How to choose a welding mask – expert advice

In order to weld without harm to the cornea of ​​the eyes, you can use many different devices. The best way to preserve your own vision and not expose it to the harmful effects of bright flashes and ultraviolet radiation is to use special welding masks. These devices have been known since time immemorial, but modern models are several orders of magnitude superior to their predecessors, which were used 10-15 years ago. It is for this reason that in order to get at your disposal a suitable model and not overpay for unnecessary characteristics, it is necessary to approach the choice of a mask for welding consciously.

The best manufacturers of welding masks – which company to choose

At the moment, there are a huge number of models of welding helmets from a variety of manufacturers on the market. When choosing such a tool, one should give preference to the products of well-known, reputable manufacturers of construction equipment, as well as to those companies that are purposefully engaged in the production of professional welding equipment. In general, the following manufacturers' products can be recommended for purchase:

1. Patriot

2. Force

3. Fubag

4. Bison

To understand and choose the best option is not difficult. All that is needed is to carefully study the characteristics of a particular model and determine whether it suits your operating conditions or not.

The principle of operation and the device of the welding mask

A welding helmet is a special protective device designed to perform a range of protective functions:

1. Protecting the cornea of ​​the eye from flashes of bright light and ultraviolet rays, which, with constant exposure, can lead to deterioration and even loss of vision;

2. Protection of eyes from scale formed during metal welding in the form of small particles of slag;

3. Protection of eyes and respiratory system from corrosive and toxic gases emitted during welding;

4. Due to fixation on the head, a properly selected mask frees the welder's second hand, which makes the welding process much more convenient and handy;

The design of any, even the simplest, welding mask includes two main elements:

1. A special casing that covers the face, head and part of the neck of the welder during work;

2. A special viewing window with an installed light filter that protects against ultraviolet radiation, bright flashes and bouncing scales. Its design is such that the welder can observe the process – he sees the seam itself, as well as the contours of the surfaces being welded;

3. Depending on the design of a particular model, the manufacturer can install many additional functions, the most significant of which are:

4. A control element that regulates the degree of shade of the filter;

5. Anatomical head fixation;

6. A special panel designed to charge the built-in batteries from the flash during welding;

Types of welding masks

Classic welding masks

Devices that have been known since Soviet times. Despite the simple and even primitive design, they cope with their main functions quite well. The casing of such masks is made of plastic or pressed cardboard (the second option is easier and better in operation), and ordinary black glass is used as a light filter, inserted into special grooves.

Advantages

• Easy to operate;

• The ability to replace the light filter with an analogue with a higher or lower index;

• Decent protection from major sources of danger;

• Low cost;

disadvantages

• Low durability – cardboard models swell when exposed to moisture;

• Insufficiently comfortable head restraint;

• Plastic models are heavy and tough;

Chameleon masks

Advanced analogs of the above-described models, in which a special liquid crystal panel is used as a light filter, sensitive to a light source. During welding, it becomes as dark as possible, protecting the welder's eyes from flashes of bright light and ultraviolet radiation. As soon as the process stops, the mask is automatically brightened, and the welder can personally observe the results of the work performed. The whole circuit runs on an electrical element – a battery or a rechargeable battery and allows you to adjust the brightness right during the welding seam. For this purpose, a special regulator is used, which is convenient to adjust, even with the welder's gloves.

Advantages

• Convenient to operate;

• Convenient headgear that does not cause discomfort even after prolonged use;

• Warranty for many popular models;

• Automatic and manual brightness control;

• Robust and practical body;

disadvantages

• The high cost of good models;

• Low efficiency of the LCD panel in subzero temperatures;

Masks equipped with forced ventilation

Professional models designed to work in particularly difficult, harmful or life-threatening conditions. We can say that these devices combine a chameleon mask and a classic respirator, which is fixed on a special waist belt. It has a built-in compact electric motor, suction air and a filter element that separates harmful particles. These devices are highly specialized and are not needed by every welder, however, to work in hazardous conditions, you cannot do without them;

Advantages

• Convenient to operate, sealed;

• Excellent parameters of light filters and a wide viewing angle of the viewing window;

• High quality air filtration;

disadvantages

• High price;

• Bulky design;

• The need to carefully monitor the condition of the filter, as well as the power source from which the electric motor operates;

Welding mask selection options

Dimensions of the viewing window

Everything is quite simple here: the larger the viewing window, the better the view and visibility of the objects with which the welder works. In addition to the classic models with 90 millimeters in length and 30-40 millimeters in height, you can find masks with a larger window size on sale, up to 130×60.

Overall dimensions and weight of the mask

In this case, more does not mean better: a heavy mask causes a lot of inconvenience and does not contribute to fruitful work. If the welding work is of a single and irregular nature, this parameter can be neglected. In case of constant need for this device, the less weight – the better.

Filter type and degree of shade

Budget models of masks use special darkened glasses as a light filter, the degree of darkening of which is quite different. It is measured in rooms and varies from No. 1 to No. 5. The higher the number, the darker the specific glass. For example, filter # 5 is used when working outdoors, while # 1-2 is widely used for welding in dark rooms.

The situation is somewhat different when it comes to chameleon masks. Adjustment of the LCD panel in such devices is carried out using a special slider, and the degree of darkness is measured in DIN and can vary from 5 to 15 units. Here the situation is different – the higher the value, the less darkening the panel has.

Power supply

In case the customer has preferred a chameleon mask, it is necessary to pay attention to the type of power source used to operate the panel. In the classic case, ordinary batteries act in its role, more advanced models can be equipped with batteries. There are also frequent special solar panels that can convert light flashes during operation of the device into electrical energy.

Body material

Classic masks were made of cardboard or hard plastic, and therefore there was no question of any resistance to mechanical stress or moisture. Modern masks are made of heat-resistant plastic, a soft and easy-to-use material that does not cause discomfort even after prolonged use.

Filter response speed

This parameter is critical only for the LCD panel of chameleon masks, since this value is constant for ordinary tinted glasses. The slower the firing speed, the less chances you have to 'catch' the flash. It is very simple to check this parameter: the mask is put on the head and turns sharply into the bright sun. If the eye has time to notice the light, this mask is bad and it is not suitable for work.

Convenience of settings and adjustments

Considering that the adjustment of specific parameters of the mask is almost always carried out directly while working with the welding machine, it should be not only intuitive, but also accessible, and allow adjustments even with gloves on.

Convenient fit of the mask on the head

Standard budget welding models are equipped with plastic clips, which cause a lot of inconvenience during work. Advanced models have clamps, adjustable by the angle of installation, with special gaskets made of soft material – foam rubber, felt or their analogues. In use, such masks are much more pleasant and comfortable.

Lens distortion amount

Displays the optical distortion provided by the specific filter model installed. It is indicated in numbers and the smaller it is, the more delicate work a particular mask is suitable for. For example, a model with a value of 1 is great for creating a thin, delicate seam. The model with the index 2 is an excellent solution for welding water pipes and other items of a similar nature.

Light scattering

A parameter that reflects how transparent the screen is and how well the welder will see the details of the surfaces during work. Has a significant impact on the final seam quality. As a rule, the parameter '1' is only used when working with thin metal, the thickness of which does not exceed a centimeter. '2' is a value that is suitable for all other operating conditions.

Which welding mask to choose – expert advice

1. To perform one-time welding work in the country or in the garage, there is no need to buy an expensive mask. A classic model made of cardboard or plastic and having a conventional glass filter with an observation window of about 90×40 mm is an excellent option. If it comes to working with water or sewer pipes, preference should be given to a similar model, but with an observation window, the length of which will be 100-110 mm, and the height is 45-50 mm;

2. To work with stainless steel, preference should be given to 'chameleon', the parameter 'distortion' of which will be '1', and 'light diffusion' – '2'. In the case when working with thin metal, the light scattering parameter should be at the '1' mark;

3. If you have to work in difficult or life-threatening conditions, the best option would be a mask equipped with additional ventilation. Its parameters should be selected based on the specific working conditions and type of metal;

How much does a welding mask cost

1. The simplest models, made of plastic or pressed cardboard, cost about 300-500 rubles;

2. More advanced chameleon masks are more expensive: the price tag for them starts from 1000 rubles for basic devices and ends at around 4000-5000 for models that allow you to work with thin metals;

3. The most expensive are masks for welding with forced ventilation – their cost can reach 100 and more thousand rubles.

In the following articles, our experts tell you how to choose a saw blade, the secrets of choosing a welding machine and the features of choosing a laser level.

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.