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Taking SMAW and Gas welding classes this Autumn
Hello, I'm a non-welder that's taking classes this fall. I signed up for a SMAW/Gas welding class, with emphasis on 6013 and Oxyacetylene. Was able to pick up a couple of Ward welding machines locally, which seem to be pretty durable and reliable from what I've been told.
At the moment I'm trying to decide which welding helmet to buy for school (I already have a pair of Google for OA and grinding). I'm torn between a pipeliner with the flip front, or a hood with an adjustable lense.
Any tips or advice for a newbie? I've got a very small amount of prior MIG experience, bit just thin sheet steel.
https://imgur.com/a/E9UJQTA
My two welders
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Re: Taking SMAW and Gas welding classes this Autumn
I have a pretty high end Miller hood but I needed one with the outdoor mode so it works right in the sun plus I like to use it when I do heavy grinding. Anything but a harbor freight there just a waste of cash, made out of recycled garbage bags or something. The Hobarts and Lincolns they have at the tractor stores are pretty solid and you can buy lenses for them anywhere. I have a couple Wards Welders too. One is a really good AC/DC machine that I think was made by century and the other not so great it works but you need to bungee the lever in place or it will auto adjust while your welding.
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Re: Taking SMAW and Gas welding classes this Autumn
Both of mine are supposed to be century machines, and both of their old owners spoke really highly of them (but maybe they were just trying to close the deal...), I've yet to use either however, so we'll find out.
As for the hood, my first thought was a miller or Lincoln good, but a few professional welders have recommended the flip front pipeliner to me, as it's what they use professionally, and because they say it's best to learn with a passive lens (so that in the case your auto darkening breaks on the job, you aren't unable to use a passive hood).
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Re: Taking SMAW and Gas welding classes this Autumn
Flip front(flip lense only)? Passive lense in fixed position with safety goggles is a good start. Flip lense helmets can be heavy. I prefer passive in the field since it ks cheap to replace. In the shop auto darkening.
You will always have the passive helmet, even after you upgrade.
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Re: Taking SMAW and Gas welding classes this Autumn
Also, get at least.10 extra clear lenses. Change as needed.
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Re: Taking SMAW and Gas welding classes this Autumn
I ordered the Fibre Metal superglass flip front today. Comes with one clear lens, one shade 10, and one shade 12. I'll swing by air gas soon to grab some spare clear lenses. I'd like to pick up a lighter lense for gas welding, a 14 for carbon welding, and probably an auto-darkening to try out too.
Last edited by Carbon-Arc; 08-10-2021 at 05:10 PM.
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Re: Taking SMAW and Gas welding classes this Autumn
UNITWELD 175 AMP 3 IN1 DC
MIDSTATES 300 AMP AC MACHINE
LET'S GO BRANDON!"INFLATION-THAT'S THE PRICE WE PAY FOR THOSE GOVERNMENT BENEFITS EVERYBODY THOUGHT WERE FREE."RONALD REAGAN
JEFF
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