Thinking About Buying a Welder

[Bob_Skurka]

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TXDon,
I don't have an auto dark helmet.
How are they better than a simple helmet.
What filter number do you set it to?
Thanks for sharing your knowledge with the optically and intelligence impeded Martin.
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From my limited experience, a constantly dark shield is fine for using a gas torch, but an auto darkening helmet is a DRAMATIC IMPROVEMENT when using other welding techniques. Even a bigger improvement that the development of PRE-sliced bread.

 

[GaryE]

<font color="blue">How are they better than a simple helmet.
What filter number do you set it to? </font>

No need to grope around to strike the arc. A good lens is adjustable from 0 to 12 or 13. Once you start using one you will never go back!

Happy welding,

Gary

 

[txdon]

A-man I have the Miller Auto Dark helmet with the big lens. I tried them all on and the Miller worked best with my progressive eye glasses. I don't have to put a cheater lens in it. With the cheater lens I could only focus on metal one distance from my eyes.

Like the others have said the tinted lenses turn to the darkness level you set them at. I adjust the darkness level to the brightness of the arc, so I can see the bead but the arc does not blind me, It varies.

There is another control on the Miller (and some others) and that is the delay at which the autodark turns back to the lightly tinted. On some weldings the bead will stay very bright for a second after you stop and you don't want to be blinded and see spots so you adjust the return to normal so it delays a second - a nice feature.

There was a girl on the first day of class that I thought was going to drop out because she did not have the autodark helmet. She was getting very frustrated because she could not start the arc because she could not see. I mess up and let her us mine and it took me a while to steal it back. She went out the next day and got an autodark and by the end of the class she was a pretty darn good welder. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[AntrimMan]

Gee I wish I could try one to see what the difference is before I run out and make a purchase. I'm not cheap, just a might thrifty. Donations gratefully accepted /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I'm looking into one as we speak, rhetorically that is.
I have been sticking the wire into the groove and with the other hand flipping the filter down and then squeezing the trigger. It seems to work ok for me.
Logically the auto darkening does make good sense.
I think Ill buy a 9002V for the missus' birthday.

Thanks for the info,
All the best,
Martin

 

[GaryE]

<font color="blue"> Gee I wish I could try one to see what the difference is before I run out and make a purchase. </font>

You are more than welcome to come up here and try mine! But I can tell you the missus’ will love it. You can’t go wrong.



<font color="blue"> I think Ill buy a 9002V for the missus' birthday. </font>

Tell her it goes perfect with her basic black dress!!!!

I have a Huntsman I paid just under $200.00 for and I am very happy with.

Good luck with your decision,

Gary