First time post: Parweld helmet, how low can it go?

[Duke of Pork]

Hi, this is my first post.

I went to DIYWelding's place today as I need a new auto welding helmet. I have a decent budget but I dont want to spend more than necessary (who does?). DIY obviously knows his stuff but rather than flogging me something I dont need, he recommend the Parweld helmet to me.

It is rare for me to buy anything above the minimum I can get away with but I currently have the cheapest helmet you can buy and it is useless.

I have the much loathed Rehmann TIG160, but if I can get the hang of it I will replace it with something from DIY's place when it goes pop. If I dont get the hang of it then it will be back to MIG. I quite like low amp (30ish) settings on the unit at the moment so I can keep up with the weld pool. Hopefully this will improve with practice and I can up the amps.

So what I want is: MIG and TIG from low (30?) to high (150?) ability, with good clarity. It is only for mild DIY use up to 3mm mild steel.

Will the Parweld fit that bill?

To give you an idea of the budget I could go to this (Sorry to quote a competitors product DIY, I cant quite stretch to your next one up £200 Optrel.):

http://www.engweld.co.uk/product.php?item=762

Is it really that much better than the Parweld which seems to punch above it's weight in a bangs per buck kind of way.

Thanks

David

 

[Duke of Pork]

I would post a picture of some of my efforts if I knew how.

 

[Duke of Pork]

If the current helmet is playing ball it can look as neat as this (ignore the corners, I haven't sussed those out yet):

 

[Duke of Pork]

If is playing up (overly dark patches that you cant really see thru properly) the welding looks like this:

 

[Welderpaul]

If the current helmet is playing ball it can look as neat as this (ignore the corners, I haven't sussed those out yet):

Yeah, I think you've got the hang of it!!

 

[Duke of Pork]

Only when I can see! I love TIG, I learned on gas with no filler 20 years ago but haven't done any since. I cant stand MIG, it's too rushed for me.

This is an excellent forum, real easy to use, pictures on the first use and emails when you have a reply. I am well impressed!

 

[Wozzaaah]

Welcome to the forum Duke, nice welds!

 

[malcolm]

As far as I'm aware the Parweld is perfectly good for MIG and TIG. Quite a lot of people on the forum have them so you are sure to get feedback.

I bought an eyetech II, though that was more for scope of adjustability for some photography rather than while welding. I rarely use any setting less than 10 or more than 11 on MIG or TIG in that amp range.

 

[Duke of Pork]

Thanks for the welcome, I have a way to go with the welds though.

They will be more consistent when my vision is consistent. I guess I should just trust DIY as I have had a few bits off him in the last few months and he has always been spot on. His dog doesn't like me much though!

I am struggling to believe something as cheap as the Parweld is the answer to my mask question. My current auto can be perfect sometimes but others it is slow to react but worse than that (I tend to shut my eyes until I hear the weld start) it has big dark areas that you can see thru. It is hard enough to perfect TIG on your own without that handicap.

I am in a bit of a race against the reliability of the Rehmann. If I get to a standard that I am happy with before the Rehmann dies (based on the reputation of chinese inverters) then I will happily buy a proper unit. If it dies before that then it will be back to the Clarke MIG. I dont really want that, I dont like MIG much. The Rehmann is a great intro into TIG welding, I would never have tried it otherwise - I bought the unit for less than a weeks hire of an HSS TIG unit with HF start. Who knows how long it will last.

 

[Duke of Pork]

That's interesting Malcolm, I am happy with 9EW on my fixed non auto visor. What amps are you down to?

 

[ian of fev]

welcome aboard duke i wouldent have thought you would go wrong with a parweld xr914h ive had mine now about 3 months and i tell you what its just perfect for the money
1/ its slim and comfortable
2/ its varible from DIN 9-13
3/ its got Adjustable Sensitivity
4/ it switches from Light to Dark in 1/25,000th second
and its more than perfect for the home diy hobby user and is very sensibley priced afer all we only get one pair of eyes

 

[malcolm]

That's interesting Malcolm, I am happy with 9EW on my fixed non auto visor. What amps are you down to?

I've been down to about 20 amps on the TIG, though haven't used it much for mild steel yet - mostly alu and stainless. I rarely go above 100 amps. I tend to run at 11 most of the time, otherwise I end up with a shadow where the arc is. Should imagine the shade number isn't totally accurate.

 

[Duke of Pork]

Well it looks like you have all saved me £100 and got DIY a sale into the bargain.

I will see how the replies go to this thread up to the weekend, but it looks like it is a Parweld for me.

I am pleased with this, not just the money as all I want is a reasonable helmet (and its xmas present money), but I didn't enjoy posting a link to a competitor's product when DIYWelding has been a good bloke to deal with.

Glad I joined the forum, thank you, David.

P.S. Please keep those replies coming, you are saving me £££

 

[malcolm]

If you do happen in to DIY's store do let him know we are missing him and hope to see him on the forum again soon.

 

[Weldingartisan]

Have just bought a Parweld for an employee for his college course. Supplier said he could not recommend it below 40amps on TIG.
I have an old Parweld which used to flicker on 20amps using TIG, but was fine above that.
W/A

 

[baweld]

parweld

we sell the parweld helmet and i dont recommend it for TIG
you either need a Lansec / speedglas or i higher spec helmet.
there is only 2 sensors on the parweld helmet so its not designed for TIG .
The lansec helmets not bad which is what i use and its cheaper than a speedglass

 

[Duke of Pork]

I bought it and tried it but TBH I am not that impressed.

It is better than my existing auto, it reacts plenty quick enough and the shadows aren't as great, but it has no where near the clarity of my fixed shade non auto.

If this didn't work I fancied an ESAB eye-tech II 9-13 but I am wondering if any auto will match the clarity of my fixed filp front.

Am I chasing rainbows, or is there a product that suits me?

 

[baweld]

parweld

the Esab is a good helmet but it is not made by Esab is i suspect its a speedglass or maybe a Lansec put in an Esab helmet.
Speedglass and Lansec are the worlds top manufacturers of helmets .
The speedglass 9002x is a good helmet and is there latest .
My fave is the optrel OSE helmet retails at £225 we can do for £175 plus vat it does everyjthing including grinding and plasma .
looks very good too like aformula one drivers helmet .

you only get one set eyes so buy the best .

 

[TAITSIE]

Esab and Oprel use the same cartridges and controls its only the shells which differ
I have an Esab eye-tech 5-13 which is a great all round helmet.

 

[Duke of Pork]

I want to be sure before I commit anymore money, ideally I would like a test drive. I was hoping to do it fo £150 or less - what is the realistic minimum I would need to spend to match the clarity of my fixed non auto?

Local to me I can get:

Speedglas 9002D for £100 inc VAT
ESAB EYETECH II SELECT 9 - 13 for £150 inc VAT
Speedglas 9002X Limited Edition for £176 inc VAT
Optrel Satelite for £200 inc VAT

Are any of these as clear as a fixed non auto? Is the dearest one twice as good as the cheapest one in the list?

Baweld - I cant seem to find much on the Lansec, do you have a website?

The Parweld could well be up for sale very soon, very low milege, still with box and instructions!

Thanks

David