New Helmet

[Danger]

Aaaaahhhhhh! I had an autodarkening helmet a friend gave me and suddenly realized it wasn't autodarkening...DARRRRR! I went out and bought me one of these: http://www.millerwelds.com/products/weldinghelmets/elite.html They aren't cheap but you can't put a price on your vision and safety.

BTW...I got the one with the flaming skull on it. Way cool unit. I wonder if I can wear it to bed tonite?

 

[vwsimon]

wow that is expensive! - I bought a cheapie on ebay but admit that when the welding starts the darkening is too much to see the weld properly so almost unusable - a lesson learnt there...

So, I have gone back to my original, recently I have also started using the hand held type as included with the welder as struggeling under a car the head units are too bulky, I have found a good way of holding both the torch and the shield so I can see what is happening and have a firm hand

As for other uses for welding helmets, once my mate borrowed my gas welding goggles to look cool for a gig he played at but it was so dark in the club he had to abondon the idea, hard to see the keyboard..
I used my welding helmet to view the 1997 eclipse down in cornwall - much better than all those silly glasses everyone had - gets me thinking, perhaps those glasses could be used for welding - take one eye out and you have your own auto darkening shield, just close the correct eye when you press the trigger on the torch

 

[Justme]

I bought a cheapie on ebay but admit that when the welding starts the darkening is too much to see the weld properly so almost unusable - a lesson learnt there...

Does it not adjust?

Justme

 

[vwsimon]

Well there is one twisty knob but I do not remember it making any difference, I must admit I thought it was more to do with responce time as the darkness never seemed to get any better but it was over a year ago since I first recieved and played with it. I used it for the first time since then yesterday and soon gave up. However, having seen the description of the item with the 9-13 figures relating to shade control (similar to mine) and your comment I will twist the knob to the other end of the scale and try again.

 

[Danger]

Having used mine several times now I must admit that it's a fantastic helmet and I can't imagine anything less now. You can adjust sensitivity, speed and darkness by analog dials above the lens. Only thing I don't like is that it doesn't stay up when you push it up...it just wants to drop down over your eyes but this might be an adjustment thing I haven't gotten around to yet.

 

[migmag]

oh dear..............................

 

[vwsimon]

tested my cheap ebay one this evening, darkness adjustment definately does not work, and pobably why I thought the knob was time delay - useable but not as clear as a standard one...

 

[Hovermn]

Harbor freight sells an auto helmet for $40-50 that works great. I bought one and love it. The adjustment works well and my eyes haven't felt fitigued at all after long sessions of welding.

 

[migmag]

tested my cheap ebay one this evening, darkness adjustment definately does not work, and pobably why I thought the knob was time delay - useable but not as clear as a standard one...

Does it take bateries?

 

[vwsimon]

yes it does take batteries, why do you ask?

 

[murex400]

ive always gone for the murex Esab Eye Tech although i do use mine every day. they do seem to take a fair bit of abuse

http://www.tooled-up.com/ManProduct.asp?PID=121957&MAN=Esab-Eye-Tech-5-13-Automatic-Welding-Helmet