I CAN see while welding !!!!!!! Try this helmet !!!!

[joefromga]

All modern welding helmets have permanent uv and ir filters. The darkening ability doesn't affect the safety of these helmets. If you're welding at max amperage and the setting is on minimum dark like 4 you aren't going to damage your eyes because the filters are protecting you. You MIGHT have some flash fatigue but it's doubtful.

This is a common misconception. The darkening feature is separate from the safety protection.

Auto darkening welding helmets are inherently better because of other reasons such as always having the lenses shading you instead of accidental arc strike (especially in stick welding) and having the helmet up and if you're welding around other welders you'll spend less time avoiding their arcs.

They also can help your accuracy while you practice and reduced fatigue and neck-flip soreness.

Also you can safely watch the puddle cool while still bright instead of flipping up to a white hot puddle that you'll stare at.

 

[California]

no pressure- looks like you have been busy
I will probably have to read-re-read that thread a couple times to get a picture of the wireless project

You might want to start at the end where I know a little more. I started that thread to ask questions and learn the details of using Ethernet over Powerline. This is a phantom Cat5 cable that uses a sender/receiver pair to deliver a signal through house wiring.

 

[California]

... Hopefully California will get a chance to try his antra out in the near future

I did find that when mig welding in a well lit area it works good at 9-13, and tried a dark area on low amps @ 8.6 setting it could use a little external light. Since then have used mine at 9-13 for welding. Only on mig welding in a poorly lit area on low amps does it seem to need some extra light.

Ok, I got a chance to use the new Antra today.

I had a very small project, attach a replacement backhoe tooth 'cap', the wear part, that slips over the structural tooth. I practiced first on scrap steel plate that is about 0.090". My 'Century 130' mig welder runs on 110 volts, rated 105 amps DC output. I have it set up for flux core wire.

Like Dan above, around 8.6 on this helmet's lower range seemed right for my testing. I can see the puddle and a little of the bead being laid down without added lighting. Visibility with this small welder is comparable to using my 220v230a stick welder at 125 amps. This Century was sold mainly for autobody repair and can adjust down to lesser output so this is the right helmet for it.

Using the Antra I now have much better visibility than I saw with the HF Blue Flame helmet. That one claimed minimum setting 9 but it didn't adjust down far enough to use with this welder.

Thanks to everyone who encouraged me to buy the Antra!

 

[Arc weld]

All modern welding helmets have permanent uv and ir filters. The darkening ability doesn't affect the safety of these helmets. If you're welding at max amperage and the setting is on minimum dark like 4 you aren't going to damage your eyes because the filters are protecting you. You MIGHT have some flash fatigue but it's doubtful.

This is a common misconception. The darkening feature is separate from the safety protection.

Auto darkening welding helmets are inherently better because of other reasons such as always having the lenses shading you instead of accidental arc strike (especially in stick welding) and having the helmet up and if you're welding around other welders you'll spend less time avoiding their arcs.

They also can help your accuracy while you practice and reduced fatigue and neck-flip soreness.

Also you can safely watch the puddle cool while still bright instead of flipping up to a white hot puddle that you'll stare at.

Nothing wrong with auto-dark helmets but if you're using too light a shade, especially with a cheater lens, it's going to cause eye strain and eye fatigue. Long term effects, who knows but gambling with your eyes is the last thing anyone should do.

 

[Harry Palmer]

I'm so happy I saw this thread. "joefromga" comments explain the details not included in my Harbor Freight auto-darkening helmet. Based on this info, I think I can adjust to a lighter shade so I can see what I'm trying to weld. I'm very much a learner, so this helps a lot. I have a very inexpensive wire welder (HF) which my kids bought for my birthday a few years ago. I also have a Craftsman stick welder (220v) which I've been using while making needed repairs to my 16' utility trailer. Trying to see what I'm doing has been a real pain since I thought I had to have the lens real dark. Now I'll try a lighter setting -maybe I'll be able to see what I'm actually trying to weld. Thanks again. :cool2:

 

[crazyal]

Set it lighter and weld a little then see if your eyes bother you over the next day or two. I use to keep my helmet set to a lighter setting but the next day my eyes felt itchy and dry. I now have it turned up. I can't see the puddle as well but my eyes no longer bother me. If I welded a lot I think I would try to find tune what level works best for me.

 

[joefromga]

I learned this week that the light sensor is at the top of the lens.

So, when welding under a trailer fender my mask was being blocked by the fender like a sun visor and the auto darken lens wasn't darkening! It was just the usual green and I was getting some flash but still protected by the filter.

So, don't weld with the light sensor blocked or it won't darken.

 

[flusher]

I use both a Hobart Stickmate LX AC/DC welder and a Hobart Handler 140.
My helmet is a $60 autodarkening unit from Northern Tool set at 10 or 11 on the shading control.
I wear a pair of yellow tinted wraparound aviator sunglasses rated UV400 that reduces the glare from the arc and helps me see the puddle clearly. Also protects my eyes from reflected UV that can get inside the helmet from the rear.

 

[k0ua]

I learned this week that the light sensor is at the top of the lens.

So, when welding under a trailer fender my mask was being blocked by the fender like a sun visor and the auto darken lens wasn't darkening! It was just the usual green and I was getting some flash but still protected by the filter.

So, don't weld with the light sensor blocked or it won't darken.

I think that has happened to all of us if you weld around some kind of structure. That is why the more expensive models have 4 sensors distributed around the helmet.

 

[Oldpath05]

Great For Arc, Mig, Tig, Plasma Applications with Grinding Feature<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Every time I look up these so called state the art welding helmets, the specs are vague to the point of scratching my head, does it dont it will it and is it .

I'd like a welding helmet with auto darkening lens about 2"x4", adjustable shade, need to be able to install a 1.50 cheater lens, and last but not least I need a replaceable CLEAR LENS for grinding, now is does this welding have this all theses features or no?