Welding with an auto-darkening welding helmet Part 9

When you are selecting an auto-darkening welding helmet, be sure to keep in mind it’s primary uses.  If you are going to be welding TIG, you’ll probably need an upscale helmet with 3 or more sensors.  Two sensor design are not usually sensitive enough to work with low amp TIG due to the sensor placement, but 3 and 4 sensor helmets can sense the TIG arc at almost any angle.

Sensors should be placed at the extreme edges of the helmet for best results. Though this is not to say that there a 2 sensor design can’t be used to weld TIG, but generally they aren’t the best choice.   Some helmets lenses actually sense the flow of electricity and operate well with any kind of welding in any position. 

These are typically the most expensive helmets.  Some combine different type of sensors that help ensure against failed darkening of the helmet.  If you are only going to be doing MIG or stick a 2 sensor helmet makes good economical sense, and will last a long time if properly kept and stored when not in use.  Whatever helmet you decide on, you may be able to choose from a couple of different lens options.

Remember that most manufacturers make their lenses to fit their long standing helmet designs, not the other way around, so it is likely that if one helmet you like doesn’t have the lens option you want, you can probably find it in the same configuration with another lens.