Welding helmet too dark

[mrk5]

The biggest problem I have welding is seeing what I'm doing before pulling the trigger.

A lot of welding I do is on the truck. I try to get a light on my work but sometimes you can't get a light in the right spot.

I would also say it's not the best visibility on the bench either. I feel like the "off" setting in the auto-darkening lens is still too shaded. Frequently I end up starting out a little off target.

The lens is nothing special. This isn't "my" helmet, it's the helmet my father-in-law bought for the business.

1. Is this a factor of the lens?
2. Is there a headlamp or something I could add to the helmet?

Wondering if just a new helmet would help. Might be time for the shop to get a new one. I have noticed our primary fabricator has brought in his own helmet. I just don't want to drop $260 or more on a helmet if what I need is some sort of headlamp.

 

[obijuank5]

Esab sentinel man. Just do it.
I even have a sticker order that will get you like a tenth of a percent there.
In my garage with a rough lens that is ready to be changed.

 

[Bent77]

The biggest problem I have welding is seeing what I'm doing before pulling the trigger.

A lot of welding I do is on the truck. I try to get a light on my work but sometimes you can't get a light in the right spot.

I would also say it's not the best visibility on the bench either. I feel like the "off" setting in the auto-darkening lens is still too shaded. Frequently I end up starting out a little off target.

The lens is nothing special. This isn't "my" helmet, it's the helmet my father-in-law bought for the business.

View attachment 356847

View attachment 356848

1. Is this a factor of the lens?
2. Is there a headlamp or something I could add to the helmet?

Wondering if just a new helmet would help. Might be time for the shop to get a new one. I have noticed our primary fabricator has brought in his own helmet. I just don't want to drop $260 or more on a helmet if what I need is some sort of headlamp.

Did that sumbitch come over on the mayflower?

I have $100 in the Lincoln I got from Home Depot. No shame in spending good money on proper tools

 

[sweetk30]

my almost new lincoln has 6-9 and 10-13 shade switch . then fine adjust in those 2 with the dial knob .

also a better lens so its not as old school dark green .

and you need glasses me thinks . . . . recent thread just a few down . https://ck5.com/forums/threads/welding-helmet-advice.341151/

 

[HankScorpio]

X2 Esab Sentinel. Its worth it.

 

[ktmoutfront]

Younweld with your eyes open? Now you tell me.


Lights
https://www.google.com/search?q=wel...droid-verizon&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

 

[KirsL]

Esab or spedglass. There's a reason you see some many guys and girls running them.

 

[mrk5]

Esab sentinel man. Just do it.
I even have a sticker order that will get you like a tenth of a percent there.
In my garage with a rough lens that is ready to be changed.

View attachment 356849

View attachment 356850

that is an improvement. I thought about trying to take a picture thru mine for this thread but it didn't look like it would turn out because it was so dark.

Did that sumbitch come over on the mayflower?

I have $100 in the Lincoln I got from Home Depot. No shame in spending good money on proper tools

It's the only helmet I've known for the past 21 years. We did get a new lens about 5 years ago.

and you need glasses me thinks . . . . recent thread just a few down . https://ck5.com/forums/threads/welding-helmet-advice.341151/

I was more curious about whether it was a personal problem or if its the helmet. I thought maybe everyone used some sort of lighting and I was missing the boat.

I have noticed that in general I find myself needing more light as I've gotten on in years. Every eye doctor visit he asks how my reading vision is doing. When it's fine he's surprised and warns me it won't be much longer.....

I just don't want to spend money on a new helmet only to find it doesn't make a difference. As I mentioned, I've only ever used the 1 helmet.

 

[Babaganoosh]

I never was really impressed with my welding, come to find out the harbor freight helmet I was using was garbage I couldn't see anything... I was always told to you could see the weld pool up and then just pull it around and never understood it. Once I bought a better one It was like turning a switch on and off.

With the recommendation I bought this one.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HTMLPLE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[sweetk30]

a quality helmet is worth every penny .

i have a miller auto shade for 20 years and loved it . then i got a deal on the newer lincoln 1-2 year old not used much from a friend retiring .

NIGHT AND DAY difference in lens color / shading adjustments / and more lower end adjustment also for stuff like plasma cutting and grinder use .

 

[txcomp]

I've had the Lincoln 3350 for 5+ years and really like it. Very adjustable and VERY comfortable! Like some others, I have a Harbor Freight helmet and couldn't see anything out of it. That's my "here, you want to watch?" helmet now.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019G6T4RS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[sweetk30]

my buddy was over tonight as i was tacking up the plow skin . i gave him my old miller autoshade to watch . then i swapped with him and we both went WOW with the difference in the 2 . its night and day with the newer tech in the helmets .

 

[mrk5]

I ordered a Lincoln 3350 With the 4c lens. I looked real hard at the Esab Sentinel but it's a little too expensive. I also liked the 3350 has a little bigger lens and the 4c looks very nice. I also thought the lens adjustment knobs might stand up a little better to the monkeys in the shop. I don't know I could be wrong, but I thought I could envision them messing up the touch screen.

 

[vandelay industries]

i have the miller autodarkener for the rare occasions that i do weld. But one of my thoughts is that if you have a very bright light (like LEDs?) pointing at the work to begin with, then this helps you see the area that you are going to be working on before you pull the trigger?