How safe is an old helmet?

[DaveO]

Does an old helmet present safety issues?

I'm taking Geezer's idea of donating the complete package when donating a welder, and in my travels I accumulated an old FiberMetal helmet, static 2x4 lens, that I could donate too. Other than needing a good cleaning, are there other safety concerns? Micro-fissures in the aged helmet letting UV in, or something?

[cbmkr]

No it should be fine as long as there are no cracks in the helmet or bad gaskets around the lens . I still from time to time use my old large lens Jackson that i purchased in 1984.

[Spike]

Yeah, on automatic helmets you definitely notice when it starts to go bad, you'll get the old "sand in the eye" feeling. I've never had a good welding helmet go out on me with age, just the cheapy ones like at harbor freight that I use when I know i'm about to do something that might mess up one of my really nice helmets.

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[EchoSixMike]

I still have and occasionally use one of my Grandfather's helmets from WW2. S/F.....Ken M

[Winky]

For the first few years I welded I was using a 60's vintage helmet it worked OK but now that I've been using my nice Jackson auto dark for about six years ... I never want to go back to that.

[DaveO]

Coincidence that you raised this thread again- I literally just sent an email trying to track down a Scout master to see if he could use my AC 225.

[Winky]

Coincidence that you raised this thread again- I literally just sent an email trying to track down a Scout master to see if he could use my AC 225.

Hahaha I love my old Thunderbolt 225 ... great old machines ...you just can't kill them ... knock on wood.

[hooda]

I grew up using a Miller Dialarc 250 and my Grandpa's WWII vintage helmet. I don't miss either. I actually put it on and ran a few sticks before my dad moved, and even though the helmet PROTECTED, I don't miss the look-and-flip method, or the teeny sight glass. Having a Speedglas and running some 7018 through my 250EX is the cat's pajamas. I do commend you, Dave, for your generosity, and can reassure you that if the helmet looks good, it'll be fine. Most guys would throw it on CL and try to get a few bucks for it.

[Johnson]

Way safer than no helmet...the old ones are good. SUper safe just have to get good at the chicken head