Do auto darkening welding helmets work? Are they worth buying?

[premmington]

I got two auto welding helmets. Speedglas and an Optrel.

Before that I had an early Lincoln one.

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What I can say about the whole "auto helmet debate is".

And it is simple - since buying an auto helmet - the major bonus is - I start welding in the exact place I want to start a weld pool.

 

[zzr1200]

So true..

 

[premmington]

So true..

Now I have in both helmets - 2.5x cheeter lenses - as I am old and my eyesight is degrading.

I really struggle with age to see a weld pool in Aluminium.

 

[zzr1200]

I'm still saving up for my Optrel cheater lens.... ....

 

[selectedgrub]

I don't know if anyone else has mentioned this but the ones with flames make you an awesome welder.

 

[premmington]

I'm still saving up for my Optrel cheater lens.... ....

I know what you mean!

Optrel cheater lens price is horrific compared with one for a Speedglas helmet.

To be honest - if I buy another welding helmet - this maybe one of the factors in deciding a purchase.

Product Search

www.rapidwelding.com

£30 a pop.

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More concerning for me - is 2.5x is the most they go!

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How do pople manage at that point? Wear glasses under a welding helmet?

 

[bourbon]

I don't know if anyone else has mentioned this but the ones with flames make you an awesome welder.

I've got one with flames on........................................It doesn't!

 

[zzr1200]

I know what you mean!

Optrel cheater lens price is horrific compared with one for a Speedglas helmet.

To be honest - if I buy another welding helmet - this maybe one of the factors in deciding a purchase.

Product Search

www.rapidwelding.com

£30 a pop.

---------------------

More concerning for me - is 2.5x is the most they go!

--------------------

How do pople manage at that point? Wear glasses under a welding helmet?

YES.....I always have done. I find it magnifies the weld pool which I prefer...

My eye sight isn't that bad, its just the focal distance at which you weld is my problem and reading at times for me depending on the size of the print.
Optician reckons I need a 3.0 or 3.25..I'm just a foggy/blind old bat at about 2 feet...

 

[pedrobedro]

My helmet is a red one and it makes me weld faster It stopped working and the batteries are not replaceable so I bought a new lens unit from Amazon for £10 delivered. This was a couple of years ago and I just replaced the batteries in it. I'm tempted with one of the cheaper clear view helmets like the Parweld on eBay for £65.

 

[Bobupndown]

£30 one from Lidl (with flames )
Perfectly adequate for my diy/ hobby use. Replaceable AAA batteries.

 

[zzr1200]

I've got one with flames on........................................It doesn't!

You brought the wrong branded mask.

You should have purchased the "Super Dooper Welder" brand as apposed to the chineesium "Puffed Chest 50p" brand....

 

[selectedgrub]

You brought the wrong branded mask.

You should have purchased the "Super Dooper Welder" brand as apposed top the chineesium "Puffed Chest" brand....

Yes, I agree
3M do a nice airflow model 9100XXi that makes you a professional overnight.

 

[bourbon]

Yes, I agree
3M do a nice airflow model 9100XXi that makes you a professional overnight.

I wouldn't be able to afford screwfix electrodes if I bought one of them

 

[prepman]

My cheap Silverline helmet has 2 glasses. One that is clear, which is for normal seeing, and one that can be manually flipped down and covers the normal glass - dark glass for welding.
Problem was the dark glass was just too dark just before starting to arc, scratch, not sure where I am scratching. Once the arcing starts, then it can see the puddle.

Yes, I think I will have to order another helmet which does auto darkening. Should have just bought an auto darkening helmet at the start instead of trying to save money.
But I was dubious if it would work properly. I was sure they were one of those con gadgets with bloated price tag.

The Gingour mask is very good optically. The headband isn't brilliant but adequate. Being follically challenged it's a bit scratchy unlike my 15yr old auto one.

 

[prepman]

Ah so you hadnt seen it cheaper, you just saw everything is generally cheaper on ebay, so I must be wrong?


The guy is making a big stink about the battery type and sounds like he has not tried to use it. The battery should last for 10 years so it is irrelevant.

Not cheaper on eBay I've found it £10 + more. Quite often it arrives as a 'gift' via Amazon, which is pretty irritating!
Many years ago these things were collosally expensive. Nowadays it's almost a crime not to have. That goes for the pyrex lenses on TIG IMHO.

 

[prepman]

I honestly don't see all the fuss. All this auto dark crud. Pussies! I have the perfect cheap solution.

View attachment 336412 View attachment 336413

And a fastrack card for A&E?

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Three pages in, and.....

 

[prepman]

I don't know if anyone else has mentioned this but the ones with flames make you an awesome welder.

And a Babe magnet. I've found.

 

[selectedgrub]

Most definitely.

 

[zzr1200]

And a Babe magnet. I've found.

Most definitely.

The only thing it might do for the "Babes" is cover up your ugly faces and give you a chance of impressing her, before she runs away with fright...........