Selecting the right welding helmet is one of the best ways to keep any welder comfortable and most importantly, safe. The right helmet also improves productivity and influences the quality of the job you give out.
Generally, a welding helmet is one equipment you do not want to take lightly or cut corners with. Opting for an inadequate or a less expensive helmet can lead to serious problems in the short or long term and this could jeopardize your work and health.
Some consequences and hazards can occur with the wrong welding helmet. Some include:
- Welding helmets with poor shade options or sensors will not provide enough protection from sparks while you work. This can lead to eye damage.
- Welding helmet with too much weight can lead to neck and back strain. This can lead to further complications.
- Welding helmets with poor compensation for fluorescent lighting can limit sight and cause inadequacy.
How to Choose a Good Helmet
When choosing the best welding helmet for your job, some factors should be considered. These factors include the length of use, your budget limits and what you need the helmet for. When all that is decided, the next step is to find the right helmet for you. Choosing a good welding helmet depends on these factors:
1. Weight
The weight of any headgear is very important and that applies to a welding helmet too. The heavier your helmet is, the higher the strain on your neck is. If you will be welding for several hours at a stretch, you might want to consider a lighter helmet to enhance comfort. Heavier helmets would be painful as time goes on.
Helmets with plastic shells are lighter and recommended. Lighter helmets are greatly recommended. They reduce the risk of neck and back stress. However, they are a lot more expensive.
2. Auto-Darkening Lenses
Just as the name suggests, these helmets come with lenses that adjust to the welder’s needs. Most of the welding helmets on the market usually come with this feature and for good reasons too. It can protect your eyes from flashes which could lead to damage.
When welders need to see the work, the sensors on the hood lightens the shade to a lower level. They can also detect when a welder strikes an arc, leading to darkening the lens to a much higher tone.
Auto-darkening lenses are very important because flashes can lead to sunburn to the eyes, which can be really painful and uncomfortable. These helmets also make it easier to start working without having to flip your helmet down. This makes them more convenient.
3. Viewing Area
The viewing area is very important when getting a welding helmet. You might want to opt for helmets with a larger viewing area, but this depends entirely on personal preference. An advantage of getting a helmet with a larger viewing area comes into play when working with a large piece of metal. This makes it better for you to see.
4. Helmet Fit
Another key factor to consider when getting a helmet is the fit. A helmet with a bad fit could lead to exposed skin, which could burn from either UV rays or spatter. It could lead to a bad skin burn, especially when aluminum is being used.
If you can’t get one with a perfect fit, the use of a welding bib which attaches to your helmet can provide you with better protection. Getting all the protection you need is always worth the extra investment and should not be taken for granted.
Your job also plays a key role in picking a helmet, as some areas require a heavier duty helmet, which comes with a hard hat capacity.
5. Passive Lenses
Passive lenses are also known as standard lenses. These lenses come in one shade and they cost a lot less than auto-darkening lenses. Although they give you a certain amount of quality, they can’t be compared to auto-darkening lenses.
They can also cause back pains, which make them less ergonomic. It also involves a lot more work of snapping the hood and if not done properly, it can expose the eyes to damage. This isn’t the best option for inexperienced welders.
Conclusion
Choosing the best helmet for your welding business depends on many factors. However, we believe that these are very important ones that shouldn’t be overlooked. By taking the right steps, we believe you will keep yourself safe at all times.
