oldpilgrim
Elite Member
I started this so others who missed the I can't see thread might pick up on it.
In that thread, http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/welding/351885-cant-see-when-welding.html , I and many others said they had a real hard time seeing much of anything when they are MIG welding.
I did some research and decided to try an ANTRA helmet that has adjustments all the way down to shade 5.
This is what I got:
Antra AH6-660-101S Solar Power Auto Darkening Welding Helmet with AntFi X60-6 Wide Shade Range 4/5-9/9-13 with Grinding Feature Extra lens covers Good for Arc Tig Mig Plasma CSA/ANSI Certified By Colts Lab - - Amazon.com
If that link doesn't work, search "AH6-660-101S" on Amazon.
It comes in three different lens sizes and multiple designs. Different sizes and different designs determine the final price. I got the middle sized lens and the skull design as I though it would be easier to find when I set it down somewhere. If you get basic black with the standard lens size, you can get it for as little as $59. My combo of size and color was $79 with free shipping...without PRIME !.
It has a selector switch which allows you to have 2 ranges of darkening. One setting gets you from shade 5 to shade 8. Flip a switch and you get shade 9 to 13. the individual shade is determined by an easy to reach outside knob located at your left temple. Turn the knob to 'grind' and it shuts of the darkener circuit and gives you a shade 4 for grinding. It comes with several outside clear lens covers and an additional inner lens cover. Also 2 spare batteries. I also ordered a 1.75 cheater lens.
The headband is easy to install, is easy to adjust and comfortable. If you flip the mask back over your heard, it stays there.
Now to the test.
I have a Hobart Handler 140 which has 5 amperages to the torch, labelled 1-5, so I don't know what amperage I actually use. I set it on 3. I set the shade on 9 and ran a bead down some scrap steel. As expected it was too dark, like my old helmet.
I cranked it down to 8 and I could see! I turned it down to 7 and I could see BETTER! Lower than that and it was too bright, but I'm positive a 5 or 6 would be perfect for OxyAcet torches.
So 7 or 8 was perfect for me. I could see the work and I could see the puddles perfectly. I put the cheater in and it helped a lot. I left my glasses on. I did not try it without the cheaters as what I saw was perfect as it is. There is no 'click' setting on the shades, so you can get an infinitely adjustable shade setting like 7.5 or 8.25 etc.
I didn't use it with my Lincoln AC tombstone but I'm sure it will be perfect with that when I figure the proper setting for it.
I am exceptionally happy with this helmet.
Try it, you hard of seeing guys. I bet you'll like it.
[h=1][/h]
In that thread, http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/welding/351885-cant-see-when-welding.html , I and many others said they had a real hard time seeing much of anything when they are MIG welding.
I did some research and decided to try an ANTRA helmet that has adjustments all the way down to shade 5.
This is what I got:
Antra AH6-660-101S Solar Power Auto Darkening Welding Helmet with AntFi X60-6 Wide Shade Range 4/5-9/9-13 with Grinding Feature Extra lens covers Good for Arc Tig Mig Plasma CSA/ANSI Certified By Colts Lab - - Amazon.com
If that link doesn't work, search "AH6-660-101S" on Amazon.
It comes in three different lens sizes and multiple designs. Different sizes and different designs determine the final price. I got the middle sized lens and the skull design as I though it would be easier to find when I set it down somewhere. If you get basic black with the standard lens size, you can get it for as little as $59. My combo of size and color was $79 with free shipping...without PRIME !.
It has a selector switch which allows you to have 2 ranges of darkening. One setting gets you from shade 5 to shade 8. Flip a switch and you get shade 9 to 13. the individual shade is determined by an easy to reach outside knob located at your left temple. Turn the knob to 'grind' and it shuts of the darkener circuit and gives you a shade 4 for grinding. It comes with several outside clear lens covers and an additional inner lens cover. Also 2 spare batteries. I also ordered a 1.75 cheater lens.
The headband is easy to install, is easy to adjust and comfortable. If you flip the mask back over your heard, it stays there.
Now to the test.
I have a Hobart Handler 140 which has 5 amperages to the torch, labelled 1-5, so I don't know what amperage I actually use. I set it on 3. I set the shade on 9 and ran a bead down some scrap steel. As expected it was too dark, like my old helmet.
I cranked it down to 8 and I could see! I turned it down to 7 and I could see BETTER! Lower than that and it was too bright, but I'm positive a 5 or 6 would be perfect for OxyAcet torches.
So 7 or 8 was perfect for me. I could see the work and I could see the puddles perfectly. I put the cheater in and it helped a lot. I left my glasses on. I did not try it without the cheaters as what I saw was perfect as it is. There is no 'click' setting on the shades, so you can get an infinitely adjustable shade setting like 7.5 or 8.25 etc.
I didn't use it with my Lincoln AC tombstone but I'm sure it will be perfect with that when I figure the proper setting for it.
I am exceptionally happy with this helmet.
Try it, you hard of seeing guys. I bet you'll like it.
[h=1][/h]