What To Look For in a Welding Helmet-A Comprehensive Guide

Safety is the most important thing to consider while welding. You must ensure both the safety of your environment as well as your work. A good quality welding helmet could be a big factor regarding protection. Therefore, you must carefully choose a welding helmet for you. Welding helmets come in various varieties and features.

They may be passive or auto-darkening, fixed or variable shade, two, three, or four sensors helmet. You must take time to choose the right one for you. But all of these welding helmets must meet the ANSI Z87.1 safety standards. Let’s have a look at some of the most critical factors to consider while choosing a welding helmet.

Passive or auto-darkening lens

The auto-darkening lens automatically changes shade according to the requirement of the work. Sensors in the lens detect everything in the surrounding. The welder would not need to flip the helmet when the arc strucks. These lenses are more comfortable to use and also more expensive than the passive lens. You can also choose a variety of shade and sensors option in the auto-darkening helmet.

Passive lenses or standard lenses come in only one shade. Welder wears the helmet in up position to save face and neck from sparks. These are not much comfortable to use. But for beginners, it is a good option as it is also not much costly.

Weight of a welding helmet

The lightweight helmet weighs about 20 oz. You will not feel pain in your neck, even after wearing it for the whole day. Less expensive helmets usually weigh more, and you can only use them for side projects or hobbies.

Sensors in a helmet

The best welding helmet comes with four sensors with the capability to catch any flashes. Some helmets also have only two sensors. These helmets may not ensure your safety from every angle. Helmet with four sensors is an ideal choice for any welding.

Lens shade options

A standard range of shade is 9-13. Some helmets also come with 6-13 shade. You can also utilize grinding mode in this range, and you don’t have to switch off your helmet while doing your work. A good shade lens will also save you from bright flashes.

Source of power

The power source of most of the welding helmets is battery or solar panel. You can also apply a combination of these two. You can extend the life of your battery by including solar power.

Viewing area

Most of the miller welding helmets have been modernized with the improvement in the viewing area. The more you can see, the better it will be especially if you are working on some large piece of metal. One of the large and most reasonable viewing areas is 3.74 x 3.34 inches.

Helmet fitness

The helmet must be fit enough that none of your skin will expose from it. Otherwise, it can be dangerous as UV or IR rays might burn your skin. Thus, the fitness of the helmet is vital to consider.

What is grind mode on a welding helmet?

Some helmets have some external grind control options. You can make it active by just pushing the button or flipping a switch. The helmet in the grind mode will increase the level of your productivity and safety. The welder will also be free from removing the helmet again and again for making some adjustments.

How to clean the welding helmet lens?

The lens is a very critical and most sensitive part of the helmet. So, you need to be extra careful during its cleaning. Some of the steps for cleaning of the lens are given as:

Separate the lens from the helmet to save it from scratches.
Before wiping the lens, you must remove the abrasive dust and other materials from the lens.
Use some dry and soft material like a towel or tissue to clean the lens.

Precautions for the cleaning of the lens

Always hold the lens from the side. Otherwise, you can make some scratches on the lens.
Use some thin material to clean it as thick material might leave some marks.
You need to be extra careful about the coating on the lens as even minor scratches might remove it.