Table of Contents
Reviews, Comparisons & Buyer’s Guide
Generally speaking, Speedglas welding helmets feature an impressive set of specs. Whether you’re looking for fast reaction time, comfortable headgear, a large viewing window, or just a mask that you can unpack and use straight away (or all of the above!) then this brand is pretty sure to have something to suit.
Many of the helmets are relatively similar regarding specifications, so often your choice will come down to design and external appearance. In that sense, it’s a good thing that Speedglas helmets are some of the most stylish, sleek, classic welding helmets money can buy!
5. 3M Speedglas Trojan Warrior Welding Helmet 100
Speedglas Trojan Warrior
Pros: This helmet comes fully assembled and ready to go, so as soon as you get it home, you can take it out and start welding. It features three different sensitivity settings – not as many as some other helmets, but still enough variation that there’s likely to be a setting to suit your
needs.
The lens features a wide range of variable dark shades (8 to 13); the fixed tone is light shade 3. This helmet is suitable for a wide range of applications including MIG and TIG welding, as well as specific jobs that require respirators. Furthermore, this is a really comfortable helmet to wear, that will reduce fatigue and neck strain after a long day!
Cons: None
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4. 3M Speedglas Welding Helmet 9100V Speedglas 9100V
Pros: The excellent (and most noticeable) thing about this helmet is that it’s made with side windows. Set at shade 5, these allow you to use your peripheral vision to give you a superior view of your work. It’s incredibly comfortable to wear, thanks to the ergonomically designed headgear and the aerodynamic exhaust vents. These draw hot air out of the helmet and away from your face, reducing fogging and heat build-up, keeping you fresh and fresh the whole time. There is a magnifying lens holder, but the standard lens that’s supplied guards against Ultraviolet and Infrared radiation, as well as visible light.
The lens has been made with variable shades 8 to 13, with a super fast switching time of 0.1 milliseconds – so fast that you won’t even notice it, which is precisely what you need for the ultimate protection. Suitable for a variety of applications including MIG, TIG and stick welding, this helmet can be snapped into nine different angles depending on what’s comfortable, and whether you’re wearing any other welding equipment or accessories.
Cons: Speedglas have packed an awful lot into this helmet, so it shouldn’t come as a shock that it’s quite expensive. Although it’s money well spent, unfortunately, this prices it out of the realms of possibility for many welders.
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3. 3M Speedglas Welding Helmet 9100X
Speedglas 9100X
Pros: Whether you’re wearing any other welding accessories or not, this is an incredibly comfortable helmet to wear, even for long periods of time. Not only does it come with ergonomically designed headgear and a padded headband, but it can also be snapped into nine different angles, to accommodate safety glasses (or whatever you choose to wear).
The fact that you’re able to use your peripheral vision when wearing this helmet is fantastic, as it gives you even better visibility of whatever you’re working on. This comes about through side windows, which are fixed at shade 5. The main lens features variable shades 8 to 13; there are three arc sensors which trigger a lightning fast 0.1 millisecond switching time. However, if you so choose, then it is possible to ‘lock in’ any one of the shades (so they won’t auto-darken or lighten), which gives you greater flexibility to use the helmet to suit your exact needs.
The controls are straightforward to use, so you don’t have to spend a long time getting to grips with anything complicated before you can begin. Also, this helmet protects against visible light, Ultraviolet and Infrared, whether you’re using it for the stick, TIG or MIG welding applications.
Cons: None
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2. 3M Speedglas Welding Helmet 9100XX
Speedglas 9100XX
Pros: This Speedglas helmet features a fantastic range of specifications, including dedicated grinding and torch cutting modes, three arc sensors, Ultraviolet and Infrared protection, and a 0.1 millisecond switching time. As soon as you put it on you’ll notice that the ergonomically designed headgear and padded headband make this helmet really comfortable. It gets even better, because it keeps you fresh and healthy all day, thanks to the exhaust vents which draw hot air out of the helmet and away from your face. This also reduces humidity and fogging of the lens.
This helmet’s main lens has variable dark shades 8-13, but it also comes with side windows. These are fixed into shadow 5 and give you clear visibility that’s absent in other helmets, by allowing you to use your peripheral vision. With long 2,000-hour battery life, this helmet can keep you going with TIG, MIG and stick welding jobs for an impressive length of time, which is ideal as there’ll be no need for stopping and starting. You can position the face shield of this helmet at nine different angles, which gives you the option of wearing it with certain respirators if you’re working in an environment with lots of particulates in the air.
For a helmet that’s very light in weight, one extra bonus is that all the parts are rapid, easy and cheap to replace so you can carry on welding in comfort in no time at all.
Cons: This is a Speedglas helmet, so it does come with a rather hefty price tag. That said, you certainly do get a lot for your money. Some people say that it’s heavy and awkward to wear all day every day, but this is something that will get easier with time.
A detailed review of the speedglas 9100XX helmet
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1. 3M Speedglas Welding Helmet 9100 FX
Speedglas 9100 FX
Pros: The flip-up feature is this helmet’s desirable feature. This ingenious design feature means that the mask comes with both an auto-darkening filter and a protective visor, giving you the best of both safety and clarity. Also, there are fixed shade 5 side windows which allow you to use your peripheral vision while welding. As a result, the visibility is brilliant; you get a crystal clear view of whatever you’re working on.
The auto-darkening lens has a fast 0.1-millisecond switching time and variable dark shades 8-13, as well as added protection against Ultraviolet and Infrared. It doesn’t matter whether you’re using it for MIG, TIG or stick welding – this helmet is just as comfortable in every situation. This is down to the padded headband and ergonomically designed headgear which ensure that it always fits snugly and comfortably, as well as the exhaust vents which draw hot air out of the helmet. This reduces heat, humidity and fogging, keeping you fresh and fresh all day. The battery should give you around 2,500 hours of welding time, which should be enough to complete a great deal of welding, whether for work or pleasure!
Cons: Firstly, it isn’t possible to wear over-the-ear protection for your ears with this helmet. If you do want to do something to protect your hearing, you’ll have to opt for in-ear buds instead, which is not everybody’s first choice. Secondly, the air filter does not come supplied with the helmet – this is just the housing, so you’ll have to buy a filter cartridge separately.
A detailed review of the speedglas 9100 FX helmet
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Sheet metal fabrication projects are complex and costly, which leaves little room for error. The best way to ensure a great sheet metal project is by committing to a custom sheet metal fabrication company. Custom fab shops value craftsmanship and efficiency above all other project standards.
MetalsCut4U said it best, “With the help of latest technology and tools, [custom metal fabricators] will ensure that your custom requirements are fulfilled with superior accuracy and precision. All you need to do is to hire them and specify your requirements.”
Here’s why Kempf & Harris suggests hiring custom metal fabricators instead of a traditional fab shop:
The Sheet Metal Project Quality
The biggest reason to commit to a custom sheet metal fabrication company is the quality of produced work. Custom fabrication shops like Kempf & Harris in Frederick, Maryland, take the utmost pride in every sheet metal project. We see the value in craftsmanship, from metal selection to project installation.
To see our craftsmanship firsthand, visit our Projects. Our latest project is Cole Field House at the University of Maryland in College Park. Other valuable projects include Frederick Memorial Hospital and Gaithersburg Public Library. We’ve done it all — with pride in our work.
The Project Timeline
When the entire sheet metal project is by a single company, the project completes more efficiently and effectively. It’s completed within budget and on time, which saves you money on repair and replacement projects. It also saves you money on unnecessary maintenance.
The Materials
A custom fabrication shop has access to the highest quality materials. To start a great project, you need a great foundation of metal. Your next project could need stainless or soft steel, aluminum, copper, nickel, or other malleable metal. A custom fabrication shop offers these materials.
The Sheet Metal Tools & Techniques
Custom metal companies have capabilities beyond the standard fab shop. These custom shops hire skilled artisans to perform rare but critical sheet metal techniques. Some examples include punching, laser cutting, forming, machining, and welding.
To learn more about Kempf & Harris’ custom metal fabrication capabilities, visit our Services. You can also download our cheat sheets for fabricating and welding to learn more about custom techniques.
As for the tools of the trade, custom metal fabrication shops offer the latest automation and design technologies. These technologies advance any custom project request, including airplane cylinder blocks, skylights, and custom commercial ductwork. These common custom projects are no match for CAD, CADD, or CAM design, especially when complemented by other innovations.
For more information about sheet metal tools, download our new Sheet Metal Fabrication Process Poster. Kempf & Harris explains the top tools in a fab shop and how our projects benefit from using them. Click on the button below to get your copy:
The sheet metal fabrication industry is ever-changing. New computer technologies speed up old techniques. New power tools exterminate the need for so many hard-working hands. The constant in the industry is a custom fabricator. A company with the capability to perform all sheet metal techniques, access to a variety of tools, and the value of craftsmanship. A company like Kempf & Harris in Frederick, Maryland.
A similar blog post we wrote Welding Terminology and Abbreviations
Australian General Engineering is a Melbourne based General Engineering business that provides a comprehensive range of complete sheet metal fabrication Services