Speedglas headband - solving the problems!

[astro_al]

Hi guys, using my Speedglas 9002X constantly puts me in a bad mood! I couldn't get the tension right on the threaded pivots either side of the headband, and ended up cross-threading one of them, so now it lacks any tension at all and I have to hold it up with my hand.

The screen itself is fantastic, but it is SO let down by the crappy headband. All I see on welding forums is people complaining about the headband - WHY do they not sort the cheap POS out???

Anyway - I'm looking to fix it up properly. Has anyone done anything to theirs to improve the situation? I'm considering a proper metal version, or possibly a cam and spring so that it sits nicely in the 'down' and 'up' positions without gradually drifting down, but doesn't require too much effort to shift between the two (ideally a 'nod').

Any thoughts? Cheers, Al.

 

[rtbcomp]

Would some sort of magnetic catch work? A lot easier to make than one with moving parts.

I know what you mean about headbands, my £200 blasting helmet suffers from the same problem.

 

[astro_al]

Thanks RTB - I personally don't like the idea of having magnets right next to my head for extended periods, so I guess I'll stick with the cam idea, but a good thought nonetheless!

Al.

 

[pedrobedro]

A bit of velcro on the back of your overall collar and a strap on the helmet to catch it on Why do you need to hold it up ? I thought the idea was to look through the screen in light mode and take the helmet off when you've done welding. I got a free cheapie with my welder and never having had one before I still lift it out of habit but am trying to stop doing it.

 

[astro_al]

Helmet on or helmet off is bit drastic - sometimes its useful to flip it up to see, even if it is auto darkening. Thats why they come with hinges.

Its quite a hassle to take on and off with the air suppliy connected etc, I just want to flip it up and have it stay there. Velcro is actually a good idea. Al.

 

[Sparkey]

Haha, yes we should write a letter to (3M) speedglass! The headbands are horrible...mine is so worn out at the mo that when i nod it down, it just DROPS down....(right on your chest when you hold your head too low...)

 

[hotrodder]

The new 9100 headgear looks much nicer, don't know if the hinge has been improved- does look beefier though. Wonder if it'd fit/could be easily made to fit the 9000 series shell? Costs around £15 for either type of headgear FWIW

The 9000 headgear is always going to be a bit fragile in the hinge area, just not beefy enough. All masks have a stop peg for the down position, an old mask of mine had one for the up position too via a sorta cam on the pivot- worked really well, it was the lens packing up that killed it. Maybe come up with something similar or add a 'detent' type stop for the up position?

All just ideas as my 9002 headgear is still hanging on, albeit with regular adjustment to keep the sweet spot between it falling down constantly or requiring a spot of moshing to get it drop

 

[Welderpaul]

I agree, the headband assembly is useless. Otherwise a good mask. I've gone back to Esab ones - when your welding all day, it sends you mad.

 

[KTMMICK]

Well mine has been fine, broke it once myself and replaced it, set up properly never given a problem.

 

[Seano]

Wonder if you can use a 9100 with Adflo.....?

 

[RapidResponse]

9100 series Adflo will not be available until the 1st quarter of 2010. When it arrives it will be in 2 forms. Basic and deluxe. Sorry, that is all i know. 9002 helmets will be discontinued when 9100 Adflo appears. You will get spares, but lenses will dissappear within 24 months.

 

[Normsthename]

My Speedglas headband snapped yesterday and I have a rush job on tomorrow.
I bet nobody carries spare parts
I only weld approx. one or two days a month, so my Speedglas has not had a lot of use in approx. two years of use.
Nice screen, useless headband.
Pile of ****

Andy

 

[pidgeon chit welder]

Looks like we will have to start buying MK 1,2,3,4, &,5 mod surplus plastic buckets, head wearing for the use, from Army surplus stores and modify them to take the visors ..

The skid lids do have full fix chin straps & come in ballistic Kevlar so they might be worth looking into.

 

[Normsthename]

I managed to get a new headband, it was a different design from the original one fitted.
Still not much use

Andy

 

[flatmajor]

i have modified mine, i have a grinding shield that i rarley use, i have taken the head band of it and exchanged it with the speed glass one. all seems ok, i think its done the job for now.

 

[Bsmith]

Couple of roofing bolts instead of the plastic ones with rubber washers or compression springs between to restrict movement? Adjustable too.

 

[xboxjoner]

my speedglas had the same problem and drove me mad, the mod I done works like a dream...when your in the mask for 8 hours a day it has to be right, all I done was cut the the tread off the original adjusters and then drilled a 6mm hole through and used a m6 bolt and nyloc to replace the old thread, did this mod and had no problems since it really transformed the mask, hope this will help others with the problem...