I probably should have posted this *before* ordering a helmet. I was wondering if anyone here has tried one of the helets made for woen by Speedglas? I have a smaller than avaerage head, and even the smallest setting on a lot of helmets is still too big for me. I'm just starting out, and our classroom has 20 of the exact same helmet and they are just awful - for me anyway. So I decided to just go ahead and get my own that I won't have to constantly adjust, and also hopefully will be able to see out of.Has anyone tried one of these helmets? Was it worth the cost?
Reply
epends on the specific model.I just bought the 9100x because it was a lot more comfortable than the NexGen and all of Miller's and ESAB's.Helmets are like shoes, you need to try it on before you buy. Buy the first one locally since they had it in stock for you to try. Then buy the replacement online to save a few bucks.
Reply:I can not say for fit, maybe get a nice, thick hat. www.dadscaps.comI like my 9100XX Speedglas though.City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:I love my speedglas, but have an average sized head. I know that the headgear on the speedglas 9000 and 9002 series runs smaller than a lot of other brands.The 9100 is supposed to be very comfortable, and about as light as it gets.I use a fleece forehead pad that I picked up at my lws on all my helmets. Its a rectangle with velcro that wraps around the sweatband area, and makes it much more comfortable. That could take up some size for you too. Maybe even put some foam weatherstripping underneath the wrap (or "camper tape"), to make it smaller if necessary (that's a good way to make a hat smaller too).
Reply:Most helmet manufactures include a rubber/foam/plastic spacer that clips on at the back. At least mine did anyway - Miller XLiXFire!, Fire! Oh wait, that's my torch...Lincoln PT-225 TIGLincoln 175 MIG
Reply:I did buy a couple velcrp headband type things to use on the school helmets for now, I just hope it's enough. Where I live, we only have one retailer that sells welding equipment, they only have 1 brand of helmets, and they wouldn't order the helmet I wanted. I'm hoping that since this helmet was designed with women in mind it will help me a lot. In any case, it's a big step up from the ones the school has. Not to mention I won't have to worry about who wore the helmet before me. Here is the one I ordered...http://www.weldfabulous.com/Welding-...-p9177025.html
Reply:Take reasonable care of it and it will last a long while. Get in the habit of not laying it down on the face, and not laying it down where some one will shoot a ton of sparks inside while grinding. Do yourself a favor and pick up a couple of spare cover lenses for both the inside and out. (not sure if they ship it with extras or not) Nothing will wreck an AD hood faster than using it without a cover lens. I go buy a new set of spare lenses when I get down to one left. I'd also suggest you pick up a spare set of bateries to keep in your bag as well in a few months. That way if it goes dead you have a spare set on hand.You might also find a smaller set of gloves will help. Tilman makes gloves in small sizes for women. Not many places stock them however. I get the Tilmans I like special ordered in size medium to fit my hands better for doing tig and mig. I just found a large set the style I liked in stock and then had them order me one in small and medium so I could see how they fit. I gave the small pair to one of the young ladies at the tech school who was having serious issues with mongo sized gloves.Last edited by DSW; 02-06-2011 at 05:11 PM..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Thanks for the advice...good call on the batteries, I hadn't even thought of that. I'm excited for it to get here lol
