skotl
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- 9,941
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- Edinburgh, UK
See.. I like that - I make sure it works by rapidly lifting my head to the incandescent lamps above. If it doesn't darken, then I know I've left it on grinder mode
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premmington
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- 5,709
- Location
- Norfolk
I always struggle with welding helmets. I have the square-ish old fashion Jackson helmet with an optrel auto lense in it, plus an 1.5mm cheater behind it.
I have tried several other helmets belonging to lads at work from Miller Elites to Speedglas masks
I just can't get anything to sit comfortable or to flip down like the old Jackson helmet.
I have tried several other helmets belonging to lads at work from Miller Elites to Speedglas masks
I just can't get anything to sit comfortable or to flip down like the old Jackson helmet.
I bought a mask off ebay, slightly above bottom priced in order to get the larger viewing area.
Now my welds are in the right place ............ even if they look out of place
After showing it to my brother, he was amazed how much prices have dropped and soon bought one himself - after using it he told me he wished he'd bought one years ago.
Go for any reasonably priced mask - I recommend the larger viewing area type.
Now my welds are in the right place ............ even if they look out of place
After showing it to my brother, he was amazed how much prices have dropped and soon bought one himself - after using it he told me he wished he'd bought one years ago.
Go for any reasonably priced mask - I recommend the larger viewing area type.
ive had a handheld cheapy, a nod down cheapy, a auto darkening cheapy and a mid range sealey auto darkening
as im now welding everyday i have inveested in a speedglas 9200xx which was £262 but the difference between that and the sealey is unbelievable
no more momentary flash before it darkens, a LOT clearer both when welding or just looking through it-i often dont flip it up when moving around when welding, side viewing panels which have saved me from hitting my head more than once, headgear that stops where you want it to and its a lot less sensitive to lights which caused the old ones to darken when you looked towards them-often unavoidable when welding under a car with an inspection lamp etc
overall i would never go back
as im now welding everyday i have inveested in a speedglas 9200xx which was £262 but the difference between that and the sealey is unbelievable
no more momentary flash before it darkens, a LOT clearer both when welding or just looking through it-i often dont flip it up when moving around when welding, side viewing panels which have saved me from hitting my head more than once, headgear that stops where you want it to and its a lot less sensitive to lights which caused the old ones to darken when you looked towards them-often unavoidable when welding under a car with an inspection lamp etc
overall i would never go back
EAZEE
Member
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- 214
- Location
- Kettering, Northants
Hi Guys,
I've found that the cheaper the model, the less it lasts!!! I've got the BOC auto tracker and it's great. It's lasted three years so far and as welders do, it's been dropped, trod on and generally abused. The biggest issue with the cheaper models is that when TIG welding the HF interferes with the darkening feature and it flashes unless you have a sensitivity button. I rate speed glass lids but they're expensive and there's a lot to go wrong with them plus they don't like being dropped. There is a cheaper BOC model now and their own brand, Rival, is good. My students use both and they're lasting well.
I've found that the cheaper the model, the less it lasts!!! I've got the BOC auto tracker and it's great. It's lasted three years so far and as welders do, it's been dropped, trod on and generally abused. The biggest issue with the cheaper models is that when TIG welding the HF interferes with the darkening feature and it flashes unless you have a sensitivity button. I rate speed glass lids but they're expensive and there's a lot to go wrong with them plus they don't like being dropped. There is a cheaper BOC model now and their own brand, Rival, is good. My students use both and they're lasting well.
Kent
Member
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- 9,988
- Location
- Bowland, Lanacshire,UK
I weld pretty much every day and use a couple of parweld auto masks
I also used a cheap split screen mask most of the time I was working for others
Nothing has changed really just those who do something for fun don't mind so much paying out for stuff that will struggle to pay you back the extra costs and don't generally break stuff on site much
I also used a cheap split screen mask most of the time I was working for others
Nothing has changed really just those who do something for fun don't mind so much paying out for stuff that will struggle to pay you back the extra costs and don't generally break stuff on site much
Gareth J
Member
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- 3,525
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- North Cornwall
A steel fabricators I once worked at only use frying pan shields or flip downs. They have autos lying about but they aren't used.
Reasons are; simpler, clearer image for failing eyes, easier to maintain, generally lighter and they're doing similar jobs with the same lighting over and over. The chaps there are have been doing it so long, they could probably do it blindfold anyway.
I am a recent convert to the auto shade though, I don't weld every day and its always something different so apreciate the flexibility. I do miss the crystal clear image of a new glass lens.
Reasons are; simpler, clearer image for failing eyes, easier to maintain, generally lighter and they're doing similar jobs with the same lighting over and over. The chaps there are have been doing it so long, they could probably do it blindfold anyway.
I am a recent convert to the auto shade though, I don't weld every day and its always something different so apreciate the flexibility. I do miss the crystal clear image of a new glass lens.
