???on welding helmets
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 2
Re: ???on welding helmets (LT1driver)
I purchased the Western Safety one from Harbor Freight. Cycles from shade 3 to the setting of your choosing (9-13) in 1/25,000 of a second. The dark to clear time is adjustable. For 59.00 this is THE helmet to buy. It's solar powered with a battery backup. Comes ready to use. Hang it near a window when not in use.
I checked out the helmets by the major venders and other than some having a larger field of view this helmet meets all the same safety standards and provides the same adjustments and wrap around for spark protection. Protects against IR and UV light.
I'm an Electrical Engineer by trade and have 20/15 vision so you can imagine I did my homework on this purchase.
Make absolutely sure you purchase the one with the 1/25,000 operation. The slower helmets in the 1/10,000 of second cause eyes to hurt after a long welding session due to the lengthened flash at the beginning of each arc.
As with all autodarkening welding helmets you should test the helmet at the beginning of a welding session. Attach your ground to a piece of scrap material. Look away from your work and strike an arc the some scrap - the helmet should immediately darken.
Ryan
I checked out the helmets by the major venders and other than some having a larger field of view this helmet meets all the same safety standards and provides the same adjustments and wrap around for spark protection. Protects against IR and UV light.
I'm an Electrical Engineer by trade and have 20/15 vision so you can imagine I did my homework on this purchase.
Make absolutely sure you purchase the one with the 1/25,000 operation. The slower helmets in the 1/10,000 of second cause eyes to hurt after a long welding session due to the lengthened flash at the beginning of each arc.
As with all autodarkening welding helmets you should test the helmet at the beginning of a welding session. Attach your ground to a piece of scrap material. Look away from your work and strike an arc the some scrap - the helmet should immediately darken.
Ryan
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: Gordonville MO
Tip on welding helmets
From a CWI (Certified Welding Inspector)
AND home hobbiest -
one little tip is to position your rod or mig gun, etc,
then just blink when starting your arc.
Helps avoid what little flash you would otherwise get.
I wish I'd of know about that Harbor Freight helmet!
I bought a basic one about 3 or 4 years ago for nearly double
that cost at a welding supply when I bought my wire feed,
and it doesn't have those features! Or maybe it's just
the technology driving the cost down over time.
AND home hobbiest -
one little tip is to position your rod or mig gun, etc,
then just blink when starting your arc.
Helps avoid what little flash you would otherwise get.
I wish I'd of know about that Harbor Freight helmet!
I bought a basic one about 3 or 4 years ago for nearly double
that cost at a welding supply when I bought my wire feed,
and it doesn't have those features! Or maybe it's just
the technology driving the cost down over time.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,253
Likes: 1
From: Rochester Kent
Re: Tip on welding helmets (macx)
From a CWI (Certified Welding Inspector)
AND home hobbiest -
one little tip is to position your rod or mig gun, etc,
then just blink when starting your arc.
Helps avoid what little flash you would otherwise get.
I
AND home hobbiest -
one little tip is to position your rod or mig gun, etc,
then just blink when starting your arc.
Helps avoid what little flash you would otherwise get.
I
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,131
Likes: 4
From: May help you? You can sure as hell try!
Re: ???on welding helmets (reidry)
I have one from HF too! It works great! The specs on it are as good as much more expensive ones out there as far as darkening speed and shade adjustability. I was just at HF last week and they were running a $49 special!! You can't go wrong at that price. As a begining mig welder, I just could not get the hang of striking the arc as the wire was moving and flipping my helmet down simutaneously. The auto darkening helmet was the answer!!
I may not be at pro level yet but my mig welds looks pretty darn good since I got this helmet.
I may not be at pro level yet but my mig welds looks pretty darn good since I got this helmet.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 769
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Re: Tip on welding helmets (Pauld)
:iagree: I've been welding for over 35yrs. up until 5 yrs age I was old school and used #10 shade for stick and # 11 for mig & tig. Then I seen the light and tryed a friends solar hood. :hurray: :hurray: :yesnod: :lol: and his was from hober freight. So I bought one for $129.00, remember I used mind 8 to12 hrs a day. It lasted almost 2 yrs. Then I did a little up grade. As a hobbyest. I suggest to you and all readers of this post, to wear safty glass at all times when you are welding. Or hanging around the shop while someone else is welding. You can get a flash from the rays reflecting off crome white wall anything. Safty/sunglasses will portect your EYES!!! I begining to sound like my old safty teachers. :cool: :cool: If you want to know what a welding flash feels like, just tilt your head back and drop a pinch of beach sand into each eye :cry :sad: :cry The "ER" can't help you!! Only an eye doctor. Find one of them at 10 PM. All ways :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:
