Danger for young eyes?

[ametcalf]

This week HF had $79 auto darkening helmets on sale for $34 for "Inside Track" members. I bought 2 of them because I would like to teach my 11 year old twin granddaughters what little I know about welding this summer. The welder is an old Lincoln 225A tombstone. I mentioned this to a friend of mine this morning and he said he would be worried about hurting their eyes at this young age. I showed their mother how to weld when she was not much older than they are. I never thought about hurting her eyes, we were very careful not to flash our eyes while striking the arc. Any thoughts on the subject?

 

[deereman75]

This week HF had $79 auto darkening helmets on sale for $34 for "Inside Track" members. I bought 2 of them because I would like to teach my 11 year old twin granddaughters what little I know about welding this summer. The welder is an old Lincoln 225A tombstone. I mentioned this to a friend of mine this morning and he said he would be worried about hurting their eyes at this young age. I showed their mother how to weld when she was not much older than they are. I never thought about hurting her eyes, we were very careful not to flash our eyes while striking the arc. Any thoughts on the subject?

I am in high school now. My dad showed me how to weld with his tombstone when I was 10. I always used a fixed shade helmet until a few months ago, when I got a lincoln auto dark. As long as you use proper safety, I see no issue with teaching people to weld at a young age. (I support it) As for the auto dark helmets, I know nothing about the HF ones, but I hear many people use them with great success. I find it easier to flash myself with a fixed lens helmet then with an auto dark. In short, I say teach them, it could help them later in life. Good to get them started when they are young, and willing to learn.

 

[Shield Arc]

I don't know about using a Harbor Freights welding hood, I personally wouldn't spare any expense on my grandkids eyes.
But I've read numerous articles about the eyes and welding, with todays filter lenses there seems to be more worry about our lungs, than our eyes.

 

[Craig Clayton]

I have never used an Auto welding helmet, I am still old school grade 10/11. Excess UV light can come from many sources. Many years ago while camping my father recieved ( ARC EYES ) from boating. The owner of the private camp ground was a semi retired MD. He said my father burned his eyes from the many ripples on the water each time the angle reflected the sun light. He wore sun glasses for the rest of the week and had the classic (SAND ) in his eyes.
I have heard of Auto helmets not switching if they are low on charge.???

As a safety measure you might teach your grands if they ever see a strong light to shut their eyes fast and tight.
My oldest daughter went to University for Art and did some welding of metal.

Craig Clayton

 

[tglass]

I am in high school now. My dad showed me how to weld with his tombstone when I was 10. I always used a fixed shade helmet until a few months ago, when I got a lincoln auto dark. As long as you use proper safety, I see no issue with teaching people to weld at a young age. (I support it) As for the auto dark helmets, I know nothing about the HF ones, but I hear many people use them with great success. I find it easier to flash myself with a fixed lens helmet then with an auto dark. In short, I say teach them, it could help them later in life. Good to get them started when they are young, and willing to learn.

auto darkening is the only way to go, but before use make sure everything is set. intensity, darkening speed, etc.. I've saw a lot of people get flash or eyes burnt because of this commen mistake. keep them clean and set right and they will last a long time and prevent alot of flash.

 

[Willl]

"I don't know about using a Harbor Freights welding hood, I personally wouldn't spare any expense on my grandkids eyes."

Cause the more expensive models are made at a better china shop than the HF china shop ?

 

[Shield Arc]

"I don't know about using a Harbor Freights welding hood, I personally wouldn't spare any expense on my grandkids eyes."

Cause the more expensive models are made at a better china shop than the HF china shop ?

Yeah, no kidding! I just bought a Miller auto darkening lens, bigger than sheet right on the package, made in Korea!

 

[yomax4]

Look for approval ratings from UL or ANSI. If approved. It has been tested. I think there is only 1 AD manufacturer in the US and that is Jackson ?. The rest of the 50 or more come from Korea, China, Taiwan or the Swiss. Also, Those countries are eons ahead of us in electronic technology just as Europe is eons ahead of us in Welder technology.

 

[crazyal]

I bought a HF auto helmet a few months ago while on sale for $35 plus an extra 20% off coupon. It's worked fine and it's extremely quick when darkening. I don't think it has a delay setting, just an adjustable darkness. I find that even on the lightest setting it's a little dark.

 

[yomax4]

What people don't seem to understand is that in most all cases, Your eyes are protected to an equivelant of shade 16 even in the light state before your lens turns dark. That don't mean you want to keep welding in the light state it only means you are protected as far as UV and IR are concerned.That makes switching time not that important. It's done with UV and IR Filters. Delay only keeps the shade in the dark state a second longer so you don't have to look at the white hot puddle after the weld. Sensitivity is more for "Tig" than Mig or Stick. It makes the lens Stay dark instead of flickering while welding.
So many posts on here are people thinking that Delay keeps the lens from Darkening and that is not the case. It keeps the lens from lightening after the weld. :confused2: