ModMech
Platinum Member
When I decided to begin rebuilding my treasure trove of welding and fabricating tools, the first step was to make sure I had appropriate safety gear. Having located a good used welder in a local CL ad, it was time to look for a new welding helmet/shield. :cool2:
I had an old (like 20 year old) Speedglass auto-shade that I let go with my equipment when I sold everything off last year. There were a number of things that I did not like about it; small viewing area, single shade, too dark for plasma, too light for Tig or high amp Mig, too dark with "off" and it ATE batteries :thumbdown: which were not standard AAA or AA size.
My new helmet would need to address every one of those short comings.
A rigorous search on the interweb identified dozens of modern auto-shade helmets ranging in price from about $50 to well over $200. My view is that my eyes are not something I want to leave to chance, sort of like my skull inside a brain-bucket, better quality is just better. Therefore, I wanted to purchase a name-brand product, hopefully from a LWS. After some phone calls, it became apparent that welding helmets are high mark-up products at the LWS, so back to the web.
Ultimately, I decided on a Miller Classic Series #251-292 helmet complete with variable auto-shade and adjustable sensitivity. All I can say is WOW, this is a huge a change from what I had used before as going from a cut off wheel to a Plasma torch! On the lowest sensitivity setting, you can easily use the helmet outside, even on a bright day, but it might not turn on soon enough for some people's liking. It is fine for me, but people without glasses might find the lowest setting too low for them. According to the documentation, even the lowest shade and sensitivity settings provide good protection from UV and IR, so better than using your hand to shield your eyes! The unit uses standard "AAA" batteries, rechargeable types are NOT suggested. Another cool feature is that it has an auto shut-off feature, this will turn the unit off after 10-15 minutes to preserve the batteries and a weld strike will reactivate it. There is no on/off switch, other features include: low battery LED, reset button and a delay adjustment.
The Shade ranges from 8-12, no "notches", seems to be continuously variable:
8 - you can see clearly, but it is too bright welding at anything over about 80A, but would be PERFECT for Plasma cutting
10 - this is what I typically used in the past, either fixed or auto-shade fixed, I will have to run some rods to see exactly if I want to stay there or go to 11/12.
12 - this is DARK, I would use it for high amp Tig or maybe an eclipse
Sensitivity settings are likewise continuously variable:
Low - you need to look at the sun to turn the shade on
L-M - Seems to be perfect for outside work, even on a sunny day
M - On a bright day, even in a building, it will activate if you look at a window
M-H - Overcast days indoors will cause it to activate
H - Yea, a drop light will activate it, overkill
I snapped a few photos for the group, if you are in the market for a GOOD helmet/shield, especially if you would like to stay under $100 the Miller Classic Series would be a good option in my opinion.:2cents:
The first two photos are self explanatory. From there, looking thru the lens, they are:
1114-1 = Undarkened, looking out window on PC day
1116-1 = Shade 8 looking out window on PC day
1117-1 = Shade 9 looking out window on PC day
1118-1 = Shade 10 looking out window on PC day
1121-1 = Shade 12 looking out window on PC day
As you can see, the visibility when undarkened is excellent, I am really pleased!
I had an old (like 20 year old) Speedglass auto-shade that I let go with my equipment when I sold everything off last year. There were a number of things that I did not like about it; small viewing area, single shade, too dark for plasma, too light for Tig or high amp Mig, too dark with "off" and it ATE batteries :thumbdown: which were not standard AAA or AA size.
My new helmet would need to address every one of those short comings.A rigorous search on the interweb identified dozens of modern auto-shade helmets ranging in price from about $50 to well over $200.
My view is that my eyes are not something I want to leave to chance, sort of like my skull inside a brain-bucket, better quality is just better. Therefore, I wanted to purchase a name-brand product, hopefully from a LWS. After some phone calls, it became apparent that welding helmets are high mark-up products at the LWS, so back to the web.Ultimately, I decided on a Miller Classic Series #251-292 helmet complete with variable auto-shade and adjustable sensitivity.
All I can say is WOW, this is a huge a change from what I had used before as going from a cut off wheel to a Plasma torch! On the lowest sensitivity setting, you can easily use the helmet outside, even on a bright day, but it might not turn on soon enough for some people's liking. It is fine for me, but people without glasses might find the lowest setting too low for them. According to the documentation, even the lowest shade and sensitivity settings provide good protection from UV and IR, so better than using your hand to shield your eyes! The unit uses standard "AAA" batteries, rechargeable types are NOT suggested. Another cool feature is that it has an auto shut-off feature, this will turn the unit off after 10-15 minutes to preserve the batteries and a weld strike will reactivate it. There is no on/off switch, other features include: low battery LED, reset button and a delay adjustment.The Shade ranges from 8-12, no "notches", seems to be continuously variable:
8 - you can see clearly, but it is too bright welding at anything over about 80A, but would be PERFECT for Plasma cutting
10 - this is what I typically used in the past, either fixed or auto-shade fixed, I will have to run some rods to see exactly if I want to stay there or go to 11/12.
12 - this is DARK, I would use it for high amp Tig or maybe an eclipse
Sensitivity settings are likewise continuously variable:
Low - you need to look at the sun to turn the shade on
L-M - Seems to be perfect for outside work, even on a sunny day
M - On a bright day, even in a building, it will activate if you look at a window
M-H - Overcast days indoors will cause it to activate
H - Yea, a drop light will activate it, overkill
I snapped a few photos for the group, if you are in the market for a GOOD helmet/shield, especially if you would like to stay under $100 the Miller Classic Series would be a good option in my opinion.:2cents:
The first two photos are self explanatory. From there, looking thru the lens, they are:
1114-1 = Undarkened, looking out window on PC day
1116-1 = Shade 8 looking out window on PC day
1117-1 = Shade 9 looking out window on PC day
1118-1 = Shade 10 looking out window on PC day
1121-1 = Shade 12 looking out window on PC day
As you can see, the visibility when undarkened is excellent, I am really pleased!
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