andy2986 Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 Hiya all, Need to buy a new welding helmet. Mine just broke, might have something to do with me hurling it across the workshop out of frustration. Im after an automatic dimming type that isn't solar powered . My current ( ex ) helmet was a solar powered job but my workshop is very dark and I don't weld every day so when today I go to do some welding the bloody thing wouldn't darken. So I what do you all use ? Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 Mine is an Optrel E680. A pretty expensive mask, but came on the recommendation of the welders at work. I think its battery as well as solar. I just make sure I leave it where the sunlight can catch it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverik Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 I've got a solar one too, but can't say I've ever had an issue with it not working between long periods of non use. I like the look of fancy ones but when it comes down to what I'm welding (usually inside a wheel arch) the smaller the better and it usually gets scratched to hell so.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejparrott Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 I seem to kill them on a regular basis, but I don't know how!!!! I had a fairly cheap one several years ago, lasted about 2 years, but I kept it in the garage and it used to get filthy dirty. A freind changed his for a new one and gave me the old, that again last no more than 2 years, but that could be because it was old already, and again kept in the garage. I then bought one for £40 from eBay - deliberately avoiding the real cheapo ones. That now seems to be dying too, I've got it on the lowest setting, 9 IIRC, but it's very dark when it flips and I struggle to see what I'm doing. I don't think it'll be any good for when I'm TIG welding. This one I've kept in the house 99% of the time, in the box it came in, trying to keep it warm and dry. What am I doing wrong? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muddy Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 I bought an eBay 301590301222 I weld probably once a fortnight and it lives in its box in my van the rest of the time. Had it about a year and nothing other to say than I'm a happy customer, the big screen certainly helps when welding underneath and in and amongst stuff. Will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymorris Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 I've got a speedglas and a Miller , the speedglas is brilliant , the Miller is not as good for mig , but supposed to be better for tig ( I can't tig , so can't answer that ) Would recommend a speedglas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hybrid_From_Hell Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 Speedglas.....stunning Light tough as anything fantastic quality unbelievably bright just before welding so you can see what your doing....every part available. . Loved mine so much when I upgraded time before last gor a posh dedicated tig helmet went for biggest window speedglas one..just upgraded that to full air recirculation speedglas for tig old one for mig. Speedy but worth it...mouthing comes close that I've tried old one prob 12 years old....perfect ...all parts still avaiable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve b Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 I've had a Miller elite since '08 in use 6 days a week on MIG and it's been great and bits are available too , I stood up under some steel last year and broke the headcradle , ordered online that night and delivered the next day . A nice big window too . What are your concerns with the Miller Gary ? cheers Steveb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangerous doug Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 I have a speedglas 9100XX and it is the best! weight, clarity and reaction time big cost though! I don't mig with its, It's only for tig. I use a relatively cheap sealy one for mig which for the cost I've found its pretty hard to beat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich broom Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 I've had the same speedglas 9102? For 15 years. Still hoing strong and done a lot of work. Looking to upgrade to a new one the same. Only reason is I'm sure it will stop working soon. So I wouldn't buy anything else Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymorris Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 I've had a Miller elite since '08 in use 6 days a week on MIG and it's been great and bits are available too , I stood up under some steel last year and broke the headcradle , ordered online that night and delivered the next day . A nice big window too . What are your concerns with the Miller Gary ? cheers Steveb It's works to be fair but the speedglas is far superior imho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneandtwo Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 I had a speedglas 9002 which I thought was unbeatable, then the batteries died halfway through a job one evening so I borrowed a new 9100 from a friend , made my 9002 seem like a cheap Chinese helmet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zim Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 As above, speedglas - choose model depending on your budget. I've got the flip front one, which in hind site is sometimes more of a hindrance due to its weight, but still - awesome but of kit. G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
De Ranged Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 I've got last yrs speedglass and love it that much I was going to spend another $600 for the latest model (even clearer and better colour vision) thanks to working away left it at work and needed a mask to do some work on the landy so bought a chinese thing called a RazorWeld.... what a surprise less than half the price and that good i can't tell the difference between it and the new speedglass I demo'd.... not buying the speed glass now only thing I can fault it on is the harness is not as cumfy and its ugly lol but thats splitting hairs Got it from the local tradezone... its on page 2 of the cataloge http://www.tradezone.co.nz/index.php?dispatch=pages.view&page_id=46 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy2986 Posted November 24, 2015 Author Share Posted November 24, 2015 Hi, Thanks for your recommendations so far, Looks like the Speedglas is the way to go. To be honest I wasn't thinking of paying that much. Although when my helmet failed me yesterday I would have paid a lot more just to get the job done. Will have a poke around and see whats on offer. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 I always find that I remember the quality long after I've forgotten the price. If you can, try a few friends have and see what you like. The other thing on the price, you can't put a price on your sight, another reason why I bought a decent one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 Another vote for Speedglas, brilliant and the best field of view of any I've tried. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyb Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 Speedglas here too. Never regretted it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzy50 Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 Have had the same speedglass for 20 years ,very pricey but worth every penny ,has been used indoors and out nearly every week ,been looked after and still going strong. when you look on eBay you have to wonder how good a £20 welding helmet will be ,think I know the answer !. James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 I wouldn't go eBay / unbranded no matter what, the critical things are that it properly blocks the full spectrum of light, not just what you can see with the naked eye, and that it switches fast enough to prevent damage - both of which you can't actually tell until it's too late. A helmet with a known brand name on it (even if it's only a cheapy Machine Mart one) you at least have some reassurance that they won't want a lawsuit for cutting corners, whereas random tat from China it could be doing anything and they'll get no comeback if you go blind in 6 months. Some things are not worth saving ten quid on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickwilliams Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 I've got one of these: http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-gb/Equipment/welding-gear/Pages/product.aspx?product=K3034-1-CE(LincolnElectric_EU_Base) It has the biggest area of window of any helmet I've ever used, it's easily the most comfortable and the shade adjustment is superb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hybrid_From_Hell Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 And a really good helmet WILL help with your welds...you'll be able to see better and a cheap crappie helmet makes a good welder not as good .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy2986 Posted November 25, 2015 Author Share Posted November 25, 2015 Arrrrgggghhh OK OK you all win !! Im buying a Speedglas 9100 xx Think ive found one from a UK supplier for about £270 Will let you all know how i get on going now to try and repair my poor old wallet..... Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejparrott Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 They ain't cheap are they! Currently outside my budget, but I'm thinking I might buy an R-Tech helmet. As Nige said - I think - no-one's going to put their name on and risk a court case. I've looked at a lot of R-Tech stuff, they seem good, and I've heard a lot of people who've had first had experience say they're good, so I might give it a go.....and probably find there's nothing wrong with mine in the process.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UdderlyOffroad Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 I bought an ESAB helmet from Wellington Welding for £60. It's fantastic for the money. Am sure it ain't no Speedglass but as the halfway house between Chinese c**p and a £250+ helmet, it's spot on.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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