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Whether you are planning to work on a repair, general maintenance, or a D.I.Y. project, choosing the right welding helmet is essential for protecting your eyes and face from potentially harmful ultraviolet and infrared rays emitted while welding. To help with your welding journey, Bossweld has useful tips and a range of helmets to help you weld like a boss.
Welding helmets fall into two main categories, each with their own features and benefits:
1. Passive helmets with a fixed-shade setting; and2. Electronic auto-darkening helmets with adjustable shade settings
A fit-for-purpose welding helmet provides appropriate protection, and it can also increase your productivity, weld quality, safety, and comfort. Selecting the right welding helmet depends on variables such as the required viewing area and lens shade range.
Passive welding helmets (such as the Bossweld Shade 11 Lift Front Welding Helmets) are fitted with a UV and infrared light (IR) tinted glass of a fixed shade.
A common feature of a passive helmet is a clear protective cover along with a flip-able holder containing the protective shade lens. The work area is viewed through the clear window and the shaded lens holder is flipped down before you begin to weld. The dark lens requires the operator to flip the helmet up when inspecting the weld.
Passive welding helmets are usually lightweight. However, operators tend to flip the whole helmet up and down repeatedly to position the electrode and inspect the weld area, which can cause fatigue on long weld projects.
Additionally, if the user fails to flip the helmet down before welding, they may be exposed to hazardous light.
Electronic welding helmets (like the Bossweld XV-Pro Variable Shade Electronic Welding Helmet) use sensors to detect the start of a weld and automatically darken the lens accordingly.
Modern electronic helmets with auto-darkening lenses offer clear visibility and evaluation of the weld without requiring helmet removal between welds. This can increase your productivity, accuracy, and safety. They are available in fixed-shade and variable shade.
High-quality auto-darkening helmets provide UV and IR protection even when the helmet is inactive, so the user’s eyes should be protected at all times. However, for maximum protection and comfort, look for a helmet with a response time of 4/10ths of a millisecond. Less than a millisecond is not perceivable to the human eye, and this reaction time will provide the greatest comfort.
When a fixed-shade, auto-darkening welding helmet senses an arc, it darkens to a fixed shade. This means that if you are using a single welding process on similar materials of similar thicknesses with limited amperage range, a fixed-shade helmet may be the right choice for you.
If you plan to use a combination of welding processes (including MIG, TIG and arc/stick welding) or if you vary your amperage and therefore the brightness of the arc, a variable shade lens will offer better protection
The shade number of a welding helmet lens refers to its ability to filter light. The higher the shade number, the darker the lens and the higher the level of protection.
Each welding process has its own recommended optimal shade range, and it is important to select an appropriate helmet for your machine. For example, the Bossweld Arcstar Variable Shade Electronic Welding Helmet is a good entry level option that is suitable for arc/stick and MIG welding, and has a shade range between nine and 13. The Bossweld XV-Pro Variable Shade Electronic Welding Helmet, on the other hand, is a professional helmet suitable for arc/stick, MIG and TIG welding and has a dual shade range of five to eight and nine to 13. It is important to select a helmet that best suits your welding process.
The number of electronic sensors used by an auto-darkening lens ranges from two for an entry-level welding helmet to four for an industrial grade helmet. More sensors increase the helmets’ ability to sense the arc initiating, which means more protection for your eyes.
It is important to select a helmet that is both fit-for-purpose and is also comfortable. Consider the number of hours you will be wearing your welding helmet for over the course of a single weld. A comfortable helmet increases productivity and reduces fatigue. Having an adjustable harness will distribute the weight evenly over the head and is an important accessory to consider when purchasing your welding helmet.
Taking the time to research the available options and choose the right helmet for you is important. Bossweld welding helmets give users trust and confidence as they comply with Australian and New Zealand Safety Standards AS/NZS 1338 and AS/NZS 1337 to ensure the helmet and the lens provide protection from impact as well as hazardous levels of UV and IR light, which can cause cataracts and retinal damage.
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
