Club 80-90 Forums

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

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

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)

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]

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

Jakemate wrote: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

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