Thread: Auto darkening welding helmets

I responded to this post early in the peace, and recommended against an auto darkening helmet.

Well...... I was forced to borrow one on a job the other day, and was very impressed with it. I bought one on the same afternoon, and would recommend a decent auto helmet to newbie’s and pros alike. My helmet cost $145.00, and is of mid range quality, considering you can pay 5 times that if so inclined. The reaction time is 1/10000 sec' which I can say, is good enough so that I can weld all day, with no itchy eyes at bed time.



I still stand by my original post 100% , except I was wrong.

Fossil

Originally Posted by Fossil

........................I still stand by my original post 100% , except I was wrong.

Fossil

Sorry mate, can you speak up I didn't catch that, did you say you were WRONG? Good on you!

Mick

Originally Posted by Fossil

..I bought one on the same afternoon, and would recommend a decent auto helmet to newbie’s and pros alike. My helmet cost $145.00, and is of mid range quality, ...

G'day Fossil, can you tell us which one you got & were you got it?

I have been welding (as a hobby) for 4 or 5 years now - mostly stick welding and more recently MIG.

I had always used a standard helmet and it worked fine - that was until my kids got me an auto-darkening helmet last Christmas, and I now realise just what I have been missing out on.

The ability to be able to see up until you strike an arc (or pull the trigger on the MIG) is wonderful, especially if you are doing fine, delicate work.

The helmet I got was a Tecmen brand and I have since found out they they got it for about $70 (though an on-line store). It's got a rated switching time of 1/10 000 sec and on occasions where I have used it for extended periods, I have not ended up with sore/itchy eye's.

I'd hate to go back to the standard helmet now.

Originally Posted by scooter

Thanks one & all for the input.

Sorry about the tardy reply, but the computer sh@t itself & has been at the nice man's for a holiday & some R & R ($100 worth of R & R ).

Will follow up with the retailers mentioned, would prefer to check out the unit before purchasing but will see how I go.

Thanks again............cheers..............Sean, enlightened

see my post here https://www.woodworkforums.com/f160/welder-48196

I bought one from Repco for $71, they had $89 on it but I said Bunnings had them for $69 and as I didn't want to back track to save $2 (I would've spent that on fuel) I bought it there. And yes, I had seen them at Bunnings for that price, I wasn't pulling their legs.

I was in the local Bunnings this morning and also saw them at $69.
That is the lowest price I have seen them at.

The adjustable model costs more obviously ,but as i already have 2 non adjustables ,I shall not be getting any more.
My non adjustable models work on stick,tig down to 30 amps and also mig.This might not work for everyone as my welder is an inverter with a different arc frequency to most machines.

I have even been able to squeeze and magnifying diopter in there behind the electronic lens.Its rather nice being able to see what you are welding on.

The adjustment band is much better quality than the old CIG hiderok models.The Tecmen has a little trick with a spring loaded button in the center of the finger wheel which you must press to freely turn it.

Grahame

I also have a Tecmen,

I bought the variable shade model as I have lost my night vision! Too many years on night shift?

When welding with a normal shade all I can see is the arc, Don't know where I'm welding!

Hi

Bunnings have them for $65..

They look ok and are made to Aust/NZ standards.

I think I will get one next week, to go with my new cheapie (Ozito - shudder @ $299) mig welder

I am currently doing a welding course , learning heaps

cannot see a thing using a normal mask

better with a auto adjusting , but still hard to follow the line

I think I maybe a bit night blind , always suspected it

whilst in Bunnings , I saw some fluorescent "chalk " which came with additional lenses , you take out the clear lenses and replace with those supplied. The auto adjusting is still in place .

When you weld the line fluoresces and it , apparently , easier to follow

anyone with PERSONAL experience with this chalk ,can you please comment

I think it was called ezy weld

ps look like I will buy a TECMEN

Seeing what you weld has a few problems associated with it, none of then really obvious to a beginner.

1. The amperage you weld out governs the light output.
2. As you get older your eyes absorb less light
3. You must watch the arc and weld metal and how it is flowing

The last seems obvious but it is a common problem. When learing how to weld there is a lot going on, you are nervous, there is a lot of noise and fumes, you really don't know what to look at and it is difficult to take it all in. The more you practise the easier it becomes to actually see what is going on. Technique also plays a part as the wrong angle can shroud the weld pool and so on. Just because joe blow who is 30 years younger than you uses a dark shade doesn't mean you need the same shade. Try using a lighter one and you will find it a lot easier, you won't get a flash and if necessary go up in shades until you find one that suits you. I cannot see how an auto darkening visor can suit everyone from young to old, it just is not possible.

Thanks for the info ,

read a separate answer to my question in a new thread , more on supply than on use

will keep on practicing and hope it gets clearer , pun intended

Originally Posted by Mini

I cannot see how an auto darkening visor can suit everyone from young to old, it just is not possible.

Yeah, I agree, that is why I got a variable shade one. Thought it would be good to be able to adjust the darkness.


Cheers..............Sean

Originally Posted by scooter

Yeah, I agree, that is why I got a variable shade one. Thought it would be good to be able to adjust the darkness.


Cheers..............Sean

I did not know you can buy them in a variable shade, does it have a large difference in shade? My helmet is about 25 years old and I now use a shade several times lighter than I started with.