morrag
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Carpe diem!
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« on: October 19, 2018, 07:50:47 PM » |
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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
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Manky Monkey
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« Reply #1 on: October 19, 2018, 08:25:51 PM » |
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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.
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On the last freedom moped out of Nowhere City.
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TwistedPatience
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Teetering on the edge of insanity
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« Reply #2 on: October 20, 2018, 06:00:39 AM » |
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I bought an Aldi one for £22 seems fine not got arc eye.
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"It's time to raise the Finger,
That middle digit takes your point and drives it home"
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Olds
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« Reply #3 on: October 20, 2018, 09:26:12 AM » |
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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.
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Getting older but no wiser! Just using bigger hammers.
The answer to most problems, fire and lots of it.
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the coppersmith
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« Reply #4 on: October 20, 2018, 09:40:43 AM » |
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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.
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morrag
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« Reply #5 on: October 20, 2018, 01:12:22 PM » |
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Many thanks guys, as ever, informative...Morrag
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minimutly
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« Reply #6 on: October 20, 2018, 07:26:08 PM » |
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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.
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Dslam
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Wot ho chaps, its bloody Whitworth!!
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« Reply #7 on: October 20, 2018, 07:40:42 PM » |
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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.
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morrag
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« Reply #8 on: October 20, 2018, 11:21:51 PM » |
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If the battery is installed before dispatch, then there must be a way of changing it, surely? let me know what you discover Dave.................  |
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Olds
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« Reply #9 on: October 21, 2018, 05:59:23 AM » |
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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  but you should be able to find one with changeable batteries etc. for a reasonable price. |
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« Last Edit: October 21, 2018, 08:01:17 AM by Olds »
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Getting older but no wiser! Just using bigger hammers.
The answer to most problems, fire and lots of it.
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minimutly
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« Reply #10 on: October 21, 2018, 04:29:55 PM » |
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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.
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morrag
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Carpe diem!
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« Reply #11 on: October 21, 2018, 09:41:17 PM » |
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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.....  ...cheers, Morrag |
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poprodder
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« Reply #12 on: October 22, 2018, 09:40:06 AM » |
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this is mine, cheap from aldi, but great reviews.  |
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terry t
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« Reply #13 on: October 22, 2018, 12:44:28 PM » |
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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!
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morrag
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Carpe diem!
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« Reply #14 on: October 27, 2018, 02:59:35 PM » |
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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
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