Blinding Arc

[srp]

I was just reading about some good helmets, some have a setting for stable arc, that's what I need.

[redbeard]

I was just reading about some good helmets, some have a setting for stable arc, that's what I need.

Are any of them affordable? I've gotten flashed a couple times myself.

Who would've thunk a Chinese welder could put out an arc that is TOO stable.

[Ray]

Well at the risk of making a shameless plug for another product. here goes.

I have used many auto darkening helmets over the years and have never found one I considered perfect. Especially with Tig welding the arc is so stable even the best can flash you in the right circumstances.

However I have a helmet now that will not flash you!
I have owned one for a couple of years now and have found this is the only helmet that works even in bright sunlight while Tig welding.

How? It contains an RF sensor in addition to the light sensors.
What this enables the helmet to do is detect the arc before it actually starts, and maintain the shade as long as the current is flowing as well as the traditional method of detecting the light.
I have found it works extremely well and is very well built. Other cool features are a flip up lens and full grinding shield underneath, external controls for shade, delay, sensitivity, and Rf high and low. All parts of the helmet are replaceable and there is a hard hat adaptor available.

Of course it comes at a price, but it’s made in Korea and for the features it’s a good value at the price.
If anyone is interested I have a few in stock and will give a price break, and free shipping if you mention the forum. Retail on the unit shown is $380 and comes in Red, Blue and Silver.

http://www.servore.com/en/en_pr_50xs.asp

907-244-7999

[jerky]

instead of that expensive korean one, why not look a little closer to home with miller. i have a digital elite and it has basically the same RF thing, they call it X-mode. it just senses the arc before its made, so it keeps the lense dark. you can also use this outside in the sun as it doesent effect it. i bought mine from indiana oxygen company for 280$. they are regular 380. its a great helmet, lots of designs.... http://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.co...WELDING/Detail

[Ray]

instead of that expensive korean one, why not look a little closer to home with miller. i have a digital elite and it has basically the same RF thing, they call it X-mode. it just senses the arc before its made, so it keeps the lense dark. you can also use this outside in the sun as it doesent effect it. i bought mine from indiana oxygen company for 280$. they are regular 380. its a great helmet, lots of designs.... http://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.co...WELDING/Detail

this is a good helmet also, i agree, the sensor works diferently on this on, I only use this one for a short time, but tried many at Fabtech, the bigest diference is the ANSI grind sheild and flip up deal.

how do you like yours? how long have you had it?

[dyethor]

I had the miller ellite. The dwell time was too slow and making my vision spotty. That was with a new lens and batteries.
My current helmet is from jackson safety, the W60 nexgen. So far 1 year and no problems.

[jerky]

ive had my miller for just over two months now, used it every day since im in school right now. took a few time to tweak it to the settings i like, but no flash, very fast, and it stays on all the time. the big window is great.

[Cippee]

I ordered the digital camo design miller elite # 248260. It's on back order for a week though. I have a thing with camo and I think the helmet is badass. I like the fact it is a 3 shade in light state and 8-13 not 9-13 like all the others. Really though the design is great and that is what sealed the deal.

[jerky]

You wont be disapointed thats for sure, especially at that price.... I almost considered buying a few and selling them up here. My LWS said he couldnt toch them for even 350. Also u should get some clear lenses, it only comes with 5.

[srp]

For everyone that posted what helmets work good and will not flash you, Thanks. I am making a list of helmets to consider.

[GUNNER]

Huntsman 451P ---------------------------> Old school and it never fails !! Automatic helmets are a totally unnecessary mechanical device to fail..

[Cippee]

I was waiting for you to blast me for buying a miller item. Just kidding.

[GUNNER]

I was waiting for you to blast me for buying a miller item. Just kidding.

Dude I don't believe in things blindly. I've never worn an automatic helmet that I liked personally. Possibly because I require a gold lens to see properly! I can't see properly with any other color lens for some reason that possibly has something to do with my Red/Blue color blindness! Who knows for sure? All I know is when I first tried a Gold lens many years a go I was able to see the puddle 100% better than without. I've recommended gold lens to others many times since and without fail every person that has tried them has said the same thing... They can see much better.. NO Automatic helmet has a gold lens that I know of.. Also the Huntsman I use has a very large opening that allows me the most opportunities possible to view the puddle without anything blocking my line of sight.. If you can't see it you can't weld it properly

[Cippee]

I have never used a gold lens before but I am curious now. I know air force pilots use gold plated visors to reflect the sun.

[Spike]

I've been using the jackson nexgen series for the last 5 or 6 years. It has worked great, and its never flashed me. Its got 4 sensors around the corners of the face plate. And on the inside there's a bright led that lights up red in your peripheral vision when the battery gets low, do you don't accidentally flash yourself when your batteries are low.
Its also got a different color in the lens than the miller or off brand helmets, its definitely a brown color, not a green. Makes it so much easier to see the arc, and you can even distinguish some colors through the lens while welding.

[welderdude]

This in interesting. I have never had an issue with my helmet flashing me like that. I have even been able to tig razor blades at 10 amps. I have this helmet:

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...6894_200416894

[srp]

I figured out my problem with getting flashed. The Harbor Freight helmets I have used for 12 years to tig weld say in the operating instructions (not for tig welding). Something as important as that should be on the outside of the box.

[posixPilot]

I just started TIG welding, and I'm having this issue too. I have a cheap auto-dark and I'm welding about 70amps, but my helmet claims that it is designed for TIG. I've used this helmet to stick weld as low as 40 amps with out issue, and I have a clear view of the arc, so I don't think the sensors are blocked. I guess this is just the down side of buying a cheap helmet?

Cheers
Mike

[everlastsupport]

We use auto-darkening helmets now. But I have a Jackson non-auto with a gold lens. It is the clearest lens I have seen through. Everything is black and white to my eyes and beyond clear (no green shade). I have used it for MIG as it is not a real dark shade.

But the auto helmets are getting hard to beat. I have read 100's if 5 star reviews on the ugly red Northern helmet. It was on sale I think for $90 and I almost went for one, but I have 5 helmets now.

[posixPilot]

I have the really cheap $60 helmet from Northern Tool ... It's the same one that Jody gave a thumbs up to in one of his videos. I'm pretty sure it's identical to the cheap HF helmet, and Lowes sells one just like it too.

I'm not that upset about it not working ... It will make a good bystander/helper helmet. I'm going to clean the lens and if that doesn't fix it, start shopping for a better one.

Cheers
Mike