Auto mask...

[projectXR2]

I am sure all you regulars are all excited at the prospect of another 'which budget auto mask' thread, well i pretty much worked that out for myself!

I only have 50 quid to spend so i quickly decided on the SifLite. Now having read throught the forum it seems quite a lot of occasional welders experience problems with auto darkening masks not reacting properly etc, usually wen they go to use them again after a few months. Is this a common problem with infrequent use? as once i have finished this project, which doesnt involve a huge amount of welding really the helmet might not be used for months so would i be better off just getting a flip up lid untill im welding regularly?

Cheers Dan

 

[cumbriasteve]

I got a £25 cheapie off Fleabay, it's 5 months old and all I can say is it's brilliant.

I think some problems arose with the one's that charge by solar cells, if they are left in a dark workshop for a long time the battery runs down.

I think with most things that work by this method, constant use is best, I know I ruined a great rechargeable drill by not using it enough.

The thing is, they are so superior to the flip down one's and such a pleasure to use I would still risk it every time.

 

[projectXR2]

cheers for the advice, which one did you go for? there are so many on there

 

[projectXR2]

what are your opinions on this?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/4-FUNCTION-SO...=UK_BOI_ProtectiveGear_RL&hash=item19c25da8b4

or

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AUTO-DARKENIN...=UK_BOI_ProtectiveGear_RL&hash=item2560a33351

 

[spaffmonkey]

Hi

I got the auto sif Lite mask from weldquip and its great i had not used it for at least 6 months in which i was packed away in its box and it worked fine.
All i did was leave it near a window for a few hours before i used it just incase.

But the auto masks are worth there wait in gold for how much easyer they make
welding.

 

[schnappi]

I bought a Draper Solar Powered Auto Darkening Varioshade Welding Helmet 08166 (W679) for about £50. Although it might not look like the obvious first choice, like you I go a year or two between welding sessions and I'd heard of people having trouble with the built in button type batteries going flat on other helmets so I wanted an easy to change set of batteries - which the Draper has (it takes 2xAAA batteries).

In use, I've found the helmet to be great. Very comfortable and certainly seems to do the job just fine. I'd recommend getting an auto-darkening shield. I welded for ages before getting one and to be honest I wonder how I ever managed without one! Also my welding has improved vastly since getting my auto-darkening helmet.

I should point out that I've only had this helmet for 4 months and haven't had any experience using other brands so my opinion is obviously biased!

 

[grandads_shed]

i bought this one back in jun 2009, and im still useing it. it was in my cold damp gararge for the winter of 09/10 (this is what normally kills the batteries)
i took it out last august to use and after an hour in the light it still works great.

ok i payed less from the same seller, but would recomend, and it is free delivery and it is quick,
to top it you also get free gloves

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SOLAR-AUTO-DARKENING-WELDING-MASK-HELMET-GAUNTLETS-/390237169985

 

[KennyC]

I also have a sif lite which wasn't used for a few months and it was fine. It is in regular use now and seems sturdy enough (and very comfy)

 

[projectXR2]

The SWP looks a good deal from weldequip, think i will purchase this. would you all choose this over the siflite for the current price?

 

[PTvor]

The SWP looks a good deal from weldequip, think i will purchase this. would you all choose this over the siflite for the current price?

Decisions, decisions.

The SWP has a two year warranty for the extra money.

As far as I know these headshields work by having a couple of batteries to keep them ticking over and detect the flash, then the solar cells take over and do the heavy work when the arc is running. The batteries are supposed to last for years, but sometimes they don't. Changing the batteries can be very hard or as easy as slipping back a panel and replacing them.

It's worth checking how easy it is to change the batteries.

Whichever one you get I think it pays to keep it somewhere sensible if you can, like in the cupboard under the stairs, not in a concrete garage, say, where it's subject to frost and damp and maybe easily nicked.