welding helmets

[MMM]

You can pick up a solar auto helmet same price or less on E-bay.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Your FIL is right. Unfortunately, the helmet won't know that it's "for occasional use" or be priced that way. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Personally, I don't think your sight is anything to risk to save a few dollars. I went ahead and got what I believe to be a very good one and just wrote the check (something around $160, as I recall) and have never regretted it.

I have a solar powered, adjustable darkness (9-13), auto darkening helmet I really like. Mine is a Hobart I got from Tractor Supply. I've also heard very good things about the 'Jackson' brand.

Good luck with whatever you decide. I hope this helps. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Henro]

<font color="blue"> Personally, I don't think your sight is anything to risk to save a few dollars. </font>

Gary(or anyone),

Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think there really is a safety issue involved with welding helmets offered for sale in the US.

I am pretty sure it is more of a dollar spent versus convenience gained issue.

I doubt one gets greater protection when one spends more money.

A more expensive hood offers many advantages I bet, but I doubt that protection from the arc flash is one of them.

If this is not the case, anyone, please correct me...

 

[PineRidge]

I really don't think it matters which helmet you purchase as long as you have adequate eye protection. Once you get a good case of welders flash you won't forget about it real soon. Don't ask me how I know that.

That said the auto-darkening helmets on a 1 to 10 scale rate an 11 in my book.

 

[5030]

Bill:

You are CORRECTED...

Price all has to do with the size of the viewing area and the switching time. Compare switching time on auto dark hoods and you will see that the fastest ones are also the highest priced ones.

I have a Hobart skull hood. Should have worn it on haloween to scare the little ones off. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Could have had all the candy for myself.

Some months back I do some snooping around on the web concerning the above....no, not scaring the kids, switching speed. Hobart is, if I remember correctly about middle of the road. The Jackson brand had the fastest switching speed I think.

Hard to recollect more than a few months ago. Must be my age.

 

[Scozz]

Its my understanding that the glass lense will filter the uv rays even if it is clear. You will be blinded by the flash but its the uv rays that damage the eyes. I've worked for full days helping friends weld ... holding pieces while they tacked. I got flashed all day long but the old Ray Bans were enough that there was no sand in the eyes at night ... Scozz

 

[Rch]

If you weld you will grind and cut, both of which need eye protection. Some higher end self-darkeding have a setting specifically for that. Could be well worth it /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Jackson Nex Gen EQC;
4th one down

 

[PineRidge]

I don't know what to make of that. It has always been my understanding that looking at the flash even miles away can damage your retinas because of the intensity of the light itself. I hardly believe that a pair of sunglasses will give your eyes the protection that they need while welding other than with mixed gasses.

 

[DDT]

I word to the wise. I bought on 2 years ago. Well worth the $120. I thought it was a good one. Solor battery, adjustable shade. The out side clear lens is plastic and very thin. I so far can not find a replacement lens. It is so bad I can't see though it very well.

 

[Henro]

<font color="blue">You are CORRECTED...

Price all has to do with the size of the viewing area and the switching time. Compare switching time on auto dark hoods and you will see that the fastest ones are also the highest priced ones.
</font>

Daryl...I don't think I have been corrected...I was speaking of safety and eye protection. Viewing area and even speed are just improved features.

I doubt that 1/10000 or 1/25000 of a second can be sensed by any of us...or that it makes any safety difference at all. I have a cheap auto darkening helmet and a very expensive one. They both seem to go light to dark at about the same speed as far as I can tell, even though the Jackson NexGen probably changes faster... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

<font color="blue"> I don't know what to make of that. It has always been my understanding that looking at the flash even miles away can damage your retinas because of the intensity of the light itself. </font>

PineRidge, I think it is more the type of light than the intensity. Think about flash cameras...pretty intense, but not an issue, even if you can't see clearly for a few minutes after someone points and shoots right into your eyes when you are not expecting it...

I am not 100% (maybe 99%)certain, but I think a welding hood filters our all the harmful light frequencies and essentially only passes light similar to what we see when a camera flash goes off.