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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Ningi Qld Australia
    Posts
    64

    Default What helmets do you guys use for welding?

    I have an old Miller Digital Elite helmet and unfortunately the years have taken it's toll on it, it has been dropped, caught on fire, hit by a grinder and the lens is still great, but unfortunately the shell is falling apart, the price of a new shell and head gear is about the $200 mark so can't justify Millers price for just a bare helmet, so looking at a replacement helmet under $300, so curious about what you guys are using, have found a few that have the true colour lens in them for under $250 which seems like that could be a good thing but I have no experience with them.

    One of the great features I like with the Digital Elite is it has a X-Mode which detects magnetic current so when wearing it outside, the sun or lights don't make it flash on or off. But seems that Miller are the only ones making that feature. Even contemplating finding a cheap helmet and substituting my lens in it but having a bit of a hard time trying to match the lens dimensions with the cheap helmets, the Miller lens is 115mm Wide X 131mm High, so if I can't find a replacement shell to fit my lens I will have to replace the entire helmet.

    Anyway what do you guys use ( brands, models) and any issues with them? Only interested in helmets under the $300 mark as I have retired and don't do much welding anymore so can't justify spending more than that.

    Cheers
    Ed.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    South Australia
    Posts
    1,656

    Default

    I have a Promax 500, have had it less than a year, very happy with it

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Ningi Qld Australia
    Posts
    64

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by China View Post
    I have a Promax 500, have had it less than a year, very happy with it
    That is one of the helmets I am considering, what is the colour visibility like?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2019
    Location
    Brisbane
    Age
    69
    Posts
    452

    Default Helmet renewal

    Hello from BC.
    I would suggest the Unimig Chameo, RWX8000. It has the 4 point harness, large viewing area, Tru color screen. With over 20 sold in the last 3 months not 1 complaint or return.
    Good value at $255 plus GST.
    Waiting for stock, from China.
    Regards
    BC

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Southern Flinders Ranges
    Posts
    1,536

    Default

    Welding helmets are to a degree, consumable PPE as far as I’m concerned.
    I’ve been using the plain ordinary CIGWeld auto dark helmet that is available just about everywhere usually for under $100. I’m currently on my 3rd in about 14yrs.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Berowra Waters
    Posts
    149

    Default

    Speedglass 9100, nothing short of brilliant. Flip up for grinding, plenty of airflow, replacement lenses and covers are cheap as. Best helmet I’ve had in many years

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2019
    Location
    Tasmania
    Age
    53
    Posts
    149

    Default

    I use a Lincoln helmet at the moment. Prior to that I always used >$100 ebay helmets but I was finding that id get a bit of burn to my eyes after a full day welding.
    I figured I need my eyes so I finally stepped up in quality and of course the $$$$ went up with it.

    The Lincoln is definitely a step up.

    IMG_4308.jpg

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    South Australia
    Posts
    1,656

    Default

    Visibility and colour compare with with helmets 3 times the price.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    1,105

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by riverbuilder View Post
    Speedglass 9100, nothing short of brilliant. Flip up for grinding, plenty of airflow, replacement lenses and covers are cheap as. Best helmet I’ve had in many years
    Great helmet, I have a couple of those, he won't get one for under $300 though, well not a new one anyway.

    Speedglas have recently introduced the 9002NC, which is an upgrade for the 9002 which was released 20 years ago. Has upgraded true view lense and better headgear. They are just a little bit over $300.

    https://www.boc.com.au/shop/en/au/he...QaAtOsEALw_wcB

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    586

    Default +1 for Speedglas

    +1 for the Speedglas 9100.
    I run a non flip front version of the 9100 with the XXI 'true view' lens. Very good. Grinidng mode acessible on side of face plate at a push.

    I used to run a range of cheapies, even a backup pipeliner / hiderok with a gold omni-view lens when needed... Welding with the speedglas is like going from B&W to colour TV.
    I'd probably also comment that the spares for the speedglas are everywhere and plentiful, so add this into your calculation on whether you plan to have something for a little while, or the long haul. buy once, cry once etc.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Ningi Qld Australia
    Posts
    64

    Default

    Just clicked on the BOC link and that helmet is $360 + GST so it ends up to about $390. I just found out that the LWS around the corner from me sell the Parweld brand of helmets and had the XR938H in stock ($165) so popped in for a look, they also sell the Weldwolf Promax 500 helmets ($200), the actual lenses are a spitting image of each others. The shell is different but the headgear and lens seem to be the same.

    On a different note I may have solved my problem with my old shell, I was talking to one of the guys at a hardware store when looking at the helmets, and he said he has a Miller Digital flame helmet at home that I could have. The lens doesn't work but I should be able to swap over my old lens in to it, this is assuming that his helmet has had a better life than mine did! . He is going to see if he can find it and let me know next week when he goes back to work.

    Now that I have the itch from looking at new helmets I may need to scratch that itch after I come back from holidays end of next month and have a spare, that is provided I have any money left from my fishing holiday!

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Southern Riverina
    Posts
    24

    Default

    I just got a Unimig RWX8000, $250, big true colour lens and excellent harness.

    Speedglas 9100 is the duck's guts, but at $600 too big a leap for me.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Ningi Qld Australia
    Posts
    64

    Default

    I picked up the faulty? Miller Flame helmet yesterday for free and pulled it apart, it seems that my old lens should fit in to it. I am going on holidays in the next two days so will play with it when I get back.The helmet needs a couple of headbands which I can make and then I will swap the lens over, although this helmet is supposedly faulty (needs two batteries for a start) it is certainly in much better condition then my old one. I was speaking to the LWS and the guy there said that my original lens will also fit into both the Weldwolf Promax 500 and the Parweld XR938H helmets as he tried them out.

    I have no idea if my original lens is better to see through or not than the other two lenses with the clearview technology in them. I will have to try them out to see if I am missing out on something by sticking to the older tech but those others do not have the X-Mode which I really like. The only thing I have against the Unimig RWX8000 is the slow lens switching speed which is about 1/12000th of a second compared to the 20000-30000th/sec of the others.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Southern Riverina
    Posts
    24

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Ed.. View Post
    The only thing I have against the Unimig RWX8000 is the slow lens switching speed which is about 1/12000th of a second compared to the 20000-30000th/sec of the others.
    Don't forget that the important bit - the UV protection - is full-time, and not connected to the liquid crystal. The shading is just for comfort. Personally I doubt I could tell the difference between 1/12000 and 1/30000 in use, but that's not to say you can't. I'd probably rate clarity and harness comfort as far more important.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Apr 2020
    Location
    Melb, Vic
    Posts
    12

    Default

    I know the OP has sourced a helmet, but thought for future reference I’d add my experience to this thread.

    I’m now on my 4th helmet since I started home-welding 15 years ago (first 12 years exclusively MIG):
    1st: ~$50 eBay auto-darkening
    Was ok for occasional short jobs, but gave sore eyes and headaches once used for jobs that required more than a 1-2 mins of total welding. Threw it out.
    2nd: ~$100 Cigweld Weldskill
    Good dependable helmet that protected eyes, but head gear bit average; colour/clarity so so; and viewing size just adequate. Only saved for loaning to a second set of eyes that might be overlooking a job I’m doing for them.
    3rd: ~$160 Michigan XL View Pro (Total Tools brand; but also sold as Bosssafe Megaview)
    Lightweight, with huge viewing area and decent clarity. Fast switching and great with MIG, and AC TIG. Headgear lots of adjustment, but viewing area is cut in half if you use a 3M respirator (can’t adjust to bring helmet viewing area low enough). External grind mode possible, but also guess work when you want to return to welding mode unless you remove - also no indication you’re in grind mode. Challenged with HF start on DC TIG - gives you flash. Will remain my grab’and’go helmet for MIG and anything out of position.
    4th: $600 3M Speedglas 9100 XXi
    Wow. While the auto-darkening viewing area and switching time spec wise are lower than the Michigan, in reality it’s no comparison. The clarity of the weld puddle and extra width of the switching lens is worth the $. Brilliant for DC TIG. Headgear is super comfortable, although you definitely notice the higher weight. Now my primary helmet for all TIG and table based MIG.

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