[TheForge] Auto darkening ?

[Paul N]

My opinions and experiences (And I'm not a pro welder. Took some 
Community College classes, probably weld with electricity about 2-3 
times/month at most)

The major differences are reaction speed and position of the sensors.

The best ones are much faster, and have more sensors.

Reaction peed should be obvious. You get more of a flash before the lens 
darkens, and you're blinded for a spit second. (I've been told there 
isn't UV danger, only the discomfort of the brightness)

As for the sensors, consider this example:
If you only have a sensor at the top of the visor, and your hand is in 
the way, the helmet may not react.

I don't think the real cheapo's have a battery. They are entirely 
"solar" operated. That slows reaction further.

Other features you're going to want:
Replaceable head web and sweat band.
Replaceable outer shield glass
Replaceable batteries
A nicety for many of us is a slide in adapter for a diopter lens. 
Otherwise you can duck tape one inside the lens (I almost said "helmet")

I used a HF mask in a pinch not too long ago. It didn't provide as much 
coverage around the neck/chin area, and the reflected light off my neck 
into the shield reduced my visibility through the lens.

There's my nickel's worth.
**Paul


On 6/3/11 2:10 PM, Ron Childers wrote:
> The important thing to me is: will the guts of the auto darkening
> feature perform as well as the more expensive Hobart, etc? I used an
> el-cheapo HF last week and it seemed to work fine,,
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of peter fels
> Sent: Friday, June 03, 2011 1:43 PM
> To: Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA
> Subject: Re: [TheForge] Auto darkening helmet
>
> When we get down to citing harbor Fright as an authority...
> it's time to quit!
>
>
> On Jun 3, 2011, at 6:27 AM, woolley wrote:
>
>> On 6/3/2011 8:56 AM, Saint Phlip wrote:
>>> hel*met  (hlmt)
>>>
>>>
> http://www.harborfreight.com/auto-darkening-welding-helmet-with-racing-s
> tripe-design-67854.html
>>>
>>>
>>> http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200305009_200305009
>>>
>>> Hmmm. All of these look like they fit definition 1d:
>>>
>>> d. A head covering, such as a balaclava, that is shaped like a
> helmet.
>>
>
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