No two welders are the same, but every welder needs their welding helmet to be able to weld, and every welding helmet needs to be properly maintained to perform at its peak.
To help out, we’ve broken down the recommended change frequencies for PAPR filters and core spare parts for your Speedglas welding helmet. It is worth noting that the recommendations provided here are based on a minimum of 4 hours usage per day.
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3M SPEEDGLAS FLIP-UP WELDING HELMET 9100XXi FX AIR with ADFLO PAPR |
We recommend replacing your pre-filter once or twice a week, as this will have a direct knock on effect on the other components of your Adflo system. Most notably, regular turnover of the pre-filter will lessen the workload of the particle filter, saving you money and helping extend your Adflo PAPR battery life. This in turn will ensure you receive the best possible value for money in the long run.
As soon as the indicator on your filter turns red, it’s time to give it an emotional sendoff and get a replacement. Alternately, you may need to swap out for a fresh filter when the battery operating time becomes too short, or when the low airflow alarm is triggered by a fully loaded filter. We anticipate you’ll be replacing your particle filter monthly at the very least.
The rate at which you should replace your gas filter will be dictated by the regulations at your workplace. Please note that smell and taste are not recommended as a measure of change.
At the risk of stating the obvious, the minute you smell an unpleasant odour is the minute your odour filter needs changing. You’re welcome. Oh, and when you’re ready to change, you can purchase an odour filter replacement pad instead of a whole new filter, saving you a few bucks.
As your helmet’s first line of defence, it’s inevitable that your outside cover lens will accumulate scratches and spatter while you work. As such, you should look to change it out whenever the lens becomes deeply scratched or too dirty to clean with a soft cloth. We estimate this will be necessary once or twice a week, though this does of course depend on the conditions under which you are welding.
If you’re working in particularly extreme conditions and find the standard lens is constantly needing to be replaced, you may consider upgrading to either the scratch resistant or high temperature lenses. Built to withstand harsher environments, these should provide more longevity for heavy duty welding applications.
The inside cover lens should require less turnover, provided it is looked after and regularly cleaned. Typically, you should only need to replace it once a month, though again this will vary from welder to welder. Put simply, the lens should be replaced whenever it incurs damage or when visibility starts to decrease. It’s worth noting that you should never weld without your inside cover lens inserted, as it protects the auto-darkening lens from any dust, sweat or particulates that may cause damage.
You’ve purchased a flip-front welding helmet so that you get an uninterrupted, clear viewing while you grind. So, why not keep it that way? Grinding sparks and particles can cause damage to your grinding visor and impact it’s clarity, so we suggest looking to replace this every 2 weeks, or more often in the event that visibility is reduced.
Welding isn’t all glamour; there is sweat involved. The sweatband inside your helmet can make all the difference, so be sure to put in a fresh one when things start to drift into unhygienic territory. You should be making this switch at least once a month, or more regularly depending on the nature of the work and your surrounding environment. Also, if you’re one of those people who sweats more than most, you’ll need to swallow your pride and stock up accordingly.
If you’re rocking a Speedglas respiratory welding helmet, this is another item where replacement is largely tied to hygiene. While our recommendation is to replace your face seal every 2 months, you may well need to do so more often. This certainly applies to those working in an especially dirty environment.
3M™ Speedglas™ welding helmets are designed for professional welders. Built with over 35 years of experience, the Speedglas brand is synonymous with welding protection and offers a wide range of welding helmets and powered air systems to suit most welding applications.