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Pete C.

wrote:

If you weld, do you always use those welding helmets?
I am asking because they dont work in cold weather. They fog up.
I had to do a small welding repair in the garage yesterday and as soon
as I put the helmet on my head it was fogged up and I could not see
what I was welding. Obviously from breathing inside them there is no
way to avoid the fogging. I finally took one of those (over the eyes
only) torch welding goggles and changed the lens with the darker one
from my helmet and used that. That worked fine, and is much more
comfortable, This makes me wonder why people even use those large
clumbsy helmets. From now on I will probably just use the goggles.
The only time I'd see the helmet needed is welding overhead, to keep
sparks off the face, but for welding something on the garage floor,
who needs that whole helmet, and in cold weather they are useless.
I never knew that both types use the same size dark lens. Now I know
they do.....
Mark

Good job tumor boy. Welding helmets are first and foremost for
protection from the extremely high UV output of a welding arc.
Protection from heat, sparks and splatter are a secondary function.

Welders all over the world work in cold weather without issues and the
issue is no different than for motorcycle helmets, diving masks and
other protective face gear. Get some anti-fog from your local motorcycle
or dive shop and be done with it. Also make sure your health insurance
is in place for the melanoma treatment.