Welding helmets can be used in both non-contact and contact welding methods. Buying a welding helmet can be a confusing task.
There are a number of different options to choose from, including type, fit, brand, cost, and more. Minimally you will have to choose a type and cost.
The type of helmet that is right for you depends on what you will be welding and what your budget is.
If you’re having trouble about how to choose a welding helmet, there’s no need to worry because we’re here to help.
In this article, I’m going to discuss factors that affect your decision and provide some tips and suggestions for picking out a helmet that meets your needs. Keep reading!
How to Choose a Welding Helmet? 8 Useful Tips
Here are 8 valuable and useful tips for choosing a welding helmet:
- Single or Fixed Shade Lens
- Switching Pace
- Battery or Solar Powered
- Weight of the Helmet
- Personal Choice & Requirement
- Safety Requirement
- Comfort & Ease
- Viewing Area Dimension
1. Single or Fixed Shade Lens:
If you’re looking for a welding helmet that’s going to help keep your eyes safe while you’re working, there are two options: single fixed shade and variable shade.
Both types of lenses provide protective shields against high-glare and harmful UV rays, but they differ in how they protect against low glare.
Variable shade lenses can be darkened or lightened depending on the environment. They’re ideal for people who work in environments where it’s difficult to adjust lighting conditions, such as those who work outdoors during different times of the day or those who work inside with inconsistent lighting conditions.
Single fixed shade lenses offer greater protection against low-glare than variable shades because they’re designed to block out more light in general.
This means that if you’re working in an environment with plenty of natural light, like outside during daytime hours when there’s ample sunlight, then a fixed shade lens may be better suited for your needs.
I recommend you must check the helmet shade lens before making a final decision regarding any welding helmet.
2. Switching Pace:
The switching speed of a welding helmet is measured in milliseconds (ms). Faster switching speeds allow you to change from one shade or level of brightness to another more quickly, which is helpful if you’re trying to work on multiple projects that require different shades and levels of brightness.
If you’re working with thin metals, however, a faster switching speed may not be as important as it might seem. In this case, I suggest you go for a slower switching speed because this will give you more time to adjust your welding torch before melting the metal in front of you, which could result in less wasted material.
3. Battery or Solar Powered:
There are several things that you need to consider before buying a helmet. One of them is the battery or solar powered.
The primary difference between these two options is that batteries will allow you to weld continuously, while solar-powered helmets will only allow you to weld for a short period of time, and then they will need to recharge themselves.
This also means that if your battery dies, then it is going to be very difficult for you to continue working with your helmet because there may not be enough sunlight available for it to recharge itself.
If you want to purchase a helmet for outdoor projects, then I recommend you to go for a solar powered welding helmet.
4. Weight of the Helmet:
Another important thing that people should keep in mind when looking at these kinds of helmets is their weight.
Some welding helmets can weigh up to 20 pounds which means that they can strain your neck muscles and spine if they are not designed correctly.
This makes it important for people who want one of these kinds of helmets so that they do not end up injuring themselves while using it every day at work or home!
5. Personal Choice & Requirement:
When choosing a welding helmet, you should consider your personal preferences. Factors such as weight and style may affect the helmet’s overall comfort.
If you are looking for a lightweight welding helmet to wear for long periods of time, then you may want to consider a lighter model.
You should also consider the shape of your head when choosing a helmet; some helmets have more rounded curves that can fit better on some people’s heads than others.
Some helmets are designed specifically for women and men, so keep this in mind when shopping around!
6. Safety Requirement:
The next thing that you need to consider when choosing a welding helmet is safety. You should make sure that the helmet meets your safety requirements. It should have the ability to provide protection from UV rays and harmful gases.
Also, it should be able to keep your eyes safe from harmful light and heat. If you are planning on using your helmet for long periods of time, then choose one with comfortable padding so that it does not cause any discomfort on your head or face after wearing them for hours at a time.
7. Comfort & Ease:
The other thing that you need to consider is comfort and ease when wearing your helmet during the welding process.
The best way to ensure this is by choosing one that has an adjustable headband as well as ear covers which will prevent pressure points from forming inside the helmet while wearing it over long periods of time without taking breaks between sessions, so try looking out for these features before making any final decisions about which ones might be right for you personally!
8. Viewing Area Dimension:
When you’re choosing a welding helmet, it’s important to consider the viewing area dimension. The viewing area is the size of the part of your field of view that is visible through your helmet.
When you’re working on a project, you’ll want to have as much of your work area visible at once as possible without having to move your head around unnecessarily.
The best way to determine what kind of viewing area will suit your needs is to take measurements using some sort of measuring tape or ruler.
You can also use an app on your phone or computer that allows you to measure things digitally.
After you’ve measured your space, compare those dimensions with those listed in the specifications for each product so that you can find one that has a viewing area that matches up well with yours and meets all of your other requirements as well.
Also See: Welding Goggles Vs. Helmet
Uses of Welding Helmet and its Benefits
Welding helmets are used to protect the eyes of welders from the powerful light produced by an arc welder. They are also useful for those who work in dark environments, such as coal mines.
Welding helmets have a lens on each side and are worn with a strap that wraps around the head. The lenses can be made of glass or plastic, and they may be tinted to help reduce glare.
A filter on one or both sides of the helmet helps to block ultraviolet rays that can damage eyesight. The filters are often made of activated charcoal or other materials that absorb light waves.
The lenses should be clear enough so that you can see objects clearly when you are wearing them, but they should also filter out the most harmful wavelengths of light so that your eyes do not need to adjust once they put them on.
Some welding helmets have interchangeable lenses, so you can choose which works best for different types of work environments.
Till now, I do perform each welding project by using a welding helmet for better safety and protection.
Welding Helmet Specifications
- Welding Helmets are used to protect the welder from overexposure to the heat and light emitted by the welding torch.
- The helmet is made of a lightweight, fire-resistant material that protects the face, eyes, and neck area.
- It also helps to limit fumes, gases, and other airborne particles from entering the breathing zone.
- The helmet must be capable of being worn over a wide range of head sizes and shapes.
- The helmet must be comfortable enough for the welder to wear for long periods of time.
- It should also provide a clear view of the work area without obstructing vision or causing eye strain.
How to Choose Auto Darkening Welding Helmet?
Choosing the right auto-darkening welding helmet can be a little intimidating, especially if you’re new to welding. But don’t worry! I’ve got you covered.
| No. | Things to Consider |
| 1 | The first thing to look for is a helmet that meets the ANSI Z87.1 standard for eye protection. |
| 2 | The second thing is to make sure that it has an adjustable shade control system, so you can make adjustments based on the type of light source you’re working with (and the amount of light coming from that source). |
| 3 | You’ll also want to find out if your helmet comes with an anti-fog coating, which helps keep your lens clear and lets you see clearly through the glass even when it’s fogged up by sweat or other factors. |
| 4 | If you’re welding outdoors in bright sunlight, you’ll want a helmet that has a good shading range and doesn’t take too long to change from clear to dark. |
| 5 | If you work indoors with low levels of light coming through windows or from fluorescent bulbs, then a helmet with a lower shading range should be fine: |
| 6 | Finally, check with your employer or trade association before deciding on a specific brand or model. They may recommend using another brand or model because it’s better suited for their purposes or set of needs. |
What to Look for When Buying a Welding Helmet?
When you’re looking for a new welding helmet, there are a few things to consider. First, you need to check your budget. You can find helmets at just about any price point, so take some time to figure out how much you have and what it is you need.
The next thing you should look at is whether or not the helmet has a good fit. You want one that’s comfortable and snug enough that it doesn’t move around on your head while you’re working. But don’t get one that’s too tight that can cause headaches and neck pain!
You also want to make sure the lens is clear and doesn’t scratch easily. It should be made of polycarbonate material (or another strong plastic) because it won’t break as easily under pressure as glass would.
The lens should be UV-coated so that it protects your eyes from harmful UV rays from the sun or welding equipment; this will help prevent cataracts later in life!
Finally, if possible, I recommend trying out different styles before making a decision about which one works best for your needs.
Different types of helmets are designed for different purposes, so there’s no one size fits all solution here!
What Makes a Good Welding Helmet?
A good welding helmet has a number of things that make it a great purchase. I have got you covered through the following points:
| No. | Things Must Have | Description |
| 1 | Provides Protection | First, it should be able to protect your eyes from the bright light of the welding torch. |
| 2 | Proper Shade Adjustment | Second, it should be able to provide you with some kind of shade that will allow you to see even when the sun is at its brightest. |
| 3 | Adjustable Settings | Third, it should have adjustable settings so that you can adjust it according to your preferences and needs. |
| 4 | Auto Darkening Feature Works | Fourth, if you are using an auto-darkening helmet, then the auto-darkening feature should be easy to use and not take too long to activate. |
| 5 | Approved from OSHA | Fifth, make sure that whatever helmet you choose has been approved by an organization such as OSHA. This way, you know that what you are buying is safe and approved by experts! |
Conclusion:
How to choose a welding helmet? There are many factors to consider. These include the price and quality of the helmet, what type of welder you’ll be using the helmet for, and if you’re looking for something lightweight or heavy-duty.
While it might not be easy to choose the right helmet at first glance, this guide can help cover all of your bases.
And when all’s said and done, a good welding helmet is an essential part of any welder’s toolkit, so you’ll want to make sure that you choose one that meets all your needs.
FAQs:
Do auto-darkening helmets wear out?
Auto-darkening helmets can wear out if you allow them to deteriorate, so replacing them after about 10 years of use is recommended. If you maintain your auto-darkening helmet after some time and avoid damaging it, it will last more than 5 years.
Is my welding helmet dark enough?
Darker is better. The darker your welding helmet, the less eye fatigue you’ll experience. But ideally, it should be just dark enough, not too dark (or you may as well not wear one).
