welding helmet

[pooroldcodger]

I am not sure whether this comes under the heading of "technical" or leisure?
I need to buy a welding helmet. I am hoping to become an occasional welder in my garden. I am not working on oil rigs or building aircraft carriers!
How much do I need to pay, and can anybody suggest a good place to go?
Prices seem to range from £20 to hundreds.
Any advice?

 

[varesecrazy]

what type of welder ?,
MIG - wire fed ( car bodywork)

MMA - Stick = agricultural / sculptural

TIG, lovely + clean - St.Steel,

charlie

 

[Focus Owner]

for auto darkening there are 2 main manufacturers of "the unit" the cheap 20 quid one, and the more expensive 70 quid one, according to our local supplier
we use speed glas somthing like this http://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/weld...Helmet_9100v?gclid=CLzd2u-p47cCFTMgtAod1A0Apg
edit http://www.engweld.co.uk/product.php?prodId=760
we got em at around the 120 mark

I prefer fixed glass
at the moment i use http://www.cromwell.co.uk/KEN8857160K
i advise not buying it the build quality is crap
was using a variable yesterday for a repetitive job to save the constant lifting of the mask

on the auto darkening their is a rumor going round the cheaper unit can cause eye damage, I doubt this and for light use i would just buy the cheaper units

obviously got cromwell

this looks like a decent local company http://www.wilkinsonstar.com/wilkinsonstar/product_detail.php?C=WA&SC=WA-07&PC=BETA-R

don't buy their passive ones, they look cumbersome.
I look for the most minimal head unit possible what allows me the greatest range of movement, head room and not hitting my chest with the mask, the lack of sides on mine i also find handy.

but if your welding upside down i might get burnt

if your planning on tig i advise a variable especially the fact you will prob have scratch start

i got buy with my fixed for stick and tig, but i sometimes cheat n have a plate close to start on,

edit this is the one i was using yesterday, SWP Autoshade Welding Helmet - Red: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools, its the one we lend out when lending equitment, guy who said the rumor says this one has the better, unit

 

[pooroldcodger]

what type of welder ?,
MIG - wire fed ( car bodywork)

MMA - Stick = agricultural / sculptural

TIG, lovely + clean - St.Steel,

charlie

MIG - wire fed for car body work mainly.

 

[pooroldcodger]

for auto darkening there are 2 main manufacturers of "the unit" the cheap 20 quid one, and the more expensive 70 quid one, according to our local supplier
we use speed glas somthing like this http://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/weld...Helmet_9100v?gclid=CLzd2u-p47cCFTMgtAod1A0Apg
edit http://www.engweld.co.uk/product.php?prodId=760
we got em at around the 120 mark

I prefer fixed glass
at the moment i use http://www.cromwell.co.uk/KEN8857160K
i advise not buying it the build quality is crap
was using a variable yesterday for a repetitive job to save the constant lifting of the mask

on the auto darkening their is a rumor going round the cheaper unit can cause eye damage, I doubt this and for light use i would just buy the cheaper units

obviously got cromwell

this looks like a decent local company http://www.wilkinsonstar.com/wilkinsonstar/product_detail.php?C=WA&SC=WA-07&PC=BETA-R

don't buy their passive ones, they look cumbersome.
I look for the most minimal head unit possible what allows me the greatest range of movement, head room and not hitting my chest with the mask, the lack of sides on mine i also find handy.

but if your welding upside down i might get burnt

if your planning on tig i advise a variable especially the fact you will prob have scratch start

i got buy with my fixed for stick and tig, but i sometimes cheat n have a plate close to start on,

edit this is the one i was using yesterday, SWP Autoshade Welding Helmet - Red: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools, its the one we lend out when lending equitment, guy who said the rumor says this one has the better, unit

OK thank you. I will have a look at all these.

 

[dave]

I borrowed a mates auto darkening cheap one, then bought my self one about £20 off ebay i'm not blind yet. i'd never go back to the non auto ones for car work.

 

[maddogmorg]

Sealey one for sale on amazon at £46

Sealey Welding Helmet Solar Powered Variable Shade 9-13: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Been eyeing it up myself, but don't need it just yet.

 

[varesecrazy]

try and get to somewhere that stocks a few and see what's comfortable,
if it's HEAVY then it'll become painful when crawling around at odd angles,

the SHADE range is also crucial,
8 or 9 through to 13 is standard in the cheaper General Purpose helmets,
if you are doing VERY light / small / LOW power welds,
or have your view partially obscured.. there are times when the Flare drops below the cut-off point and the lens clears,
leaving you staring at the arc.. NOT ideal,

however masks that go below #8 are pricey..so your call,

Charlie

 

[pooroldcodger]

Good information and great advice. Thank you. I will find a stockist and have a look.
It is most likely to be car welding, specifically Fiat welding, so I am assuming I will not be operating at very high power.

 

[The Black Box]

Go onto weldequip site got a decent selection on there I've used the Sif lite myself done the job for many years but now doing it everyday I think a speedglas is calling me. Probably the 3037 will be perfect for your use if you need any bodywork or welding help just drop me a pm I should be able to help. You'll be at around 25 amps usually the lowest setting have a look on the mig welding forum about automotive welding some good resources on there

 

[pooroldcodger]

Thanks for the advice. I will be in touch when I get everything ready to start!

 

[pooroldcodger]

Just ordered one. My day of bringinging together novice welder and holy Panda is getting ever closer! I just need to buy some pieces of suitable gauge steel to practice with and we'll be in business. Mechanically my little Panda baby is sound, other than brakes needing some work.
But the sills, boot floor and o/s inner wing need attention now so time to take the plunge.

 

[dave]

an old bonnet is good for practice and cutting repair patches out of, a scrappy wont charge a lot for a dented one

 

[pooroldcodger]

Great idea Dave. Thanks.