Welding helmets

rhouston · Jun 2, 2009

Do autodarkening welding helmets go bad? I have one from a garage sale that was found in a bag beside the road with welding gloves and shirt. Somebody either lost it or a thief dropped it. I have tested it with new batteries and it does darken when presented with a bright light. I've never used or tested the autodarkening ones. I does seem that light that is directly infront of you is filtered well but light that comes in at an angle from the side is not filtered as much. I looked the helmet up on the web and it was around $140 dollars new.

Anonymous-0 · Jun 2, 2009

The "blinker" can, indeed, go bad. The worst problem I had with my helmet [a Jackson, new in 2000] was the on-off switch not wanting to operate after a few thousand times. Not sure what you have, but on mine I can adjust the sensitivity--something I learned to do after a strobe light on a robot caused my "blinker" to cycle off and on while welding inside the frame plant.

Mine also has an adjustment for the shade [I think the choices are 9 to 13], as well as the speed at which it darkens/lightens. In 2000, retail on my helmet was around $280...not sure what a comparable helmet sells for today.

TimV · Jun 2, 2009

Yes, they can--in particular, the sensor will go bad and not cause the lens to darken or cause it to darken in a "nuisance" fashion. I was told by a counterman at a welding supply store (who from previous experience knows his products very well) that storing the helmet in a dark environment (typically the box it came in) will help prolong its life in addition to helping prevent scratching the lens. On the higher-end helmets, the sensor may be replaceable.

Anonymous-0 · Jun 2, 2009

Just close your eyes when you strike the arc.There is a website where they are all rated ;best one was a 53 dollar Northern Tool.I think I found it in a google.I had to laugh when T-Bone said"if you blink you wasted your money" Quite hilarious.

bruster · Jun 2, 2009

I bought my Jackson the same time! Got it for about $5 less, and still works good (though I use it about 1/2 as much as you. I've been told by other guys that weld for a living that as long as it lightens up, it will work as it's made to work. When it won't light up, it's the same as a regular helmet.

Kinda nice having the controls, I use it for all types of welding.

504-2 · Jun 2, 2009

I don t know what you are using as a trigger light but a spark lighter will tell you if it is working. What ruins most of them is laying the helmet down and splatter landing on the inside of the lens,no warranty and one junk module

Welding helmets

rhouston

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Anonymous-0

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TimV

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Anonymous-0

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bruster

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504-2

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