Manky Monkey Motors

How good, or bad! are the cheapo auto darkening welding masks, and how important is a battery change facility on a solar powered mask, and also by cheap I mean around £20! cheap,if thats a practical option.....Morrag

I've got a solar powered one that cost about 50 quid, which seemed to work well. I haven't used it for a couple of years though & did wonder if the battery would be buggered by now.

I bought an Aldi one for £22 seems fine not got arc eye.

I bought a cheapish one in about 2013 and the reaction time is starting to get a bit slow, so I think the battery may be on the way out. Seems OK if I leave it out in the sun or under a bright light for quite some time before using it.
One day I will see if I can change 'sealed' battery.

When I was fully employed welding, I had the best screen, air fed "speedglas" the thing lasted for years, since calling it a day it has given up. I bought an ebay special, works does the job, but when into Tig welding it is a bit restrictive in light Mig is fine, and Mag I always use an old fixed lens.

Many thanks guys, as ever, informative...Morrag

I'm on my third battery powered helmet - seely one failed outside warranty - no suprise there. A really expensive (£100 odd) one failed and was replaced foc, it's now on its way out again after a year or two - It really pees me off to get arceye flash the first few times I press the tig button.
Get one  with a replaceable battery or a cheap one and replace every two years or so.
As someone said, leave it in the sun between usage helps.

I bought a helmet from R Tech where I got my TIG from. It cost about £50 and has a replaceable 'button' battery. The size of a 2p.
You know when the battery is on the way out when the lens delay slows slightly. Not enough for arc eye but noticeable.

If the battery is installed before dispatch, then there must be a way of changing it, surely? let me know what you discover Dave................. ??? ???

It's a matter of getting into it. Don't think I can pry it apart without damage.  It's a sealed unit. The sensitivity potentiometer needs a tap occasionally so really needs cleaning/replacing but the tint control and screen etc. are still good so it might be worth trying one day. but probably easier to just buy a replacement adjustable solar lens. Lots on Fleabay but be wary, sight is precious.
Price varies from about £8 for a basic one to £280 for a Speedglas  :o but you should be able to find one with changeable batteries etc. for a reasonable price.

That's exactly the same as the sealy one I had, I did manage to rip it apart but gave up, tbh I don't remember why. Maybe the battery was difficult to find a replacement.

Quite honestly, I do very little welding these days, and when I do it's rarely of a prolonged nature, so I have sent for an "E" Bay 'special' and see how I go on with that, worst case scenario would be its junk, but at a price I can't complain over, so..... :D :D :D...cheers, Morrag

this is mine, cheap from aldi, but great reviews.

(https://storage04.dropshots.com/photos8000/photos/1101204/20180914/b_111640.jpg)

When mine packed up I called into the local welding suppliers and asked for replacement battery or solar powered screen. he said it would be cheaper to buy another helmet for £20. he did say if its not use a lot don't put it back in the box as the solar panel keeps the battery topped up!   

I'm so impressed with my new welding mask, I'm welding things....that dont require welding!!!!!😀😀😀so, what's the,Best way of storing an infrequently used mask of this type, with the need to keep the non removable battery charged, morrag

As far as I understand, just leave it in a light place. I hang mine in the garage, on the wall, I suppose if you want to keep it clean and grinding grit etc. off it when not in use, a clear plastic bag might be a good idea.

Seems sensible Dave.....

The ultimate throwaway society-
My replacement jackson safety helmet died, batteries flat (again). So I went out and bought a Starparts fully adjustable, replaceable 2032 battery one. It's very good.
Maybe I did this arse backwards (the need for welding was urgent), but I had a go at ripping the jackson safety module apart. Eventually the clips (and glue - why?) gave in. Two lithium pcb cells, soldered into the board. I removed one to get as much info off it as I could - they don't seem to be rechargeable, so RS components to he rescue. Two punds, yes two bloody quid later, and they're on the way....
A hundred quid helmet, scrap because of two bitty batteries, I ask you.
Merry Christmas all!

But if you replaced the 2 quid batteries, you wouldn't buy another helmet -that's a bad business plan! :)

I keep my welding helmet in the spare bedroom, so its charging up during the day.