Maybe a Huntsman?
https://www.airgas.com/product/Safe...Head,-Eye-&-Face-Protection/Welding-Helmets/Welding-Helmet---Passive/p/SEL14528

 

This is the route I was going to suggest also. However I recommend the bare bones fiber version as it is lighter. Replacement headgears and pivots are still available separately. However you want to adjust with hood off the head to prevent strain on the ratchet. These last for decades once broken in. Put some plumbers paste on the screws to keep them in place intitially then they stay put forever. https://harrisweldingsupplies.com/j...-fiber-shell-welding-helmet/?sku=14527&msclkid=062b076584261c479c896f7168bfd6f6

I too have a small head. The headgear has a catch at the top and the bottom of the stroke. You can add lambswool and a leather neck bib too that I personally cut in half.This Huntsman 411p is light and airy, and can even be trimmed down closer to the disconntinued 711p.

View attachment 711p-style-welding-helmet.jpg

 

Welcome to the gang. Have you thought of looking at headgear on AMAZON or at your local LWS? My last 2 hoods(auto dark) came with pretty nice headgear but I can't comment on how small they will go. I'm pretty sure you could adapt any headgear to any hood with a little thought & work. Best wishes!

 

Thank you!! I have checked local supply shops, but i think it was just my lid. I may go back and try and try a different headgear and welding lid combo.
Tha

 

Most folks have the same issue. You either spend a lot of time adjusting for odd angles or you figure out how to live with it. That is why the lenses have kept getting larger over the years. Larger is designed for better peripheral viewing.

There are a lot of head gear to choose from and some are pretty expensive with the 5 point of contact and variable adjustability. I've used most all of them and still keep going back to the very old style standard head gear that allows for easy hood manipulation without a lot of re-adjusting.

 

Yeah that makes sense. Ill have to keep looking for the right head gear.

Thank you!

 

For what it's worth, the Optrel Crystal 2.0 hood has an exterior button to switch between weld mode and grind mode. It's fast and easy to use and you don't have to flip up your hood.

Plus the clarity of the weld is not to be believed.

 

Thank you! I have considered these, but i really dont like the grind mode on auto darkening hoods. I used to have one, and i found the shade they use is always a bit too dark so i cant grind properly, compared to flip tops.
I have considered the more expensive ones like 3M speed glass or Optrel Helix but theyre just quite pricey.

 

Thanks for your detailed question—this is a common challenge for welders with smaller head sizes, especially when using flip-top helmets.


Since you've already tried popular options like the Miller and Fibre-Metal flip fronts, here are a few professional recommendations to consider:

1. Optrel Headgear Retrofit: Optrel makes headgear with excellent adjustability and a more compact design. While their hoods are mostly auto-darkening, some users retrofit the headgear onto lighter flip-top lids for a better fit.
   
2. Fibre-Metal Pipeliner with 3-C Gearbox Headgear: The 3-C Gearbox offers improved adjustability over Fibre-Metal’s stock ratcheting system and may help reduce slippage during overhead work.
   
3. Sellstrom Ultra-Light Flip Front: Designed with comfort in mind, the Sellstrom 390 series offers a smaller form factor and decent viewing height, with headgear that tends to fit smaller heads better than most.
   
4. Custom Padding or Liners: Adding foam or aftermarket liners can help reduce helmet shift, especially when working in overhead positions. This also helps with comfort during long hours.
   
5. Jackson Safety Insight with HaloX Headgear: Although typically used with auto-darkening lenses, the Jackson HaloX headgear is one of the most adjustable systems available, and could be paired with a passive lens if you prefer flip-tops.

Ultimately, a custom-fit or modified setup may be your best bet. Some welders with smaller heads find success by combining a preferred hood with headgear from another brand.


Would you like help sourcing any of these products or seeing what retrofits are possible for a specific hood.

 

https://parcilsafety.com/products/p...ts/pre-sale-wf-100-welding-industrial-full-face-respirator-with-o-a-x-cartridge

Saw this last week. No replacement clear glass is kinda a killer though.