Welding wounds and helmets, Good safety is worth the $$$ |
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Welding wounds and helmets, Good safety is worth the $$$ |
JoeDees |
Jan 25 2016, 01:39 PM
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#1
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 515 Joined: 10-November 14 From: Northern Kentucky Member No.: 18,106 Region Association: None |
I did a bunch of welding on the 914 Saturday and had no inkling of the impending disaster, no seeing spots etc. I've used my Harbor Freight helmet for a lot of welding before and don't know if the battery was weak, the adjustment changed or what, but I suffered some flash injury to my eyes. For anybody who has never had this, it sucks: red eyes, burning, extreme light sensitivity, blurriness, excessive watering, and an overall unpleasantness. I should be fine in a few days, but in the meantime, do yourself a favor and buy a good helmet.
Anybody have suggestions for a new auto-darkening helmet? And any suggestions on keeping them working perfectly? |
stugray |
Jan 25 2016, 01:44 PM
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#2
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 3,824 Joined: 17-September 09 From: Longmont, CO Member No.: 10,819 Region Association: None |
I was a welder for > 15 years and have personally never trusted the auto-darkening helmets enough to actually buy one.
For TIG it has become the defacto standard, but for MIG & Stick, startup is not as critical. (I used to stick weld bar joist to beams without even looking, I could weld by feel alone) But if I did buy a auto hood, HF would be the last place I would trust. FWIW - for flash burns, put potato slices on your eyes. It isn't as good as the drops they give you in the ER, but definitely better than suffering. |
AndyB |
Jan 25 2016, 01:46 PM
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#3
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The Governor is watching me Group: Members Posts: 1,115 Joined: 10-April 10 From: Philadelphia New York Member No.: 11,595 Region Association: North East States |
I got mine from Miller. My first one was from Lowes never had a problem with it. Make sure your settings are correct. I had my hands on a HF helmet kept walking around with it until my wife said no get a better one. Just my .02
Andy |
madmax914 |
Jan 25 2016, 01:50 PM
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#4
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Member Group: Members Posts: 204 Joined: 16-February 14 From: Salem, Oregon Member No.: 17,007 Region Association: Pacific Northwest |
I was a welder for > 15 years and have personally never trusted the auto-darkening helmets enough to actually buy one. For TIG it has become the defacto standard, but for MIG & Stick, startup is not as critical. (I used to stick weld bar joist to beams without even looking, I could weld by feel alone) But if I did buy a auto hood, HF would be the last place I would trust. FWIW - for flash burns, put potato slices on your eyes. It isn't as good as the drops they give you in the ER, but definitely better than suffering. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) I'm old school, just a nod of the head and you're welding. Never trusted the self darkening. |
drgchapman |
Jan 25 2016, 02:01 PM
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#5
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Current Stable Group: NoClassifiedAccess Posts: 922 Joined: 20-September 04 From: Portland, OR Member No.: 2,789 Region Association: Pacific Northwest |
Get a good name brand, I have a Miller that works well.
YOu might want to replace the battery on some schedule... |
9fourteen |
Jan 25 2016, 02:12 PM
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#6
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Newbie Group: Members Posts: 42 Joined: 20-November 06 From: Cincinnati, OH Member No.: 7,239 Region Association: Upper MidWest |
I have a Miller Pro-Hobby (which I think is now their Classic Series). I have been using it for a few years and never had a problem with it and like it. I only use it for welding on my cars or other small projects. I am not a professional welder. I think it has a safety feature on it that even if the auto darkening isn't working it provides some protection or at least a minimum safe darkness. I think I remember reading something like in the manual. That way if your battery goes dead or it doesn't auto darken for you you don't get flashed. I doubt the crap at HF has much in the way of any safety features nor would I trust it with anything to do with my safety. When I buy something from HF it always involves two trips, one to buy and a second to return it after it breaks.
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DavidSweden |
Jan 25 2016, 02:41 PM
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#7
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Member Group: Members Posts: 479 Joined: 8-June 14 From: Sweden Member No.: 17,452 Region Association: Scandinavia |
invest in a quality helmet.
I can reccommend Speedglass 9100XX you can see the melt pool clearly something which is not so easy with a cheap helmet and it provides protection even if batteri goes flat |
rick 918-S |
Jan 25 2016, 02:53 PM
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#8
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Hey nice rack! -Celette Group: Members Posts: 20,462 Joined: 30-December 02 From: Now in Superior WI Member No.: 43 Region Association: Northstar Region |
Certified Welder, former fab shop worker, former ship yard worker. As a ship yard worker I ended up with flash burns several times from catching flash from others welding around me. Often working in close quarters next to other guys welding.
I don't own an auto darkening helmet and have no use for one. I use gloves and protective clothing. Even when tacking. Actually I am about to launch an Alien product line for welding. The web page is in the works. This is personal for me. I had a friend who lost his brother to a welding injury. He worked for the mines and used to tack without gloves. He received a small burn on his finger that wouldn't heal. Turned out it was cancer. They took the finger, then his arm to the elbow, then to the shoulder. shortly after it took his life. I cringe when I see those hot rod and custom bike shows and guys are welding without gear. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/screwy.gif) |
ChrisFoley |
Jan 25 2016, 03:19 PM
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#9
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I am Tangerine Racing Group: Members Posts: 7,926 Joined: 29-January 03 From: Bolton, CT Member No.: 209 Region Association: None |
Most likely it was not the helmet, even if a cheapo.
All autodarkening lenses provide protection against flash burns. The lower quality ones don't switch fast enough which may lead to sore eyes from the brightness but not from excess UV. |
bulitt |
Jan 25 2016, 03:26 PM
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#10
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Achtzylinder Group: Members Posts: 4,188 Joined: 2-October 11 Member No.: 13,632 Region Association: South East States |
invest in a quality helmet. I can reccommend Speedglass 9100XX you can see the melt pool clearly something which is not so easy with a cheap helmet and it provides protection even if batteri goes flat (IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) Invest in a quality helmet. I have a Miller. I always hit the reset button before starting. And always look up at the sky or LED flashlight to make sure it darkens prior to starting. Received some sunburn from stick welding in the 70's while wearing a t- shirt. It's serious stuff. |
mb911 |
Jan 25 2016, 04:48 PM
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#11
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914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 6,854 Joined: 2-January 09 From: Burlington wi Member No.: 9,892 Region Association: Upper MidWest |
Have taught welding for the last 16 years full time at a college. And industry before that. When it comes to welding supplies you get what you pay for.
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nathansnathan |
Jan 25 2016, 05:19 PM
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#12
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,052 Joined: 31-May 10 From: Laguna Beach, CA Member No.: 11,782 Region Association: None |
I used to use a Jackson nextgen auto darkening helmet for tig. I found that even when the batteries were still 'good' that I would have difficulty seeing a weld sometimes, like unless the batteries are brand new, there is some compromise in what you are able to see.
I made the switch to using a standard, non-darkening helmet, a Miller with a #10 shade, and I find I am able to see better. jackson was ~$300, miller was ~$30. It took some getting used to starting blind, but being able to see optimally during the weld always, and not to keep needing to buy lithium batteries, has been worth it for the amount of welding I do (not that much). |
JoeDees |
Jan 25 2016, 05:20 PM
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#13
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 515 Joined: 10-November 14 From: Northern Kentucky Member No.: 18,106 Region Association: None |
I've always been pretty diligent about wearing PPE and always tell my Soldiers to wear and remember theirs, I guess now I'm going to add the adjective "quality" to my speech. This incident has me out of work for 3 days (not even allowed in the garage), leaving my team shorthanded on one of the busiest weeks of the quarter.
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toolguy |
Jan 25 2016, 05:30 PM
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#14
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,268 Joined: 2-April 11 From: San Diego / El Cajon Member No.: 12,889 Region Association: Southern California |
I have had a Jackson Auto for 20 years. . other than changing batteries, it has worked fine till I got my MIller Syncrowave Tig welder. . For some strange reason, the Jackson hat would not turn on with the tig spark. . something about frequency I'm guessing. .
I then got a Lincoln Auto Helmet that is battery-less, powered off of the spark which has worked flawlessly with both my Mig and the Tig. . |
jd74914 |
Jan 25 2016, 05:41 PM
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#15
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Its alive Group: Members Posts: 4,780 Joined: 16-February 04 From: CT Member No.: 1,659 Region Association: North East States |
I've always been pretty diligent about wearing PPE and always tell my Soldiers to wear and remember theirs, I guess now I'm going to add the adjective "quality" to my speech. This incident has me out of work for 3 days (not even allowed in the garage), leaving my team shorthanded on one of the busiest weeks of the quarter. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) That sucks. I have a Speedglass auto-dimming helmet and often use a friend's Miller or Jackson helmets. All have been quite good. A long time ago I read somewhere once that leaving your helmet outside in the cold can decrease battery life and slow darkening switching times. I'm not sure if that is true or not, but I always bring my helmet inside and haven't had any issues. |
andys |
Jan 25 2016, 06:59 PM
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#16
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,165 Joined: 21-May 03 From: Valencia, CA Member No.: 721 Region Association: None |
Most likely it was not the helmet, even if a cheapo. All autodarkening lenses provide protection against flash burns. The lower quality ones don't switch fast enough which may lead to sore eyes from the brightness but not from excess UV. About 8 years ago, I bought an HF auto darkening helmet because it had a response time 2 - 3 times FASTER than the name brand helmets of the time. Been using it ever since without issue. Before that, I used an old school helmet. Andys |
MMW |
Jan 25 2016, 07:08 PM
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#17
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Member Group: Members Posts: 152 Joined: 6-October 13 From: Northern NJ Member No.: 16,477 Region Association: North East States |
Maybe the helmet but most likely not, As others have said it should have uv protection even when turned off.
Make sure you are not getting any reflections inside the helmet. If you were wearing a light colored shirt it can reflect & give you flash burn. Also it could be reflecting off of something else & then into your helmet, |
76-914 |
Jan 26 2016, 10:02 AM
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#18
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Repeat Offender & Resident Subaru Antagonist Group: Members Posts: 13,503 Joined: 23-January 09 From: Temecula, CA Member No.: 9,964 Region Association: Southern California |
+1 for Miller Pro Hobby
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Downunderman |
Jan 26 2016, 12:00 PM
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#19
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 852 Joined: 31-May 03 From: Sydney, Australia Member No.: 766 Region Association: Australia and New Zealand |
Ditto the Speedglass.
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aircooledtechguy |
Jan 26 2016, 12:14 PM
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#20
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The Aircooledtech Guy Group: Members Posts: 1,966 Joined: 8-November 08 From: Anacortes, WA Member No.: 9,730 Region Association: Pacific Northwest |
Speedglas as well. I do think that any of the major brands like Speedglas, Miller, Lincoln, etc. will provide the speed of darkening that is required to keep from getting flash burns. Auto darkening speed is the key and "Wang-Chung" helmets are slow.
It also helps to change your battery on a regular basis. A piece of tape with the date installed inside the helmet works great as a reminder. Then change it every 9 months or so whether or not you have a low battery indication. $3 worth of preventive maint. can save a medical deductible at the ER. . . (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) |
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