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Does an old helmet present safety issues?
I'm taking Geezer's idea of donating the complete package when donating a welder, and in my travels I accumulated an old FiberMetal helmet, static 2x4 lens, that I could donate too. Other than needing a good cleaning, are there other safety concerns? Micro-fissures in the aged helmet letting UV in, or something?
No it should be fine as long as there are no cracks in the helmet or bad gaskets around the lens . I still from time to time use my old large lens Jackson that i purchased in 1984.
Yeah, on automatic helmets you definitely notice when it starts to go bad, you'll get the old "sand in the eye" feeling. I've never had a good welding helmet go out on me with age, just the cheapy ones like at harbor freight that I use when I know i'm about to do something that might mess up one of my really nice helmets.
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I still have and occasionally use one of my Grandfather's helmets from WW2. S/F.....Ken M
For the first few years I welded I was using a 60's vintage helmet it worked OK but now that I've been using my nice Jackson auto dark for about six years ... I never want to go back to that.
Coincidence that you raised this thread again- I literally just sent an email trying to track down a Scout master to see if he could use my AC 225.
Hahaha I love my old Thunderbolt 225 ... great old machines ...you just can't kill them ... knock on wood.Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveO
I grew up using a Miller Dialarc 250 and my Grandpa's WWII vintage helmet. I don't miss either. I actually put it on and ran a few sticks before my dad moved, and even though the helmet PROTECTED, I don't miss the look-and-flip method, or the teeny sight glass. Having a Speedglas and running some 7018 through my 250EX is the cat's pajamas. I do commend you, Dave, for your generosity, and can reassure you that if the helmet looks good, it'll be fine. Most guys would throw it on CL and try to get a few bucks for it.
Way safer than no helmet:)...the old ones are good. SUper safe just have to get good at the chicken head