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Welding Helmet Introduction
Many people have job in the garage and working with the auto darkening welding machine. In the time of working, different kind of radiation comes out from the welding machine.
The welding arc emitted mainly two kinds of radiation such as Ultraviolet (UV) and Infrared (IR) radiation. These radiations are very harmful for human health especially for eye.
They can cause arc eye, inflamed cornea, retinal burns and finally lead to loss of vision. They can also damage uncovered skin and create sunburn like condition.
To prevent those problem a welding operator or welder should used welding helmet when perform welding. Now, question is that what is “Best Auto Darkening Welding Helmet”?
A Welding Helmet is a type of headgear used by welding operator or welder when performing certain types of welding to protect the eyes, neck and face from flash burn, infrared light (IR), ultraviolet light (UV), sparks and heat.
Top 2 our pick for Best Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
>> First: Jackson Safety W70 BH3 Grand DS Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
>> Second: Miller 251292 Classic Series 8-12 Variable Shade Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet
Types of Welding Helmets
Welding helmets are either of the following types:
- Standard or Passive Welding Helmets
- Auto Darkening Welding Helmets
- Fixed or Variable Shade Helmets
- Battery and Solar Powered Helmets
- Professional and Intermediate Level Helmets
Advantage of Using Welding Helmet
Higher Precision
Usually, the welding helmets glass cover are darkened or tinted. So, you can see partially where you are pointing your welding rod even though there already have intense lighting. It prevents you from losing sight of your present work leading to more precise and accurate outputs.
Avoid Injury
The ultimate purpose of welding helmets is to avoid injury on your eyes in terms of foreign bodies or eye strain. Welding helmets fully cover your head and save your face from red hot foreign materials hit. Also the protective tinted glass saves your eye from excess light radiation.
Increase Working Efficiency
Welding helmet also increase your working efficiency. Due to protective tinted glass, there is no longer need to recover the intense light or to cover your eyes time to time. So, now you can perform your work uninterruptedly and efficiently.
Best 3 Welding Helmet Short Review
1. Jackson Safety W70 BH3 Grand DS Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
If you looking for a best quality welding helmet with all around functionalities, then Jackson Safety W70 BH3 can be good choice for you.
This welding helmet features an auto darkening lens with optimum optical quality, variation of light transmittance and efficient diffusion. This welding helmet is made with high density plastic that is not only lightweight but also heat and welding splatter resistance.
It also comes with an all around protective headgear which ensures protection from the head to neck. This welding helmet also features a digital control panel that is easy to control and self explanatory.
It control panel contain only 3 buttons grind, torch and wield, so, anyone can easily adjust the shade of the panel. This great welding helmet also features delay, sensitivity and a numerical shade control for more technical adjustment.
Best Choice
Jackson Safety W70 BH3 Grand DS Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
(4.6 / 5)This is an excellent welding helmet. It is very nice and works great. This is the best choice for you
Check Price
The salient features of the Jackson Safety W 70 BH3 Grand DS Auto Darkenting Welding Helmet are:
- The dimensions of this welding helmet are 18.3 x 18 x 19 inches.
- Ratchet suspension – This feature allows to custom adjust the distance of the lens of the welding helmet from your eyes.
- Crown strap adjustment – a different form of adjustment of your helmet that allows you to lower or raise the helmet depending on your choice. This helps you to center your eyes with the viewing panels.
- This welding helmet is very light, only 1.24 pounds. So, anyone can put it head and work all day comfortably without worrying about being tired neck.
- This welding helmet also features flexible viewing angles.
- For longer battery use, this helmet comes with a solar panel.
- This welding helmet comes with a digital control panels inside the helmet which are very easy to operate.
Jackson Safety W70 BH3 Grand DS Auto Darkening Welding Helmet is an expensive welding helmet with high quality. Customer reports and reviews show that people like this welding helmet for its quality.
2. Miller 251292 Classic Series 8-12 Variable Shade Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet
This welding helmet comes with an ergonomic and sleek design which ensures weld splashes and sharp foreign materials are slide off from the surface of the helmet.
This helmet is fully adjustable with auto darkening glass panel which powered by a solar panel, found in front of the helmet. This helmet is also lightweight (only 2.1 pounds) prevent unforeseen neck or back aches.
This excellent helmet provides full head protection including the ears and also covering the neck.
Also Great!
Miller 251292 Classic Series 8-12 Variable Shade Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet
(4.4 / 5)This is the great welding helmet for beginner. It is nice, works great and cheap price
The salient features of Miller 251292 Classic Series are:
- The dimensions of this welding helmet are 21 x 19.5 x 12 inches.
- This welding helmet comes with several layers of glass and it even comes with a visor.
- This welding helmet features Auto-darkening panelsthat only darken when activities of intense light flashing occurred. This feature allows you to see your working on clearly before and after you weld.
- This welding helmet comes with both battery and solar panel as a power source.
- The headgear of this helmet is equipped with durable detents to keep the helmet in place, this welding helmet is lightweight, only 1 pound.
- Despite being designed to be lightweight, this welding helmet is still functional.
- The Viewing Area of this helmet is- 5.15 sq. in – 3.75 x 1.375 in. (95 x 34 mm)
- This welding helmet features Variable Shades #8 – 12 and Light State #3
- Comes with two Arc Sensors – 1/10,000 sec. lens speed
- Features Sensitivity and Delay Control option
- TIG rating – 20 Amps
The only limitation of this welding helmet is that this product is less durable compare with other expensive welding helmets.
3. Antra AH6-260-0000 Solar Power Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
The solar powered welding helmets have become efficient as they use quite less energy (using solar power) and generate top quality performance on welding.
Antra AH6-260-0000 Welding Helmet Auto Darkening has become popular for almost any welding jobs.
Customers mainly have interest to know the best welding helmets having its protection, auto-darkening features, the price and its features.
Our Rating: (4.4 / 5)
Check this welding helmet amazing features:
- Viewing Size and Lens
My favorite feature of this product is its magnifying/cheater lens which lets you see tiny welding problems which amazes me! The helmet includes quite wide viewing ranges that easily see any welding processes, it measures 3.86×1.78 inches.
- Flexible knobs and Grinding
This helmet has sensitive and adjustable knobs in case of emergency or welding problems. It is possible to wield numerous kinds of materials for grinding like Plasma, Arc, Tig, Mig.
- Warranty and Affordability
This product has a 1 year warranty and you can replace it if any manufacturing problem occur without any questions and is very affordable!
- Protection and Comfort
If there is any electric failure while welding, this product has an IR and UV protection. This product is very light, it only weighs 435 grams!
- Switching Time and Assembly
Only 0.00004 seconds from light to dark and less than a minute to assemble.
- Helmet Material
This helmet is made High Impact Quality Polyimide Nylon.
You are going to like this one; the price is low but it doesn’t imply you will get a product with only very low quality a feature which is a must if you are a welder. Everything from security to usability and comfort is made in this product. Whether you’re a professional or just a beginner, you are going to like this welding helmet. The auto-darkening feature helps to ensure your eyes are constantly shielded in the welding lights. And by the way this product is the #1 Best Selling Welding Helmet in Amazon!
How to Buy the Best Welding Helmet
Welding helmet is very important device because it protects the operator from ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) rays emitted from welding arcs. Before buying you should choose and select a proper welding helmet that ensures high quality of welds, high level of comfort and improve your welding ability. However, all welding helmet is not built equally, so choices a welding helmet is quiet confusing. Here we mentioned step by step guide to choose and buy a best welding helmet.
1. Figure out Your Needs
To buy a welding helmet, at first you should figure your needs. Make a list of most important features you are expecting from your welding helmet. Consider what’s you want and what you are don’t like from your welding helmet. Find out all the matters and write it down to make a list. All these finding are help you to make a good decision. But, remember that do not go too far with list, a lot of options may make the selection procedure harder. You should identify only most important features you needs.
2. Set Your Budget
After figure out the needs, you should set a specific budget for your welding helmet. For choosing a right welding helmet, the cost of the helmet plays a determining role. There different kinds of welding helmet are available in the market with different price.
3. Consider different factors
In the time of buying a welding helmet you should consider several factors such as auto or passive darkening lens, number of sensors, helmet weight, viewing size, fixed or variable shade, lens reaction time, national safety standards adjustable delay and sensitivity controls and battery life etc.
3.1. Auto or Passive Darkening Lens
There are two types of lens available in the market.
One is Auto-darkening lens and another is Passive or Standard darkening lens. The viewing lens of a welding helmet is a dark tinted glass pieces with UV and IR coating. The shade numbers of the lens determine the ability of the lens to filter light.
Usually, an auto-darkening lens has 3 or 4 shade number which indicates it’s easy to use, easy to see through this lens like sunglasses. This type of lens helps the operator to clearly see his torch or gun to the material he is joining.
On the other hand, Passive or Standard welding helmets are just popular as they were long time ago. These helmets are cost effective because they are made from moulded plastic instead of thick leather.
The viewing lens or filter had ultraviolet (UV) or infrared (IR) coatings. The passive darkening lens has usually #10 shades and has been widely used for its affordability.
But, some difficulties are associated with this lens such as poor weld stars, tack welding, inadvertent arc flashes and neck fatigue.
3.2. Fixed or Variable Shade
If most of your welding include only one type of material (such as steel) with similar welding process and amperage, then a fixed shade #10 lens is recommended for you.
Standard or passive glass lens welding helmets obviously are fixed shade and the least expensive auto-darkening helmets are also available in fixed shade.
But, most of the welding operators weld different materials (such as aluminum, stainless steel etc) with different thickness that require the use of different welding process (such as stick, MIG and TIG) with varying welding amperage.
In this case, it is best to use a variable shade lens which can be adjusted at either outside or inside of the welding helmet to properly protect your eyes. Adjusting of shade lens vary on the level of amperage of welding and sensitivity of the eyes.
3.3. Helmet Weight
You should choose a lighter welding helmet to reduce the risk for neck fatigue and discomfort and increase your welding ability.
3.4. Solar Power and Battery life
Some auto-darkening welding helmets are comes with a non-replaceable battery and solar assist panel. The problem with this type of welding helmet, the lens doesn’t work if the battery wears out.
So, a better INVESTMENT is a welding helmet powered by a solar assist panel and replaceable battery that helps you to start working right away.
3.5. Lens Reaction Time (Switching Speed)
Auto-darkening helmet features different lens switching speed. It indicates the how fast the lens will switch from its natural light state to darkened shade during welding.
The quicker a welder lens is shaded from the high intensity light, the better. Too slow switching speed may cause eye discomfort that feels like a dry scratchy sensation.
3.6. Viewing Area size
This is fully depends on your personal preference. It you are working on a large size of metal, the large viewing field is recommended for you. The Viewing area sizes are usually from 6-9 sq. in.
3.7. Helmet Fit
It is another important factor to consider. You should buy a helmet that best fit for you. Any exposed skin from welding helmet that doesn’t fit properly could be from UV rays or spatter.
3.8. National Safety Standards
National Safety Standards ensure the product is prepared properly with maintained proper procedure. It ensures your safety from hazards.
3.9. Sensors of welding helmet
The more sensors mean that better coverage. Usually, typical number of sensors of welding helmet ranges form 2-4.
3.10. Adjustable sensitivity and delay controls
Sensitivity adjustment is need on low amperage welding such as TIG process. On the other hand, delay control is very helpful for operator at the time of high amperage welding.
3.11. National Security Standards
The newest safety standard for welding helmets is actually ANSI Z87. 1 — 2003. This standard requires helmet along with auto-darkening lens producers to validate their advertised specifications such as darkness shade settings, switching rates of speed as well as other specifications.
Care and Maintenance of Welding Helmet
Regular care and maintenance for welding helmet is highly required. This is important to ensure effective performances of the device as well as protection for the user.
It is necessary to read carefully and follow the safety information provided in the operator’s manual and you should contact the manufacturing company in case of any doubt.
Remember that, poor maintenance can cause EARLY RETIREMENT for welding helmet and it would add only additional cost for replacement.
Welding helmet provider as well as any mechanical shops and operator who offer maintenance services can also provide assistance.
But, doing the maintenance with your own effort is always better and save money. Following guidelines will help you to care your welding helmet:
- Regular cleaning and maintenance is necessary for welding helmet. Because dust can accumulates and cover the mechanical parts of the welding helmet.
- You can easily remove the dust by taking off the cover and blow it with a compressed air.
- You should check your helmet regularly. The maintenance check could be performing weekly or monthly depending of your usage.
- Sometimes the sensors are block either by dirt and grime on the outer protection plate or by obstruction in the workplace. You should clean the plates often with a soap and water solution. If necessary, you should replace it.
- If necessary, replace your welding helmet batteries. Some Auto-darkening helmets have battery life indicators, so remember to note that.
- In welding helmet electronics are involved, so always keep your helmet dry and stored in dry place.
- Be sure you carry your welding helmet in a helmet bag. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy, but should at a minimum protect your helmet (especially the lens) from getting scratched.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Q: What’s the proper lens shade to use of in my personal welding helmet to correctly protect my eyes?
A: Many individuals mistakenly believe that the lens shade quantity corresponds to the amount of protection that’s provided towards the eyes and therefore the higher the number, the much better the safety. But the truth is, all well-constructed high quality welding contacts, have the screen that filters out 100 % of the actual harmful ultraviolet (UV) as well as infrared (IR) wavelengths and offers protection towards the eyes.
2. Q: What kind of helmet is much better solar-powered or even battery-operated?
A: Solar driven helmet provides the convenience of not having to be worried about changing batteries. So it’s perfect.
3. Q: What happens if the actual battery fails?
A: You’re usually protected through damaging UV/IR the radiation. And regardless of what, your eye is usually shaded through flash. Whenever you pick up an off Speed glass filtration system, it’s intermediately-shaded. Whenever you turn about the filter, this “lightens” as well as becomes clear. When a good arc is actually struck, the actual filter darkens.
4. Q: Do you watch any of the arc flash?
A: The filtration system changes prematurely for the attention to visit a flash. The changeover from absolutely no arc to arc occurs with no perceptible flash.
5. Q: How long do the actual batteries last within the fan model?
A: Duracell batteries within the fan design last approximately forty hours and in rechargeable condition approximately twelve hours. The fan could be switched off and on easily.
6. Q: Can I later set up the fan during my regular helmet?
A: The fan model tends to be designed differently compared to regular helmet.
7. Q: What components are covered under the two years warranty?
A: Just about all parts tend to be covered other than the alternative lenses
8. Q: How much durable is the Accu-Strike helmet?
A: The Accu-Strike helmet is extremely durable. It consists of polycarbonate, higher impact materials, the same materials utilized in bumpers as well as Billy clubs.
Tips/Tricks for Buying Welding Helmet
Tip 1: Don’t Go Too Cheap
There are lots of cheap welding helmets in the market today, but it is not recommend going with the least price when you are just starting. There is reciprocal relationship between the quality and price. Everybody wants to save their money, but it is not a good decision to go overboard here and finally be disappointed.
Tip 2: Don’t Overpay for a Welding Helmet
There are lots of costly welding helmets on the market and even some cost upwards $400. For normal welding works you don’t need a helmet that costly. You should buy a good beginners welding helmet for around $50-$70. Until you want to upgrade quality in the future, that will work just fine for you. But remember that, some of the cheap welding helmets are made flimsy and may break on you eventually. So, you should sincerely choose your welding helmet.
Tip 3: Try to Buy Your Welding Helmet Online
It’s cheaper to buy welding helmet online like Amazon.com. It’s not only cheaper, but they also sometimes offer free shipping. Further, you don’t pay tax on ONLINE PURCHASE, if they are out of state.
Before purchasing, you should ensure the quality of the product.
Conclusion
To conclude this discussion about welding helmet, you are advised to do a proper research about the product and its brand before choosing and buying a helmet. Different customers have different needs and thus their reviews are differing from each other for the same product.
Each welding helmet has some advantages and disadvantages, may it be the quality and durability or the price. These helmets are important and buying proper ones ensure your eye protection and long term vision.
So, you should pick the best one by your budget. Remember that, these helmets don’t come in cheap price with best quality.
The most important step of any buying decision is that choosing and buying product through looking and feeling. So, you should try to the buying a welding helmet the shop.
If you purchase a product in online, that’s also fine but before purchase you should ensure about quality. We hope that, our Welding Helmet Buying Guide article would be a useful buying guide for you in your best welding helmet selection.