Choosing the best welding helmet for my needs!

Auto-darkenig, passive, fixed shade, variable-shade ,grinding mode, cutting mode….

We have created this blog for one reason….  Many of our customers questions us about welding helmets features, comfort, durability and applications.

With the wide range of welding helmets available online it is easy to get lost.  Many companies offers you good pricing on welding helmets but dont demonstrate the most essential facts abouts the helmets!   First and foremost the safety of your eye and skin!! Welding helmets directly addresses these issues.  While choosing your welding helmet make sure it meets ANSI Z87.1 2003 standards.

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When choosing your welding helmet, ask your self these important questions :

-What type of welding application this helmet will be used for. TIG, MIG, STICK, Flame welding, etc.  Also consider cutting and grinding applications.  If you do alot of cutting and grinding, know that some `welding helmet` can offer other operation modes such as Grinding mode shades and Cutting mode shades!!

-Comfort is key!   If you arent comfortable with your hood this might have an negative  impact on productivity and weld quality!  Make sure while choosing your helmet that it meets your needs.  Size, weight, head-gear harness type and ajustments. Light weight helmets while reduce risk of neck fatigue and head aches.

-Viewing size!  This will certainly make a difference! While welding simple task a 6-8 square inches lens might do the trick… but for more complex assembly and position welds  9-12 square inches is most recommended!  All manufacturers offers different shade tints(colors). From green to a dark yellow shade,  they offer the same UV and Infrared protection.  

-Power source!  Your welding helmet is an investment. If you wear your helmet as a hobby welder or a professional welder, make sure to make the right choice!  There is 2 different type of power sources for welding helmets.   Solar assisted lens and replacable battery lens(also can be solar charged).  Solar assisted lens are directly charged by sunlight of ambiant light.  After certain amounts of charging cycles this type of lens will slowly loose efficiency or stop functioning.  At this point the lens will need to be replaced.  As for the replacable battery units, you will just have to replace the battery.  Usually solar assisted lens are less expensive for this reason. 

-Sensitivity and delay control!  Some welding helmets have intersting features.  Theses two mentioned features are sometimes forgoten when shopping.  In fact these features will provide comfort in use.  Sensitivity is a feature that is very usefull in low amperage welding or welding outside in sunny area.  The delay control help the welder to adjust how long the lens will stay tinted after the arc is extinguished.  This feature is usefull in hi amperage welding where the molten metal is still harmfull after the arc is extinguished. You can adjust how much time the lens will take to return to its standby shade.  This gives the molten metal time to cool down and stop radiating dangerous rays.

-Warranty!  Most reputable helmet manufacturer offers a good 1 to 3 years warranty.  If using a welding helmet professionaly, consider a 3 year warranty for  the helmet you purchase.  Make sure you still take good care of your helmet as the warranty dosent cover lens cracking from impact, failure due to freezing temperature or spatter on lens if not protected.

Visit our welding helmet page  https://arc-depot.com/collections/safety-products-helmets-digital-electronic

If you need help finding the best helmet for your needs, feel free to contact us at :  info@arc-depot.com  it will be our pleasure to help!