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esab Auto welding mask
big_wasa - 3/4/06 at 10:40 PM

My £30 ebay welding mask is now past it. It protects whilst welding ( I think ) but you cant see the weldpool. The light on roof upsets it something wicked and it seems to have blind spots. And im finding myself in some odd places to try and see what im doing.

Question. My local welding/tool place sells a couple of auto helmets, the best one being an Esab at around £130. Has anybody got any experiance good or bad with these and are there any masks out there that are better for the money ?

ta all

NS Dev - 3/4/06 at 11:11 PM

Don't have specific experience with that mask, but will say that esab stuff is very good in my experience in other areas, proper industrial stuff and worth the money.

David Jenkins - 4/4/06 at 07:36 AM

Esab is BOC's partner for welding gear, I believe. They only make professional gear, as far as I can tell, so it should be good.

DJ

02GF74 - 4/4/06 at 08:11 AM

I gpt an auto darkening mask for £ 41 inc p+p


http://www.transtools.co.uk/100042weldhelmet.htm


packaging is USA but instruction manual looks like it hads been treanlated by a Chinaman.

Planning to use it tonight so we'll see how good it is!

Peteff - 4/4/06 at 09:55 AM

My mate bought one of those. I was less than impressed as it was like working in a fog, alright for tacking up though.

big_wasa - 4/4/06 at 08:24 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Peteff
My mate bought one of those. I was less than impressed as it was like working in a fog, alright for tacking up though.


Pete do you mean your m8 has the Esab or the cheapie ? Working in fog describes my current one. I have had it for around 18 months 2 years and for what it cost me, I have had my moneys worth.

ta all

Triton - 4/4/06 at 09:14 PM

ESAB mask is the dogs doodahs after years of playing the nodding dog it was hard to adjust to the new fangled masks but wouldn't be without it...Like a welding machine buy the best you can afford.

Triton - 4/4/06 at 09:16 PM

Had my esab mask for 5 years, keep lens clean with soapy water then polish it with dry soap.........cheaper than buying new lenses

Mix - 4/4/06 at 09:23 PM

I bought a Speedglas mask from BOC, it was about £160 and I've been very happy with it. It has a larger screen and the shading is adjustable.

Mick

Mark Allanson - 4/4/06 at 09:33 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Triton
Had my esab mask for 5 years, keep lens clean with soapy water then polish it with dry soap.........cheaper than buying new lenses


Stops it fogging up too

Triton - 4/4/06 at 09:38 PM

so does holding yer breathe.....

Peteff - 4/4/06 at 11:18 PM

He has the cheap one. I found a no10 glass better to use in a standard helmet but it was handy for tacking with the self darkening helmet.

NS Dev - 4/4/06 at 11:20 PM

I bought a mid range auto helmet after my s/h (thrown out at work speedglas £250 jobbie which I mended!) packed in again and I thought that was foggy and awful, then found I had to take the protection film off the plastic cover lens!

DOH!!

big_wasa - 5/4/06 at 09:48 AM

looks like its the one then Thanks

Micael - 10/4/06 at 11:47 AM

Esab is the best,
after all it is a Swedish company
And so is speedglas

oliwb - 10/4/06 at 03:58 PM

Why not just get another fleabay one for £30 - what I've got and to be honest I've been very impressed with it.....adjustable shading and everything....If it see's me a year I'll probably buy another one for next year's use! Treat them as if their disposable certainly couldn't do that with one for £150+ Besides the amount of abuse I give my welding helmets it just wouldn't be worth it and wouldn't last either for that matter! Oli.