Welding helmets without auto-darkening

Mask

— classic welding helmets that are not related to chameleons (see the relevant paragraph) — that is, having light filters with constant darkening. In shape, such products can resemble both shields and closed helmets, but they are all fixed on the head (unlike shields) and completely cover the face (unlike glasses). The advantages of traditional welding helmets are simplicity, reliability and very low cost. On the other hand, they are somewhat less convenient than "chameleons": almost nothing is visible through a dark filter until the arc burns. Because of this, during work, the welder has to constantly raise and lower manually either the entire mask or the light filter (if it is folding, see "Functions and Capabilities"); and you have to hold the electrode at the beginning of welding almost blindly, which increases the risk of errors. So nowadays, this option is considered budgetary; it is worth paying attention to if low cost is of key importance to you, or if the mask is purchased for episodic simple work where high accuracy is not required.