Welding masks

[Slippery Slope]

Could I please have your recommendations for an auto darkening type welding mask as father has a significant birthday and thought it’d be a good present. He only welds (arc) outside so probably wouldn’t want/use one with the air-box thing anyway.

Thanks

 

[AJR75]

There's a huge range out there now from cheap cheap for the occasional user through to all singing and dancing screens. Personally I ventured away from Speedglas to an ESAB one which can be switched to grinding mode, it's good, reliable and comfortable, but.... I'm back to speedglas now and wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[Bwcho]

Soon to be for sale in the middle aisle of Lidl next week. Not sure if this is something you'd want to buy from Lidl but every Parkside product that I've bought from there to date has been excellent quality.

 

[milkloss]

Esab savage is my recommendation. Get a pack of outer and inner lens as well when you buy it so he’s got spares.

 

[David.]

The cheapest ones have a tiny field of view.
I have a Parweld one, which is better than the real cheapies. Sometimes fumes/dust seem to get between the outer lenses and darkening glass and it is difficult to clean the auto darkening unit without scratching it; then you are welding through a fog.
Is this less of a problem with Speedglas/Esab?

 

[milkloss]

The cheapest ones have a tiny field of view.
I have a Parweld one, which is better than the real cheapies. Sometimes fumes/dust seem to get between the outer lenses and darkening glass and it is difficult to clean the auto darkening unit without scratching it; then you are welding through a fog.
Is this less of a problem with Speedglas/Esab?

Probably not to be honest. I’m sure they are better quality than the cheapies, certainly for clarity, but dirt is dirt and it’ll get in there somehow.

I keep mine in the dry and in a plastic bag now and its kept really well.

 

[AJR75]

The cheapest ones have a tiny field of view.
I have a Parweld one, which is better than the real cheapies. Sometimes fumes/dust seem to get between the outer lenses and darkening glass and it is difficult to clean the auto darkening unit without scratching it; then you are welding through a fog.
Is this less of a problem with Speedglas/Esab?

Don't get that problem on either from my experience- they do mist up on a damp day initially but once that's cleared you're go. I prefer the speedglas because it's so light- your neck soon tells you about it when spending a day on a heavier shield

 

[Steve welder]

I've used and abused a esab savage and been happy with it

 

[will_mck]

The latest one's in lidl have a large field of view, I bought one last week for £27. Dunno how they compare to others but it does the job for me

 

[George Mitchell]

Cant go wrong with speedglas; variable shade, grinding mode and a pretty big field of view. Expensive though, but buy once cry once

 

[Welderloon]

Only get 2 eyes, look after them as best you can.

 

[Wood field]

Had esab for years , look after it and it will look after you ! Saying that I don’t do much welding these days ( only on farm repair) and got a mid price speedglass, so far it’s been very good

 

[serf]

.

 

[Bury the Trash]

Probably not to be honest. I’m sure they are better quality than the cheapies, certainly for clarity, but dirt is dirt and it’ll get in there somehow.

I keep mine in the dry and in a plastic bag now and its kept really well.

yeah the sensors /electrincs knacker in the damp might pay to chuck a few of these (can be got cheaper that that)

in the bag .

or store him in the airing cupboard

 

[Digester Man]

Had a Kemppi Beta for years, thought it was a great mask but eventually it died.. got replaced in a hurry with a Parkside out of Lidl. Now the Parkside wouldn't feel anywhere near as good, BUT it is one very handy feature that would never make me reach for the Kemppi again... it has an LED light! Which means welding in a dark place I can see the work piece before I start. Absolute game changer.

So whatever you get, try to get one with a light on it!

 

[TrialsTech]

speedglass or optrel dont cheap out because the clarity of these masks allows you to improve your skill because you can actually see what the hell your upto.

 

[topcat2006]

Speedglass pressurised mask. You’ve only got one pair of eyes and one set of lungs!

 

[tomlad]

Anyone using the r tech airfed mask
Seems good value

 

[bovrill]

I went from auto screen to a huge plain one a while ago, and think it's great.
I tend to knock them about, so no auto one has lasted with me, and while the Lidl one is fine while it works, I've found them quite delicate.
I saw a couple of professional welders I know that had gone back to fixed glass, and tried one, and a full face length glass is superb to weld with. As sort of mentioned before a good light is a help for starting, I actually use a Lidl torch shone on the work and can just see enough to get going. It's a really decent quality shield, good and rubbery (for dropping and bouncing around the back of the pickup!) with plenty of protection.

 

[Phil P]

Anyone using the r tech airfed mask
Seems good value

I will have had mine for 9 years this year and personally I wouldn’t be without it now. I think the built in battery is just starting to go in the screen so need to look into that but otherwise been faultless. I like the fact you can lift the from screen and see what you’re doing for grinding/setting up work etc.
I’d recommend them on another thread and someone had got one but didn’t like it! everyone’s taste is different though