Welding Tips and Tricks

Hi Guys,

I am trying to get into TIG welding and made the decision to buy an auto-darkening helmet. I went out to Princess Auto (Canadian equivalent to Harbour Freight in the US) and purchased this helmet.

http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/s ... -p8540668e

The helmet worked great with stick welding, but when I tried it using for TIG I couldn't help but notice that the little dot was following me around for about an hour after (yup.. got the flash).

I have since read a bunch about auto-darkening helmets but wanted to get more opinions on what helmet would work for around the $100-$150 range (..or if there is one).

I have had a few helmets and still use a $400 Miller Digital Elite but recently purchased a Save Phace EXP Gen Y for a little more room and I am very impressed, around $170.

Here's a link to my review...

http://forum.weldingtipsandtricks.com/v ... f=2&t=6489


Worth every penny.... http://Www.savephace.com

@rkirk77 If the helmet has adjustable darkness shades, try turning it up to a higher number (darker) and see if that helps.

rkirk77,
If this thing sat around and the battery is weak then you would have to set it in the sun for awhile until it charges a bit.

I second the Save Phace, good helmet for the price, I have the Gen Y, like Rick's but with different graphics.

Len

rkirk77,
Welcome to the forum! I have used the Harbor Freight helmets but only for SMAW. I have heard and read on the forums that sometimes they can flutter at lower amperage. I talked to Sam and he said he has not had this problem. What amperage are you welding at? I have also heard that some companies have banned them because of liability issues involving your eyes. Something about its reaction time when the arc is struck is not as fast as name brand helmets thus exposing you for a very split second. I guess it would be ok to start out but if you believe it is to blame for flash burn I would upgrade immediately.
My opinion.
-Jonathan

@Jonathan,
I looked at the specs for each helmet, Miller Digital Elite: 1/20,000 Second, Harbor Freight (Sam's model); 1/25,000, and the Princess Auto; 1/30,000. I don't know if that's enough difference to cause welder's flash or not but I doubt it.

As a side note, I welded half of the candle holder with a Harbor Freight at work and the other half with my Save Phace later that evening at home, about six hours total with no sign of flash.

Len

Len,
I guess I can't believe everything I hear.
-Jonathan

Am I looking at those times wrong or does it show that both of the bottom end helmets actually have faster time than the Miller?

Len

I used to put my own sound systems in every vehicle I owned, and often noticed low end el cheapo amps boasting specs well beyond more expensive name brand stuff. Just sayin', grain of salt and all that...
-Eldon

Braehill wrote:Am I looking at those times wrong or does it show that both of the bottom end helmets actually have faster time than the Miller?

Len

It would appear so. When you posted that I thought it didn't seem right. Doing a little digging now.
-Jonathan

The rampant use of fake certification stickers abound on the Chinese made stuff. You can never tell if it legit.
If you got arc flash it would feel like you had rubbed sand into your eyes. But the failure of the hood to darken is just like looking at a bright light. Or staring at a flashlight etc. Not actual arc flash.
This is a really nice hood for your budget. Jackson Safety WH40 SmarTIGer Auto-Dark ... Lub1FVXGRY I have the larger window version.

Just seeing spots after welding is not flash burn....that is an over exposure to the yellow frequency light waves, like when Oxy/fuel cutting without a dark enough shade lens. Some of my guys would see spots when O/F cutting and using a #3 shade, moved up to the #5 and the spots went away. Their eyes were more sensitive to those wave lengths than other people. I would darken the lens if welding at higher amperages. I've used those HF shields before with Fluxcore at 450 amps without any issues.

soutthpaw wrote:If you got arc flash it would feel like you had rubbed sand into your eyes. But the failure of the hood to darken is just like looking at a bright light. Or staring at a flashlight etc. Not actual arc flash.

I agree....

the more expensive shields have more than one or two sensors that help in low light/low amp situations or where you may be working where the sensors can get covered up and the shield not flash over.
Also keep the delay set long enough so that the shield doesn't turn back to a light shade before the puddle cools down past that bright red color. That bright puddle can make you see spots too.

Y'know, my old-school #10 glass lens has NEVER flashed me unexpectedly...

Technology has value, but it comes with trade-offs.

Steve S

I bet we see a post about a Pipeliner in a little while from someone!

Seriously though, I just ordered one of the SavePhace 40VizI4 helmets. We'll see what happens. I have quite a few welds to do in the next few weeks in a plethora of positions. So it should get put through its paces pretty well.

GreinTime wrote:I bet we see a post about a Pipeliner in a little while from someone!

Seriously though, I just ordered one of the SavePhace 40VizI4 helmets. We'll see what happens. I have quite a few welds to do in the next few weeks in a plethora of positions. So it should get put through its paces pretty well.

Ahh, sweet alliteration...

"a plethora of positions...."

Steve S

I purchased one of those Harbor Freight auto darkening helmets to use with my Tig welder, but when I read the instruction booklet that came with it, it said it was not suitable for Tig... I returned it for a refund and bought a Linde instead...

-Bear

GreinTime wrote:I bet we see a post about a Pipeliner in a little while from someone!

Seriously though, I just ordered one of the SavePhace 40VizI4 helmets. We'll see what happens. I have quite a few welds to do in the next few weeks in a plethora of positions. So it should get put through its paces pretty well.

Wonder who that would be? Can't wait to see a review on that helmet.
-Jonathan

Ak weldshop will handle that one.

Otto Nobedder wrote:Y'know, my old-school #10 glass lens has NEVER flashed me unexpectedly...

Technology has value, but it comes with trade-offs.

Steve S

My old standby....that is the shield I keep handy...no dead batteries, no electronics to get messed up.

Auto darkening shields are nice though for tacking and welding long, intermittent fillet welds.

Otto Nobedder wrote:

GreinTime wrote:I bet we see a post about a Pipeliner in a little while from someone!

Seriously though, I just ordered one of the SavePhace 40VizI4 helmets. We'll see what happens. I have quite a few welds to do in the next few weeks in a plethora of positions. So it should get put through its paces pretty well.

Ahh, sweet alliteration...

"a plethora of positions...."

Steve S

"Plethora" Isn't she a "Trailer Queen"?

That would be "Plethora Lynn"