Grinding helmet...?

[shabz]

Have just bought my first welder and am looking to buy my first helmet...

I've noticed some helmets listed as just welding helmets, and some listed as welding and grinding helmets...

What's the actual difference? and is a grinding helmet really essential for removing bits of rust off a car with an airsaw for example?

 

[malcolm]

With the grinding helmets you can turn off the auto-darkening so it doesn't go dark as soon as you start grinding. I have that feature but don't find it any use as the non-dark setting is shade 5 so you can't see what you are doing.

Personally I use clear goggles for grinding and saw cutting.

 

[M@tt]

I've got one of these for grinding/cutting

Really useful as i found even with goggles hot bits of metal can still hurt the rest of your face

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200220801556

 

[shabz]

I've got one of these for grinding/cutting

Really useful as i found even with goggles hot bits of metal can still hurt the rest of your face

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200220801556

The autodark thing is the only difference?

I think I'll stick to a bandana made out of a t-shirt and goggles then...save some money

 

[SC_BK]

You can also get simmillar face guards with built in ear defenders, and some have an extra chin guard aswell

 

[steve_hi11]

I use one of these for grinding and a whole lot of other things really useful

http://www.chainsawspecialists.co.uk/acatalog/Ear_defenders_and_visors.html

 

[Bsmith]

I used to use a helmet that had a flip up filter, it was'nt auto-darkening tho, it had a clear lense behind for chipping and grinding.

 

[inchpincher]

After going back to the hospital for a second time recently to get metal removed from my eye I will only wear tight fitting goggles with rear facing vents when grinding. Sparks will get under those helmets and imho it's a matter of time until you get unlucky...

They're your eyes but remember you're on your last pair

 

[Code Herder]

Hello, inchpincher you mean that sparks can get inside those full face masks? How does that happen?

Also, if the only safe option for your eyes is tight fitting goggles, what about the rest of your face. I mean, sure I like my eyes better but I'd like to keep the rest pretty too .

 

[rtcosic]

Hello, inchpincher you mean that sparks can get inside those full face masks? How does that happen?

Also, if the only safe option for your eyes is tight fitting goggles, what about the rest of your face. I mean, sure I like my eyes better but I'd like to keep the rest pretty too .

Old thread on this topic:

Safety Glasses

 

[Code Herder]

Thanks for the link, I've read it all and it was very instructive. I'll have to meditate a lot on my choice of face protection considering the various uses I'm going to make of it.

 

[inchpincher]

In my experience the sparks hit your overalls and bounce up and under the helmet, especially if you're using a cutting disc. When grinding I usually direct the sparks towards the big pile of oily rags in the corner
As a rule of thumb if the sparks are nailing me in the head I stop and think if there's a different angle i can approach the job at. If its totally unavoidable then stick on a grinding visor too.

Goggles are cheap so i've got a few pairs lying around- one on the pillar drill, next to where the grinders hang etc. I didn't used to be very safety conscious but once bitten etc. I'm sure it won't be the last injury but fingers i can live without, my eyes are really useful for measuring stuff

 

[Code Herder]

Well, fingers are nice too. On my father side half my uncles and in law are missing fingers or had them re attached.

On the other hand, it's always amusing when the uncle with missing fingers picks the box with the gloves as a christmas present during the 20$ gift exchange.

 

[cazl1994]

weve got a clear mask and goggles lying around the shed i rather the goggels because i was using the mask and one bounced off my trousers and under the mask didnt cach me but always wear tight fitting goggles now
caz