First time welder type suggestions.

[Garycw]

I may just order before fine since I'm in my now Done and will ship tomorrow. It'll be here day after welder arrives
Thanks

 

[dragoneggs]

And get yourself an auto darkening helmet. Everyone has their opinions on qualities.
Mine is : just don't buy the cheapest or the most expensive. $100 will get you a good one. Check for fit if possible.

I have two Optrel's that are junk now as I can't replace the batteries. My 'go to' hood is a cheap Tweco that came as a mail in rebate with one of their welders.

View attachment 438252

Terry

I like my basic $100 helmet from Miller. You can spend a lot more for bigger window and other bells/whistles but for an occasional user, those $300 helmets seem just to stroke your ego and empty your wallet.

 

[IslandTractor]

I like my basic $100 helmet from Miller. You can spend a lot more for bigger window and other bells/whistles but for an occasional user, those $300 helmets seem just to stroke your ego and empty your wallet.

Not sure I agree. For a beginner it is a challenge to strike an arc and to see the puddle clearly. Having an auto darkening helmet really helps. I'm sure experienced welders can do with just dark shades but for someone just starting it is important to be able to see everything all the time. That doesn't mean a top dollar helmet but it does mean decent auto darkening.

 

[dragoneggs]

Not sure I agree. For a beginner it is a challenge to strike an arc and to see the puddle clearly. Having an auto darkening helmet really helps. I'm sure experienced welders can do with just dark shades but for someone just starting it is important to be able to see everything all the time. That doesn't mean a top dollar helmet but it does mean decent auto darkening.

Oh I'm definitely talking auto darkening here! Don't weld strike a weld without it. Old timers are proficient with old school flip downs... They are nodding as we speak... Once you have a auto darkening lens... No looking back.

 

[Garycw]

I've got one ordered. I'll need all the help and ease of learning I can get. I've got an old school style left over from a garage sale I was going to use. The auto helmet I ordered has controls inside and out. Also has all the certifications, so I hope it's ok.

Sent from the mountains

 

[IslandTractor]

I've got one ordered. I'll need all the help and ease of learning I can get. I've got an old school style left over from a garage sale I was going to use. The auto helmet I ordered has controls inside and out. Also has all the certifications, so I hope it's ok. Sent from the mountains

If you are over 40, you should think about getting some cheaters too. You're going to get real close to your welding as you learn to see the puddle. Even if you don't need reading glasses generally, vision correction can make welding a lot more comfortable.

Cheaters are inserts that fit inside the helmet. They only cost about $8-9 and are available at local welding shops. Alternatively you can pick up reading glasses but then you need to take them on and off. Nice thing about cheaters is that they are right where you need them and attached to the helmet. I have several in different strengths. I find my natural distance from the puddle to be different for stick, MIG and TIG so different diopter strengths are useful.

 

[Garycw]

If you are over 40, you should think about getting some cheaters too. You're going to get real close to your welding as you learn to see the puddle. Even if you don't need reading glasses generally, vision correction can make welding a lot more comfortable. Cheaters are inserts that fit inside the helmet. They only cost about $8-9 and are available at local welding shops. Alternatively you can pick up reading glasses but then you need to take them on and off. Nice thing about cheaters is that they are right where you need them and attached to the helmet. I have several in different strengths. I find my natural distance from the puddle to be different for stick, MIG and TIG so different diopter strengths are useful.

Yes, I'll diffidently need those too. Hadn't thought about that.

Sent from the mountains

 

[Big Barn]

X2 on the suggestions for cheaters. I THINK the lens are all of the same physical dimensions but not all helmets accept them. I had to "make" it fit my Lincoln hood.

Spent the longest time trying to figure out what I was doing wrong before I found out it didn't fit.

Terry

 

[dragoneggs]

If you are over 40, you should think about getting some cheaters too. You're going to get real close to your welding as you learn to see the puddle. Even if you don't need reading glasses generally, vision correction can make welding a lot more comfortable.

Cheaters are inserts that fit inside the helmet. They only cost about $8-9 and are available at local welding shops. Alternatively you can pick up reading glasses but then you need to take them on and off. Nice thing about cheaters is that they are right where you need them and attached to the helmet. I have several in different strengths. I find my natural distance from the puddle to be different for stick, MIG and TIG so different diopter strengths are useful.

Yes I need to remember to pick some up! I am getting tired of taking on/off the readers. Actually Sheild Arc was the one that had me try out glasses. What a difference is seeing the puddle clearly!!!

 

[IslandTractor]

Yes I need to remember to pick some up! I am getting tired of taking on/off the readers. Actually Sheild Arc was the one that had me try out glasses. What a difference is seeing the puddle clearly!!!

Yep. Glasses are a good way to check that you'd benefit and you can then use the diopter to select the same strength cheater. However, I found I really liked having different strength cheaters for different projects as the depth of field is not that great. An experienced welder can monitor a puddle from a good range of distances but I've found I need the puddle to be virtually the size of a pencil eraser held between 6"-18" from my nose depending on TIG or MIG or stick and of course the particular project. That's too wide a range for one strength cheater lens. As they are pretty cheap, I just bought three. I also found that wearing progressive lenses is uncomfortable as I need to tilt my head back to get into the reading range and that is awkward when wearing a mask. My current strategy is to wear non corrective safety goggles (so eyes are protected when the mask is flipped up) and to have a cheater installed in the mask. I wear separate reading glasses under simple torch goggles when using oxy fuel.