Welder's Auto-Dark Helmets

[Scotty370]

Well, it stopped raining/snowing, long enough for me to get up the nerve to strike my first arc on the new Lincoln! Thanks to all who have contributed to helping me get started. Welded yesterday on some 1/8" & 3/8" rectangular mild steel, tube stock. Actually found it much easier to strike and hold an arc, than I thought! My first venture had me using: Lincoln 225 AC/DC box, 7018 rod, 3/32" dia. welding mode DC-neg, at 85-90 amps. Had some beads, that I might even admit to! Big question on welding helmets though. I used my son's SpeedGlas helmet that probably 8-years old. I only say that because the technology may have move forward. My difficulty is seeing the weld 'puddle' at all! Just seems too dark! In fact, spotting the seam, or gap, is tough! It's got a darkening selector from 9-13, but seems to make no difference. Maybe, it's not working! I want to buy a new Auto-Dark helmet, and am wondering what to look for. Cost isn't and issue as oppose to eye safety. HF sells Chicago helmets, buy they're all Chinese. I think they put more effort into the 'graphics', that the guts! I don't need to impress anyone with how I look! Just want good quality protection that I can see through! Also, how do you tell, how 'light' is too 'light', in the shade department? Any suggestions? Sources? Etc. ~Scotty [PS: Thanks Willl, for all your help! ]

 

[Willl]

Maybe the batts dead in the SpeedGlas ?

Hate to say it, but been using a cheap HF auto helmet for 3-4 yrs, no complaints.

Too light ?, oh, you'll know.
It'll be the 'other' version of not being able to see your puddle.
Followed by a 'white spot' stuck in your vision afterwards.
And in the AM, a handful of sand in both eye's. Fun stuff.

Joking aside, dial it back to where you just loose the glare and then a tiny smidgen more.

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

Speedglass,Lincon,Miller all have good helmets. Stay away from cheapos. In my experience the higher the amps the darker the shade I run.Any of the settings 9-13 are safe. Try to focus your vision on the puddle and not the arc. As I have gotten older I have to wear glasses when welding close . If you can't see good you can't weld good.They make magnifiers for the hoods if this is the case.
Bill

 

[Tom_Veatch]

I have a Miller XLix - not top of the line, but not cheap, either - and a Harbor Freight model. I find that I reach for the HF before the Miller.

As far a UV protection is concerned, I don't think the darkness level makes much difference. I just lighten the lens until I've got enough light to read the puddle without excessive glare. I'm a hobbiest/home/repair weldor. So I don't weld 8 hrs/day which might make a difference, but I've experienced no ill effects from that approach.

 

[Ductape]

Interesting, as I have the same problem with my three year old Optiva welding helmet. Even on the lightest setting, I can't see a blessed thing........ even welding outdoors in bright sunlight. Before I strike an arc, its no problem....... but when it darkens, it is waaaay too dark. I hate to spend another couple hundred on a second shield........ but too often my welds go off track due to the fact that I can't see what the heck I'm doing.

 

[Jeepnford]

I've never owned anything else other than a standard helmet to compare to but I really like my Miller Big Window Elite helmet. I second the opinion on replacing the batteries in the Speedglas before buying another,unless this your reasoning for getting a new one.

 

[Scotty370]

Clarity, isn't the problem. I wear cheapy 'drugstore readers' (1.75) for close work. They fit under the hood just fine. Will, I ruled out the battery, because it 'darkens' at first flash. But it's too dark! Maybe the battery is marginal and not running the gradiant. Cheap first fix, new batteries! Can't see the 'puddle', HP! Gotta be the batteries, or the darking gradient circuit!

 

[Willl]

Looking at the 'new' SpeedGlas helmets user manual, says it has a low batt symbol. Maybe yours does also ?

 

[JJZ 109]

I'm also a beginning welder with a little Sears wire feed 120 volt machine.
I grabbed myself a Northern Tool auto darkening helmet on sale for $48. Seems to work pretty well for me, and it's solar powered as well. I just leave it in the garage window to soak up the light when it isn't in use.
So far the adjustments on it all work well.

 

[waynokakid]

I purchased one of the accustrike helmets from this website, welding helmets, auto darkening welding helmet, Auto Dark alternative, Hands free, Mig-it, chin operated, Cherokee Ind, Accu-Strike,. Took a short time to get it set right and to adjust myself to using it, but now works like a charm. Best 2 things about it, made in USA and doesn't need batteries.