September 2nd, 2008 
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Cheap welding helmet
I use a cheap welding helmet all the time. One of the best places to buy a welding helmet is online. I can remember ringing around all the local welding supply shops and asking for prices.
I was totally blown away at how much these welding helmets can cost. For someone like me who doesn’t do that much welding at all, I could not see the point in spending big dollars. I ended up buying a cheap auto darkening helmet from my local hardware shop.
I actually bought it from Mitre10 (Australia) as at the time they had them on special for about $80. The thing was though that none of the local welding shops had anything in stock that was below $200.
I can understand their point that if you are welding all day it’s better to spend more money on a quality welding helmet.
Some of the more popular and better-known brands are from Miller, Speedglas, Optrel, and Cigweld.
The cheap helmet I have is the “Tecmen” brand. So far one of the problems I have had with this helmet is the plastic strap that goes around your head has broken in one place. I have had to fix it up with some strong tape.
One of the downsides to buying a cheap welding helmet is that finding spare parts may be a problem. For example where I bought the helmet from, last time I checked, they do not sell spare clear lenses or spare head straps.
All helmets that comply with ANSI standards are designed to filter out most of the dangerous and harmful UV hand infrared emissions.
Some of the cheapest helmets might only have the one shade setting, with mine you can actually go from about 9 to 13 in shade darkness. This allows for a wide range of welding possibilities. From low amperage TIG welding right up to heavier stick welding and flux cored welding.
Another area that you might want to look at is how fast a cheap welding lens can switch over to its filtered welding mode. The more expensive welding helmets will switch a much faster rate. Inside them they have adjustable controls.
You can have a look at my welding helmet here: auto darkening welding helmets
Watch the video related to tig welding
Learn about TIG welding and equipment in thisfree educational video. Expert: Terry Leafty Bio: Terry Leafty owner of Leafty’s ribs specializes in ribs and lemonade for banquets and special event’s. Filmmaker: Chuck Tyler
Help answer the question about tig welding
I could use some pointers for TIG welding 303 & 316 stainless steel?I haven't done TIG welding in quite some time and I have a very important performance test to take tomorrow. Do I use DC and straight polarity (ground side to have torch), and do I need 2% thiorated tungsten or pure tung.? My material will be 303 & 316 SS.
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newbie TIG welder.. thanks for the video
Well.. if I had to pick one I would say the TIG. It would give you a wide range of welding options from steel to alum. Just be careful of the electronics on the bikes. The high frequency from the arc starting can fry computers. Disconnect the battery before welding and keep the ground clamp as close to the weld as possible.
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If your not a full time welder then the cheaper ones work great.
I use a harbor freight auto darkening one and I'm very happy with it. I got mine on sale for $40. I think reg price is $60
Here's the one I use http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=46092
Adjustable from shade 9-13. Stays at a shade 4 when not welding.
It also has a darkening delay (slow, fast) switch
I used mine for 4 years so far
mine works on 3v. 2alkiline AAA batteries.
Thanks! Glad to make your day a little happier.
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Sounds good man,
i am going to be taking some welding courses in the new year…
So i am sure that i will have a whole bunch more questions for you then!
again, thanks for the input
Nice video. All the other ones are like “OMG THIS IS WAY TOO HARD FOR YOU TO TRY BUT HERE LET ME SHOW YOU”..insert flash of light from welder with no mask over the camera so you cant actually see anything..
…”DONE!1!”
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Great job giving a clear explanation & bursting the bubble for some of those folks making it sound like you need a 10 year internship to learn the basics. (maybe that’s what they needed though)
ROFL on the kermit comments !! I didn’t read them until after watching the video and only then it occurred to me.
thanks for the video!
Great video
Question for you. I am getting into motorcycles/motorcycle fab work.
For this type of purpose, which type of welding it better to learn/use…MIG or TIG?
Harbor Freight has one on clearence for $79 bucks it is adjustable-8 to 13 then you can get the darkness you want.
You can't just weld any old plastic. Some plastics are "welded" by solvents, PVC pipe and acrylic (Plexiglas) included. Some plastics are thermo set or chemical set and if heated will not melt but burn – nylon is one of these. To join them you need glues that will work with those specific plastics.
If the plastic you have is "weldable" the most likely tool would be a soldering iron connected to a lamp dimmer like the wax working tools shown here. http://users.ticnet.com/mikefirth/castgobl.htm#WAXTOOLS
Sounds like you want to surprise him. If he tig welds you would probably want to go with the 3m Speedglas (yes correct spelling) hood. It is, in my opinion, the best hood on the market. They were the first to make the auto darkening hood. It has the fastest response time. They are not cheap and it really depends on which type he wants as for cost. They take special clear cover lenses (kinda bothersome) the Jackson dosn't. I would suggest that you get him a hood that has a variable shade selection from around 8 to a shade 14. Don't get one that is a single fixed shade he would be disappointed, do this for what ever hood you choose. Look around an price them as I have seen them all over the price range. Even on eBay, but you can get them cheaper than on eBay by shopping around. (The Speedglas Adflo would be great if you want to keep him from breathing the welding fumes)
Speedglas site;
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Health/Safety/Brand/Six/
a couple of sites;
http://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.com/servlet/the-WELDING-HELMETS-AND-EYE-PROTECTION/Categories
and
http://store.cyberweld.com/autdarwelhel.html
and 1 more
http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/auto-darkening-welding-helmets.html
(30+ years welding)
BTW I use a Speedglas 9100XX. I have used Speedglas for 25 years now and have 3 hoods. Yes they all work including the first one. Why so may? Because of upgrades, better version hoods larger viewing area and so on. Hope this helps. Good luck.