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MrFixIt
15th Jun 2007, 01:15 PM
Hi

FWIW, I purchased one of those "cheapie" welding helmets.

This is a great product especially for the price. $68. It is MUCH lighter than my other welding helmet and is therefore very comfortable to wear. It works very well and makes it much easier to perform welding tasks.

Barry_White
15th Jun 2007, 03:27 PM
I walked past them yesterday in Bunnings but didn't take much notice. Must have a closer look next time I'm in. Got a lot of welding coming up.

Grahame Collins
15th Jun 2007, 04:50 PM
Hi guys
In all honesty,I believe that this helmet is the ideal unit for the home handyman welder. Pick one up and compare it to an old Cig type Hiderok helmet.There is no comparison in fit,comfort and finish.
These (Tecmen) guys have been making helmets for over 20 years and have learnt the lessons and are giving people good value for money.

If you can remember the specs especially the change speed, compare it with other helmets, its a lot quicker than some of the bottom end "expensive" helmets.
I have two ,one home and one at school and use them regularly. I can even squeeze a diopter lens in them so I can weld and see well, without looking at a blurry light.

Have a great weekend men
Grahame

Vernonv
15th Jun 2007, 04:55 PM
I got one of them last year (same brand from a different supplier) and have used it for a fair bit of light sheet MIG work as well as heavier section stick welding work.

Performed great in all situations - is light, comfortable and easy to use and I didn't experience any "sand in the eye's" feeling - I would recommend one.

I don't think I would ever like to go back to a non auto-darkening helmet.

Ernie47
15th Jun 2007, 05:57 PM
I had an auto darken helmet some time ago. I don't do a lot of welding but before every use I took it outside & 'flashed' it at the sun to check it was working. One day it wasn't. Damn. Back to the old one.
My point is, check it is working BEFORE you get up close & personal with your welder.
Ernie.

ratchet
16th Jun 2007, 05:32 PM
Graham ,

where can I get a diopter lenses , to save wearing my reading glasses

also do you know if the lens supplied with the flourestant "chalk " from Bunnings will fit .

While I am at it , do you know if this stuff works , I am only new to the game , week 5 of an 8 week course and my biggest problem is seeing what i am doing

Rod

Edd
16th Jun 2007, 06:06 PM
My point is, check it is working BEFORE you get up close & personal with your welder.
Fortunately, shade 3 and 3mm of glass, as well as the UV resistant coating is enough to prevent your eyes from damage if you get flashed for a few seconds, should it fail to switch. This is for welding, looking directly at the sun through one is much worse though. An easy way to test is to just sweep your hand over it looking into a bright part of the sky (not directly at the sun) or a light.
The better helmets tend to have their default as dark, meaning that if there is a power failure, the helmet will only fail to switch to light mode in the beginning. Then you would know straight away if it wasn't working as it wouldn't turn light to begin with.

rpepper
16th Jun 2007, 06:09 PM
I started welding at Tafe in 2002, 4 hours on a Tuesday night. By week 3 I was about to chuck it in. It wasn't fun - but it was supposed to be!!:((

My wife kindly allowed me to spend the money on an auto darkening helmet (I forget the brand) that was variable shade 9-13.

Anyway, I found I could finally see what I was doing. I went for 2 years and had a ball with a bunch of great guys from teenagers to pensioners, with the occasional female as well.

I wouldn't pretend to be a professional and I understand when some say you can learn to shake and flip the helmet. I could buy a cow for the milk but Woolies is more convenient.:D

DavidG
16th Jun 2007, 06:43 PM
I got a cheap one from Ebay.
Would not go back to the old way.
I do not do much welding so I have not mastered the head shake trick.
I used to find that I flashed my self very regular
(Down guys.. :B Flashed as in dropped the rod down before putting the mask down)

My mask is dark (very) until it is turned on then I can see real well.
Even after an hour of use I do not get sore eyes or other problems.

Just love the new fangled devices.

[Background violin playing] We never had these when I was young.......
or however it goes....:U

fred.n
17th Jun 2007, 05:35 PM
I saw this thread yesterday, and had to get one at that price.
Walked straight up to the guy and asked for the Auto tinting welding helmets......and he tried to sell me nearly the same item for $118. :oo:
We got it sorted, after I informed him of these ones. Just tried it out in the shed, and for all you weekend welders, (like me) it makes all the difference. The only thing it dosen't do, is improve your welding :)
you can now 'hold' your job, and start welding in the 'right' spot.

Thanks for the heads-up Pete

Grahame Collins
17th Jun 2007, 06:14 PM
Graham ,

where can I get a diopter lenses , to save wearing my reading glasses

also do you know if the lens supplied with the flourestant "chalk " from Bunnings will fit .

While I am at it , do you know if this stuff works , I am only new to the game , week 5 of an 8 week course and my biggest problem is seeing what i am doing

Rod
DIOPTERS
Most welding shops have diopters as stock.They come in the same strengths as the reading glasses you can buy off the tree at the chemists.

INFRA RED LENSES.
Yes the lens will fit in the Tecmen helmet. But not together with the Infrared lens as they are too thick to be held by the plastic lens clip.Possibly you might be able to gaffer tape them in.

WILL IT WORK?
Results will vary with the individual, diopters help are not the total answer if you need a new set of specs anyway.If you are holding the paper at arms length to read it, is quite likely your welding won't be up to scratch simply because you can't see the arc clearly

OTHER ADVANTAGES
Stability is a forgotten benefit gained as you can start the arc where you want it and keep that hand in place to support the electrode or mig torch.

I hope that helped.
Grahame

BobL
17th Jun 2007, 09:52 PM
Based on this thread and needing to repair my sons bed I went out and bought one of these helmets yesterday. I guess I'm still getting used to it. One thing I find a bit disconcerting is wearing it while using an angle grinder - on - off - on - off , with all the sparks !

ratchet
18th Jun 2007, 12:39 PM
Thanks Grahame

Rod

peter_sm
18th Jun 2007, 02:28 PM
I use both a standard and an auto helmet. The standard is a good backup if the auto failed. There are just times when I need to flip the lid and see in real what is happening after a weld.

Sometimes I am in a confined space that wont allow me to do the full flip up, like an auto helmet.

Barry_White
22nd Jun 2007, 06:32 PM
Well I bit the bullet yesterday and got myself that Tecmen helmet from Bunnings for $68.00. I will give it a workout over the weekend after I split up a load of firewood I got today.

specialist
22nd Jun 2007, 08:14 PM
Having been a boilermaker for the last 25 years and have used all manner of welding shield, I reccon that the techmen that is illustrated in the original post is quite good. I actually have the model that is variable shade. One thing to remember about any automatic shield is that they hate being left in the sun, and some have batteries that need changing at regular intervals. Also if the front lense becomes very dirty or opaque, it can interfere with the solar cell that powers that lense and the sensor that activates the shade change.

Wild Dingo
22nd Jun 2007, 08:20 PM
Give us the good oil Bazza... I bought a flip down job with the welder as thats what I used years ago but wouldnt mind something a bit better... I couldnt believe what CIG offers as helmets with their welders! MAN!! A sheet of cardboard with a rectangle cutout and some screws to put the lens's in with... I KID YOU BLOODY NOT!!.. that was the arc welder the mig wasnt much better a flimsy VERY thin plastic 2 part face mask thing that you put together both had handles on the front rather than low down and NEITHER had any way of holding it on your head... I mean they were both absolute crap!! I dont get it you know... you pay what 500 for the transarc easywelder turbo and they give you a rubbish wouldnt protect anything cardboard mask then you pay the extra 500 for a mig and you get a flimsy and VERY thin sectional bloody plastic one :~ Saftey my friggin ass!! Okay back a fw years when I bought my only other welder a big buggar you wheeled around cause it was too heavy to lift the helmet that came with it was solid hard plastic like the flip down ones with a handle on the bottom it wasnt the best but a good solid face protection unit and adequate to work with without worry... these?? SHYTE!! I wont even let anyone use them as 50ft away spectators!! friggin dangerous

Also given I got a mig today and in the instruction manual (yes Ive really taken to reading them things!) they talk of gases... lots of talk about gases... so Im wondering whats a good clean air filter system to get while wearing one of these things?... either the flip down mask or one of those cafe racer motorbike helmet types

Bazz give us the low down will you... if the concensus is theyre good then I'll get one... I have a healthy respect for these welder things and love life to much to scrimp when it comes to safer work (well Im getting there!! :; )

Cheers

specialist
22nd Jun 2007, 08:51 PM
lots of talk about gases... so Im wondering whats a good clean air filter system to get while wearing one of these things?...

Don't worry too much about the gases, just make sure that you are in a ventilated area.

specialist