Welding Helmets Suppliers

Welding helmets do what every helmet is designed to do: they protect. In this case, they protect a welder’s eyes and face from burns resulting from hot weld sparks. Helmet lenses that automatically darken also protect welders from the often extreme light from a weld.

Indeed there are. In fact, welding helmets have come a long way since they vaguely resembled something Ned Kelly might have worn back in the day. Now they almost rival motorbike helmets for design variations.

While most of these helmets meet all welding safety requirements, always make sure a helmet hasn’t compromised compliance for cosmetics.

For something as seemingly simple as a welding helmet, there are a surprisingly large number of things to consider.

• Fixed shade helmet: Known as a passive lens helmet, fixed shade basically means the helmet doesn’t automatically darken. This can be helpful for novice welders who need to leave the helmet up to see clearly while the electrode, gun or torch is positioned before snapping the helmet down with a nod.
• Auto-darkening helmet: These helmets are worn down for positioning the electrode, gun or torch, then automatically sense the arc and darken. Better for more experienced welders able to see clearly through the lens before and after darkening as no movement is needed during the weld.
• Fixed darkening: If welds tend to be the same, fixed darkening will automatically darken the lens to a preset shade.
• Variable darkening: If welds vary, a helmet offering sensor-driven shade changes is the best option. Fast lens reaction time? If you’re doing a lot of welds, the faster your helmet senses and finds the right darkening shade the better.
• Optimal lens clarity: If a weld’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well, so make sure the helmet you choose offers the sort of clarity you’d expect from a pair of glasses.
• Optimal helmet viewing size: Remember, the bigger the viewer, the heavier the helmet, so find the right compromise.

Indeed, would a powered air purifying respirator be a nice addition to enhance welder comfort? Would changeable headgear add to their comfort even more?

The average price for a welding helmet is a little over $600 and a helmet in that price bracket will suit the majority of needs. However, if you want a premium helmet with every safety and functionality feature covered, expect to pay around $1,800.

Most problems with welding helmets tend to happen with auto-darkening options rather than fixed shade as, obviously, more things can go wrong when sensors and other high-tech functions are involved.

Here’s a quick troubleshooting guide:

• Bad visibility. Common in all welding helmets as they simply get dirty and may simply need a good clean.
• Light sensitivity problems. Only a problem in auto-darkening helmets, it could be a setting or low battery problem.
• Insufficient view. If the welding view is too narrow and inhibits your ability to view the weld comfortably, a larger lens might be required.
• Flickering light. This is usually caused by issues with the auto-darkening filter and can generally be fixed by replacing the batteries.

While sensors can play up in auto-darkening welding helmets, most issues will simply be about the helmet lens becoming dirty. Dust, weld spatter and smoke are inevitably going to find their way onto a helmet lens, as will surface scratches no matter how careful your welders are.

Here are three ways to help keep your welding lens clean and clear:

• Use a buffing wheel and light buffing compound
• Use a rubbing compound car detailers use to polish cars
• Use good old furniture polish