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longyard 05-26-2017 07:27 PM

Welding Helmet Upgrades
 
8 Attachment(s)
I was at Ron Covell's class this weekend and my welding helmet drew some favorable attention, so I thought I'd share the ideas here:


The first thing I did was to add TWO hiking headlamps. Each one is 400 Lumens. You need at least 350 lumens. COSTCO currently is selling a two 405 Lumen headlamp set for $28.

Attachment 41914

Remove the head strap and either bolt the unit to the helmet...

Attachment 41915

...or pop-rivet it. You can adjust both lights so they focus on your welding spot. Two lights are used so as to cancel out shadows. Unlike a stationary light, these lights will always be focused on where you are welding.

Attachment 41916


Attachment 41917

The snaps are riveted to the helmet to hold a leather head protector.

Attachment 41918

I cut out "darts" in the leather and sewed the edges together for a better fit. It isn't really necessary.

Attachment 41919

Attachment 41920

The final upgrade was to RTV silicone glue in a foam chin rest. The helmet now always lands with the lens parallel to by face and I don't have to think about it.

The helmet is a Lincoln Viking. I prefer it over my twice-the-price Miller, and, of course, my HF autodarkening.

Attachment 41921

zekeymonkey 05-26-2017 07:43 PM

I like it. I'll have to see what I can find when I go into town tomorrow.

cliffrod 05-26-2017 07:48 PM

Help me out- since I gas weld most of the time with my favorite TM2000 lens, my old Speedglas auto darkening helmet rarely gets used. The last few times I used it to TIG (like at Will's last Redneck Roundup and even after I got new batteries), it's been tough to see the weld (too dark) or I get blinded because it isn't adjusted dark enough.

Doesn't seem to be as hard to adjust it to see just fine when stick welding, but Patman was not impressed when I was pushing the TIG puddle parallel to the butt joint because I could not see the joint....

Would adding lights to it like you've done likely help seeing when I TIG or does this practically new but 20yr old helmet probably need to be retired?

longyard 05-26-2017 08:05 PM

AC,
I'm not expert enough to answer that question, but I've heard more knowledgeable weldors says that helmets are only good for a few years.

zekeymonkey 05-26-2017 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cliffrod (Post 137027)
Help me out- since I gas weld most of the time with my favorite TM2000 lens, my old Speedglas auto darkening helmet rarely gets used. The last few times I used it to TIG (like at Will's last Redneck Roundup and even after I got new batteries), it's been tough to see the weld (too dark) or I get blinded because it isn't adjusted dark enough.

Doesn't seem to be as hard to adjust it to see just fine when stick welding, but Patman was not impressed when I was pushing the TIG puddle parallel to the butt joint because I could not see the joint....

Would adding lights to it like you've done likely help seeing when I TIG or does this practically new but 20yr old helmet probably need to be retired?

I'm no welding expert as is evident by my tig welding thread, but I've found welding in a well lit area makes seeing the joint easier.

cliffrod 05-26-2017 08:31 PM

Thanks, guys. The others welding in the same light had no problem welding or seeing what was happening through their helmets in the same light. I wondered if this one might just be tired and need replacing.

Marc Bourget 05-27-2017 11:42 AM

Gosh, that experience would have me asking to "try out" my buddy's helmet!

Did you try out "right-left" mounting of the head lights before you went to the "top-bottom"??

longyard 05-27-2017 12:38 PM

No Marc, I didn't. I'm not sure it matters? Maybe I should add a left and right!:rolleyes::rolleyes: Pimp that helmet!

Guanacate Welding 05-28-2017 11:14 AM

The main problem with sight is when the backlight is stronger than the light over the work piece.Double if you have O.F.S and wear corrective lenses.

Guanacate Welding 05-28-2017 11:15 AM

Old
Fart
Syndrome......Common in these parts I presume.


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