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auto darken welding masks
blakep82 - 7/12/11 at 05:58 PM

I got the ESAB origo one, very much impressed by it! haven't tried any others so can't say if its better/worse than other cheaper or more expensive ones, but i do wish i'd bought one years ago!

for some reason i never trusted them before, just in case they didn't darken, but since they always block UV whether it darkens or not, you can't go too far wrong! it feels weird looking at the piece you're about to weld, then striking an arc up

anyone thinking about getting one, DO IT

Mark Allanson - 7/12/11 at 06:07 PM

They are all worse than useless if you are welding in pairs or in a work environment.

blakep82 - 7/12/11 at 06:15 PM

well, thats true, but seeing as this is a diy car building forum, and most of us are unlikely to be welding in work environments for now, then i still say they're great for seeing the weld area before and during welding

PSpirine - 7/12/11 at 06:25 PM

I'm very pleased with my SIP one that I got from Halfords (!) on a Sunday evening. Again, always thought I wouldn't trust it, but it's just SO comfortable to be able to weld like that..

owelly - 7/12/11 at 06:37 PM

We use them in a work enviroment with no trouble as most of the time, each welder has his own screens up.
We always use ESAB but I bought a £25 special off ebay and its brilliant! The mask and headband is flimsy but the lens and gubbins fits in my 'normal' mask so when the cheapy thing falls to bits, I'll just pop it in the other one.

Simon - 7/12/11 at 06:54 PM

quote:
Originally posted by owelly
We use them in a work enviroment with no trouble as most of the time, each welder has his own screens up.
We always use ESAB but I bought a £25 special off ebay and its brilliant! The mask and headband is flimsy but the lens and gubbins fits in my 'normal' mask so when the cheapy thing falls to bits, I'll just pop it in the other one.


Concur with that. Been using auto d for years at work - would also recommend foot control for welding too.

ATB

Simon

martin1973 - 7/12/11 at 07:16 PM

been using a sealey one for many years
no problems as many as 3 of us welding on 1 car/trailer at once no problems at all
it was expensive tho about 8 years ago, about £300
is solar powered and battery.

matt_gsxr - 7/12/11 at 09:04 PM

quote:
Originally posted by martin1973
no problems as many as 3 of us welding on 1 car/trailer at once no problems at all


Oops, I think it was me who sold you that trailer!

martin1973 - 7/12/11 at 09:18 PM

that trailer is fine mate, but it has had 1 or 2 mods
like brakes and a electric winch.

Confused but excited. - 7/12/11 at 11:06 PM

I bought a new cheapo scabby £14 one at a car booty. Hasn't failed in five years.

locogeoff - 7/12/11 at 11:14 PM

I've had a cheepo one for a couple of years. It's great but I still can't help closing my eyes before pulling the trigger.

Chippy - 7/12/11 at 11:20 PM

I bought a cheapo from ebay, worked fine for about five or six years, but the last time I went to use it wouldn't darken, mind you the workshop was freezing so may have been just the cold. Will try it again when the place is a bit warmer. Cheers Ray