| Welding Helmets [message #276137] |
Sat, 18 April 2015 11:35  |
mickey szilagyi
Messages: 273
Registered: January 2013
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We bought a mig welder last year and are doing our own welding which is neat and a lot of fun doing it ourselves. We welded brackets for the generator replacement and just finished a trailer hitch setup to hold both a platform and bike rack. Harbor Freight has this helmet on sale for $44 with coupon.
http://www.harborfreight.com/Auto-Darkening-Welding-Helmet-with-Racing-Stripe-Design-67854.html
We already have two helmets like this next one which is available with a coupon for $35.99:
http://www.harborfreight.com/adjustable-shade-auto-darkening-welding-helmet-61611.html
It looks like the difference is the racing stripes, a little faster auto-darkening speed, solar powered with battery assistance(don't know what that's for) and a grinding mode.
We have a hard time seeing what we are welding with the two helmets we already have and would like a third one so a third person can watch what we're doing (grandkids mostly). Is there something we're missing in a helmet so the person welding can see better? Are helmets pretty much the same in that regard? Any experienced welders that could shed some light on this? We'd appreciate any help/comments on this topic.
Thanks, as always!
Mickey
1977 Kingsley, 403, Lansing, MI
[Updated on: Sat, 18 April 2015 11:39] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Welding Helmets [message #276138 is a reply to message #276137] |
Sat, 18 April 2015 12:46  |
kerry pinkerton
Messages: 2565
Registered: July 2012
Location: Harvest, Al
Karma: 15
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All helmets are definitely NOT the same. Cheaper helmets like the HF ones you have, have limited light sensors and don't darken as fast or as much as higher end helmets. I understand completely why someone starting out is hesitant to spend a few hundred dollars on a helmet. Especially if they didn't spend that much more for the welder.
The good news is that the cheap helmets do offer eye protection so letting the grandkids use them is probably OK. The bad is that they usually don't have the range of brightness. That is, to get them dark enough you have to start out pretty dark. And if you lighten them up, you will probably get 'flashed' a lot which is no fun at all.
Having said all that, I have a few HF helmets around for folks who want to 'watch'. My personal helmet is a mid range Miller helmet with 3 sensors because I also TIG weld quite a bit and for that you need a lot of sensors, fast operation, and variable sensitivity and darkness. Trying to use a cheap helmet for TIG is just plain hazardous to your eyesight. The 'Pro-Hobby' Millers a pretty good if you don't TIG...about $125.
The other difference is viewing area. The HF welders have a small viewing area, 2 or 3" or so. My Miller is considerably bigger as are most midrange helmets.
If you're going to weld much, you should invest in a good helmet. You can probably go to a welding shop and ask someone if you can look through one of theirs.
Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama
Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
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| Re: Welding Helmets [message #276139 is a reply to message #276138] |
Sat, 18 April 2015 13:00 |
mickey szilagyi
Messages: 273
Registered: January 2013
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We use a Millermatic which is nice as it has auto settings that take the guess work out of it pretty much.
Without knowing exactly how other brand or more expensive better helmets function it's hard to tell so we probably need to experience them to find out. However, the HF ones we have darken just fine. We haven't played much with the settings but the major problem is actually seeing what we're doing while welding. It's so dark that we can't see the metal pieces or where we're going. Maybe it's just the way it is and we need more practice. Thanks again!
Mickey
1977 Kingsley, 403, Lansing, MI
[Updated on: Sat, 18 April 2015 13:03] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Welding Helmets [message #276140 is a reply to message #276137] |
Sat, 18 April 2015 13:16 |
kerry pinkerton
Messages: 2565
Registered: July 2012
Location: Harvest, Al
Karma: 15
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Get one with variable shade. They have at least one model that goes from 4 to 13. It sounds like you've got one that only goes from 4 OR 13.
Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama
Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
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| Re: Welding Helmets [message #276141 is a reply to message #276137] |
Sat, 18 April 2015 13:28 |
Gadabout
Messages: 124
Registered: March 2013
Location: Edmonton
Karma: 2
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We do lots of welding at the shop with different brands of helmets.
The ability to see clearly what you are welding is an important part of the job, good shop light and a helmet that your happy with will achieve this result.
There is a big difference in Helmet lens technology, most local welding supply shops will let you try a demo helmet so you can see if it is right for you.
Carl Harr : Driver NASCAR Pro Series #2
1978 Gadabout-Restoring
1978 Palm Beach
1976 Glenbrook
Prevost Featherlite H3-45
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| Re: Welding Helmets [message #276142 is a reply to message #276140] |
Sat, 18 April 2015 13:52 |
mickey szilagyi
Messages: 273
Registered: January 2013
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I'll have to check but I think ours are resting at #4 which I'm guess is before it darkens when exposed to bright light. The variable goes from 9 TO 13 but I'm not sure. I'm headed to my son's tomorrow for more coach work and I'll check the helmets. Thinking about this maybe we need to shine a good focused bright work light where we are welding. I think we thought the brightness of the welding would illuminate the work area but maybe that's not how it works. Actually, am I understanding this correctly? Are the variable adjustments what we can do that adjust how dark the lens is when we are actually welding? Lots to learn here, thanks.
Mickey
1977 Kingsley, 403, Lansing, MI
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| Re: Welding Helmets [message #276143 is a reply to message #276137] |
Sat, 18 April 2015 14:23 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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I've got a little ac/dc stick burner which I gave a guy a hundred for a while back. I think the helmet that came with it is from HF, the welder probably is too. The helmet works OK, as long as the work is brightly lit. I can stick stuff together, but it usually doesn't look very nice.
--johnny
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: Welding Helmets [message #276144 is a reply to message #276142] |
Sat, 18 April 2015 14:29 |
Hal StClair
Messages: 971
Registered: March 2013
Location: Rio Rancho NM
Karma: -12
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A couple of things might help you see better. Using a magnified lens if you need it and a really big thing is the light. Some people mount a small light right on their torch directed at the weld. Good light can make a real difference in seeing what you're welding.
Hal
"I enjoy talking to you. Your mind appeals to me. It resembles my own mind, except you happen to be insane."
1977 Royale 101348,
1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered,
1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout,
Rio Rancho, NM
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| Re: Welding Helmets [message #276145 is a reply to message #276142] |
Sat, 18 April 2015 15:25 |
kerry pinkerton
Messages: 2565
Registered: July 2012
Location: Harvest, Al
Karma: 15
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mickey szilagyi wrote on Sat, 18 April 2015 13:52...Are the variable adjustments what we can do that adjust how dark the lens is when we are actually welding?
Yes, on the variable shade helmets, there should be a knob either inside or outside the helmet. On better helmets, there is a sensitivity adjustment which is really handy working with light amperage (small arc).
If you can't see, you can't weld. Welding is all about puddle management and you HAVE to know where the puddle is.
Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama
Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
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| Re: Welding Helmets [message #276147 is a reply to message #276137] |
Sat, 18 April 2015 15:53 |
mickey szilagyi
Messages: 273
Registered: January 2013
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Thanks everyone, I think I'm understanding this a little better. I'll have a look at the helmets to see about the adjustment knob which I think they have. Next time we weld we'll put a good bright light on the weld area. Yes, we did see how important the weld puddle is.
Mickey
1977 Kingsley, 403, Lansing, MI
[Updated on: Sat, 18 April 2015 15:56] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Welding Helmets [message #276166 is a reply to message #276137] |
Sat, 18 April 2015 20:28 |
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Jerry Sitzlar
Messages: 206
Registered: February 2013
Location: Lenoir City, TN
Karma: 4
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I have the same HF helmet and it works great. You must use fresh batteries to assist the solar charger. The solar usually just works good in bright sunlight.
Jerry
Jerry Sitzlar..... 77 Eleganza II, Twin bed, dry bath...... Lenoir City, TN (near Knoxville)
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