Auto Darkening Lens Reaction Time

[Soundguy]

I am not a professional, although I have taken on big projects welding all day for several days (trailers, towers etc.)

I have two from Harbor freight (I think they have one on sale for $39.99)

Although I am sure the construction of the helmet (plastic, head band, etc) is cheaper then a hobart, miller, or speed glass. I would not hesitate to buy another.

get one for $40 and play with it. (I dont think you will ever go back)

yep.. I got the 40$ HF AD one.. and I don't think i've put my 'flip down' one on for the past 3ys...

never had an arc eye burn using either helmet.. flip down is a hobart..

soundguy

 

[Little_Grizzly]

Yep, reflected UV is generally the cause of eye itch. That and light leaks around the helmet window. To block this out I wear tight fitting yellow tinted UV filtered polycarbonate (Lexan) motorcycle goggles rated at UV400 under my AD helmet. Cost $7/pair at Amazon.com.

Global Vision Eyewear - Wholesale - Eliminator Lens AST

Great idea. I really like the looks of those goggles. Not so much the fashion of it but the fit looks very tight. I HATE goggles that have an opening at the far left and right corners. Would like to see what the UV attenuation is really but every little bit helps. Thanks for the link!

 

[Soundguy]

, You can cut safely on grind mode which is shade 3-5 depending on brands without UV/IR damage. You can not get that kind of protection with colored glasses or face shields.

I had no problem finding a fach shield in shade 5. I use it with my O/A cutting torch just fine. way more convienient than wearing goggles.

soundguy

 

[yomax4]

I had no problem finding a fach shield in shade 5. I use it with my O/A cutting torch just fine. way more convienient than wearing goggles.

soundguy

Agreed. Face shields are much more convienient than goggles. I use them all the time and I think everyone should. All I was saying is that you get uv /ir protection to shade 16 with an AD hood instead. With a Torch,,Probably don't matter on ir / uv.

 

[Scooby074]

Interesting... Im a "john Lennon" goggle wearer myself. (the ones with the individual eyecups)

 

[yomax4]

Lennon Goggles are cool but you can just go with easy on easy off glasses these days. I do have a pile of the Lennon goggles. I use the clear ones for light duty sand blasting. I think they still come with some of the torch kits. :thumbsup:

 

[C-Range]

We use nothing but SpeedGlas.

Miller makes some nice one's, but one of us got flashed by a Miller that wasn't more than a year old so they're off the island now. Plus, their headgear (the straps) were breaking.

Once you get to use a good quality welding helmet, it's really hard to use one of those HF or other solar powered one's, no offense guys. The clarity of the heat differentials in the puddle is far better. Therefore, the quality of the weld has the potential of being better.

The $300 spent on a SpeedGlas will long be forgotten when you have it for years and years and can focus on the work knowing it is going to protect those irreplaceable eyeballs. :thumbsup:

 

[PILOON]

One thing I have been doing prior to striking an ark is to 'flic my bic' lighter just to check my auto dark helmet.
Amazing that a flint strike will activate the auto dark.
Glad I adopted that habit as one day the auto stopped working and otherwise I would have caught a good flash.

 

[Scooby074]

I think they still come with some of the torch kits. :thumbsup:

I actually buy them:laughing: My torch came with the awful rectangular flip front style.... right in the garbage:thumbsup:

I use the sunglasses style too, as they are quicker on/off, but its hard to beat old faithful

 

[yomax4]

We use nothing but SpeedGlas.

Miller makes some nice one's, but one of us got flashed by a Miller that wasn't more than a year old so they're off the island now. Plus, their headgear (the straps) were breaking.

Once you get to use a good quality welding helmet, it's really hard to use one of those HF or other solar powered one's, no offense guys. The clarity of the heat differentials in the puddle is far better. Therefore, the quality of the weld has the potential of being better.

The $300 spent on a SpeedGlas will long be forgotten when you have it for years and years and can focus on the work knowing it is going to protect those irreplaceable eyeballs. :thumbsup:

Miller and Sister Hobart, Buy their Welding Hoods from Korea. They don't make them. Actually you would be surprised at what they don't make. Same with Gloves, Jackets, and much more.. I too am a Speed Glass owner. After all. You only get one set of eyes. You should get a White Cane with some of the AD brands.

 

[deereman75]

These are the torch goggles I use, I got them on sale for around $5.

http://www.princessauto.com/workshop/welding/welding/welding-safety/8002530-shade-5-oxy-acetylene-welding-goggles

 

[Soundguy]

Interesting... Im a "john Lennon" goggle wearer myself. (the ones with the individual eyecups)

I wear glasses.. so gogles are a PITA.. the face shield in shade 5 is great for gas torch cutting for me.

can't believe I waited so long to get one.

and yes to the prev poster. I do like the fact that the AD helmets are uv protected even if not dark.

very comforting for sure!

soundguy

 

[dstig1]

You realize that most AD helmets are shade 5 when off? At least the Speedglass are for sure, but I think that is common. So you can just turn off your helmet and essentially get a cutting torch face shield for free. If you leave it on the sparks will trigger the lens and will drive you nutz. BTDT.

 

[Scooby074]

You realize that most AD helmets are shade 5 when off? At least the Speedglass are for sure, but I think that is common. So you can just turn off your helmet and essentially get a cutting torch face shield for free. If you leave it on the sparks will trigger the lens and will drive you nutz. BTDT.

yep, but i like the freedom of movement that goes with goggles over the helmet. Plus my helmet at shade 5 is more yellow tint then sexy green:laughing::thumbsup:

And my lens is auto on... so i physically have to go in and turn the small sensitivity pot to set it to grind.. too much work with gloves on/

Too bad a company wouldnt make a AD helmet where you can just touch a special part of the lens exterior and flip it between modes, shades and sensitivity.. Having a Heads up display inside the helmet would visibly show you your settings... just a thought.. with the price of the high end helmets, features like this couldnt be that hard to incorporate... now where's my royality check:thumbsup:

 

[Soundguy]

another reason I like a face shield over gogles is.. well.. sparks and slag NOT hitting my face..

soundguy

 

[grsthegreat]

another reason I like a face shield over gogles is.. well.. sparks and slag NOT hitting my face..

soundguy

I agree. Full face shield is only way to go, especially in welding up while lying on the ground as i always seem to be stuck doing.

 

[Soundguy]

yep.. I rarely am in a position where I like to be when welding. nothing 'easy' to reach seems to break..

soundguy

 

[grsthegreat]

yep.. I rarely am in a position where I like to be when welding. nothing 'easy' to reach seems to break..

soundguy

Yup.. and at the most inopportune times. I just broke 2 tines off of my rototiller.....now that is going to be an interesting weld. Gots to try it, and if it doesn't work, then ill order a few replacements.

 

[Soundguy]

hopefully not a spring steel.

 

[dstig1]

hopefully not a spring steel.

Nah, this time of year it's more likely to be an "autumn" steel.