Auto-darkening welding masks
THIS product test comes with a wallet warning: seasoned welders might think they don’t need to replace their old helmet, just as I did until evidence to the contrary was very much staring me straight in the face. A simple rule of thumb is to suggest if your current welding helmet doesn’t have a GRIND setting, it’s unlikely to benefit from improved sensors, better controls and superior design, too.
Auto darkening helmets have dominated for some years and with good reason. Long gone are the days of constantly flipping a single shade helmet down over your face just before striking up an arc. Being able to clearly view your work before, during and immediately after the welding process is key to accuracy and reduced effort spent in dressing ugly welds. Viewing the weld pool of molten metal as you progress gives ultimate control, and you know whether to continue, or stop and adjust settings or technique. Starting and finishing a weld in exactly the correct position is best achieved with
