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Kemppi Welding Helmets

Kemppi Welding Helmets FAQs

Practical answers on choosing, using and looking after branded auto-darkening, passive and grinding welding helmets.

How do I choose the right shade for my welding process and current?icon-minus-redicon-plus-red

Shade depends on the process and the welding current. As a general guide, low-current TIG sits in a lighter range than stick or MIG at higher current, and cutting or brazing with a flame uses the lightest shades. Charts such as those published by welding bodies are a starting point only.

A common approach is to begin with a shade that is slightly too dark and then move lighter until you can see the weld pool comfortably, staying inside the range the chart gives. Variable-shade helmets let you adjust this job by job. Check the helmet's manual for its own shade guide.

Does an auto-darkening helmet still protect my eyes when the filter is clear?icon-minus-redicon-plus-red

Yes, in a correctly working filter. The clear (light) state is only a low shade for seeing the work before you strike the arc. Auto-darkening filters are designed to block ultraviolet and infrared radiation at all times, whether the filter is light or dark, and makers state this in their data sheets.

That protection does not make it safe to look at an arc through a filter that has failed to darken. If the filter ever stays light when you strike an arc, stop welding, close your eyes and check the helmet before carrying on. See the manual for what to do if it fails to switch.

When should I replace the front cover lens?icon-minus-redicon-plus-red

The clear cover lens takes the spatter and scratches so the filter behind it does not. Makers say to replace a front cover lens that is cracked, scratched or pitted, and to do it regularly rather than waiting until you cannot see through it.

A marked cover lens makes the weld harder to see and can interfere with the sensors that detect the arc. Avoid resting the helmet face-down on a bench, as this scratches the lens. Use only the replacement lenses the maker specifies for your helmet, and fit the inner cover lens as well, as the filter is designed to be used with it.

How do I clean the filter and sensors?icon-minus-redicon-plus-red

Clean the filter surface regularly with clean water and a lint-free or microfibre cloth. Do not use strong cleaning solutions, solvents or oil-based products, which can damage the surface. Keep the arc sensors and the solar cells clean in the same way, because dirt or spatter on them can stop the filter darkening properly or make it flicker.

The shell and headband can usually be washed with a neutral detergent. Always follow the manual for your model, as materials differ.

What is a grinding helmet and can I weld in one?icon-minus-redicon-plus-red

A grinding helmet is a face protector with a clear visor, built to guard against flying particles and impact when grinding or cutting. It has no welding filter, so it does not protect you from arc radiation.

Makers of grinding helmets state they are not suitable for welding, so never use one to look at an arc. If you do both jobs, you can fit a welding helmet with a flip-front or grind mode, or switch between a welding helmet and a separate grinding helmet. Check the markings and the manual to see what each is approved for.

Does a welding helmet protect me from welding fume?icon-minus-redicon-plus-red

No. A standard welding helmet protects the eyes and face from radiation and spatter, but it is not respiratory protection. Welding fume is controlled first by removing or reducing it at source, and local extraction close to the weld is the main recommended control. Breathing equipment is normally a last resort or an additional safeguard, not the primary control.

If extraction cannot control the fume, a helmet combined with a powered air unit may be one way to add protection. Your risk assessment should decide what is needed.