2015 POTD Thread Archive

I think the helmet requirements of a pipe welder and hobby welder are different. Any small flash accumulates if you weld 8 hours every day. If you weld once or twice a month, unless the flash is significant, it isn't so much to worry about. I imagine you get as much damage every day from brief glances at the sun while driving in winter when the sun is low.

I've had a $50 HF auto darkening helmet for 10 or 15 years. It works ok. I occasionally get a hint of flash with it but not enough to make an after image.

When I got got my TIG, I had to get a helmet with adjustable sensitivity. The HF helmet wasn't sensitive enough to darken with the reduced arc brightness of TIG. I purchased a Striker helmet and it has no perceptible flash. It was about $100 and I'm totally happy with it.
 
fitted a light to sb 9" that im re-furbing.
light was in a box of junk i acquired.
put it on to see if it would get in way seems ok, now to get box and flexible conduit to protect switch and wiring.
light.jpg
 
Not to derail this thread but since everyone is talking about the HF auto darking helmets. Does anyone know of a better quality headband for these helmets?

Jeff
 
churchjw said:
Not to derail this thread but since everyone is talking about the HF auto darking helmets. Does anyone know of a better quality headband for these helmets?

Jeff
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I really like the Miller Elite headgear and it can be purchased pretty cheap. I am looking at putting it on my Lincoln Hood.
 
Franko said:
I think the helmet requirements of a pipe welder and hobby welder are different. Any small flash accumulates if you weld 8 hours every day. If you weld once or twice a month, unless the flash is significant, it isn't so much to worry about. I imagine you get as much damage every day from brief glances at the sun while driving in winter when the sun is low.

I've had a $50 HF auto darkening helmet for 10 or 15 years. It works ok. I occasionally get a hint of flash with it but not enough to make an after image.

When I got got my TIG, I had to get a helmet with adjustable sensitivity. The HF helmet wasn't sensitive enough to darken with the reduced arc brightness of TIG. I purchased a Striker helmet and it has no perceptible flash. It was about $100 and I'm totally happy with it.
Click to expand...

My HF helmet is adjustable and I don't recall seeing any flash and certainly not enough to make my eyes feel like I had been flashed. We are hobbyists and I believe we use what we can afford, opposed to those making a living at it. If I were a professional and had tools that I used every day I would by the best I could afford.
 
I've had a HF for years and certainly got my $35 worth out of it. Bought a new Lincon helmet from a local shop where I get my gas and expendables. Always try to buy local if the price is on par with what is on line. It has two ranges which really makes it nice for cutting, grinding, and tig work. I also use a 2x magnifier. Mike
 
Ran out of bar.
Got one other that needs threading to hold drill Chuck.
 
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