Thread: Auto darkening welding helmets

I prefer normal helmets,set them up right and all it takes is a tiny nod of the head 2 close the window thingy.

Originally Posted by barn

years ago when these helmets first came out i had 3 older fitter and turners working ( the sort of people who thought we should not have come down from the trees and walking on 2 legs instead of 4 is just not natural) .I bought one of these helmets, it cost about one weeks wages. Within a week they were stealing it from each other, if one person put it down for a moment the other one would sneak up and swap an old helmet for the new one. Fists were starting to fly- so a second auto helmet had to be purchased. Yes- even the most stuborn humans can change.

Cool you worked with my old man

Originally Posted by metalfabricator

I prefer normal helmets,set them up right and all it takes is a tiny nod of the head 2 close the window thingy.

and pinch your ear

Originally Posted by metalfabricator

I prefer normal helmets,set them up right and all it takes is a tiny nod of the head 2 close the window thingy.

I never used that method. Tried it once or twice.
As soon as you nod your head you lose the exact position of where you wanted to start your weld. With the old one I would just get my gun (in right hand) in the desired position and then close the window with my left hand.

I tried the head nod welding helmet method once but the wife claimed that she had just asked me if she could buy a pair of $600.00 shoes and I nodded YES. After that I tried closing the helmet by shaking my head from side to side but it just did not work

Originally Posted by martrix

I never used that method. Tried it once or twice.
As soon as you nod your head you lose the exact position of where you wanted to start your weld. With the old one I would just get my gun (in right hand) in the desired position and then close the window with my left hand.

you have 2 take one of the pins out where the little window thingy joins the helmet and just put a peice of mig wire through there.

and pinch your ear [/quote]
you must have big ears if thay hangout the side of your helmet

I guess each to their own but after using old style for years and recently switching to an auto, I will not go back.

I think the main thing is to ensure that whatever you use is UV protected. This goes for safety glasses as well, as unless the standards now call for UV protection, I would want something that states it.

UV not only burns your skin (we have all had welding 'sun burn' ), thus increasing your risk of melanoma but it also damages the lens in your eye. Over time, this causes cataracts.

This is why it is important to buy sunnies that have UV protection, as the dark lenses cause your pupils to dilate, thus letting more light in. No UV protection means more UV = bad.

Thus, my concern with some of the cheaper helmets is the level of UV protection if they offer. Other things to consider have already been mentioned (e.g., number and position of sensors).

When it comes to tools and equipment, it is only expensive if you lose it (or some bugger runs off with it). Besides, when it comes to your health....

BTW - Diflam Gel is fantastic for welding/sun burn (both of which is inflammation of the skin). Certainly takes the sting away.

another good (green)treatment for sunburn - we keep an aloa vera plant by the back door, You break a piece of the plant and rub it on the skin , great, no worries+ natural and cheap as it grows easily.

Paxyl cream is a good main stream chemical product for sun/ weld burn.

Come to think of it welding gloves and a long sleve shirt are probably the best cure for welding / sun burn - it does look a little odd when you where them at the beach though.

Repco have the Tecmen adjustable tint version for $131.20 with their 20% off sale (ending on Monday). Has anyone seen them cheaper? I'm thinking of getting one for my Father and one for myself even though I don't have a welder yet.

Auto shade helmets are to much maintainance for back yarders. I back the tip for a quick nod of the head, with the lid half shut. Auto shade are good for 6 months if you are lucky, then you will continually be forking out $$s to maintain them. Technoligy has its curses for the back yarders!

Originally Posted by georgeandmary

Auto shade helmets are to much maintainance for back yarders. I back the tip for a quick nod of the head, with the lid half shut. Auto shade are good for 6 months if you are lucky, then you will continually be forking out $ to maintain them. Technoligy has its curses for the back yarders!

Welcome georgeandmary.

I must disagree with your statement. I have been using an autodarkening helmet for well over a year and it has work perfectly during that time. Other than the purchase price, I haven't spent a cent on it.

And to be honest, even if the helmet died tomorrow, I would look at getting another one (a "cheap" one, like I currently have) again ASAP. I love 'em.

Hi eveyone, I have followed this thread with interest as I have been trying to find an adequate helmet ever since I did a welding course last year..

I was lucky enough to score an old WIA mig but haven't been able to use it yet..

So after much searching and trying to avoid anything built in China, I finally found what I hope will be a decent helmet.

CIG released late last year a selection of entry level helmets, I just bought the weldskill 454305 with adjustable Din 9/13, variable sensitivity etc etc for $95 from Total Tools in Adelaide.

Only link that I can find on the net is found here;
http://www.warburtons.com.au/product...uct_cat_id=166

So far it looks to be a great bit of kit for the price..

Cheers

Hi Monkeyrelish,
I think that you will find that for the sort of money you paid , you have probably ended up with a "cheap" (and I don't mean that in a nasty way) Chinese helmet with a CIG badge on it.

Originally Posted by Vernonv

Hi Monkeyrelish,
I think that you will find that for the sort of money you paid , you have probably ended up with a "cheap" (and I don't mean that in a nasty way) Chinese helmet with a CIG badge on it.

Hi Vernonv,

Yer absolutely right. I rang CIG and had a chat to one of the guys there and he said it was manufactured for them in China...

ahh well what did I expect for the price..

It's designed to Oz standards and the features and build quality seem decent so I am happy with the purchase.