Tried a fancy welding mask for the first time! 4k TV?!?!

[Ed.]

Unfortunately, I will not be getting anymore as I have about 4 years supply now that I have added another 6 covers to the first lot I made, I don't weld that often now as I am retired however when I went to buy it, I stressed that it had to be Polycarbonate as it had to be impact resistant for a face shield and that is what he gave me. Could it possibly be that Jlg's plastic isn't Polycarbonate but some other form of plastic as the poly should not crack?

 

[Jlg]

Unfortunately, I will not be getting anymore as I have about 4 years supply now that I have added another 6 covers to the first lot I made, I don't weld that often now as I am retired however when I went to buy it, I stressed that it had to be Polycarbonate as it had to be impact resistant for a face shield and that is what he gave me. Could it possibly be that Jlg's plastic isn't Polycarbonate but some other form of plastic as the poly should not crack?

It's definitely polycarbonate I've got vast amounts of it and acrylic as I do some stuff with that as a sideline to this hobby

 

[Jlg]

Could you check with your supplier if you get any more what it actually is?

Give these a ring its where I get all my stuff from just ask for 1.5mm polycarbonate cut to whatever size your lense is
Acrylic direct
They are in Blackpool but he does post and you'll get very good prices

 

[Ed.]

It's definitely polycarbonate I've got vast amounts of it and acrylic as I do some stuff with that as a sideline to this hobby

Then I do not know why yours would be cracking when you cut it. As you said there may be some differences in the "grade" or something but I don't have any problem with cutting mine. When I use these scissors the small offcut bits tend to very slightly curl a little like sheet metal does with tin snips but no cracking, these scissors have a tiny very fine serrated edge on one side which helps grip whatever I am cutting, maybe it contributes to a clean cut, who knows?

 

[Jlg]

It possibly could I just tried with cheap sicsors

 

[Farside]

The polycarbonate I got from a local stockist was relatively soft and easily trimmable with a jigsaw, not scissors, but I didn't try scissors because I simply thought at 2mm it would be too much of a hassle. There was no question of it cracking or crumbling, as it's not acrylic / perspex.
I'm utterly certain it's polycarbonate, as they specialise in that - supplying local sign makers, etc - and that's what I asked for. I'll be going back up for more soon anyway, and will get some ~1mm sheet for visor inserts.

 

[Jlg]

The polycarbonate I got from a local stockist was relatively soft and easily trimmable with a jigsaw, not scissors, but I didn't try scissors because I simply thought at 2mm it would be too much of a hassle. There was no question of it cracking or crumbling, as it's not acrylic / perspex.
I'm utterly certain it's polycarbonate, as they specialise in that - supplying local sign makers, etc - and that's what I asked for. I'll be going back up for more soon anyway, and will get some ~1mm sheet for visor inserts.

It all cuts fine with a jigsaw

 

[Farside]

It all cuts fine with a jigsaw

Until it cracks, then it's not fine.
Perspex is utterly crap and I won't give it house room.

 

[Jlg]

Until it cracks, then it's not fine.
Perspex is utterly crap and I won't give it house room.

I've cut plenty of Perspex with a jigsaw but I've also cut plenty with a proper table saw blade that cost 500 and it all cuts fine unless you rush it

 

[Barlidge]

You guys are the worst! Look what you made me do ...



Only done a couple of little welds but wow what a difference

I've been watching various threads on them and it was a choice between this one and the ESAB, in the end I just felt the ESAB would get scratched too easily due to its shape. This was a little fiddly to get it to fit my small head but once done feels very comfortable and I like the way the controls are laid out. Its my new guilty pleasure

I might even get that project moved on that's been stagnant for the last few years

 

[Liquid Metal]

One queerie... does it let much light in from behind? Am wondering what its like in that respect, as it looks quite wide at the back of it?
Am in the market for a new auto mask myself atm now that my optrel has pretty much bit the dust after 10yrs plus, simply for the ease of use when mig or stick welding. Dont really like autos for tig work, prefer passive due to flashing. Was looking specifically at this one (ratger than esab, miller, optrel etc) due to the optical clarity.

If work stump up for it and boss buys one though (H&S guy has been on his case) if we get our own way, will be an airfed speedglass 9100fx with flipup for grinding, but if not then this one, and perhaps buy the airfeed parts in the future.

 

[Barlidge]

One queerie... does it let much light in from behind? Am wondering what its like in that respect, as it looks quite wide at the back of it?
Am in the market for a new auto mask myself atm now that my optrel has pretty much bit the dust after 10yrs plus, simply for the ease of use when mig or stick welding. Dont really like autos for tig work, prefer passive due to flashing. Was looking specifically at this one (ratger than esab, miller, optrel etc) due to the optical clarity.

If work stump up for it and boss buys one though (H&S guy has been on his case) if we get our own way, will be an airfed speedglass 9100fx with flipup for grinding, but if not then this one, and perhaps buy the airfeed parts in the future.

I can't say I noticed any and my lights are behind me, I was hoping to try it again over the weekend and take note but other things prevailed, next time I get a chance I will try to take note and reply back for you.

 

[ronan]

I did up to 6g coding in stick and asme iv in tig and mig with an ordinary non-reactive mask. You don't really need to be blowing hundreds on masks, another reason i didn't want a fancy mask was i was working on a lot of sites, where there were gits who would rob the eye out of your head if they got the chance.

Having said that, i did splurge on one of the lidl masks, and find it really good, especially for tig at low amps where its hard to see.

 

[Liquid Metal]

I did up to 6g coding in stick and asme iv in tig and mig with an ordinary non-reactive mask. You don't really need to be blowing hundreds on masks, another reason i didn't want a fancy mask was i was working on a lot of sites, where there were gits who would rob the eye out of your head if they got the chance.

Having said that, i did splurge on one of the lidl masks, and find it really good, especially for tig at low amps where its hard to see.

I know i dont need one per-sè, but as was saying above, do use my old one sometimes if im doing a lot of mig or stick welding. I dont use it for tig, use passive gold lenses. Perhaps thats why ive been after one with a real clear lense, perhaps ive been spoilt

And in all honesty, id rather buy it myself as its only going to be a battle getting the firm to buy any more than a "thatll do", its my eyes at risk at the end of the day not my bosses isnt it. They'll want it back if i leave too. Also if i buy it myself, anyone else wants to use it while im using my other one, they get the same answer they get now, involving the p word, and the word "off" most of the time get the finger too
If it is as good as its cracked up to be (which i dont really doubt) and lasts as long as the Optrel has, as its still working just not very reliable, irle 10yrs plus, then ive got nk problem with it being up to £190-£200 inc vat.

 

[Liquid Metal]

I can't say I noticed any and my lights are behind me, I was hoping to try it again over the weekend and take note but other things prevailed, next time I get a chance I will try to take note and reply back for you.

Nice one, thanks mate. Seems to be a thing with quite a few that... theyre flared out around the back to help deflect smoke, but in the mean time it can let a lot of light in the back.
But if you didnt notice it much and had lights behind you, then thats pretty much answered my curiosity

 

[Barlidge]

Nice one, thanks mate. Seems to be a thing with quite a few that... theyre flared out around the back to help deflect smoke, but in the mean time it can let a lot of light in the back.
But if you didnt notice it much and had lights behind you, then thats pretty much answered my curiosity

Just had another little go with it, you can see some light coming in while getting in position which I hadn't really noticed before but as soon as you strike the arc its not obtrusive at all, if you were closer I'd say pop in and have a try.