- Location
- West Somerset
Speedglas helmet.
Auto darkening helmet.
- Thread starter Pringles
- Start date
yeah, speedglass do a fine selection of helmets, the bit of it i have is good stuff.
i have a esab origo auto helmet here for the last 10 od years and so far its still going, its been a good helmet in fairness to it given it wasnt dear.
I had one years ago that started giving me sore eyes. I binned it and went back to the old style ones. I can't see how they have time to change to dark with the speed that light travels. A quick nod of the head and away you go... Just make sure that there's nothing to hit and stop the mask coming down!
TheTallGuy
Member
- Location
- Cambridgeshire
I would struggle to weld without some form of auto helmet as I never mastered being able to hold the torch/rod perfectly steady whilst nodding the mask down
These helmets have improved greatly over the last few years such that reaction times are pretty good, plus a decent auto helmet will have good UV protection even when not darkened, so one of the main issues is the amount of light that ultimately hits the eye before the shading kicks in. If you do lots of short welds, then the average amount of energy is going to be higher than doing longer welds thus more likely to result in eye damage. Another issue can be the decay or release time - some helmets are too quick to begin returning to clear, such that a flicker of the arc is enough to trigger lightening of the shade.
These helmets have improved greatly over the last few years such that reaction times are pretty good, plus a decent auto helmet will have good UV protection even when not darkened, so one of the main issues is the amount of light that ultimately hits the eye before the shading kicks in. If you do lots of short welds, then the average amount of energy is going to be higher than doing longer welds thus more likely to result in eye damage. Another issue can be the decay or release time - some helmets are too quick to begin returning to clear, such that a flicker of the arc is enough to trigger lightening of the shade.
simmy_bull
Member
- Location
- North Yorkshire
Glad it's not only me. I recently got an auto dark one and I think it's brilliants but does seam to leave my eyes feeling a little sore.
I wondered if I needed to buy a "better" one but I have no idea what that might be. Also get the same thing if I've been looking at a smart phone for ages so maybe I just need glasses
Smart phones are killers on the eyes.Glad it's not only me. I recently got an auto dark one and I think it's brilliants but does seam to leave my eyes feeling a little sore.
I wondered if I needed to buy a "better" one but I have no idea what that might be. Also get the same thing if I've been looking at a smart phone for ages so maybe I just need glasses
davidroberts30
Member
- Location
- pembrokeshire
There is sensitivity and delay settings
Strawgalore
Member
- Location
- South Cumbria
I prefer my old School helmet , just nod n go ,
Another plus one for speedglas here as well. Top notch unit and light enough to wear all day long without neckache setting it. Had mine for 17 years now and still going strong, it has done a lot of work in that time (admittedly not so much in the last few years as I've been less hands on) and never let me down. I can't comment on the shields of today that are available as I have no experience of them. All I can say is I'm glad I paid the extra cost of it at the time, it was money well spent.
its certainly good stuff no doubt but possibly not without its flaws too.
i have the all singin and dancinFX helmet with Adflow on it, its not a helmet id pull out too often but its a great one when i do.
i had a bit of an accident last year and was laid up for a while but by the time i got back to use the helmet ( for about the 3rd or 4th time from new) the adflow wouldnt come on, but the charger couldnt see it when plugged in so in this case its a bin it job.
had to buy a new battery at sharp money and while i was doing so the rep told me the batterys only had a life of 6mths if not charged..
poor show i thought for a battery that could have more potential.
altho in saying that i beleive its good practice to keep a li ion battery fully charged when stored or it ill turn into a dud, as i found out.
bring back the NiMh i say.
also, i was having a look at the latest of auto helmets lately and my my first bay search was for a 3m 9100xx one but its nearly £380 odd for one, i mean, WTF.
so i goes a googling and i came across this,
http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-g...x?product=K3101-3-CE(LincolnElectric_EU_Base)
about the biggest screen about with 4 sensors so no flashing, comfortable head grip and you get to watch the angry pixies jumpin about on a blue screen instead of a green one.
all for £205 delivered.
more bang for your buck i think.
TripleSix
Member
- Location
- Helmsley, North Yorkshire
I'm gonna be buying a new MIG shortly, need moer powwwwer......
Possibly gonna treat myself to a really good auto mask.
It'll either be a speedglas, or I'm liking the look of the esab Sentinel.
https://www.weldingsuppliesdirect.c...helmets/esab-sentinel-a50-welding-helmet.html
The external button for the grind setting would be a massive plus.
Possibly gonna treat myself to a really good auto mask.
It'll either be a speedglas, or I'm liking the look of the esab Sentinel.
https://www.weldingsuppliesdirect.c...helmets/esab-sentinel-a50-welding-helmet.html
The external button for the grind setting would be a massive plus.
Cowcalf
Member
- Location
- North of Scotland
lincoln 3350 larger screen and close to daylight for grinding and very clear when welding £200 total and possibly buy a cheater (magnifying ) lens if eyesight starting to make welding harder makes worthwhile difference
stev
Member
- Location
- Pinchbeck Spalding lincolnshire
Lidl doing cheap helmets with 3 year warranty £29.99 choice of colours too !
davidroberts30
Member
- Location
- pembrokeshire
i really like the look of that 1
I have that Lincoln helmet here for the last 6 months, and it is by far and away the best welding helmet I have ever used. All components available to buy separately, with a parts list stuck to the inside of the helmet!!! You can get "cheater" magnification lenses too so you don't need to wear glasses.
Massive field of vision also. It is probably a tad heavier than other welding lids, but it is only slightly so and I haven't had any issue with it, and I have neck/shoulder issues!!
Just saw that in the catalogue, anyone braved one yet?
itsalwaysme
Member
- Location
- Cheshire