Welding helmet
Moderator: Harold_V
Welding helmet
I am looking for a quality welding helmet. You need one to be lightweight and at the same time durable. I look at this article https://homemakerguide.com/best-welding-helmet/, but some models remind me of helmets of the guards from Star Wars. Can you tell me which one is better to buy?
- liveaboard
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Re: Welding helmet
1; make sure it has a replaceable battery. I bought an expensive Lincoln helmet from the professional welding supply shop, and the battery failed after a couple of years, it's sealed.
I bought a DIY store cheapo with replaceable battery and it works well.
2; the hinge. I really abhor bad helmet hinges, and most helmets have bad hinges. They fall when you want it up, and break when you tighten it, or self tighten, and/or self loosen.
It's really aggravating and dumb for such a simple basic thing to go wrong on most welding helmets 100 years after we started using welding helmets.
Well, only 40 years for me.
Maybe Harold can boast 100 years...
The DIY store helmet has a bad hinge.
The expensive Lincoln helmet does have a good hinge.
I put the DIY store screen and control knob into the dead Lincoln helmet, and welding is now a happy place.
I don't know which of the ones on your list you should buy, but those are the questions you need to ask.
I bought a DIY store cheapo with replaceable battery and it works well.
2; the hinge. I really abhor bad helmet hinges, and most helmets have bad hinges. They fall when you want it up, and break when you tighten it, or self tighten, and/or self loosen.
It's really aggravating and dumb for such a simple basic thing to go wrong on most welding helmets 100 years after we started using welding helmets.
Well, only 40 years for me.
Maybe Harold can boast 100 years...
The DIY store helmet has a bad hinge.
The expensive Lincoln helmet does have a good hinge.
I put the DIY store screen and control knob into the dead Lincoln helmet, and welding is now a happy place.
I don't know which of the ones on your list you should buy, but those are the questions you need to ask.
- tornitore45
- Posts: 2078
- Joined: Tue Apr 18, 2006 12:24 am
- Location: USA Texas, Austin
Re: Welding helmet
Has anyone successfully hacked a battery replacement on an helmet that is sealed? I have a cheap Harbor Freight, I use it once every, maybe, 2 years but at some point the battery will fail.
Mauro Gaetano
in Austin TX
in Austin TX
- liveaboard
- Posts: 1987
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Re: Welding helmet
I did crack mine open; it has 2 batteries soldered in.
I'd intended to order new batteries, but then decided to just be an adult and toss it. It would have probably worked, but the cost of the batteries + uncertainty + being pissed off with it for not having replaceable batteries in the first place.
I was letting it face the sun for 10-20 minutes to charge up before use, but even that stopped being effective, and when the screen doesn't darken it is not nice.
I'd intended to order new batteries, but then decided to just be an adult and toss it. It would have probably worked, but the cost of the batteries + uncertainty + being pissed off with it for not having replaceable batteries in the first place.
I was letting it face the sun for 10-20 minutes to charge up before use, but even that stopped being effective, and when the screen doesn't darken it is not nice.
-
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Re: Welding helmet
The Harbor Freight cheapest welding helmet just leave them out in the sun and it recharges the batteries I've had mine for 5 plus years no problems, just used it this weekend
- tornitore45
- Posts: 2078
- Joined: Tue Apr 18, 2006 12:24 am
- Location: USA Texas, Austin
Re: Welding helmet
I did not know is solar recharged, don't' recall reading in the instruction. Don't recall reading the instructions either.
Mauro Gaetano
in Austin TX
in Austin TX
Re: Welding helmet
My HF helmet would not recharge. Look at U Tube for battery modification. I placed my batteries where they are accessible similar to the video.
I also have the Lincoln 2450 helmet it is a little pricey, however it is an amazing helmet.
I also have the Lincoln 2450 helmet it is a little pricey, however it is an amazing helmet.
- tornitore45
- Posts: 2078
- Joined: Tue Apr 18, 2006 12:24 am
- Location: USA Texas, Austin
Re: Welding helmet
I swear by Jackson helmets. I've had the same one since the 1970s and have never had anything on it break. I'm old-fashioned and don't use auto-darkening helmets. I don't trust the technology and value what little eyesight I have left.
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Music isn’t at all difficult. All you gotta do is play the right notes at the right time!
Music isn’t at all difficult. All you gotta do is play the right notes at the right time!
- tornitore45
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- liveaboard
- Posts: 1987
- Joined: Sun Dec 08, 2013 1:40 pm
- Location: southern Portugal
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Re: Welding helmet
just point it at the sun and the darkening should work.
I was a nodder for many years, and resisted the autodark for a while.
I like it now; but I check it EVERY time before I use it. Hit a spark looking through at arms length so the ark is covered but you can see the glass darken, or point it at the sun (works here in Portugal!)
I was a nodder for many years, and resisted the autodark for a while.
I like it now; but I check it EVERY time before I use it. Hit a spark looking through at arms length so the ark is covered but you can see the glass darken, or point it at the sun (works here in Portugal!)
Re: Welding helmet
Edit. My current helmet is Lincoln Viking 3350 Series 2450. I do understand the resistance changing to a auto darkening helmet. I am number one at resisting change, it took me a long time to give up on my Lincoln helmets from the 50’s and 60’s. My thought was this technology has served me well for 50+ years why waste money on the new tech. Once I tried the auto lenses it was much easier for my old eyes to see. Is my helmet the best bang for the buck for home use definitely not. The review in the initial post has other great choices.