Auto Darkening welding helmets

[fowler]

intresting to point out

my mask will not react to the sun
it works fine with welds and is a name brand mask
but the sun gets no result

 

[nak18]

I have a coupon for the autodark hf for $34. I will be purchasing it within the next 30days.

 

[redsox985]

My helmet will react to a strong flashlight IIRC. Let me go test.

Yep! It darkened for the below flashlight.
http://www.surefire.com/G2X-B-BK?utm_source=surefire&utm_medium=surefire&utm_campaign=G2XColors

 

[Simon Thomas]

Correction

intresting to point out

my mask will not react to the sun
it works fine with welds and is a name brand mask
but the sun gets no result

I might be wrong with the sunlight test to check on the response time. May be not a reliable test. I am not really sure too. That day after exposed the mask to sunlight, I lifted the mask and check the response time. The mask responded to the sunlight and turned dark. That is the thing I did. Some more my mask is not a branded unit, nothing much could be said. Apologize for earlier statement if this is not technically correct to test auto darkening mask's response time.

However, I recall correctly before the shop sold it to me, he tested it with the cigarette lighter (with the spark) to show me the response time. The spark from lighter turned the mask screen darker. It is a simple test. I believe this is more accurate.

 

[fowler]

i guess some are just more sensative

as redsox said it would work for him

 

[pat.m23]

i have had my helmet for four years now and its a hobart hood i have not even changed the batteries yet and it is the slor type. if you r looking for a helmet go with one that is 1/24000 sec darking speed because the 1/12000 sec can still damage your eye. Miller makes good helments too. I like my helmet but its an arc sensing not an electrical sensing so when you get in tight placing the sensors dont darken. My next helmet will be a speedglas 9100xx.

 

[jman231994]

I doubt anyone has said this yet, but, dont grind in an auto darkening welding helmet. I grind in wearing my flip up helmet all the time just for a bit more protection than safety glasses and it seems to be fine....stupidly went to do it wearing an auto darkening helmet one time.....start grinding...bam no vision. Also it might wreck the lenses....I dunno lol

Just my tiny bit of quite stupid input

 

[DustinWolfe]

I doubt anyone has said this yet, but, dont grind in an auto darkening welding helmet. I grind in wearing my flip up helmet all the time just for a bit more protection than safety glasses and it seems to be fine....stupidly went to do it wearing an auto darkening helmet one time.....start grinding...bam no vision. Also it might wreck the lenses....I dunno lol

Just my tiny bit of quite stupid input

i disagree. im a steel fabricator and wear a speedglas hood. i grind in it all the time. alot of hoods have a "grinding mode"

 

[TorqueRanger]

 

[jman231994]

i disagree. im a steel fabricator and wear a speedglas hood. i grind in it all the time. alot of hoods have a "grinding mode"

I'll have a look for it if i'm ever using the auto darkening one. I really only know about the on button and the tint settings. haha. thanks for the info I'll try to have a look

 

[Doc Sprocket]

I doubt anyone has said this yet, but, dont grind in an auto darkening welding helmet. I grind in wearing my flip up helmet all the time just for a bit more protection than safety glasses and it seems to be fine....stupidly went to do it wearing an auto darkening helmet one time.....start grinding...bam no vision. Also it might wreck the lenses....I dunno lol

Just my tiny bit of quite stupid input

For those of us that DO NOT have one with a "grinding mode"- many times in the past I popped the auto shade out of my Lincoln or ESAB mask, and just left the clear lens in place for full-protection, close proximity grinding. Since the clear outer lens is replaceable and cheap, I found it to be a good and quick solution. Note- some masks allow you to do this very quickly and without any tools, yours may or may not.

 

[DustinWolfe]

you misunderstood me. i dont have grind mode. thats my point. i use it for grinding all the time. in fact this is me at work building a jig.
edit: i thought about it and it could be potentially dangerous so i guess your mileage may vary

 

[will1384]

About month or two ago Harbor Freight had a sale and I got the

"Auto Darkening Welding Helmet with Blue Flame Design"
Item # 91214

And used when making a stand for a bandsaw, I was shocked
that it worked so good.

BTW this unit does not recharge the batteries, once the batteries
are dead, you ether disassemble the unit and replace the batteries
or buy a new welding helmet.

Here is a page on how to replace the batteries

Harbor Freight Auto-Darkening Solar Welding Helmet Repair