Air fed welding and grinding helmet

[xillent]

I'm considering buying a portable air fed welding and grinding helmet. I've read through a few threads on here but I'm no further forward. I value my lungs and 'er indoors has been on at me and sent through all the new welding safety directives as they came through. Anyhoo, I'm bamboozled. I want to keep spending down as I'm only doing this as a hobby and a bit of DIY. Needs to work with facial hair (I have some bumfluff on my boat).

Anyhow, as some examples of what I've been looking at

V3 PAPR Airfed Auto-Darkening Welding & Grinding Helmet

Tecmen V3 Helmet Specification: Optical Class: 1/1/1/1 Viewing Area: 107 x 75mm Cartridge: 156 x 123 x 33mm Grinding Lens View: 20 x 12cm Modes: Welding/Cutting/Grinding Arc Sensor: 4 Light State: DIN 3.5 Dark State: DIN 5-8 / 9-13 Shade Control: Internal, Digital Display Power: Manually...

www.tecproducts.co.uk

Navitek S4 Welding & Grinding Airfed Helmet

www.tecproducts.co.uk

XG Flip Up Airfed Welding & Grinding PAPR Helmet Package

Great Price - Stealth XG Flip Up Welding/Grinding Airfed Helmet Package - Shop Now

www.tecproducts.co.uk

Parweld XR940 PAPR Welding Helmet

Key Features True colour welding helmet Shade range - 5-9/ 13 Air fed PAPR - Yes Arc sensors - 4 Grind mode - Yes Diopter / cheater lens - No Viewing Area - 101 x 94mm 2 year warranty

www.weldingsuppliesdirect.co.uk

SWP Proline PAPR - Air fed Welding Helmet with Bag

Key Features Standard lens Shade range - 4 -9/ 13 Air fed PAPR - Yes Arc sensors - 2 Grind mode - Yes Diopter / cheater lens - No Viewing Area - 97 x 47mm 2 year warranty

www.weldingsuppliesdirect.co.uk

https://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/r-tech-spiritus-air-pro-air-fed-welding-mask-system (possibly this one as Rtech were good to deal with when I bought my welder, the page also lists the consumable costs)

https://www.weldtech.co.uk/air-fed-...R-X1-PAPR-Unit-Package?sort=p.price&order=ASC ( I presume is also for grinder use)

Parweld XR940A Papr Unit

The Parweld Powered Air Purifying Respiratory System is an easy-to-use, versatile respirator for particulate environments. With a compact and slim design, the p

engweld.co.uk

Buy Bohler Guardian 50FM Air Fed Flip Welding Mask PAPR Kit - 86644

Stay protected from harmful fumes and enjoy superior visibility and comfort all day long with the Bohler Guardian 50FM Air Fed Helmet. Order yours today!

expressweldcare.co.uk

Buy ESAB SAVAGE A40 Air Welding Mask & EPR-X1.1 PAPR Kit

ESAB Savage A40 Welding Helmet and PAPR Kit. External shade adjustment. Advanced respiratory protection. Free delivery.

expressweldcare.co.uk

Sorry, that there's a load of links but it'd be just as helpful if anyone has advice on what to avoid and much as what to go for.
Obviously consumable costs and availability are also to be considered.

Just working in my wee workshop which has a door and that's it. (well it had a door before todays storm, and a roof. Need to go and check )

Thanks again

 

[Countryside]

Hi
I'm surprised there isn't more discussion on the air fed units, I'm in the same boat. All I can offer at the moment is that the PAPR units of the SWP, GYS, & Xcel + probably some others appear to look like the same design (excl colour) with maybe a slight difference in battery longevity. I'm currently thinking of going for a GYSmatic XXL one as I like the large viewing area of my current helmet. I'm guessing I can them buy the brand of filter that is cheapest like for like. I'm sure they aren't as good as the more expensive units but ok for hobby use. If you trust ebay there are some people on there selling new units in various brands for about half the price of a trusted supplier.

 

[xillent]

I agree about the same design. I watched a load of "review" type videos and there looks to be a bit of rebranding going on. Current favourite is the Parweld one as I like the idea of it warning you when filter clogged atc rather than having to check with a wee pipe. You can also press a button on the side to switch to grinding mode (although what if you forget to change back). I also liked the look of the Bohler stuff.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

although what if you forget to change back).

I think most welding masks will still give you the UV protection even in grind mode.

I have the 3m (9100fx) air fed...I really like their true colour filter...it's amazing. I also have a non air fed parweld...their true colour filter is also very good.

 

[xillent]

Oh, I like that 9100fx but looks like quite a jump in price from the ones I listed

 

[reb78]

I always wonder if safety equipment like this should be vat exempt. It's often that extra 20% that pushes it out of the realms of reality for me.

 

[hotponyshoes]

I always wonder if safety equipment like this should be vat exempt. It's often that extra 20% that pushes it out of the realms of reality for me.

I don't think there is actually much ppe of any type that is actually vat exempt is there?

 

[reb78]

I don't think there is actually much ppe of any type that is actually vat exempt is there?

I dont think so. It just strikes me as something that it would be beneficial to encourage people to use. (PPE generally that is)

 

[Countryside]

Just a note on the multibranded units, some of the descriptions do say they alert you to a clogged filter & show battery life. I tried on a GYS XXL hood with PAPR today and it seemed ok, I was able to lift the hood up ok, although the elasticated fabric that goes under your chin is a bit annoying but obviously helps prevent fumes coming in. This unit just had one wide air outlet in the forehead position, although it looks like other units have some side outlets giving out about 20% of the airflow, not sure if there's any advantage here.

The flip up / down welding / grinding helmets at the higher end look nice but as a hobbyist I don't spend enough time welding / grinding / welding etc, and like to take the hood off and assess the situation, before continuing or grinding. Less efficient but fine for me. I'm tempted by a dedicated grinding helmet though, looks like a good way to prevent sparks getting past goggles.

 

[xillent]

This is the chat about the Parweld helmet