What welding helmet should i buy

If you want to start by grinding or cutting metal,. A shade is standard, but some helmets come with a shade that provides grinding modes so that you don't have to switch off your helmet while on the job.

The basic shade options will be enough to get quite a few jobs done, with the wider range of options simply making it more convenient and providing all of your needs in one helmet.

The role of the lens shade is protecting your eyes from bright flashes while welding. Since you can't predict flashes, auto-darkening helmets with a wide range of shades are extremely handy. The itself on the helmet will protect you from the UV rays while welding, but the shades handle the flashes. Some helmets also provide a slot or a clip for a magnifying or "cheater" lens that helps you see smaller weld joints.

The power source for a welding helmet can be tricky, as some helmets come with a power supply that you can't replace. Before investing in a helmet or picking up a helmet on the cheap, make sure it offers a replaceable power source. Welding helmets are either powered by batteries, solar panels, or a combination of the two. Solar power is a great way to extend the life of your batters if you use them together. Solar by itself usually can't be replaced, and therefore a lot of welders prefer a combination power source or batteries alone.

The disadvantage of batteries alone is that you need to replace them frequently. Another helpful feature on a welding helmet is the auto-off setting. This will save your power source and ensure that you never drain your helmet of power, only to find that you can't use it when you need it. Army Operator Circulars, O. A and our own first hand experience with welding. It is not a replacement for manufacturers directions and is only to provide reminders for experienced welders.

The best welding helmets are light, offer high tech features and can even make you look great. Check Price via Amazon. Best Helmet with a Panoramic Viewport. Plenty of viewing area True color viewport Compact design.

Best Mid-range Helmet. Best budget pick. Ideal entry-level helmet Variable shading from 1. Premium pick. Professional-grade helmet Handy side windows Grab and go auto-on feature. High quality auto dark Variable shade 2. The 8 Best Helmets Here's a list of the best welding helmets we found on the market:.

Pros High quality professional helmet Large viewing area Continuous light sensing: work indoors or out Activate grind mode button with gloves on Helmet bag, bandana, 5 outside lenses, 2 inside Inside dials to change sensitivity and shade level. Cons Some users say the headgear won't stay tight Light can get inside the helmet from behind Not enough coverage to please some welders. Latest Price on Amazon. Pros Cons Complaints of inadequate shade levels Headgear is cheap.

Overview If you are looking for a better viewport, the Yeswelder C is the best welding helmet with a panoramic view.

Hobart Inventor Welding Helmet. Cons Slightly heavy at 1. Overview Hobart has long been a major player in the welding industry. Pros Lightweight Variable shading from Solar charging with auto shutoff Users love the headgear Comfortable with glasses Reaction Time of 0. Cons Thin plastic: No overhead or industrial use Some users report being flashed mid-weld Sometimes auto-darkens from sunlight. Overview The Antra AH is an entry-level welding helmet that offers some unusual features for its class.

Cons Some users report loosening of the headgear Matte finish can be hard to keep clean A little heavier than other helmets in its class.

Overview One very impressive feature of the ADF XXi is reduced green appearance when viewing your work through the glass. Jackson Safety Insight Welding Helmet.

Digital filter and shade controls Auto-dark feature Grind mode 2. Pros Users rave over high quality auto dark Jackson headgear is an industry favorite Interchangeable with other Jackson shells. Cons Some reports of skimpy neck coverage Heavy at 2 pounds No room for a respirator.

Overview Jackson Safety welding helmets are a common sight in fabrication shops. Streamlined nylon shell design Halo 5-point head band Centralized pivot provides good head clearance 3. Pros 8 separate memories Hard hat adapter option Very light weight Shape is good for welding in cars.

Cons Curved front lens is costly to replace Lens suffers from glare issues Nylon shell scratches easily. Miller Digital Infinity. Pros X-mode eliminates sunlight triggering Huge viewport lets you see work at an angle Headgear is comfortable LCD screen for adjustments ClearLight true color filter.

Cons Slips forward sometimes. Overview With However, if you use different welding processes Stick, MIG, TIG , or vary your welding amperage and therefore vary the brightness of the arc, a variable shade lens will allow you to properly protect your eyes while achieving the best view of the weld puddle.

Most variable shade lenses adjust from shade 9 through Lens reaction time indicates how quickly the lens will switch from its natural light state usually shade 3 or 4 to the darkened shade when welding begins. The quicker a welder' s eyes are shaded from the high-intensity light, the better. The more arcs you start in a day, the more you'll appreciate the quicker speed.

With faster switching speeds, these effects are reduced. Viewing size is one of the major considerations in purchasing an auto-darkening helmet and is really based on personal preference as well as how much out-of-position welding you're likely to be doing.

Typical view sizes range from 26cm sq. Number of sensors. The number of sensors ranges from two for a light industrial level helmet to four for an industrial grade helmet. More sensors mean better coverage, especially for out-of-position welding where a sensor could be obstructed. Three may be sufficient for production work or when you will have a clear line of sight to your work. Four is optimal for most fabrication and out-of-position work.

Adjustable Sensitivity Control. Both intermediate and professional level auto-darkening helmets usually provide the ability to adjust how much brightness will trigger the lens to darken. Sensitivity control is useful when welding at low amperages, especially TIG, when the arc isn't as bright as other welding processes. Also when welding outside, in bright sunlight it can cause the lens to darken at the end of welding.

Fixed-shade helmets typically come with a conventional shade level of These helmets do not adjust to various arc brightness. The fixed-shade lens will be ideal if you intend to work on only one type of project that uses only one type of material. This way, there will be no need to adjust the lens accordingly. This helmet will also be ideal for DIY savvies who are not experienced welders but like the option of fixing things themselves.

Unlike the fixed-shade helmet, this helmet has a feature that enables the lens to adapt to all sorts of lights and brightness emitted by the arc during welding. This helmet is preferred by welders who tend to work on various kinds of projects involving different materials.

Variable and fixed-shade helmets are equally protective. There are countless opinions on which helmet type is best. However, your choice of helmet should be based on preference, the tasks that you need to perform, and safety standards. There are safety standards for welding helmets. Some of these safety aspects include complete protection from flying objects, ultraviolet rays, and infrared. The weight of the helmet should not hinder your movements or cause neck pain. The helmet should be sturdy and strong enough to withstand external forces, and it should be able to protect you from the heat emitted.