Scotts90 Posted January 6, 2018 Share Posted January 6, 2018 Looking for opinions from those that have TIGs and what helmets they use. I currently have a Speedglas for the MIG with shade ranges 9-13 and find it to be insensitive to the lower TIG currents When I purchased my TIG almost 2yrs ago I bought a Parweld helmet meant to be suitable for low amp stuff...it's the most unreliable POS I've used and uncomfortable to boot. Been back to the company for sensor faults which in their defence they have replaced under warranty. Still have no confidence in the thing darkening when it should and have been flashed more times with it than in the 10yrs of using the Speedglas! It wasn't expensive at £40 and I suppose the adage of you get what you pay for rings true. So, on the shortlist Miller digital elite lincoln electric 3350 ESAB A50 Not the cheapest and not the most expensive either...my TIGing needs all the help it can get so being able to see what I'm doing is a plus Any opinions welcomed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B reg 90 Posted January 6, 2018 Share Posted January 6, 2018 I had a cheap welding helment. Lost it. Thought I'd treat my self and spend £60 on one. It was clearly the same carp as a £20 unit... Also kept cutting out (1/2 second arc flash). It was returned. Then decided I liked my eyes (I have a Perspex lens in one eye - before that operation I could only see out of one eye - being 'one eyed' makes you realise how important that one last eye is....) drank a bottle of wine and ordered a speedglas unit. Cromwells was cheapest, you can get discount codes that work of the tinternet. It's superb. I can see the weld pool better, my eyes are strained less, and it's a quality bit of kit. Yes it's expensive and if you don't have the cash you don't have the cash. But if you can spring for it I'd recommend it. Everyone at the local college where I have been doing night school TIG welding has tried it and all thought it was a superb helmet. Adrian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotts90 Posted January 6, 2018 Author Share Posted January 6, 2018 I would like the 9100XX...I was trying to retain some sort of budget lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted January 6, 2018 Share Posted January 6, 2018 Note that actually being flashed through an unactivated lens will not give you arc eye... The darkening of the lens is only to allow you to see properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotts90 Posted January 6, 2018 Author Share Posted January 6, 2018 Yes, the UV filter minimises the risk of arc eye...still damn annoying seeing dots when trying not to dip the tungsten in the weld. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotts90 Posted January 6, 2018 Author Share Posted January 6, 2018 Oh well, order placed for a Speedglas 9100XXi...you only get one set of eyes . Must hide credit card statement from the Mrs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B reg 90 Posted January 7, 2018 Share Posted January 7, 2018 you will like it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoSS Posted January 8, 2018 Share Posted January 8, 2018 I have a Phantom XL https://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/phantom-xl-light-reactive-welding-helmet/ Works for me on TIG, and i think a reasonable helmet in the mid-budget range Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hybrid_From_Hell Posted January 8, 2018 Share Posted January 8, 2018 <cough> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted January 8, 2018 Share Posted January 8, 2018 Optrel E680 for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotts90 Posted January 10, 2018 Author Share Posted January 10, 2018 Came yesterday had a brief play with the TIG, at last I can see the puddle lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotts90 Posted January 10, 2018 Author Share Posted January 10, 2018 On 8 January 2018 at 5:56 PM, landroversforever said: Optrel E680 for me Had a look at a couple of Optrel models and they're highly rated too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 I went for it as its the one all of the welders use here for both MIG and TIG and has fantastic control over the auto dimming. Also has the advantage of spares being free Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickeyw Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 5 hours ago, Scotts90 said: Came yesterday Just looked up that model - very fancy My Speedglass is pretty old (can't recall model) and has two twiddly knobs - one for adjustable shade and one for adjustable sensitivity. 5 hours ago, Scotts90 said: had a brief play with the TIG, at last I can see the puddle lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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