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Welding Helmet

Discussion in 'Shop Safety' started by HellsBells, Jan 13, 2009.

  1. Feb 15, 2009
    canuckCJ

    canuckCJ Member

    Channahon, IL
    Joined:
    May 6, 2006
    Messages:
    98
    I've always used a standard helmet, Never trusted teh autodark thing. When I first started welding the auto sensor tech was somewhat spotty and there was a pretty good chance of getting flashed.

    I might reconsider after watching the video. My current helmet has been around not for almost 20 years.
     
  2. Feb 18, 2009
    DrDanteIII

    DrDanteIII Master Procrastinator

    Milford NJ 08848
    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2007
    Messages:
    1,516


    You better be right, I just ordered the same one!
     
  3. Feb 28, 2009
    kf_chris

    kf_chris Weary traveler!

    Rock Hill, SC
    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2008
    Messages:
    91
    I got the autodark HF helmet...but we have yet to wire in the welder (probably because I haven't been home since welder purchase which is just part of the job). Let you guys know when I start using.
     
  4. Feb 28, 2009
    Colorado_Baja

    Colorado_Baja JEEPS!!

    Fort...
    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2006
    Messages:
    304
    Hope it works out better for you than the guy in my welding class, flashed him pretty bad the first time out.
    Personally I would never trust my sight to anything from HF..
     
  5. Feb 28, 2009
    Dummy

    Dummy I kick hippies

    Escondido, CA
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    Dec 5, 2004
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    646
  6. Mar 1, 2009
    Jeepman252

    Jeepman252 Sponsor

    Menomonie, WI
    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2005
    Messages:
    198
    I got spoiled to when I got the Elite at work. I got the phansy one...

    [​IMG]
     
  7. Mar 4, 2009
    TexasBlues

    TexasBlues JEEP-Hockey-Holic

    Marietta, GA
    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2007
    Messages:
    529
    i scored the HF blue flame helmet too... and i like it A LOT!...

    quick reaction time, and plenty dark... but i'm a noob, so if i go blind, i'll let you guys know in braille...

    so far (after 10+ hrs) i havent had any discomfort or issues
     
  8. Mar 12, 2009
    kf_chris

    kf_chris Weary traveler!

    Rock Hill, SC
    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2008
    Messages:
    91

    Well if I get flashed I'll go to the weld shop and pick up a new helmet and keep the HF one for back up use. I haven't even taken the welder or the helmet out of the box yet (been away from home working for a while)
     
  9. Mar 12, 2009
    DrDanteIII

    DrDanteIII Master Procrastinator

    Milford NJ 08848
    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2007
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    1,516


    I jsut tried this thing out yesterday for the first time. Works great. I just set the switches to "fast" and "high" sensitivity, and set the darkness dial to about 11 or 12, and it was comfortable and no noticable flash while welding @ 100 amps with the AC stick welder

    definitely reccomended.
     
  10. Apr 2, 2009
    mtndewmaniac66

    mtndewmaniac66 Down to Earth!

    Vernal, Utah.
    Joined:
    May 25, 2006
    Messages:
    178
    I have a Jackson auto darkening, be darned if I can remember the model. I picked it up at my local Pawn Shop for $100.00 a couple years ago. I was looking around for one for a few weeks before I purchased this one. Price, and name were my biggest factors. I am glad that I picked up the one I have. I have never experienced weld flash or helmet slip. It is very comfortable for my bald head.
     
  11. May 7, 2010
    sawedoffcj6

    sawedoffcj6 The Gunsmith

    minnesota
    Joined:
    May 5, 2010
    Messages:
    59
    cheap one will protect you but i prefer masks with a large sight glass and a gold iridium coating they don't autodarken but with the highly reflective coating they don't have to be as dark in the first place which works well with my resistance to to electronics and technology
     
  12. May 7, 2010
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    3,437
    I'll be placing my order this wekend. :tea:
     
  13. May 7, 2010
    Don X

    Don X The Prodigal Moderator Staff Member 2023 Sponsor

    San Diego,...
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  14. May 7, 2010
    all4jpn

    all4jpn Member

    fredericksburg,va
    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2006
    Messages:
    363
    any tips on reducing the light that seeps in around the sides/back of the helmet..a hood or something..
     
  15. Nov 23, 2010
    Stout

    Stout Member

    Quakertown, PA
    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2010
    Messages:
    958
    I'm going to learn to weld (well, I sorta know how to weld, I need to learn how to weld correctly) and I read that an auto darkening helmet can be somewhat dangerous for beginner welders. It takes a fraction of a second for it to darken and if you do a lot of start again-stop again welding those fractions of a second add up to larger does of harmful rays to your eyes.

    I'm not sure if I believe that or not, any thoughts? I just bought one and I haven't used it yet but I'm hoping to play with my mig welder this weekend.
     
  16. Nov 23, 2010
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    5,349
    I think that would be BS, you can turn the sensitivity up or down. Heck you can set it so its pretty much dark from the background light before you even start the spark.

    I would just buy one and forget it.
     
  17. May 17, 2011
    pitmonkey

    pitmonkey Member

    Oklahoma
    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2008
    Messages:
    74
    Been welding with a two sensor and a four sensor for at least 5 years now.Still have great vision. The trick I was tought was if you lift your hood and see any rings you need to go up a shade until it goes away. But the fractions adding up is IMHO crap. Been welding 15+ years and going.
     
  18. May 17, 2011
    Quill

    Quill Member

    Wisconsin
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    Jul 17, 2009
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    113
  19. Dec 8, 2012
    fhoehle

    fhoehle Sponsor

    Harford Township, PA
    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2012
    Messages:
    1,427
    I have a Lincoln auto darkening adustable from grinding to shade 13. It is rugged, and has been a great helmet from day 1. Gets used about every day, or at most, every other day. I also have a Harbor Freight one, for when my son wants to watch or play around. It has been good, but the lenses are some wierd size, and I have to cut them down from regular ones.
     
  20. Jan 2, 2013
    aallison

    aallison 74 cj6, 76 cj5. Has anyone seen my screwdriver?

    Green Cove...
    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2006
    Messages:
    1,929
    I started with a traditional dark helmet. Count not see boo and could not weld. Got an HF auto dark and it worked well. I could at least draw a bead. But after using it, on fast dark and dark as I could get it, my eyes itched and watered. Then the band broke and it would not stay in front of my eyes. I had to prop it up with a rag on my chest so I could see. For Fathers Day my wife and kids picked up one of these...http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200416894_200416894. It is fantastic. I can see, my eyes don't itch and I can weld much better. FOr the money, great welding helmet.
     
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