20 replies to this topic

[Guess-Works.com]

I got me one of those auto darken helmets, but mine has batteries, readly strange to start with, if you're use to a flip helmet but is the mutts when it come down to gettting the initial tacks in the right place.

As soon as the arc is cast, it switches to black, some 1000th's of a second or like that, and when you stop, it's 1/2 sec later it's back to clear well, like sunglasses.

[dklawson]

I have two auto-darkening helmets. The first is a true "solar powered" one and it cost me about $150 (75 GBP). I hate it because it doesn't "switch" well if it hasn't been "charged" in front of a bright light prior to doing low-amp panel welding. In desparation I bought a $50 (25 GPB) helmet with batteries. I LOVE that helmet, it's the only one I use now. Some of my friends have bought the cheap ones and not had as good luck. I believe its a "Chinese" quality issue.

Pavel, you say you're on a budget and don't have much space. That being the case, shop a little longer and look for an 80 to 100 Amp "inverter-based" DC arc welder. These are about the size of two large loaves of bread. I have one from Germany labeled "Tec-Verter". In it's basic form it's a DC welder, however, buy a different torch cable and a bottle of Argon with flow gauges and you've got an inverter based TIG welder. (Negative ground connection for arc welding, positive ground for TIG). Your initial cost for the DC inverter won't be high. Adding the TIG torch and gas later will about double your cost but won't be mandatory. You can use this as an arc welder forever or spend a little more to have what's called a "scratch-start TIG". I use mine for TIG welding more than arc welding.

The other cool thing about this low-cost version of TIG is that you can use it as a torch for copper brazing light-duty (ornamental) steel together. I did this to "plug weld" my car's roof drip edge under the up-turned gutter. I didn't want a lot of heat up there and this was a great solution. Gas welding/brazing would have been the only other easy option for me.

[Pavel]

Yay, dk, that GYS 2500 Inverter is just that as far as I understand.

I'll look at a few more, but at least that gives me something to go by.

Thanks for all the help everyone!

[Alburglar]

You do need to buy a descent solar powered mask with electric though. And that'll cost £100 from www.welduk.com

Seen these on e-bay for about £25 or so are they any good?

Dunno. As long as they cover grade 10 and 11 they'll be ok.

[Alburglar]

My solar one is instant darken. No problems with it so far

[dklawson]

Don't confuse "solar" with "instant-on". When the add copy says "solar" they mean the power from the arc powers the circuitry to darken the lens. They will usually try and make a big deal of "no batteries to buy... EVER!" Big deal. Like I said, if you're going to use a solar powered helmet when making low-Amp panel welds you need to put the solar helmet in front of a light source to charge it first or you'll go blind. The lens won't switch at first if you don't. Battery powered helmets are the way to go for panel work. I'm sure solar powered ones are OK for heavier welds and where they will be used every day.

As far as lens grades go, most I've seen are fixed #11 or adjustable 10-13. Obviously what you have in Europe may be different.