Welding has become a staple in industrial processes. Aside from being the most common method to join metals, it is also the most efficient.
The field of welding has come a long way since first using electricity to power the machines. There have been many types of welding invented for different purposes and materials. And its popularity in industrial processes continues to skyrocket.
It doesn’t come without risks, however, since the activity exposes welders to the extremes. Metals have notoriously high melting points, so in order to join metals together, they must be subjected to very high temperatures. And the process of creating these high temperatures involves chemicals that produce harmful substances in the aftermath.
As a result, the industry started creating more than just welding machines. Personal protective equipment played catch-up to the innovation of welding machines. And more than a century of creating products to minimize the risks of welding accumulated to probably the best welding helmet produced by Lincoln Electric—the Viking 3350 welding helmet.
What sets the Lincoln Viking 3550 welding helmet apart from other helmets?
Lincoln Electric is one of the most trusted brands in industrial products because of its long history in welding. It was founded in 1895 in Cleveland, Ohio, as a product of the industrial revolution that happened a few decades earlier.
Since its establishment, Lincoln Electric has been a participant in major industrial advancements, especially in the present welding process. The company has produced machines for every decade of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Lincoln Electric is a leader in the welding industry and one of the pioneers in using electricity for industrial machines. After more than 125 years of being in the industry, the company naturally progressed from solely creating welding machines to other supplementary welding equipment.
The company certainly did not limit itself to just welding machines. In time, they saw the need for quality protective equipment for welders because of how dangerous the job could be. So with the same passion and grit, they created their own line of personal protective equipment to complement their welding machines.
After more than a century in the field of welding, they have produced perhaps the best welding helmet today—that is the Viking 3350 welding helmet.
We say that this might be the best welding helmet of this age for a reason. Welding is a very hazardous activity, especially for the eyes. You are exposed to extreme temperatures, and to complete a job, you often have to stare at really bright sparks for hours. In addition, the chemicals and processes in welding create UV light that can cause eye strain.
So for a long time, welding helmet manufacturers have been laboring to create a helmet that protects the eyes and has a good view of the weld puddle for a better weld. It is a grueling process to create the right balance between a helmet that protects and doesn’t let you go to work blindly. But decades of hard work for Lincoln Electric paid off with the invention of the Viking 3350.
Why should you consider purchasing this particular welding helmet?
The danger and difficulty of welding may be part of the fun, but putting on the proper safety gear makes the process all the more enjoyable. Unfortunately, you can’t separate welding and danger completely. So what do you have to do as a welder? Minimize the danger factor as much as you can.
Your safety shouldn’t be thrifted—this means no subpar personal protective equipment while welding. As the saying goes, “It’s better to be safe than sorry.”
There are many welding-related injuries that you could suffer from if you’re not wearing the right gear, more so when you are working on an industrial site. One common welding-related injury that you could easily avoid with the right welding helmet is flash burn.
Other terms for the flash burn are “welder’s flash” or “arc eye.” It is an injury to the cornea caused by long or constant exposure to ultraviolet rays—these cause the cornea to be inflamed. Basically, it’s like staring at the sun for too long without any eye protection on.
People who have welder’s flash don’t immediately feel pain in their eyes until a few hours after the injury. Other common symptoms include redness of the eyes, the sand-like sensation when blinking, watery eyes, and sensitivity to light.
Even if you’re only welding as a hobby, you shouldn’t cut back on spending money for protection gear like suits, gloves, and a welding helmet. If anything, this is the part of welding you should choose the best materials for.
And that’s exactly what the Lincoln Viking 3350 welding helmet is—the best. Sure, it can set you back more than what you can buy other helmets for, but it will all be worth it. After all, if you are going to splurge on anything for welding, spend your hard-earned money on equipment that will protect you better.
The Advantages of Owning a Lincoln Viking 3350 Welding Helmet
One key feature that has garnered positive reviews from customers who bought the helmet is its ability to show true color. The exclusive 4C Lens technology that Lincoln is advertising lives up to expectations.
If you have been using other helmets before, you might not believe how a welding helmet can let you see what you are doing in full color. We can thank Lincoln’s 4C lens technology for this. So say goodbye to second-guessing what you see through your helmet when you buy the Viking 3350.
One more advantage of the 4C technology lens is that it offers an extremely fast auto-darkening feature, ensuring fuss-free viewing mode shifts as you weld. The problem with most auto-darkening helmets is the time it takes to switch from a normal lens to a dark lens. The Viking 3350, on the other hand, takes only 1/25,000 of a second to change into an auto-darkening welding helmet. For scale, the camera shutter speed used to photograph birds mid-flight without blur is only 1/1000. So imagine how fast the transition into auto-darkening is.
Another key feature is the helmet’s versatility for multiple welding processes. Whether you are working at home or at a construction site, you can use this helmet easily. When you are at home, you can use it as is, and if you’re working on-site, the pivot style headgear helmet can actually accommodate a hard hat (subject to size).
So you don’t need to take off your hard hat while using this helmet. Moreover, you don’t need to compromise your safety further.
Other features of this helmet include:
- 1/1/1/1 Optical Clarity
- 12.5 Square Inches Viewing Screen for improved visibility
- Innovative X6 Headgear to distribute weight, reduce pressure, and optimal fit
- Low profile external grind control
- Weight: 3 pounds
- 2 CR5 Solar Powered Batteries
The Disadvantages of the Lincoln Electric Viking 3350 Welding Helmet
Based on the Lincoln Viking 3350 welding helmet review sections online, there are many advantages to using the product. However, no product will be perfect for everyone.
One recurring negative review people have with this helmet is that it doesn’t fit well with their hard hat. It is actually an understandable flaw since not all hard hats were made the same. And the ones used to model this helmet’s headgear might be smaller or larger than the hard hat you have. When it comes to sizing, you need to manage your expectations, especially in buying online.
Another drawback for this helmet is its price. It is considerably more expensive than other helmet brands out there. So if you are a hobbyist, you might hesitate to buy this helmet.
There is a reason why it’s so expensive, though. The design and craftsmanship of this helmet are very well thought out. It’s designed not to be limited to a type of welding but can also be used in TIG welding, MIG welding, or stick welding.
So in buying this helmet, keep these things in mind and understand that even though it has very good feedback from customers, it’s not a perfect product. Unfortunately, manage your expectations but appreciate this helmet’s great features.
Where can I buy the Lincoln Viking 3350 series?
These helmets are usually sold at hardware stores with other welding supplies. If you check your local hardware and don’t find the helmet, don’t worry. These are also widely available online.
There are some downsides to buying online, that’s true. But sometimes you really have no choice but to buy online especially given the current health circumstances we are in. If that’s the case, make sure to buy from legitimate online websites and authorized sellers.
When you’re buying online, you need to take the extra precaution of checking the store you are buying from to see whether they are really selling original products. There are many counterfeits out there, so you need to be critical of the products you are buying.
Final Word
So is this welding helmet the best one there is? We think so. And the Viking 3350 welding helmet review sections from customers are proof.
In terms of features, this helmet rises way above the other competitors. You can even say that this helmet is on another level entirely. And this helmet’s main attraction does not disappoint at all.
Most people buy this helmet for its 4C lens technology. They are intrigued by its promise of a full-color view while welding because that doesn’t happen with other helmets. But they end up getting so much more than what they ask for.
They experience 1/1/1/1 optical clarity through a 12.5 square-inch viewing screen. On top of that, the auto-darkening mode switches faster than a snap of a finger. This helmet has eliminated all the previous problems with other welding helmets, like transition time into auto-darkening and distorted image through the screen.
And finally, for maximum comfort, it has a very adjustable headgear that could even accommodate a hard hat for working in active construction sites. It’s not too heavy at all and uses a replaceable lithium battery.
So if you are looking for an upgrade from your current helmet, buy this actual upgrade to whatever helmet you currently use—it’s well worth it.
August 8, 2022