Reactomatic Welding Helmets

[geodon]

The 1st one I bought failed after 18 months & the second one wasn't much better.


One won't darken & t'other won't lighten & at ~$70 a pop I'm unimpressed.


They are the solar powered versions.


I believe there are battery operated versions about.


Are they anymore reliable??

[rijidij]

The helmet should have a battery in it and the solar panel extends the life of the battery.
At $70 it would be considered a cheap auto darkening helmet. I paid $250 for my Migomag helmet about four years ago and only replaced the battery once in that time, it's never failed to work and I weld nearly every day.

At the top of the scale are Speedglas helmets, this one is AU$565 Speedglas

Cheers, Murray

[Toxic_Avenger]

You can bank on about 1500 hrs welding use on a set of batteries in a Speedglas. IMO, a decent helmet is an investment both in ease of welding, and for your own protection (safety first! you need those eyeballs!). Budget anywhere from 350 to 650 for a decent helmet. Ones with supplied air/ positive pressure units go for much higher. Speedglas has the advantage of a kickass warranty and every part is replaceable.

There is a lot of cheap and cheerful auto helmets out there, where most of them fall short is their reaction times (upon arc initiation), their sensitivity (flicking when grinding for example), their ability to pick up the arc (poor quality photosensors) or just not suitable for low amperage welding... such as TIG welding.

If you are not welding rocket ships, and only use it once a year, a $10 flip front with fixed shade lens is still the best option. It will outlast the operator!
18mths is not a bad run if you use it every day. If it was in the shed for all bar 10hrs of welding it is a different story though.

[Toxic_Avenger]

At the top of the scale are Speedglas helmets, this one is AU$565 Speedglas

Cheers, Murray

Jeez! That specimen is at least 4 years old! Its a superseded model in Australia at least.
I'd love to be able to sell something like that for $565 these days.

The newer flex view units have upgraded head harnesses which are very secure, adjustable in almost every orientation. Some are fitted with hard hats for site work also.

[geodon]

TA I have a permanently dark helmet I got with my stick welder 30 yrs ago.
No, THEY don't wear out!
But it's too dark for my MIG. Are MIG flashes less intense & can I get a less intense one for that purpose??
Cheers
George


PS
The market seems awash with cheapies!
http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_f...ening&_sacat=0

[Toxic_Avenger]

Mate, new fixed shade lenses for the standard flip up come in a range of shades, and you'd pick up two for less than the price of a schooner.

Shade 8-13 is common.
You can also get pimpin' gold plated ones for street cred while working the pipeline.

[geodon]

Thanks for the link.


I'd forgotten about FleaBay


I found this


NEW Solar Auto Darkening Welding Helmet Lens Filter Shade 3 11 High Quality AU | eBay




It will fit my older Xelux brand helmet




If it works, I'll buy a spare too. Judging by the 260 they've sold it's gotta be a goer!

[Toxic_Avenger]

I found this

NEW Solar Auto Darkening Welding Helmet Lens Filter Shade 3 11 High Quality AU | eBay

It will fit my older Xelux brand helmet

If it works, I'll buy a spare too. Judging by the 260 they've sold it's gotta be a goer!

That only has shade 10 (active) and a shade 3 idle. Might not be the best if you find that you may want to change the shade of the lens when you change the welding parameters.
Ideally look for something that can do shade variable shade between 8-13. Shade 5 is good if you do any oxy acetylene welding or plasma cutting.

[incisor]

i use a cig proplus+

well worth the money in my books

adjustable everything and comfortable to boot!

cost me $250 bucks not long ago at my local welding supplies place

gone up to $270 now but still great value at that.