Automatic Welding Helmet

[101RRS]

I have to a bit of welding in the evenings in my garage which only has very basic lighting. My welding helmet is one of those that is powered by a solar panel that gets its power from the welding arc to darken.

Up to now I have only used it during daylight where it works fine - auto darkening almost immediately on sparks even before an arc is established.

However at night in poor light I have noticed that the arc has to be well established for a second or so before it darkens and I get blinded and do a bad weld (thankfully the lens filters out the UV so while I get temporarily blinded, my eyes are not getting burnt by the UV).

Is there a reason it takes longer to darken when welding at night or am I imagining the problem.

Oh my welding is crap even when I can see what I am doing :(

Thanks

Garry

[blue_mini]

I was having the same problem, welding outside in direct sunlight was great. I then stuck my head in a footwell to put a panel in and had blotches and headaches for days.
In the end i paid a lot for an adjustable shade mask and adjust it as i go. Hard to find the right setting but a whole lot better than the non-adjustable.

Have you tried having a lot of workshop lights around?

[bee utey]

My BOC (CIG) helmet has a sensitivity setting that gets adjusted occasionally. My previous cheapie got thrown out for precisely the problem you are describing. It drove me mad, I don't usually weld in a brightly lit area.

[101RRS]

Thanks for the information - I guess when out in the sunlight the solar panel is picking this up and is basically ready to go when the welding rod is struck.

It seems I need a better helmet.

Cheers

Garry

[Slunnie]

Thanks for the information - I guess when out in the sunlight the solar panel is picking this up and is basically ready to go when the welding rod is struck.

It seems I need a better helmet.

Cheers

Garry
If you're happy to pay through the nose for the helmet.

I now buy the $20 ones from BOC and change the shade from 11 to 9. Just learn the head flick and you're away.

[Graeme]

I recently replaced my old adjustable cheapie with a new adjustable cheapie. The old one had become slow to respond, the new one works very well.

[clubagreenie]

There (should) be two adjustments, one for shade (darkness level once on) and also for sensitivity (which should be labelled in mSec) . I Paid about $130- or so for a brand name hat with solar, battery backup and 8-13 shade level and sensitivity adjustable. Was from Hare and Forbes by memory.

[McDisco]

I got mine, which is a Cigweld adjustable, from Total Tools for about $80. It has a delay setting, sensitivity and a darkening setting. Its really good and works in all conditions.

Angus

[goingbush]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/05/1396.jpg

[clubagreenie]

He really should have a hat on in that sun.

[Slunnie]

He really should have a hat on in that sun.
Welding generates a lot of UV light. I see a lot of sunburn from the welders.

[flagg]

The $80 CIG weld ones are ok..... but mine didn't last very well. The lens is pealing internally which is creating fuzzy patches.. and sometimes the sensitivity plays up. It was just over 12 months old.

I've been battling with it for a while.. but the problems were giving me sore eyes.

Unfortunately when it was playing up once someone lent me a SpeedGlas 9100XX. Damnit, then I knew what a proper welding helmet was like.

I got one for $450. Yes this is a huge amount of money. Insane amount.

...and less than the cost of 2 pairs of glasses. If your helmet flickers, or you get any delays or flashes, you WILL damage your eyes. IMO it is just not worth it.

[33chinacars]

I'm no welder but I try. Used a mate auto helmet. Made things so much easier. Spent $400-450 on one with a larger than normal viewer And my welding has improved 500%. Thats because I can see what I'm about to weld now where as before it was just a stab in the dark. Workls well both inside and outside in bright sun light. Just adjust the settings . Wish I had got one years ago. Didn't think I needed one for the amount of welding I did. How wrong I was

Gary

[goingbush]

Also a note, regarding UV ,
Don't think you can get away with taking aim then shutting your eyes, UV will go straight thru your eyelids.

I know most desert trippers carry welding rods & leads with them because its easy enough to cobble together 3 batteries for a roadside welding job, but who carries a Welding Helmet. I have a lens packed away in the car somewhere that if the need arises I'll cobble up a mask with gaffer tape or something.

Not the brightest idea I guess.

[clubagreenie]

And sunburnt eyelids aren't exactly the most comfortable thing one can experience.

[LandyAndy]

Mine died today,not bad seeing I got over 10 years out of it,it was one of the first "cheapies" on the market and cost me $120.
Sat down for lunch and went Ebaying.$30 for one ex Hong Kong:cool::cool::cool::cool::cool::cool:,this one seems to have a replaceable battery,my dead one is a sealed unit.It starts working soon after you get blinded then you cant see a bloody thing:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(
Auto Darkening Solar Welders Welding Helmet Mask With Grinding Function RED 9 | eBay
Andrew

[Homestar]

I was given a cheap one and found it useless. It took far too long to switch - hope your ebay cheapy is better than that. I bit the bullet and bought a decent one - very happy with it. It is a CIG unit - about $130 IIRC

[LandyAndy]

Was willing to take the risk.Would cost me more than $30 to drive up to the city to get one.If its no good,I will get a good one next time Im up there.
Andrew

[Homestar]

Let us know - if it's a good one, post a link.:)

[loanrangie]

I have a cheapy Andrew and 2nd hand at that, never used one before and now i cant believe i hadnt used one before as it makes welding so much easier.
I was still using a hand held mask .

[Aaron IIA]

I bought an automatic welding mask on E-Bay about a month ago. Have since welded over 20kg of rods with it. Has adjustable darkness and grinding mode. There is also a test button to check to see if it will auto darken. It came with a pair of welding gloves, a storage bag, a cap and six spare lense protectors. I am very happy with it. It cost $44.99 buy it now with free postage from Sydney.
Aaron

[Homestar]

Sounds like the cheapies have come along a bit in the last 10 years. :)

[steveG]

I bought an automatic welding mask on E-Bay about a month ago. Have since welded over 20kg of rods with it. Has adjustable darkness and grinding mode. There is also a test button to check to see if it will auto darken. It came with a pair of welding gloves, a storage bag, a cap and six spare lense protectors. I am very happy with it. It cost $44.99 buy it now with free postage from Sydney.
Aaron

Any chance of a link to the one you bought Aaron?

Steve

[rangieman]

I all so got a ebay cheapie one about a month ago ( Rossi brand) $48.00 inc postage aussie supplier fully adjustable works a treat:)
Couldnt wait for 3 weeks for a china one to turn up needed asap

[33chinacars]

The best thing I've done for my welding - period. Although from memory I spent a lot more than most . $350 - 400 . Controls for Tint / Time delay etc. It also has a much larger than normal eye port.

Gary

[Corgie Carrier]

I got mine from Mitre 10, it's a Ross brand and was on special for $39 about 6 mths ago. Like most people, I can't believe I didn't get one sooner, it works great.

Neale

[Aaron IIA]

Any chance of a link to the one you bought Aaron?

Steve

I bought
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/271279735389'ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649#ht_5390wt_1160
Aaron

[101RRS]

Aaron - how does it work at night?? I have a cheapy that I have had for a few years and it works OK in the day but takes a long time to switch at night time 0 obviously high ambient light makes it work better.

Thanks

Garry

[Aaron IIA]

It works well at night. Changing was as expected. When not welding and in clear mode, it is a bit hard to see through, as the clear lense is shade 4. The ambient light was darker than moonlight though. I think all auto darkening helmets are shade 4 when in clear mode.
Aaron

[Bigbjorn]

I have been interested in seeing if the material and technology in these could be adapted to a number plate shield and if it would darken enough and quickly enough to prevent those revenue cameras getting a shot.

[101RRS]

Was done many years ago - sort of worked - sort of didn't. Didn't work with infra red flash but I guess they could be modified.

[lewy]

don't know about this
,I will not buy a cheap motorbike helmet to protect my head,why a cheap welding helmet to protect my eyes.

[Tombie]

Just to be safe I always wear UV safety glasses under the helmet.

If the arc strikes and it doesnt darken you are in big trouble otherwise!

[Tombie]

I have been interested in seeing if the material and technology in these could be adapted to a number plate shield and if it would darken enough and quickly enough to prevent those revenue cameras getting a shot.

Do you only speed after dark? :wasntme:

[loanrangie]

don't know about this
,I will not buy a cheap motorbike helmet to protect my head,why a cheap welding helmet to protect my eyes.

Its not rocket science, it either darkens or it doesnt. If it doesnt, take your finger off the trigger and take it back.;)

[Aaron IIA]

Mine has a test button to check to see if it is going to work. Otherwise, check to see if the sun will darken it.
Aaron

[rangieman]

don't know about this
,I will not buy a cheap motorbike helmet to protect my head,why a cheap welding helmet to protect my eyes.
Think about this

So if you buy a motor bike helmet that is made to Australian safety standards for $50 or one that is made to Australian safety standards for $ 700.00 :eek: Will the $700.00 jobby save your life any more of course not :Rolling: it will tho have some better features :p
i Have no problem buying anything that is made to our safety requirements at any price .
Hell when i buy a m/bike helmet i dont look at price i make sure it is to ADR and OUR safety standards then the fit comfort . The high end stuff ($$$)will have less wind noise and some bells and whistles:p
:BigThumb:

[LandyAndy]

I got a message thru Ebay saying customs returned my welding helmet and did I still want it or a refund.
Told them I still want it.
Andrew

[lewy]

Some good points made about the aussie standards.And if it has the sticker on it one would presume\hope that it is safe for use.On googling the only thing i found to be wary of is the time the helmet takes to go from clear to dark varies between helmets,Don't think it will make a difference to the very casual welder[me]but perhaps something to consider if welding constantly. :D
Miller - Selecting the Right Welding Helmet For You (http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/articles/Selecting-the-Right-Welding-Helmet-For-You/)
Lens reaction time indicates how quickly the lens will switch from its natural light state (usually shade #3 or #4) to the darkened shade when welding begins. The quicker a welder' s eyes are shaded from the high-intensity light, the better. Entry-level lenses are often rated at 1/3,600 of a second, while industrial or professional grade helmets can be rated as high as 1/20,000 of a second. The more arcs you start in a day, the more you'll appreciate the quicker speed. If you spend all day welding with a lens rated at 1/3,600, the cumulative effect of the increased exposure to the arc light may lead to eye fatigue at the end of the day. With faster switching speeds, these effects are reduced.