How to choose a mask for welding - recommendations of experts

In order to ensure that welding works are completed without harm to the cornea, many different devices can be used. The best way to preserve your own vision and not to expose it to the harmful effects of bright flashes and ultraviolet radiation is to use special masks for welding. These devices are known from 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 be consciously choosing a mask for welding.

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1. Best welding mask manufacturers
   
2. The principle of operation and the device welding mask
3. Types of masks for welding
4. Welding mask selection options
5. What kind of welding mask to choose - expert recommendations
6. How much is a mask for welding

The best manufacturers of masks for welding - which company to choose

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

1. Patriot

2. Force

3. Fubag

4. Bison

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

The principle of operation and the device welding mask

A welding mask is a special protective device designed to perform a variety of protective functions:

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

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

3. Protection of the eyes and respiratory system against corrosive and toxic gases released during the welding process;

4. Thanks to the fixation on the head, the correctly chosen mask releases the second hand of the welder, which makes the welding process much more comfortable and convenient;

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

1. Special casing covering the face, head and part of the welder’s neck during work;

2. A special viewing window with an installed UV-resistant light filter, bright flashes and scale rebounding. Its design is such that the welder has the opportunity to observe the process - he sees the seam itself, as well as the contours of the surfaces exposed to welding;

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 darkening of the filter;

5. Anatomical fixing element for attachment to the head;

6. Special panel designed for charging built-in batteries from the flash during welding;

Types of masks for welding

Classic welding masks

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

Chameleon Masks

Advanced analogues of the models described above, in which a special liquid crystal panel that is sensitive to a light source is used as a light filter. During welding, it becomes as dark as possible, protecting the welder's eyes from flashes of bright light and ultraviolet light. As soon as the process stops, the mask is automatically lightened, and the welder can personally observe the results of the work done. The whole scheme works from an electric element - a battery or a battery and allows brightness adjustment right during welding. For this purpose, a special regulator is used, which is convenient to adjust even with the gloves of a welder.

Virtues

• Easy to use;

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

• Warranty for many popular models;

• Ability to automatically and manually adjust the brightness;

• Durable and practical case;

disadvantages

• The high cost of good models;

• Low efficiency of the LCD panel in a temperature below zero;

Masks equipped with forced ventilation

Professional models designed to work in particularly difficult, harmful or life-threatening conditions. It can be said that these devices combine a chameleon mask and a classic respirator, which is fixed on a special belt. The compact electric motor, the soaking-up air, and also the filtering element separating harmful particles is built in it. These devices are highly specialized and not every welder is needed, but to work in hazardous conditions one cannot do without them;

Virtues

• Convenient to use, sealed;

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

• High quality air filtration;

disadvantages

• High price;

• The bulkiness of the 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, which has a viewing window

Everything is quite simple here: the larger the viewing window - the better the visibility and visibility of the objects with which the welder works. In addition to the classic models that are 90 millimeters in length and 30-40 millimeters in height, you can find masks with a larger window size, up to 130x60, on sale.

Overall dimensions and weight of the mask

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

Type of light filter and its degree of darkness

Budget models of masks use special tinted glass as a filter, the degree of darkness of which is quite different. It is measured in the rooms and varies from number 1 to number 5. The higher the number, the darker the concrete glass. For example, the light filter No. 5 is used when working on the street, while No. 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 buyer chooses the 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 play its role; more advanced models can be equipped with batteries. Frequent and 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, soft and easy-to-use material that does not cause discomfort even with prolonged use.

Speed ​​of operation of the light filter

This parameter is critical only for the LCD panel of chameleon masks, since this value is constant for ordinary darkened glasses. The slower the response rate, the less chance there is to “catch” a flash. It is very simple to check this parameter: the mask is put on the head and sharply turns on the bright sun. If the eye has managed to notice the light - this mask is bad and is unsuitable for work.

Convenience settings and adjustments

Considering that the adjustment of specific mask parameters is almost always carried out directly while working with the welding machine, it should be not only intuitive, but also accessible, allowing settings to be made even when wearing gloves.

Ease of fitting the mask on the head

Standard low-end welding models are equipped with plastic retainers, delivering a lot of inconvenience during operation. Advanced models have angle-adjustable clamps with special pads of soft material - foam rubber, felt, or their counterparts. In operation, such masks are much more pleasant and comfortable.

The magnitude of the distortion of the lens

Displays the optical distortion that a particular model of an installed light filter provides. It is denoted in numbers and the less it is, the more specific a mask will be suitable for more delicate work. For example, a model with a value of 1 is perfect for forming a thin, delicate seam. The model with index 2 is an excellent solution for welding water pipes and other items of 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 operation. It has a significant impact on the final quality of the seam. As a rule, the parameter "1" is used exclusively when working with a thin metal, the thickness of which does not exceed a centimeter. "2" is a value that is suitable for all other operating conditions.

What kind of welding mask to choose - expert recommendations

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 a viewing window of about 90x40 mm is an excellent option. If it comes to working with plumbing or sewage pipes, preference should be given to a similar model, but with a viewing window, the length of which will be 100-110 mm, and height - 45-50 mm;

2. To work with stainless steel, preference should be given to the “chameleon”, the “distortion” parameter of which will be “1”, and the “light scattering” - “2”. In the case when work with a thin metal is to be done, the parameter of light scattering should be at the mark “1”;

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

How much is a mask for welding

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

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

3. The most expensive - masks for welding with forced ventilation - their cost can reach 100 or more thousand rubles.

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