How to choose a mask for semi-automatic welding

Choosing a chameleon mask for welding

When performing welding work, a person is constantly in danger due to some features that accompany this type of work: bright, blinding light from the welding arc, infrared and ultraviolet radiation, hot metal, toxin impurities. That is why it is very important to strictly follow safety regulations. Special protective equipment should be an integral part of any type of welding, so today the relevant question is: how to choose a chameleon welding mask. This will be discussed in this article.

What are welding helmets?

A welding mask is a mandatory element necessary for the work of a welder, since it protects the worker from the negative effects of the electric arc on the eyes. With this device, the person performing welding work can examine in more detail all the shortcomings in the formation of the cooking pool and ultimately obtain the most reliable and high-quality seam. The design of such products is quite simple.

The structure of the chameleon welding helmet is as follows:

• body (head cap) made of fiber or plastic,
• a light filter, which can either be included with the mask or be a separate element,
• steam vent, designed to protect glass from fogging,
• adjustable fasteners, through which you can adjust the mask to the desired size,
• consumable elements (polycarbonate filters), which must be changed periodically.

When choosing a welding helmet and deciding which welding mask is suitable in a particular case, it is very important to pay attention to the material of manufacture. It must have heat resistance and electrical insulation.

Types of welding helmets

Are you choosing a mask and don’t know which mask is the best? Then you need to familiarize yourself with the modifications. Absolutely all welding helmets, including the chameleon, are divided into several varieties based on optical parameters:

• Optical class. This indicator indicates the quality of the filter glass and the entire assembly. The higher this indicator, the higher quality the image and the less distorted the picture.
•  Light scattering. In other words, the transparency of the glass. Look at the marking, the higher this indicator, the more light it will transmit.
• Angular degree of darkness. Based on the angle of the light filter to the area where the work is being done, the glasses of the mask change and darken.

All four described parameters can be found in the markings located in the filter. Designations are presented in the form n/n/n/n. Each value has an indicator from 1 to 3. Moreover, the lower the number, the higher the indicator of each item.

In addition, chameleon masks have such indicators as: speed of activation of protection and enlightenment, sensitivity of sensors.

The first parameter is significant for masks, since light travels very quickly, which means the filter must darken in thousandths of a second. And in order for the work to be as convenient as possible, the optics must also be cleared quickly.

The key parameter is the degree of darkness, since it is this that protects vision from bright glare.

How to choose the right chameleon welding helmet?

Perhaps everyone wants to have the best chameleon mask. The most important point in making the right choice of mask and finding a suitable model is determining the work for which it will be used. These can be either the most ordinary models without bells and whistles, or slightly improved with auxiliary options.

Make sure that the mask has internal fixation and darkening control, they will make the work much easier. In turn, convenience during the welding process will help increase the quality of the seam. Separately, it is worth mentioning the indicators of filter switching.

More popular are modifications in which the mode switching time is minimal, since this simplifies the process of activity and does not have such a negative effect on vision, because the eyes have much less contact with the arc flash.

Today there is a wide variety of chameleon welding helmets on the market. If you are at a loss about the question: how to choose a mask for welding semi-automatically or in another way, then you should take a closer look at such parameters as:

• Manufacturer. It is very important to find out at which factory the filter is produced, because... Its certification and optical class of the product depend on this. This also determines the warranty for the life of the product. That is why, if the mask does not have any information according to the criteria described above, then it is worth considering, because its quality is in question.
• The next point that you need to pay special attention to is what type of welding the filter is intended for. Because if you do not have information on how to choose a chameleon for inverter/electric arc welding, then you need to find out the scope of application of the filter. Argon-arc are recognized as absolutely universal and have found active use in all types of welding work.
• View area size. The width of the glass determines the visibility during welding. The larger it is, the better the welder will see the parts. However, there is one obvious drawback here, since such filters are very fragile, you need to be extremely careful with them.
• Weight, design features of the headrest and other external parameters that affect ease of use.

The mask should not weigh too much, and also make sure that it does not fit too tightly to your face, otherwise it will be difficult for you to move.

• The number of types and types of adjustments on the mask. Professional welding masks have eclipse adjustment limits from 9 to 13 DIN. It is also recommended to choose devices so that you can adjust the sensitivity yourself as needed. This way you can set protection against light radiation, which is directly affected by the temperature regime of the electrode or the metal of the workpiece. This also includes the delay time for clearing after welding is completed. There are two types of adjustments. The outer one is located on the left side of the mask, and the inner one is located on the filter itself. Such filters differ in the smoothness of switching. There are smooth ones, which adjust the eclipse gradually, and stepped ones, in which the degree of darkening changes jerkily.
•  The last indicator is price. Experts advise giving preference to high-quality masks. Yes, they will cost more, but they will serve you well for a long time.

Having studied all the indicators described above, you will understand how to choose a chameleon welding helmet correctly, and it will also be much easier for you to understand which welding mask is suitable specifically for your case.

Manufacturers

You don’t know which welding helmet is better, a chameleon or a regular one, and you are at a loss with the question: how to choose the right product? It will be much easier to decide on this issue by studying the manufactured products. Let's look at the rating of chameleon welding masks. We have collected the top 6 most popular products.

3M

This company has been producing good welding masks and other protective equipment for thirty years, which are very necessary in the work of a welder. As users note, the best professional chameleon welding helmets from this manufacturer are presented in the Speedglas line. Here you can find everything you need - masks, filters, shields, protective plates.

Svarog

This company has been producing welding equipment, masks and other components since 2007. Products are made from durable and lightweight materials. The assortment includes welding masks that can be used to perform all types of welding work. For example, model Svarog AS-2-F (G).

Resanta

This brand produces welding helmets with automatic chameleon filters. Such products provide an immediate response to changes in light intensity and well protect the eyes of the person doing the work. The range of products offered includes semi-automatic, argon-arc, manual Resanta arc welding helmets and models for professional welding.

Fubag

Products of this brand are made of impact-resistant material, and the filters are automatically darkened at the very beginning of welding and at the moment when the lighting of the sparkling material becomes brighter. The screens contain permanent filters with protection against ultraviolet and infrared rays.

Brima

A German company that has been successfully operating for more than fifty years. User reviews indicate that Fubag produces high-quality welding equipment, including protective masks for both professionals and welding masks for novice welders. The company's branded service center is located in every major Russian city.

Quattro Elementi

Our rating of welding helmets ends with the Quattro Elementi. This brand is Italian. It produces the best chameleon welding helmets, pumping, thermal, compressor devices and components for them. The range of masks is represented by classic products with a conventional light filter, and professional ones of the “chameleon” type.

To summarize all of the above, it is worth noting once again that the Chameleon mask is a necessary safety measure when performing welding work. The market offers a wide variety of models, so choosing a similar product is not difficult.

It is enough to familiarize yourself with all the technical parameters of the mask, decide on its scope (at a professional level or for working at home) and, guided by how much you are willing to spend, buy a mask that suits you. It's hard to say which is the best mask, because...

in each individual case it is individual.

Source: https://svarkaed.ru/oborudovanie-dlya-svarki/detali-i-prisposobleniya/vybor-maski-chameleon-dlya-svarki.html

How to choose a chameleon mask for welding correctly

How to choose a chameleon mask for welding

A welder's mask protects the eyes and facial skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays. The term “electro-ophthalmia” is known to every welder. An eye burn from welding does not lead to anything good, only to loss of vision.

Therefore, if you decide to seriously engage in electric welding, you should know which eye protection is best to choose. Today, when we are in the age of automation, chameleon welding helmets are in fashion. What it is and how to choose an automatic welding helmet will be discussed in this article from the construction magazine samastroyka.ru.

Types of welding helmets

Before diving headlong into the technical characteristics of chameleon masks, you need to consider what types of welder masks there are:

Welding shield - perhaps the most antediluvian protection for the eyes of a welder, this is a welding shield. This type of protection has a passive light filter; it is inserted into a piece of plastic or hard cardboard, which can be used to cover the eyes and skin of the face when welding.

The advantages of welding shields are that they are cheap, but they have many more disadvantages. The most significant of all is a passive light filter, through which you can see only at the moment when the welding arc is already burning.

Therefore, at the moment the electrode is ignited and the metal is tacked, you can quickly pick up “bunnies”, and then spend the whole night remembering “what holds the light up.”

A welding helmet is a more advanced version of a welding shield, but only with the ability to be mounted on the head. A regular welding helmet is also equipped with a passive light filter, therefore, it does not create any special convenience in welding. Just as in the case of a welding shield, you always have to be distracted by igniting the electrode, whether you “grabbed” the metal in the right place, especially if you are a beginner in welding.

What is a chameleon welding helmet

The third type of welding helmet is the chameleon mask. This is a welding helmet with an auto-darkening function at the moment the arc is ignited.

The automatic welding helmet has a number of special advantages over other welding helmets:

• The eyes and skin of the welder’s face are reliably protected from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays;
• There is no need to be distracted all the time by extraneous processes. When the welding arc is not burning, the light filter of the chameleon mask is almost transparent, and everything is clearly visible through it. However, at the moment when the electrode begins to ignite, the light filter automatically changes its throughput and darkens, thereby protecting the welder’s eyes from harmful “bunnies”.

Automatic chameleon masks, in addition to the auto-darkening function, can be equipped with other additional functions. For example, the mask can “remember” the time of welding work, have a smooth adjustment of the light filter, as well as some other features. Let's take a closer look at what exactly you need to look for when choosing an automatic welding mask.

Each chameleon mask, expensive or cheap, no matter, has a number of basic functions that determine its qualities and capabilities:

The speed of operation of the light filter (time) is perhaps the most important characteristic of chameleon masks, because the level of protection for the welder’s eyes depends on how quickly the light filter operates. There is a maximum allowable response time for the filter, which is one millisecond. However, there are masks with much shorter filter response times. It goes without saying that the higher the filter's darkening speed, the better.

The degree of darkening is another of the most important characteristics of chameleon masks, or more precisely, the automatic light filter with which they are equipped. Most automatic filters have an extended range, from 9 to 13 DIN, which is optimal for most cases. However, the wider the darkening range of the filter, the more functional the automatic chameleon mask will be, and there will be an additional possibility of using it for various types of welding.

Below are the recommended filter range values ​​for different types of welding:

Optical class - this characteristic of chameleon masks indicates the optical properties of the filter. As a rule, the optical class of a light filter is indicated by three numbers, for example, 1/2/3 - where:

• 1 — filter transparency coefficient;
• 2 - light scattering;
• 3 - degree of darkening uniformity.

The lower the values ​​indicated in the optical characteristics of the filter, the higher the quality and reliability of the chameleon mask.

Source: https://samastroyka.ru/kak-vybrat-masku-chameleon.html

How to choose a welding mask - recommendations from experts

14.02.2018 11:43:48

In order for welding work to take place 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 masks for welding.

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 a suitable model at your disposal and not overpay for unnecessary characteristics, you must approach the choice of a welding mask consciously.

The best manufacturers of welding masks - which company to choose

Currently, there are a huge number of welding helmet models on the market from a variety of manufacturers. When choosing such a tool, you should give preference to products from well-known, reputable manufacturers of construction equipment, as well as those companies that are specifically engaged in the production of professional welding equipment. In general, we can recommend products from the following manufacturers for purchase:

Understanding and choosing the best option is not difficult. All you need is to carefully study the characteristics of a particular model and determine whether it suits your operating conditions or not.

Operating principle and design of a welding helmet

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

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

2. Eye protection from scales formed during metal welding in the form of small slag particles;

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

4. Thanks to the fixation on the head, a correctly selected mask frees up 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 welder’s face, head and part of the neck while working;

2. A special viewing window with an installed light filter that protects against ultraviolet radiation, bright flashes and rebound scales. 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 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 darkening of the filter;

5. Anatomical fixing element for mounting on the head;

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

Classic welding masks

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

• Easy to operate;
• Possibility of replacing the filter with an analogue one with a higher or lower indicator;
• Good protection from major sources of danger;
• Low cost;

• Low durability - cardboard models swell when exposed to moisture;
• Insufficiently comfortable head clamp;
• Plastic models are heavy and rigid;

Chameleon masks

Advanced analogues of the above-described models, which use a special liquid crystal panel sensitive to the light source as a light filter. During welding, it becomes as dark as possible, protecting the welder’s eyes from flashes of bright light and exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

As soon as the process stops, the mask automatically brightens, and the welder can personally observe the results of the work done. The entire circuit is powered by an electrical element - a battery or an accumulator and allows you to adjust the brightness directly while making a weld.

For this purpose, a special regulator is used, which is convenient to adjust even with welding gloves.

• Convenient to use;
• Convenient head support that does not cause discomfort even during long-term use;
• Availability of warranty for many popular models;
• Possibility of automatic and manual brightness adjustment;
• Durable and practical housing;

• High cost of good models;
• Low efficiency of the LCD panel in sub-zero 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 that sucks in air, as well as a filter element that separates harmful particles.

These devices are highly specialized and not every welder needs them, but to work in hazardous conditions one cannot do without them;

• Easy to use, sealed;
• Excellent filter parameters and wide viewing angle of the viewing window;
• High quality air filtration;

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

Welding helmet selection options

Dimensions of the viewing window

Everything here is quite simple: the larger the viewing window, the better the overview and visibility of the objects the welder is working with. In addition to the classic models, which 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 causes a lot of inconvenience and does not contribute to fruitful work. If welding work is sporadic and irregular, this parameter can be neglected. If there is a constant need for this device, the less weight the better.

Type of filter and degree of darkness

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

Things are somewhat different when it comes to chameleon masks. The LCD panel in such devices is adjusted 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 dark the panel has.

Source: https://expertology.ru/kak-vybrat-masku-dlya-svarki-rekomendatsii-spetsialistov/

Chameleon welder mask - how to choose the right one (our rating of masks)?

When working daily or frequently with a welding machine, eye protection becomes a top priority. Standard shields or glasses do not provide much comfort and ease of use and are incomparable to a professional chameleon mask. However, not all helmets of this kind are equipped with truly working eye protection. Let's look at what a chameleon welder's mask is and how to choose the right one among the variety of models presented.

Traditional welding protection and chameleon mask: comparison

The appearance of the classic welder's mask for eye protection occurred about half a century ago. The basis of protection here is a fixed light filter, which was initially attached to thick skin and then to a plastic shield.

Such a mask provides full eye protection during welding, but is not suitable for long-term work with a welding machine and cannot be classified as a professional welding mask.

Let us note the main disadvantages of the classical defense:

• The light filter is not dark enough, which does not block all ultraviolet rays generated during the welding process;
• The mask is uncomfortable for long-term use. She is massive, heavy, clumsy;
• The viewing angle is small.

Unlike a standard welding mask, Chameleon allows you to adjust and automatically darken light filters.

The name of this protection was given because of the special properties of the light filters used in its creation to independently change color under different conditions. Such glass with smart dimming is many times more efficient than standard glass for welding shields. This gives great convenience in work: the mask does not require removal to check the completed seam in accordance with the requirements of the welding process.

The Chameleon welding helmet is equipped with a regulator, the functions of which boil down to the following factors:

• Automatic filter change;
• Automatic adjustment of glass darkening level;
• Filter switching step arranged in a convenient scheme;
• Perception of the welding arc and the ability to adjust its perception.

The chameleon welding helmet is equipped with a liquid crystal display, which is powered by a solar or conventional battery. Sensors are installed near the lens, which are responsible for controlling the electric arc.

At the moment when welding is not performed, all filters are turned off and the welder is able to see his work without having to remove his helmet. As soon as the arc is ignited, the sensors are activated and instantly darken the screen with filters, preventing harmful ultraviolet radiation from entering the eyes.

Additionally, the mask is equipped with a protective coating that protects vision from dangerous radiation even when the filters are turned off.

popular masks

So, which mask should you choose among the popular options?

Welding mask Fubag OPTIMA 9-13

If it is necessary to provide effective eye protection when carrying out welding work and at the same time the requirements for body rigidity and speed of switching between modes are not so high, then Fubag OPTIMA 9-13 masks are the ideal solution.

Welder mask Svarog SV-II

Svarog SV-II masks are equipped with a liquid crystal filter, optical electronic sensor, and solar battery

Welding mask ESAB WARRIOR Tech 9-13

Chameleon-type welding helmet ESAB WARRIOR Tech 9-13 with self-darkening filters is the choice of professionals and lovers of comfortable welding!

Choosing a chameleon welder's mask is a responsible undertaking, since the welder's vision and comfort in his work are at stake. Let's look at the main criteria that are important to note when choosing, and provide a detailed plan on how to choose a chameleon welding helmet.

The most important and central element is the light filter. The marking of light filters is carried out according to the European standard EN 379, followed by four numbers separated by a fraction. Let's look at what each of them means:

1. The first number indicates the optical class to which the filter belongs. This figure gives an idea of ​​how clearly objects will be viewed through this filter. The best value is 1. Higher values ​​will cause the welder's eyes to tire quickly.
2. The second number gives an idea of ​​the filter's ability to scatter light. To put it simply, it is transparency. The higher the number in a given position, the cloudier the image will be.
3. The third number gives an understanding of how evenly the filter darkens. Now this parameter is designated as SHADE or DIN, which is a modern analogue of the older designation C 4-7.
4. The last position indicates the degree of darkness depending on the angular position, limited to 15 degrees.

Thus, the lower the number in each position, the better and more reliable the filter. Ideally this looks like 1/1/1/1.

Here are some tips on how to choose the right helmet based on the light filter and which one is better to choose.

• The quality of the filter must be confirmed by a special certificate;
• It is more advisable to choose helmets in which it is possible to replace the power supply. There are a number of products in which, after their service life has expired, this is not possible and you have to buy new protection;
• An important point when choosing a light filter is its response time. When choosing a helmet for home use, an interval of one hundred microseconds is sufficient; professionals are recommended to choose instances with a higher speed;
• The presence of multiple sensors increases reliability and eliminates the possibility of opening filters during operation;
• Changing shades in a quality product always works smoothly, without jerks. This does not interfere with work and allows you to focus on the quality of work performed.

General selection criteria

In addition to assessing the quality of the light filter as the main and central element of the mask, it is important to evaluate other important nuances of the Chameleon welder’s mask. Let's see how to choose protection based on other parameters:

• Manufacturer. It is important to study all the information provided about the product by the manufacturer - from information about the filter to the warranty period. The absence of this data should raise serious doubts about the quality of this product;

• Before choosing a welding mask, you need to decide on its type. The light filter for working with an argon-arc welding machine is universal and suitable for semiautomatic devices and electrodes;
• The dimensions of the glass are important, as this directly affects the welder’s visibility. However, it is worth remembering that large light filters are more fragile and require very careful handling;
• The temperature range of these helmets varies from +100 to -5°C. At lower temperatures, the response of the sensors slows down, which makes working in a helmet less safe and comfortable. This is a feature of the Chameleon welding helmet from any manufacturer. This is important to know and consider before choosing one;
• Important points are the appearance of the helmet, whether it has a tax collector, and neck protection. Before purchasing, it would be a good idea to try on the protection and evaluate the comfort of wearing it. It should not fit too tightly to the head;
• An important criterion when choosing is the weight of the product. A heavy helmet is unlikely to provide pleasure from wearing it for a long time.

Famous manufacturing brands

At the end of the review, we present the most popular Chameleon helmets:

• Products that meet all safety requirements are produced by the Chinese brand Tecmen, which is confirmed by its DIN Plus certificate. Some welders note that, with the highest quality, the protection of this manufacturer may cause some delay during the operation of the light filter and is not immune to spontaneous filter reset;
• High-quality chameleons are guaranteed to be produced in Europe, which is confirmed by their consistently high price;
• Russian-made products, in particular Svarog and Resanta, are noted for stable quality. Users note that domestic masks can open spontaneously when welding with an argon arc;
• Despite high sales, we do not recommend Korean helmets, since their filters most often crack or become stained.

The choice of welding protection is a key point when organizing welding work. The quality of the chosen mask depends on:

• Safety of vision and eye health of the welder;
• Quality of work performed;
• Convenience and comfort when welding.

The listed parameters are fully consistent with the modern type of welding helmets, which, thanks to self-adjusting filters, are called Chameleon.

The choice of such protection should be based on the quality criteria of the light filter used in it, and also take into account the availability of certification, the possibility of replacing the power supply, the dimensions of the mask and the good reputation of its manufacturer.

The welder's mask "Chameleon" is an automatic protection of the eyes of workers from unacceptable radiation during welding work. A light filter, powered by a small battery, almost instantly changes light transmission when an electric arc is ignited, protecting the eyes from unwanted radiation.

The Chameleon filter is an optical device with liquid crystal elements and polarizing films that do not transmit the ultraviolet and infrared parts of the spectrum.

Characteristics

• Adjustments . There are external and internal. A good mask has settings for arc radiation and a delay time at the end of the welding process. External adjustments allow you to change parameters during work;
• Cheap models behave unstable, especially during tig welding (they open). It is checked in this mode. In other modes it will work satisfactorily;
• Blackout . Using Speedglas and Balder filters you can achieve good values;
• The transition time from one state of the light filter should not exceed 1-2ms. The time to change state increases in winter. This must be taken into account when working.
• Optical values . Example (abstractly): 1/2/3. 1 — transparency coefficient; 2 - radiation scattering; 3 — level of dimming uniformity.
• Availability of infrared arc detection sensors . More sensors reduce the likelihood of the filter opening.
• Visible area . With larger sizes, greater ease of use.

A welder's mask is a necessary item. But if you buy the “wrong” mask, you can seriously harm your own health. We select a welding mask with the help of a specialist.

We study what a “chameleon” filter is and its purpose, look at the regulators and additional functions of various models of welding helmets.

Buy a Chameleon mask

• Immediately discard Chinese and Taiwanese goods. Here, the protection will be triggered when an arc occurs with a delay, and during operation the filter may open;
• Domestic Chameleons are good, but they do not like argon welding - they open spontaneously;
• Korean OTOS. There are problems with mechanical strength. They crack and stains appear. May be under the French brand GYSMATIC;
• We choose a European manufacturer. A package of three or more layers of liquid crystals will ensure the protection and health of your eyes.

The batteries must be quickly replaceable so as not to change the filter itself. With solar panels, their area is important.

The operating time of the filter depends on this.

When choosing a mask, you must remember that work productivity depends on quality. Here price comes last. An international certificate is required.

Source: https://electrod.biz/informatsionnyie-stati/maska-svarshhika-hameleon.html

How to choose a welding helmet type

Each welder, approaching a certain stage of his activity, be it carrying out more complex work or increasing its quantity, comes to the question “how to choose a chameleon-type welding helmet.”

Often, primitive welding shields and traditional welding helmets do not cope with their main task, namely protecting vision and eye damage from exposure to ultraviolet, thermal, and infrared radiation.

It also protects the face of the person performing welding work from splashes that can be caused by molten metal.

For example, in standard face protection, in addition to the points listed above, you can find several more quite significant disadvantages.

With a protective shield, this is the inactivity of the second hand during the welding process, holding the welding shield with one hand, and in the second it is impossible to hold the welding torch and adjust the passage of the welding seam.

When working with a traditional welding helmet, although the advantage is ease of use, when the mask is raised when beating slag, there is a possibility of injury. When using a mask with a protective light filter, namely a chameleon type mask, all these inconveniences can be easily avoided.

Why is a chameleon-type welding helmet a more progressive and optimal type of protection?

Let's determine the main reason, namely that the main protective component of vision in this type of welding mask is an automatic light filter that responds to frequent changes in intense light. When the welding arc is ignited, an automatic light filter occurs within a hundred-thousandth of a second (approximately 0.00005 sec.

) is automatically dimmed, which allows you to control the start of the welding process without blinding your eyes. Note that high-quality light filters have a layered structure, where manufacturers often use 2-3 or more liquid crystal layers (LCD), which, when the welding process starts, are arranged in the desired order, which allows them to block part of the light.

In addition, this action, as much as possible from the incidence of light, reduces the dependence of the darkening of the corner.

Now, from most surveys and comments of professional welders, we will first determine the main indicators of a chameleon-type welding helmet, which are most often paid attention to when choosing a protective equipment, namely:

1. Filter response time. It is important that this indicator be less than 1 millisecond. Basically, most manufacturers do not ignore this characteristic and “chameleon” type masks meet this requirement. But it also happens that not everyone works stably. Most often this occurs due to low temperatures; this should be remembered when carrying out work in the cold season.
2. Adjustments, their number and types. Note that professional welding masks are produced with a fairly wide range of adjustments:
   • dimming adjustments (9-13 DIN is the most common, definitely according to the shade standard),
   • sensitivity adjustment (protection from light radiation, which depends on the temperature of the heated electrode or metal)
   • adjustment of the opening delay time at the end of the welding process.

   All these location adjustments can be external (most often located on the left side of the mask) and internal (located directly on the filter). The adjustments also differ in the smoothness of switching: stepped and smooth (with this type, the optimal degree of darkening is set).

3. The size of the visible area. Many welders believe that the larger the size of the visible area, the better, but at the same time, filters with this characteristic are more fragile.
4. Type and type of welding for which the filter is suitable. Filters are often designed for different types of welding, but if a filter is suitable for argon arc welding (tig welding), then it is excellent for working with stick electrodes (manual arc welding MMA) and semi-automatic/automatic welding (mig/mag).
5. External parameters of the welding helmet , head design, weight. Here, the welder must choose the ideal weight-to-structure ratio for comfortable work. After all, the efficiency and quality of work will depend on the convenience of the equipment.

What to pay attention to

Next, we will consider also important aspects and indicators of the “chameleon” welding helmet that you should pay attention to:

• Mask certification . Types of certification vary. For example, masks with the CE mark (one sample from a series is tested before sales); DIN - testing is carried out under working conditions on ten samples once every two years; DIN plus - 10 samples are tested under operating conditions once a year.
• Optical characteristics . Three numbers on the mask model, for example, 1/3/2. The first number will indicate the transparency coefficient, the second number will indicate the scattering of radiation, and the third will indicate the degree of uniformity of radiation darkening.
• The presence of a battery to turn the filter off and on. As a rule, this parameter does not affect the quality of the filter itself.

There are also a number of parameters for automatic welding filters that can be described from a technical point of view, and these parameters (characteristics) determine the class of the filter. We will look at these parameters in more detail in the next article.

The most common manufacturers of masks and filters:

1. Masks made in China and Taiwan. Quite low cost of products, most often do not correspond to the declared quality. They can open spontaneously, the light filter may work with a slight delay, etc.
2. Welding helmets chameleon of domestic production. More stable product quality, less functionality and ergonomics.
3. Korean masks and filters.

   Products are less resistant to external damage; with frequent temperature changes, cracks or dark blue spots may appear on the filters, which impair visibility during welding.

4. Professional chameleon masks for welders and light filters from European manufacturers - most often with non-interchangeable filters, a higher price, but with guaranteed quality.

   It is typical for masks to have three or more LCD layers.

A few tips to follow when choosing a chameleon welding helmet

• Pay more attention to the weight and dimensions of the welding helmet, as well as its head adjustments. In addition to adjusting the size of the headband, the angle of the mask and the depth of fit, you can also adjust the distance between the face and the light filter, this is an important plus.
• Select the optimal delay time for opening the filter at the end of welding (less than 1 millisecond). The delay is required for early opening at the end of the welding process, when there is no longer a welding arc, but the hot metal still shines quite brightly, and also in order to prevent the “blinking” of the light filter during short pauses.
• Check the mask documentation. It must indicate the level of certification of the filter, the optical class, the warranty period for the product and the country of manufacture. If the listed data is missing, then this is an indication that this mask and filter are made with unknown quality.
• Ratio of darkening degree to welding current:
  • glass C-4-9DIN-up to 40A;
  • glass C-5-11DIN - from 80 to 175A;
  • glass C-6-12DIN - from 175 to 300A;
  • glass C-7-13DIN - from 300 to 500A.
• When you purchase a chameleon welding helmet, ask about the availability of consumables and additional light filters for it.

  Sometimes, additional consumables are included with the welding helmet.

After you have read our recommendations, choose the optimal welding helmet parameters based on your budget and remember that it is easier to save your health than to restore it!

We present you real reviews from professional welders on frequently used chameleon-type masks:

Konstantin (welding experience - about 9 years).

“Mask Svarog “Chameleon” AS-2-F , conditions of use and parameters: sensitivity at the “maximum stated”, opening delay – “maximum stated”, darkening about 11, welding current 160 A, type of welding - manual arc, weather - bright sun.

It works correctly in any position relative to the sun; when directed directly at the sun, it does not close; in the “sun behind the back” position, despite the light inside the mask, nothing interfered.

Summary:

• I was pleased with the filter; the available visibility was completely enough for comfortable welding.
• The response to the welding arc is excellent.
• The bandage, weight and design are satisfactory, although at first there was a desire to purchase one made of rougher plastic.
• Considering the low cost and good filter, this is a great mask for the money!” (WITH)

Source: https://www.tiberis.ru/stati/kak-vybrat-svarochnuju-masku-tipa-hameleon

Review of the best masks for welders - rules and features of choosing the best models

The work of a welder is dangerous primarily due to electric shock, as well as deterioration of vision if you do not use special eye protection. Today, manufacturers produce chameleon welding helmets that provide an impeccable level of protection.

Varieties and structure

First of all, the mask protects the master’s eyes from the harmful effects of thermal, UV and infrared radiation. There are both masks and shields. Using the second type can be inconvenient, since there is no dedicated strap that would secure the mask on the face, but only a handle, so one hand will always be busy holding the shield.

The structure uses a special light filter for welding masks, which allows you to work without removing the mask in order to at least see something. Modern devices also have all sorts of adjustments and settings to ensure maximum convenience while working.

There are also helmets that fit completely over the head, but such devices are often very expensive, so using them in everyday life is impractical, unlike on an industrial scale.

However, such helmets have additional advantages, such as use in aquatic environments, in places where it is difficult to penetrate, and can also be used with oxygen supply.

Which welding helmet to choose

The choice of protection is not based on cost or appearance, since it is necessary to select a special device solely according to the required characteristics. First of all, it is important to make sure that the mask is certified and approved for use. To do this, it is important to familiarize yourself with the certificate.

The optical class of the filter should be equal to one, as this indicates the maximum degree of protection. If you find a mask with class 3, then be sure that this device works using last century technology.

The dimensions of the window should not be large, since in this case the fragility of the material increases. The light filter must run on batteries, so it must be possible to replace them.

The operating ambient temperature should be between -5 and 100 degrees Celsius; in severe subzero weather, the filter may not work.

The protective welding helmet must be selected exclusively for the required work. It is also important to verify the manufacturer so as not to run into a fake.

When choosing, check the strength of the mask, as well as the material from which it is made. The material is fiber or plastic. The minimum number of sensors on the filter is four, and the filter operating speed should not exceed one hundred microseconds.

Expert advice

There are cases when arrogant sellers take out additional components from masks, these could be spare filters, batteries, etc. Be sure to take this into account, and even better, be interested in what is included in the complete package.

You should not choose a device with high sensitivity to light, as blinking will begin during operation, which will not only interfere with work, but also harm your eyes.

Elderly people should not purchase masks with strong darkness, as this can also harm the eyes, and in general, devices are now sold with the ability to regulate this function. In some cases, you may want to consider masks with an air filter if the job at hand requires it.

Conclusion

You can look at all kinds of devices in our photos of welding helmets to make your choice now or at least notice something to choose from.

Do not neglect using a mask, as this will greatly affect your eyes. Diseases that are contracted by specialists who do not use special protection are very difficult and long to treat, and in some cases you can easily be left without vision for life.

Modern technologies for the production of chameleon masks have reached a level that provides 100% protection for your eyes. Also, when choosing, you should not save on purchase; broken or failed parts are easily replaceable and cost an order of magnitude cheaper than expensive eye treatment.

In any case, it is better to prevent the disease than to treat it later by purchasing a special mask for the eyes and face once.

Photos of the best masks for welders

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Source: https://instrumentgid.ru/obzor-luchshix-masok-dlya-svarshhika/

How to choose a welding mask

It is very important to perform welding work correctly so as not to harm your health. Welding has a serious impact on the human respiratory system and visual organs. If you do not take care of high-quality protection, then there is a huge risk of getting thermal, chemical, light and mechanical damage.

During the welding process, vision is damaged by ultraviolet radiation, so since time immemorial, builders have used welder's protective masks. Of course, before these were simple accessories, but today there are both professional and ordinary models on sale. To determine which one is better, you need to understand the principle by which the mask operates and familiarize yourself with the types of this product.

How does a welder's mask work?

It is worth noting that such masks protect the cornea of ​​the visual organ not only from ultraviolet radiation and bright flashes, but also from small particles of slag - scales that are formed during the work process. The mouth also remains covered, so caustic toxic gases from welding do not enter the person’s lungs.

All masks of this type have the same design. It consists of two main elements:

• Casing. It covers the welder's face and head. Some models also cover the neck.
• A viewing window equipped with a light filter. Thanks to this element, the builder can see what is happening in front of him. The filter may differ in the material it is made of.

Additionally, the mask may have many other additional functions. For example, the ability to adjust the degree of darkening of the viewing window or tilt it while welding is paused to look at the quality of the seam.

However, the most important element remains the filter.

Types of masks

There are simple and professional masks on sale. They differ in the degree of protection, convenience and other functions. They also have different light filters installed.

Simple masks

These are standard masks, the body of which is made of pressed cardboard or plastic that is resistant to elevated operating temperatures. In this case, the light filter is glass with a black coating. If you look through it at an object in daylight, you will not be able to see anything. However, when an electric arc appears in the immediate vicinity, all the elements that are involved in welding become clearly visible.

Healthy! Paper masks weigh much less than plastic ones.

In budget models, the viewing window is not equipped with a soft backing. As a rule, the light filter itself must be installed behind protective glass and secured using special clamps. In this case, there is no way to automatically change the window darkening level. You can only remove the filter and replace it with another one with more suitable light transmission characteristics.

These are the cheapest options, but even cardboard masks fully meet GOST requirements. In addition, they are suitable for any temperature conditions. On the other hand, cardboard swells from moisture, and plastic models are very heavy.

The head mount itself is hard and uncomfortable. Therefore, such a product is worth buying if you need to do a one-time job that won’t take much time.

But if we are talking about a long-term project, where you will have to do welding work for a long time every day, then it is worth considering another option.

Chameleon masks

These are already more serious and expensive models. In them, the filter consists of two glasses at once, between which liquid crystals are located. When working without welding, the crystals are perpendicular to the plane and provide the worker with a clear picture (as if he were wearing sunglasses).

Once the arc is ignited, a small amount of current is supplied to the mask, which causes the crystals to rotate 90 degrees. Thanks to this, the filter is automatically darkened to the required level. Thus, there is no need to raise and lower the protective accessory every time to check the quality of work. As soon as the welding machine stops working, the crystals rotate and you can look at the seams.

In addition, on the outside of the mask body there is a switch that can be turned and thus adjust the darkening level of the filter. This is very convenient when large-scale work is performed that requires the creation of many small seams in different places of the product.

If we talk about the advantages of such models, it is worth highlighting:

• Multi-level adjustment.
• There is no need to remove the mask or lift the filter itself.
• Stylish design.
• Durable housing made of heat-resistant and lightweight materials.
• Availability of soft pads. There are also pads in the forehead area, which are impregnated with an antibacterial agent. Thanks to this, the welder can work for a long time wearing a mask.
• Longer service life.

Healthy! Budget products usually do not have a warranty card, but chameleon masks have a warranty period.

But there are also disadvantages. For example, crystals may begin to perform poorly at low temperatures. Therefore, not all work can be performed in such products. You can also highlight the high cost. However, for permanent or long-term work, this is the best option.

Masks with forced oxygen supply system

If “chameleon” type models can be called professional, then here we are more likely talking about specialized masks. Forced air supply may be required if the welder’s workplace is not equipped with an exhaust hood. In this case, you have to breathe dangerous gases that come from the molten electrode. This is very harmful, so additional protective measures are required.

This system can be compared to a respirator that is attached to the welder's back. Using a small electric motor, air is circulated, which is filtered and supplied through a hose to the worker. Thanks to this, he can weld in any closed, small room.

The advantages here are obvious. First of all, the welder is protected from dangerous fumes. Such models are equipped with the best filters, and the viewing window has good visibility. But masks of this type are the most expensive.

In addition, there is always a risk that the air supply hose will get caught on some object. Some models are equipped with very inconvenient pipes located at the top. This makes it difficult to pass through low doorways.

You will also have to change filters and batteries periodically.

Therefore, first of all, you need to decide what work plan you will carry out. This will help you choose the type of mask. But that's not all. Regardless of the model, you need to pay attention to other features.

What to look for when choosing a mask

When choosing a product, be sure to check with the seller the following parameters:

• Darkening degree. For simple models, this indicator can be from 2 to 5, where two is the lightest option, and five is the darkest. To work in daylight (for example, in the yard), you need to take a mask of 5 units. But indoors, nothing is visible through such a filter. Therefore, we choose 3-4. For working in the basement, it is better to buy a mask for 2 units. If we are talking about a chameleon, then a different shade scale applies - DIN. In this case, the lightest indicator will be 5 units, and the darkest indicator will be 15. Most often, masks have a regulator. Therefore, the best option is a product with a range of 9-13 DIN, where the upper value is suitable for the street, and the lower for darker rooms. 5-8 DIN products are usually used for very dark basements or if the welder does not have the best eyesight.

• Weight. This is a particularly important parameter if you will be working with a mask for a long time. Typically, the weight of the product ranges from 350 to 900 g. The lower this parameter, the more convenient it is to work. If the mask is heavy, it will have a negative impact on the spine. But for periodic work, a weighted version is also suitable.
• Nutrition of the mask. Some chameleons have built-in batteries, the power of which should be enough to quickly trigger the sensors that activate the dimming. Batteries of this type require replacement. Other models typically use panels that absorb the light rays emitted by the welding. Therefore, they do not require additional investments. It makes sense to buy products with a battery for infrequent work, but if we are talking about professional activities, then models with light panels are better.

• Viewing window. You need to pay attention to its size. If you have to work with sewer pipes or a water supply system, then you should give preference to a model with a window about 100-110 mm long and 45-50 mm high. If the welder is in a lower position and can look exactly at the welding zone, then a model with a length of 90 mm and a height of 30-40 mm is suitable. The largest viewing window, 100 x 90 mm, is required if you need to constantly turn your head, for example, when doing ceiling welding.
• Lens distortion level. This indicator must be indicated both in the product certificate and on its body. If there is no such data at all, then the model is very low-cost. The degree of lens distortion is usually written at the very beginning of the line before the “/” sign. For delicate work, when you need to make a very precise and neat seam on a fairly thin material, you should choose level 1. And for standard welding of pipes, sheet metal and other things, level 2 is quite suitable.
• Light scattering index. In this case, we are talking about the transparency of the screen and how clear the picture will be during the arc burning process. This indicator is also indicated on the product, immediately after the distortion level (after the “slash”). Models marked 1 are also suitable for working with thinner materials (no more than 1 mm thick). For all other jobs you need to select 2.

Thus, the welder’s mask is selected based on specific work. For the dacha, the most budget-friendly cardboard masks are suitable, and if there is a lot of welding work to be done, then it is better to give preference to a chameleon powered by light panels.

Source: https://building-plot.ru/instrumenty/kak-vybrat-masku-svarshhika.html

Choosing a welding helmet | Blog | DNS Club

: 2 years ago

Welding is a rather risky profession, but you can’t live without it; even in the 21st century, manual labor is invaluable and cannot always be automated. Working with welding is not the easiest, and if you add certain risks to this, then not everyone dares to weld on their own. The requirements for organizing a workplace are not casually regulated and are quite high.

The most vulnerable organs when working with welding are the organs of vision and breathing. Bright light, sparks, high temperatures, toxic fumes - this is what protection is needed at all stages of welding. Welding masks provide partial and sometimes complete protection. Your health will depend on how responsibly you approach the choice of protection.

Agree, it is better to spend money once on purchasing high-quality protection than to pay bills for treatment for many years.

This is important to know: the effect of welding on the organs of vision and breathing

Under no circumstances should you work with welding without a protective mask, even if the entire work takes seconds. Welders are frequent clients of ophthalmologists, not only because they neglected the main rule, but also because they selected masks with insufficient protection from the effects of electric arc radiation. Arc welding is considered the most dangerous type of electric welding; the glow is the most intense, therefore, the degree of darkness of the protective mask should be high.

Damage during welding work can be caused not only by the intensity of radiation; most often, the harmful effects on the organs of vision and breathing are complex. They can be divided into 4 groups:

- Thermal. Damage is caused by high temperatures when working with electric welding with metal; injuries from hot fumes, hot metal or sparks are possible. It is recommended to choose protective masks made from materials that are resistant to high temperatures, with optimal body thickness, with fastenings, and without a tight fit to the skin.

- Chemical. As you know, most of the organs of vision and breathing are covered by mucous tissues, which are most sensitive to fumes, smoke, and chemical changes in the composition of the air.

Of course, in this case, a lot depends on what material you have to work with. A welding helmet cannot provide complete protection against chemical burns, but if you know that you will be working with metals containing nickel, chromium, etc.

, then when choosing, give preference to masks with the ability to filter air, completely closed like a helmet.

- Light. Not only the welder, but also third-party observers can get a light burn by just looking at the light radiation. Such a burn occurs from the radiation of ultraviolet and infrared waves, i.e. precisely those that we cannot see. Even a regular shield will do to protect against light radiation, but it is much more important to choose the right filter.

- Mechanical. Damage caused by sparks, fragments, etc. coming into contact with the eyes, skin, etc. Not only do metal shavings fly at speed, they are also hot, so contact with the eye, skin or hair can be costly to your health. The best option is to choose a welding helmet that protects the entire head, not just the face.

Types of protective filters

Light filters are a specific material that can filter out invisible and visible light spectra that are most harmful to vision.

Several types of light filters are used in welding helmets:

— Tinted glass. Used in classic old-style welding helmets. Impurities of non-ferrous metals, such as copper or nickel, are added to glass to reduce light transmittance. A higher content of impurities in glass provides lower light transmittance, and vice versa.

Glass tinting is marked according to both Russian (C4 - C8) and European (9 - 13 DIN) classifications. Upon external inspection, it is difficult to find differences in glass, however, C8 (DIN 13) has the greatest light protection.

To check the quality of the glass, it is enough to look through them at the incandescent lamp; through C4 the filament of the lamp will be clearly visible, through C8 the filament is almost impossible to see. If the result does not differ during inspection, this indicates poor quality of the product.

— Polymer filters. Not so long ago, materials appeared on the market with parameters superior to glass. Polymers are strong and lightweight, have ductility and the same shading properties as glass. Often combined with other materials to achieve better protective qualities. Widely used in combination with safety and tinting glasses.

- Chameleon. The most suitable filter providing complete protection. The automatically darkening filter adapts to any type of welding and different powers. The liquid crystal screen works on the principle of polarization of liquid metals.

Between the polarizing films are liquid crystals; under the influence of voltage, the crystals are aligned in such a way as to block polarized light.

In addition, chameleon filters provide constant protection from ultraviolet and infrared spectra; even in a faulty state, protection is provided from the most harmful radiation.

Welding helmets with chameleon filters have gained popularity among users for their versatility and reliability. Such masks do not require recharging or third-party power; they are equipped with built-in lithium batteries and solar panels.

They are equipped with photosensitive sensors for better adaptability to changes in radiation; illumination of the arc zone is possible.

The filter in its initial state is transparent, which allows you to perform intermediate stages of work in the mask, or use it in other areas.

When choosing an automatic light filter, you should pay attention to the adjustment options. The sensitivity of the filter allows you to configure the filter to turn on/off depending on the brightness of the arc. A useful feature when working on sunny days, when the filter can turn on in response to the sun.

The opening delay time is another important adjustment, necessary to prevent premature opening at the end of welding, since after the arc is turned off, the metal is still burning.

Weight and dimensions of the welding helmet

A parameter that should not be overlooked is the weight of the welding helmet. Working with hot metal and welding is not easy, but if you add to this a heavy helmet with limited air access, then it all turns into torture. The mask should not be heavy; in addition, it is advisable to choose a model with the ability to adjust the headband, seat depth and angle of the mask. The presence of additional softening pads will also not be superfluous.

Let's sum it up

So, what should you first pay attention to when choosing a welding helmet:

— degree of protection from visible and invisible radiation;

— type of filter, quality of manufacture and attachment to the mask (no gaps between the filter and the mask, replaceable filters must fit tightly to the body);

— type of mask body design (closed helmet, visor, goggles);

— accessibility of adjustment elements, reliability of fastenings.

Source: https://club.dns-shop.ru/post/16789

How to choose a Chameleon mask and how to check it when purchasing

Date added: 11/13/2017

A welder's mask is necessary for anyone who uses welding equipment. From this article you will learn: how to choose a “Chameleon” welding helmet and how to test it without welding before purchasing, what to look for when choosing and much other useful information.

Before purchasing a mask, you should carefully read its passport. Even a very simple mask with an automatic light filter (ASF) has a passport, which indicates its degree of darkness, recommendations for the type of welding (MIG, MAG, MMA, TIG) and the type of battery.

How to choose a welding mask? Read more about all the intricacies of choice further in our article.

What is a “Chameleon” welding mask and how is it different from a regular mask?

The welding helmet protects the worker from IR and UV radiation, high temperature, harmful smoke, gases, sparks and metal droplets during the entire welding process. Ordinary masks are inexpensive and practical, but less convenient to use. Unlike a regular mask, which always has the same degree of darkness, the Chameleon can automatically change it based on sensor signals.

It is important to know that an automatic light filter only dims the normal brightness of visible light. Ultraviolet and infrared radiation are blocked by special protective layers and film filters.

Advantages of the Chameleon mask compared to a conventional welding mask:

• The work efficiency of a welder wearing a mask with ASF increases significantly. The worker manages to do more work in the same amount of time. It more accurately controls the welding arc from the very beginning of its combustion and the relative position of the parts during the welding process.
• A worker with a Chameleon has both hands free during welding.

  There is no need to wear another mask if you need to perform metalwork work - cut an edge, fit sheets of metal more tightly, clean a seam.

• There is no need to change filters, as when working with a regular mask, when the current changes significantly, or when choosing a different welding mode.
• The Chameleon dims automatically - you don’t need to put on or take off the mask, everything is clearly visible in it.

After weighing all the factors, decide for yourself what is better for you - a regular mask or a “Chameleon”.

Chameleon mask device

The mask consists of a body, a block of light filters, batteries, dimming adjustment knobs and a headband.

part of the Chameleon mask is a block of light filters, which consists of several layers of polarizing crystals placed in a vacuum. Light filters can change their light transmittance depending on the level of voltage applied to them.

There are several sensors on the outside of the mask that measure the brightness of the light and instruct the filter to close.

General recommendations when choosing a Chameleon welding helmet

It is best, of course, to focus on the opinions of real people who use such masks. We recommend listening to the recommendations of real welders, not salespeople from stores. Welders work with masks every day and have a better understanding of what they are talking about. When choosing a Chameleon welder’s mask, their reviews about the comfort of long-term work, the ease of switching settings and the practicality of using the mask are especially valuable.

The presence and number of adjustments of the light filter greatly influences the price of the Chameleon welder’s mask. There are masks with smooth and step adjustments, without adjustments, with manual adjustments of sensitivity and delay of dimming after the arc has died out. The delay allows you not to strain your eyes from the glow of the molten metal of the weld pool immediately after the arc breaks. The degree of darkness is adjusted automatically within a given range, depending on the brightness of the arc.

Internal adjustments are less convenient; to change them you will have to interrupt the welding process. External ones (on the outside of the mask) are more convenient; they can be adjusted during welding, but the settings may be lost if the mask is dropped or if it is accidentally touched. This is important to know if you are trying to choose the right Chameleon welder mask for yourself.

How to choose a Chameleon welder mask for safety and autonomy

There are several types of power supply for the mask filter:

• From a battery (battery or accumulator). It would be better if it is removable and to replace it you do not have to disassemble or replace the entire internal filling of the mask.
• From solar panels . Used in more expensive models of masks.
• Mixed . Battery together with solar battery.

It would be good if the mask had a low battery indicator. Then you won’t have to, having done half the work, urgently look for and change the batteries in the mask.

When choosing a welding mask, it is important to know about the number of sensitivity sensors. The more there are, the better. One sensor may not work due to a layer of soot, contamination, poor location, or it may be blocked by some object or obstacle.

For entry-level masks, 1-2 sensors are usually sufficient, for example, START-TREND with ASF 300. On professional masks there are 3-4 of them, as in the START-ARGON mask.

The sensors are located in different corners of the filter block of the mask, at the maximum distance from each other.

A good mask ensures high injury safety for the worker. The aerodynamics of good mask models are designed so that the fresh air that the worker breathes enters the space under the mask from the area as far away from the working area as possible. This reduces the amount of harmful gases that the welder breathes.

How to choose the right Chameleon mask for welding work based on ease of use

Some masks have a number of features that significantly increase the welder’s comfort and influence the choice of a chameleon mask.

• Possibility of installing additional diopter lenses directly on the light filter, as in the START-MASTER mask with ASF 605. Experienced welders often need to work in glasses in order to clearly see the welding site. Diopter lenses in the mask allow the welder to work without glasses, and he is not distracted from the welding process.
• Comfortable ergonomic headband. This is the most important indicator when choosing a Chameleon welding mask. Adjustments to suit head size are required. Wide and soft pads. Possibility to change the planting depth and adjust the distance from the eyes to the viewing window. Relevant for workers wearing glasses.
• Adjusting the angle of the mask at which it begins to lower. Possibility of fixing the mask at different angles.
• Smooth lowering of the mask after nodding the head.

Chameleon welding helmets, how to choose based on reviews

Typically, the best reviews come from masks in the upper price range. Positive reviews are influenced by the following features:

• Mask weight and size . The smaller and lighter the mask, with the same functional parameters, the better.
• Viewing window size . The most common sizes are 91 mm x 39 mm and 96 mm x 39 mm. The maximum size of the viewing window is 100 mm x 60 mm for the START-ARGON model with ASF 705. A large viewing window is more convenient.
• Switch welding or machining . Its presence is assessed very positively in most reviews regarding the choice of a chameleon welding helmet. Before and after welding is completed, there is often a need to carry out mechanical processing of a seam or part. Cut out the fistula, sand down the defects of the lower layer, beat off the slag crust, grind off the influx. This switch disables the darkening of the mask from stray sparks during mechanical work. Most welders note in their reviews that such a switch is very convenient and saves time. Its presence has virtually no effect on the cost of the mask.
• Mask material . Our masks are made only from high-quality plastic. Bad plastic can burst from overheating in the sun or at low temperatures.

How to choose a Chameleon welding mask by price

Click to enlarge

Budget models of masks cost from 950 rubles. These are quite simple but reliable masks that are quite suitable for household use when welding with low and medium currents in the MMA mode. The adjustments are stepwise, powered by solar panels, the quality of the plastic is average.

When choosing a Chameleon welder mask at a price in the range of 1.5-2 thousand rubles, you can count on more serious models. Such masks are suitable for welding with consumable electrodes at high currents, MIG-MAG and Plasma modes. They already have a combined filter power supply system, the ability to install diopter lenses and smooth external adjustments. Typically, masks of this price are used in workshops, garages and small construction sites.

If the price of a chameleon welding helmet is more than 2000 rubles, then our recommendation is START-OPTIMA with ASF 615 or START-ARGON with ASF 705. The masks in the upper price segment have everything: they are suitable for working with any currents in all welding modes (in including TIG welding), smooth dimming and delay adjustments, excellent aerodynamics, large viewing window, 4 sensors and several dimming ranges, durable and lightweight plastic.

How to check a Chameleon welding helmet when purchasing

The peculiarity of the operation of light filter sensors is that they react only to sudden changes in high-intensity lighting. There are several ways to test a mask. First you need to turn on the filter, and then:

1. If you look at the sun in a mask, the filter will close once and open almost immediately, since there is a constant light flux from the sun. Try opening and covering the sensors from the sun several times. The filter must be closed every time.
2. Look at a regular incandescent lamp in the mask. The filter should close and not open all the time while the lamp is shining near the mask. In a household network there is alternating current, which changes its direction 50 times per second. This is invisible to the eye, but the sensors must react.
3. Another way to check a chameleon welder’s mask without welding is to strike a lighter in front of the mask several times. The filter must be closed after each use.
4. Use your smartphone's flash. The filter should close with minimal delay, this is normal. You may notice a small bit of flash early on before the filter closes. The welding arc does not light up immediately, a spark appears first, the sensors react to it, and when the arc lights up a little later, the filter is already closed. And the flash goes off immediately at maximum brightness.

If none of the methods for checking a Chameleon welder’s mask upon purchase worked, it’s worth checking and replacing the batteries. If the mask has solar panels, leave the mask in the sun to charge them.

Several important features of Chameleon masks for welding

• Chameleon masks have restrictions on working at low temperatures. Typically the operating limit is -5-10 °C. The response time of automatic dimming can increase significantly as the temperature drops. Some insurance in this case is the proximity to molten metal at a high temperature and the hot breath of the welder while working.

  In the vast majority of cases, this is enough for the mask to work properly even at such temperatures.

• It is best to store the mask with ASF in the switched off state, so as not to discharge the batteries. You should not place the mask with the light filter down, as scratches and abrasions on the glass can then limit visibility and make work uncomfortable.

• Some expensive mask models have a forced ventilation system to prevent fogging of the viewing window. This is especially useful if work is carried out in closed and poorly ventilated areas.
• Filter response time. The shorter the response time, the less tired the welder’s eyes are.

  Normal time is considered to be from 1/10000 of a second to 1/35000 of a second.

• Trigger sensitivity. The operation of the light filter is influenced by many factors: welding mode, welding currents, level of sun illumination, reflected light, influence of welding arcs of other welders.

This is all important to consider if you are thinking about how to choose a Chameleon welding helmet.

We recommend investing once in good equipment that will ensure high comfort for the welder.

Source: https://kronsvarka.ru/poleznoe/stati/vybor-maski-hameleon