm, is hands free, and no nod to bring the helm down, which I found always played with my welding aim, or parts setups. It just removed one big variable from my welding practices, and made starting with wire spot on, every time. No guessing and dragging the arc to the weldpoint.
For me, stepping up from a good goldsheild lense with a fine picture, to a change shade adjustable lense was like a lightyear leap in performance and easing the work for me.
My welding Engineers and instructors, all had one hand leather pocket shields, they could whip out and show you things on the job. They were meant for short jobs and tack ins. There are always diferent roads to travel according to the use and abuse you need to survive.
I always try to fit the tools to the job, for best effect. I cant see buying a primo weld machine to use it a few hours a year, where I could farm that out and be happy for $50. If you are a tool junky, trying to master your trade, then you may have to weigh in diferently for future use, real not imagined. Thinking otherwise will keep you broke with new paint and shiny tools you cant remember the names of.
Remember: a shiny toolbox with all the best tools, needs a set of skilled hands to make money. Skilled hands with ordinary tools can make money every day, for the Crafter that knows how to use tools. My Sons tool box was $6500, before he added high end tools. His retail value, a regstered inventory with his company is $38,K US currency. They provide insurance for that. Not everyone should think that way, or need to.
Big Dave, former Millwright, Electrician, Environmental conditioning, and back yard Fixxit guy. Now retired, persuing boats, trains, and broken relics.
We have enough youth, how about a fountain of Smart. My computer beat me at chess, but not kickboxing
It is not getting caught in the rain, its learning to dance in it. People saying good morning, should have to prove it.
We have enough youth, how about a fountain of Smart. My computer beat me at chess, but not kickboxing
It is not getting caught in the rain, its learning to dance in it. People saying good morning, should have to prove it.
Re: Interesting Welding Helmet Info
I keep hearing about the "gold" lenses..... what are they?
The jackson in class had a dingy yellow lens that acted more like a 'portable cataract" than something to see through.... The HF have had a green tinted lense that seems to be great....and which I have seen on other helmets as well.
But "gold lens" I don't know anything about.
The jackson in class had a dingy yellow lens that acted more like a 'portable cataract" than something to see through.... The HF have had a green tinted lense that seems to be great....and which I have seen on other helmets as well.
But "gold lens" I don't know anything about.
- warmstrong1955
- Posts: 3568
- Joined: Thu Mar 18, 2010 2:05 pm
- Location: Northern Nevada
Re: Interesting Welding Helmet Info
The gold lenz will reflect heat better, and to me, have a clearer and better view of the puddle. It's what I use with a 'regular' hood.
Easy to scratch though....they are plastic not glass.
As far as auto darkening....
I have a SpeedGlas, spendy critter, but top of the line.
I also have a Northern Tool, and a K-T Tools hood, both of which work as well as the SpeedGlas, but cost about a 1/4 as much.
The K-T has the adjustments for sensitivity & shade on the outside, which is sometimes annoying when I bump one of 'em out of adjustment. Also, the backup batteries appear to be non-replaceable. I suppose I'll see about that one of these years....
The Northern Tool has the controls on the inside, and replaceable batteries.
I use 'em all for Stick, MIG, and TIG (all approved for in their propaganda)....and as far as performance, I can't tell any difference.
Both the SpeedGlas & the Northern Tool held up in underground mines....generally pretty tough duty. I've only used the K-T in my home shop.
Bill
Easy to scratch though....they are plastic not glass.
As far as auto darkening....
I have a SpeedGlas, spendy critter, but top of the line.
I also have a Northern Tool, and a K-T Tools hood, both of which work as well as the SpeedGlas, but cost about a 1/4 as much.
The K-T has the adjustments for sensitivity & shade on the outside, which is sometimes annoying when I bump one of 'em out of adjustment. Also, the backup batteries appear to be non-replaceable. I suppose I'll see about that one of these years....
The Northern Tool has the controls on the inside, and replaceable batteries.
I use 'em all for Stick, MIG, and TIG (all approved for in their propaganda)....and as far as performance, I can't tell any difference.
Both the SpeedGlas & the Northern Tool held up in underground mines....generally pretty tough duty. I've only used the K-T in my home shop.
Bill
Today's solutions are tomorrow's problems.