Welding Methods

Knight9 · Oct 5, 2001

What a coincidence....I tried one of the fancy welder face masks last night. I had my class and of course all they have are the "cheaper" variety. Being a complete rookie I was having problems flipping down the guard and still being able to "see" where to strike the arc /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif. The instructor, however, has a $400 mask that was unreal!!! You can see through the mask very nicely but as soon as you strike the arc and start welding it automatically darkens. I probably shouldn't have tried it /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif cause now I'm kind of turned off the old kind.

On the same vein, last night was our first night of stick/arc welding. I found it much easier than oxy/acetylene. Found out that I seem to go the best with a 6011 or 6013 rod...perfect for those rookies who don't know what they are doing /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif.

Kevin

TerryinMD · Oct 5, 2001

The mask your describing is exactly what my neighbor has!! Well, maybe I misheard what he stated about the price. I'll try to talk to him this weekend a find out what he paid pass it along.

Terry

Knight9 · Oct 5, 2001

Terry, keep in mind I'm in Canada and that would be Canadian Dollars!!! /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif Those two numbers aren't too far off...and the instructor also said he had bought it a few years ago and they are "a little cheaper now".

Kevin

TerryinMD · Oct 5, 2001

Man, when are you guys going to get your dollars straight!!! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

What is the exchange rate these days?

Von · Oct 5, 2001

Terry,
You can buy new auto darkening helmets on ebay for about $70.00 plus shipping. I think Harbor Freight has them for that price as well.

Charlie_Iliff · Oct 5, 2001

There are quite a number of auto-darkening helmets. They vary not only in darkness, but in speed of reaction to the arc. A bit of research and inquiry to your local welding supply house is a good idea, even if you buy on line.

Charlie Iliff

Knight9 · Oct 5, 2001

What is the rate now you ask....

Can to US is 1.5616.
US to Can is 0.6404

This according to the Bank of Canada.

Kevin

TerryinMD · Oct 5, 2001

Geez, you guys are getting screwed!!!

Not to get off the subject, buy I wonder why the exchange rate is so screwy with the countries being on the same Continent. This goes the same for our Mexican neighbors.

Any economists have a "simple" answer?

Terry

Knight9 · Oct 5, 2001

Can't explain it.....but it certainly does explain why we tend to vacation in Canada!! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Kevin

TonyC · Oct 5, 2001

I just came from the local welding supply shop to look at these new helmets. The cheapest one was $140.00. I knew I could do better at Harbor Freight etc but I thought I'd look it over anyway. He asked what type of welding I did and I told him Oxy/Acetaline and ARC welding. He said that the electronic helmets were of no use with those methods and were only good for MIG and TIG and some others. I presume since he lost the sale he was pretty committed to his answer. Any comments from anyone?