JulieandTony
Member
- Messages
- 149
OK haven’t posted for a long time, have a portamig (circ 2011) which we use quite regularly, but I do have an issue, and that’s to do with seeing the weld!
My existing helmet is an un-branded ebay special – from 2011 or so – the lens is marked as filter ADF-700, and although I have tried all sorts of settings basically, I can’t see where I am welding!
I usually end up with something where the arc pool itself is a little too bright, but I then have a faint view of the material ahead of the weld, all too often I put this great weld in place, loads of penetration, neat etc – a really good weld – BUT although it started as a nice fillet (in a Tee weld for example) – along the way I drifted off so it really has only caught the one side – great weld – but useless!
The worse is of course a butt weld although I start off 50/50 across the joint – I ended up wandering off – whilst looking through the mask and being convinced I was keeping it along the line!
Even if I try to draw a line to follow no matter how obvious the line should be, once welding and viewing through my mask I can’t see it.
Dropping the setting I get to see the proper line, but the arc is too bright, but if it’s darker for an easier arc brightness – I totally loose any chance of seeing the work!
Now I am guessing that it’s the cheap helmet and I would be better with a better helmet – but is it worth it?
We don’t need to weld every week, it isn’t used too often, so I really don’t want to splash out on a very expensive mask, especially if it turns out that going for a much better mask isn’t really that different!
Has anyone made the step up from the cheap sort of mask I have currently to a better mask?
Does it really help with seeing the weld?
From a weld quality/seeing point of view – how expensive do you need to go?
I see that there are several which are way out of my price range – several hundred pounds – which makes sense if it’s a comfort thing when you use the mask all day, but before this I guess there is a point where getting a more expensive mask won’t improve the vision – I think that’s where I need to be!
We are also starting to TIG (AC/DC) so whatever will need to be suitable for that
Any recommendations based on a non-professional infrequent use?
My existing helmet is an un-branded ebay special – from 2011 or so – the lens is marked as filter ADF-700, and although I have tried all sorts of settings basically, I can’t see where I am welding!
I usually end up with something where the arc pool itself is a little too bright, but I then have a faint view of the material ahead of the weld, all too often I put this great weld in place, loads of penetration, neat etc – a really good weld – BUT although it started as a nice fillet (in a Tee weld for example) – along the way I drifted off so it really has only caught the one side – great weld – but useless!
The worse is of course a butt weld although I start off 50/50 across the joint – I ended up wandering off – whilst looking through the mask and being convinced I was keeping it along the line!
Even if I try to draw a line to follow no matter how obvious the line should be, once welding and viewing through my mask I can’t see it.
Dropping the setting I get to see the proper line, but the arc is too bright, but if it’s darker for an easier arc brightness – I totally loose any chance of seeing the work!
Now I am guessing that it’s the cheap helmet and I would be better with a better helmet – but is it worth it?
We don’t need to weld every week, it isn’t used too often, so I really don’t want to splash out on a very expensive mask, especially if it turns out that going for a much better mask isn’t really that different!
Has anyone made the step up from the cheap sort of mask I have currently to a better mask?
Does it really help with seeing the weld?
From a weld quality/seeing point of view – how expensive do you need to go?
I see that there are several which are way out of my price range – several hundred pounds – which makes sense if it’s a comfort thing when you use the mask all day, but before this I guess there is a point where getting a more expensive mask won’t improve the vision – I think that’s where I need to be!
We are also starting to TIG (AC/DC) so whatever will need to be suitable for that
Any recommendations based on a non-professional infrequent use?