Bought a mig to learn how to weld. Don't want to spend much but also don't want something that is going to screw my eyes. I imagine a non auto darkening one like those $15 'face shields' would be a right pita? Seems to be a few imported ones on trademe but don't know if they are any good? Any recommendations?
steelman3,
Jan 20, 3:21am
yes u can get a good helmet for twenty dollars.
laspaz,
Jan 20, 6:02am
I would definitely invest in a reasonable auto darkening helmet. Mine was about $100. Seems expensive, but makes welding much easier and also protects your eyes. So hard to really say it's not money well spent.
morrisman1,
Jan 20, 6:09am
Definitely buy a mid-range auto helmet. cheap ones are annoying. Mine was about $150, its a xcel-arc one and compared to the previous auto one the clarity is amazing. One thing to look out for on helmets is the quality of the head basket and the fittings on that. Some are easy to break. My helmet has trouble staying raised as there isn't enough friction which is annoying but not the end of the world.
sifty,
Jan 20, 6:21am
I have a good welder and decent lid, must be my lack of skills making such sh*tty welds.
laspaz,
Jan 20, 6:24am
My crap welds are due to the price of gas!
Also worth saying, those welding masks that come with cheap welders should probably be binned as soon as you get it, to remove the temptation.
budgel,
Jan 20, 6:57am
I bought a self darkening one from a one dollar reserve auction that didnt go very high in the bidding and am well pleased with it. The crappy handheld mask is useful if you have someone who wants to watch, and that's about it.
laspaz,
Jan 20, 7:06am
I didn't consider that, yep would be a good thing for a spectator!
gmphil,
Jan 20, 7:16am
i keeped my old mask when got my new auto one comes in handy here boy holds this lol .
laspaz,
Jan 20, 7:20am
My heart bleeds for a son to spend time in the garage with me. But I have 2 daughters and it's not their scene. That extra pair of little hands would be awesome, getting into tight little spaces etc.
whqqsh,
Jan 20, 7:59am
spend a bit more, both of mine cost a hundy each, & the shade, delay & sensitivity adjustments are well worth it & you wouldnt go back to a one setting model once you had one
gmphil,
Jan 20, 8:11am
got mine from trader gdog1111 scratch that he no longer trading!
budgel,
Jan 20, 2:42pm
I bought mine from that trader, but the part number ended in 04 rather than 06.
Good trader and I am happy with it!
trumptrader,
Jan 21, 9:09am
have a auto darken helmet in a engineering work shop and get laughed at by the veterans
smac,
Jan 21, 9:11am
Ya who probably regularly weld by closing their eyes. They'll be half blind by now, stick with the helmet.
sifty,
Jan 21, 10:02am
I never knew there were magnifying lenses available. Prob won't help much, but.
skiff1,
Jan 21, 1:23pm
only the idiots. Smart, older tradesmen are using them in their droves. Along with other inventions such as inverters, plasma cutters and the wheel. Technology moves on old timer, or do you still drive your model t to work every day?
melonhead1,
Jan 21, 1:40pm
You'll get annoyed as a beginner with a fixed shade helmet. DON'T cheap out bro, its your sight for goodness sake, quality auto-darkening all the way. Only once you develop your welding sixth sense would you be comfortable with a fixed shade helmet but why bother if you have a decent auto-darkening helmet!
h.e,
Jan 21, 3:38pm
sheetmetal workers are certainly using them in "droves". But with boilermakers fitter welders etc its not very common to find a auto darkening helmet being used. In fact I have never meet one who does use one. The reason is quite simple really, they are too expensive to be dropped and ground over, certainly too expensive to be replacing every couple a 3 years and finally replacement lens are far to expensive. I replace my clear lens about every 2-3 weeks and probably go through 4-5 welding lens a years. OP I would advise you to buy a cheaper helmet after all the price of the helmet wont improve your welding only time with the gun in your hand will do that
flitt,
Jan 21, 3:45pm
The cheap POS that came with my welder didn't last long.
We'll see how long this new solar one works.
skiff1,
Jan 21, 4:40pm
I use one, my old man uses one, so do both of his staff, my brother ran westracs attachment arm in NSW, and all his guys used them. I paid for mine with one months tool allowance, so they're pretty bloody cheap really.
skiff1,
Jan 21, 4:40pm
Just forgot to add, mines 12 years old and going strong.
vic008,
Jan 21, 4:47pm
Nah here. Had an auto once till it got rained on and never felt the need to replace it.
h.e,
Jan 21, 5:43pm
Far out (polite aye) 12 yrs, I generally get 3 yrs. Normally break the head piece, might be the way I nod my head to shut it. I do away with the flip lid on a new helmet and grind down the hinge, try to keep them as low profile as possible. Had a job years ago were it was either that or hold a lens in one hand and hand piece in the other, now I do it to a new helmet as soon as i get it
nzoomed,
Jan 21, 7:05pm
My first auto darkening welding helmet was crap, would either be too dark and not see anything or else too bright to see what you were doing when you turned the knob, it cost $100, our new one is a bit better but not excting, are there any decent brands? They used to cost the best part of $1000 not that long ago, there was one called speedglass which i believe was a good quality brand.
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