auto darkening welders mask

[dave lfc]

Hi everyone just got myself a clarke mig welder and was wondering what mask to get.i have never welded before so I want to make sure to get the right one first.are the auto darkening ones safe?cheers dave

[Titus A Duxass]

My auto one is perfect, light enough to see through and goes dark more or less instantaneously.

[jamesc76]

Auto dark ones are defo the best for beginners, look to pay about £40 ish for a half decent one best bet find local welding shop (not machine mart) and ask them for one. they go up a hell of a lot and you dont need the top end ones! (just as a guide mine at work costs £945!!!! but thats all signing all dancing with air feed)

[colinthefox]

I bought an auto darkening helmet, and my welding immediately deteriorated. (It wasn't brilliant before). It took me a while to work out that it was too dark for my lightweight welding and wasn't adjustable. So now I'm going to have to get another one in a lighter shade, or carry on using the stupid lollypop that came with the welder. Lesson learned. So if you want it for bodywork, make sure it's not too dark.

[E D I T] Meant to say that apart from that, it's great.[/E D I T]

[silverbullet]

Beal UK up Manchester way sell a branded SIF lite adjustable auto darkening one for about 40 quid. Quality is up to light industrial use. Got one myself last month. Recommended.

[bigherb]

I've used a auto one for over 20 years, I now can't weld with a normal one.

[Jakemate]

You can get auto darkening helmets with adjustable darkness setting on the side.
Just don't put them on grind mode
Our college paid £29 per helmet with full adjustment for darkness, sensitivity and delay.

[dave lfc]

Had my shade on 10 and was still struggling to see the weld puddle should I go down to around 8 to 9 dont want to go to low and end up with eyes like marty feldman would this be to low of a shade?should I wear my glasses aswell, cheers dave

[Jakemate]

All the settings on the shield protect your eyes else they wouldn't have them, I have mine on 9 myself.

[Jakemate]

Just don't put in on grinding mode if your masks has it

[dave lfc]

Just don't put in on grinding mode if your masks has it

will try 9 thanks for that,whats the lowest to go down to without damaging your eyes,wont put it on grinding mode cheers dave

[CovKid]

...or lifting it up to wave at a mate just as you strike an arc