Hairyblackdude
XS650 Addict
Hey all,
Just wondering what kinda welding helmets everyone uses??
I have a cheap harbor freight one, auto darkening, cant ask for much..It was like $35.
Anyway, it works fine & does what its supposed to do, but its just too damn DARK !!!
It has a knob on the side for the brightness setting. I think its like 9-13. Even at the lightest setting, I can hardly see anything when Im welding... Now, I know its supposed to be dark, and this may be the norm, but I can only really see the very edge of the weld puddle when Im moving away from it. I feel like it could be brighter & still be safe.
Ive come into times when I start trailing away from the weld because I can barely see. Now, I have a cheap hand held shield that came w/ the Miller welder & its much brighter & easier to see, but its not auto darkening & its handheld. Almost impossible for me to use. I sometimes use my other hand to hold stuff in place while I tack.
Im cautious about ordering a better helmet because Im afraid its just gonna be the same exact thing, just more expensive... They all seem to start @ 9 for the rating.
So, Is this totally normal and thats just what welding is?
--OR--
Can you guys see a little better w/ different helmets?
Any info is appreciated!
_marc
Just wondering what kinda welding helmets everyone uses??
I have a cheap harbor freight one, auto darkening, cant ask for much..It was like $35.
Anyway, it works fine & does what its supposed to do, but its just too damn DARK !!!
It has a knob on the side for the brightness setting. I think its like 9-13. Even at the lightest setting, I can hardly see anything when Im welding... Now, I know its supposed to be dark, and this may be the norm, but I can only really see the very edge of the weld puddle when Im moving away from it. I feel like it could be brighter & still be safe.
Ive come into times when I start trailing away from the weld because I can barely see. Now, I have a cheap hand held shield that came w/ the Miller welder & its much brighter & easier to see, but its not auto darkening & its handheld. Almost impossible for me to use. I sometimes use my other hand to hold stuff in place while I tack.
Im cautious about ordering a better helmet because Im afraid its just gonna be the same exact thing, just more expensive... They all seem to start @ 9 for the rating.
So, Is this totally normal and thats just what welding is?
--OR--
Can you guys see a little better w/ different helmets?
Any info is appreciated!
_marc