Cheap automatic welding mask - opinions?

[mattblack]

I have been thinking of getting an auto darkening welding mask for a while.When they came out they were £150 +, I knew they had come down a lot but I was suprised when I saw this:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AUTO-DARKENING-WELDING-HELMET-Welders-Mask-Solar-Powered-FLAMING-Black-/200841883214?pt=UK_BOI_ProtectiveGear_RL&hash=item2ec31bee4e

 

£23.99!

 

Anyone got any experience of these of other cheap helmets? I've had arc eye once and it's not something I wish to repeat TBH...

[Sigmund Fraud]

A basic SWP one is only a tenner more... I wouldn't risk it, you can't buy a replacement retina !

[mat_the_cat]

I got one of the cheap ones a few years back. Obviously I can't say anything about the long-term effect on my eyesight, but it seems to work well and I'd say is the single best thing I've bought to make welding easier. Maybe better ones have more of a change from 'on' to 'off', I don't know as I've never tried one.

 

The quality of the rest of the mask isn't great, and is now falling apart but for the price I'd buy another.

[catsinthewelder]

I'm not sure how much mine was but I think it was a fairly cheap one.  I never used to have a problem with it but I do get sore eyes now after welding on full blast for a morning.

 

Obviously havn't got round to changing it or owt.

[panhard65]

I have got one of these cheap solar masks but wouldn't have another. It was great to start with but they don't like being left. I hadn't used it for a year or so and now it doesn't work. Arc eye is not a pleasant thing and I would rather know that the mask is going to work rather than take a chance. If you are going to use it a lot it might be worth having one, but probably best to buy good quality

[brickwall]

I bought one of those and it is okay. A bit fidgety and uncomfortable but it does the job.

[mat_the_cat]

I have got one of these cheap solar masks but wouldn't have another. It was great to start with but they don't like being left. I hadn't used it for a year or so and now it doesn't work.

 

I did the same thing and was about to bin it, then I realised it was just flat batteries Mine was stuck in the dark setting though, so it failed safe.

[fordperv]

I used my FIL's cheapy auto darkening mask and it was spot on

[DodgyBastard]

I've got a basic swp mask, It doesn't have any adjustment with the shade. I found it didn't go dark enough for mig or stick but was fine for tig. My work only lets me use a basic mask with flip down shade.

[Ratdat]

I have an SWP that was about £40. It's solar powered with adjustable shade. I've had it for a while now and it's been absolutely fine. My purchase choice was primarily driven by the masks actual size and shape as many are inconvenient to use if you have your head inside a wheelarch or in a footwell. I also deliberately didn't buy the cheapest available as it seemed to be a little foolish to do so.

[stuboy]

id love one

[plumbertony]

I bought one from the bay of e from true fusion, solar powered with grind function, there is a choice of inserts and I have the bigger window type.

I've had it a couple of years and its still working fine.

Iirc it was £27.00 plus postage. Well worth it.

[derskine]

I've got a truefusion one too, it was pretty cheap as above and has been perfect.

[Ratdat]

I think the current low prices may seem suspect initially but in reality these things should have always been this cheap as there's not much to them. I remember buying my first one which was a Speedglas and it was something like £180 at the time. On reflection they were taking the piss, especially as it was battery powered but that kind of thing always happens with new tech.

[jonny69]

The main difference between the cheap ones and the expensive ones is the size of the glass. Cheap ones are a lot smaller which restricts your view, but they still do the job better than a fixed shade.

 

Other luxuries with the more expensive ones are adjustable darkness and they react quicker than the cheap ones.

 

You guys who find they give up after a while - are your masks solar powered? It'll have a small solar panel ont he front if so. The shade has an internal battery which si charged up by the solar panel and it goes flat if you leave the mask in the dark. Usually half an hour in the sun is enough to wake it back up. Worth a try before binning it.

[Bren]

I used a speedglas when I used to weld for a living and that's what I have in the garage now.

 

No doubt there are cheaper that do the job but I will stick with what I know.

[RichardMoss]

I bought one for about £18 and it's perfectly fine for DIY use.

[mattblack]

Thanks for the replies. I've bought an SWP adjustable one from the 'bay for £45. I did wonder if the size of the helmet  would be an issue in tight spaces (fnarr fnarr) as Ratdat mentions. I'm hoping to get on to weld up the rear chassis rail on the Cortina where the exhaust hanger has gone AWOL soon (Weather and mental neighbors permiting) so I'll see how I get on.