:::RHMT::: Real Home Made Turbo
General Category => Fabrication => Topic started by: TunerToys on February 11, 2010, 11:45:31 PM
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Okay you welding nogs,
How about some auto-darkening welding helmet recommendations? I'm only looking for those folks with real world experience, no wannabes. I'm not looking for folks to tell me about the helmet they dream of owning someday, but real users with real experience.
(I just invested about $3000 in lasik procedures on my eyes, and don't want to burn my shit)
$200 is my max. Helmets I've looked at so far are the Harbor Freight goodness, and the Lowes brand, also perused the eBay offerings and was tempted by the HTP Carbon at $75 bones.
All appear to meet some sort of ANSI spec, and all of them that I can afford are prob made in China.
Which helmets have you guys had absolutely no bad experiences with?
Craig
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cant go wrong with a miller. alot of people like the speedglas helmets but my buddy had a higher end one a few years ago that i didnt like. although they might be out of your prce range.
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i loved my miller but i like my jackson with the nexgen eqc lense better
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ya my nexgen/jackson has lasted 5+ years no problems, tig weld every day with it. was 140-160 i belive, my work paid for half. i also have a performance series miller that works well. i think they are over 200, but the pro hobby's are around your price range... but the nexgen has torch and grinding settings also, all digital, the miller equivalent is 350+ elite...
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speedglas for me, it works pretty good, although i have heard the miller has more sensors so it has a less likelyhood to flash you.
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I rock a Huntsman 411P with an ArcOne Super Singles 240 retrofit lens. Works great and relatively cheap.
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my harbor fright with the sweet blue flame stickers was like 35 with the coupon out of maxim.
i have not noticed any flash at all with it, also helps that the off shade is like a 5, can almost weld like that alone.
maybe the higher end ones have a lower off shade?
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my harbor fright with the sweet blue flame stickers was like 35 with the coupon out of maxim.
i have not noticed any flash at all with it, also helps that the off shade is like a 5, can almost weld like that alone.
maybe the higher end ones have a lower off shade?
They do, it isn't very dark when off. They do that so you can see when tacking and shit.
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my harbor fright with the sweet blue flame stickers was like 35 with the coupon out of maxim.
i have not noticed any flash at all with it, also helps that the off shade is like a 5, can almost weld like that alone.
maybe the higher end ones have a lower off shade?
+1
I've been using the blue flame HF special for a few weeks now. No complaints at all. Set the switch for fast reaction and it's instant on the darkening. Good visibility when not kicked on as well.
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My Miller Elite has been good to me. The Harbor Freight one I had at the shop shit the bed earlier, not that I used it much.
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i picked up a optrel satelite the other day, its not a bad hood. weight is comparable to the speedglas, dual sensors, grind mode, never fogs up on me. it has a 5-13 shade and is super bright when its open, the controls are on the left side, and are nice and big. only thing i dont like is that its fucking blue, when its open it has a greenish look to it, but when you start welding its fucking blue, other then that is great. most places have them for $250-275.
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Didn't like my old speedglass. It false tripped too much, and that helmet flashed me so many times. It's really bad working over the top of things. Miller makes a good helmet in the 250 range. I've been using my $40 northern tools one for 6 months now. I wouldn't use it for a professional welding job, but only because the band and drop knock are a little loose. The lens is just as fast and clear as my buddies miller, but not quite as adjustable. I do use it almost every day though. Just don't beat on it.
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Ive used the older speedglas before and it did flash me a lot. I am however going out on a limb and ordering the new 9100 series. It has a delay built in now before it undims so I am hoping that will help curb the flashing. Other then that I liked it a lot. I also used a miller (not sure of which one) and it was very nice. The one I used was short on controls but comfortable and sturdy. Didn't seem to have to many issues with it.
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miller elite works for me. i use a 2x lense with it. helps with seeing the puddle. took a while to get used to it, but now i hardly notice.
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miller elite works for me. i use a 2x lense with it. helps with seeing the puddle. took a while to get used to it, but now i hardly notice.
I run a 150 cheater lens. A lot of people don't like them, but it helps me out
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So I ended up buying one from Lowes. I had $75 in gift certificates, so it ended up about as cheap as the HF version. I'l let you guys know if it is decent or not.
Craig
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We rock the Miller Elites here, the new digital one is pretty sweet, they have 4 sensors (more than competitors) and the largest lense. The new X mode is awesome for low amperage tig.
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miller elite works for me. i use a 2x lense with it. helps with seeing the puddle. took a while to get used to it, but now i hardly notice.
i run the same.
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Speedglas. Best of everything. Best optics, lightest weight, most comfortable, longest life for consumeables.
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Speedglas. Best of everything. Best optics, lightest weight, most comfortable, longest life for consumeables.
what model do you have
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^ the one that shows you porn when you pull it down ^ O0
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my HF hood has been damn good to me for the $50 i paid for it 7-8 years ago. it recently started not working at all sometimes. usually flicking the fast/slow switch back and forth gets it going again but not always. i think im going to spend a few dollars more when i replace it soon
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I primarily use a Speedglas SL because it's hyper comfy.
I bought a backup Speedglas 9100 afew weeks ago. It's nice also, but not as light weight.
Since you paid money for lasiks, dont use a hardbor frieght POS. They leak light & dont filter well. Definately not something you would wear if you were a real welder working a full shift. Not even as a backup.
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Yeah, my HF hood was great on my HF Tig, but once I sparked up the syncro with it and welded for about 20-30 minutes, my fucking eyes hurt like a bitch. Cant wait for my speedglas to get here.
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my HF hood has been damn good to me for the $50 i paid for it 7-8 years ago. it recently started not working at all sometimes. usually flicking the fast/slow switch back and forth gets it going again but not always. i think im going to spend a few dollars more when i replace it soon
i think imma pick up a hf helmet and if it works like shit then ill return it
moneys a bitch right now so meh
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http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94336 (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94336)
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Welcome back Jay!
I used the Kobalt helmet today for quite a while, the autodark feature works pretty well, and I am not feeling any ill affects to the eyes. So far I am happy with it.
Craig
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thanks!
sorry for thread jacking lol
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speedglas for me, it works pretty good, although i have heard the miller has more sensors so it has a less likelyhood to flash you.
I have the cheapest speedglas, but I hate how it turns off as fast as it turns on. I'm sure it's faster/safer than a HF unit, but you have one setting: on/off. That's it. If you're welding in an odd possition or really bad shit (bad arc), it flashes on/off and fucks you up. Almost best to leave it off for the "middle" setting it gives you than to get flashed. I'm thinking about adding a delay circuit to it like I put on my e-cutout's relay.
BTW lasik deals with your cornea (front), welding deals with your optic nerves (rear).
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http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94336 (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94336)
fuck that one, get the blue flamer one
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=91214 (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=91214)
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also you guys do know you can get awesome regular non-autodarkening helmets with the gold lenses that actually allow you see color for very cheap. i learned with a regular helmet, its not that hard to do.
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We rock the salty penis here, the black veiny ones taste pretty sweet, they have a big purple tip (more than a white guy) and the largest girth. The new astroglide is awesome for taking it deep.
hmm interesting. but in fact the nexgen eqc is THE fastest reacting and largest lense with the most features on the market. and... lense cost is waaay cheaper and for me free compared to my old elite because my work supplied all the 4 1/2 x 5 1/4 lenses i could shake a stick at
btw ur gay
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also you guys do know you can get awesome regular non-autodarkening helmets with the gold lenses that actually allow you see color for very cheap. i learned with a regular helmet, its not that hard to do.
maybe not on a bench but if uve ever mirror welded ud realize the necessity of the good auto. errant strike marks are a nono
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http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94336 (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94336)
fuck that one, get the blue flamer one
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=91214 (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=91214)
the other one specifically says ittl work for low amp tigging :/
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http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94336 (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94336)
fuck that one, get the blue flamer one
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=91214 (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=91214)
^2
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the blue flamer one i have is super sensitive, it darkens when i look at the little florescent light in the garage.
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the blue flamer one i have is super sensitive, it darkens when i look at the little florescent light in the garage.
Yep. No worries about getting flashed.
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so its blue flamer one vs speedglass 9002 helmet with hardhat for 150 slightly used
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Pipeliner w/ a 4x2 AD lense .. im a pipe welder so a pipeliner is all i know! big ups to Local 430 for givin me my first hood i still have and use 6yrs later
(https://realhomemadeturbo.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi71.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fi159%2Fkckustums%2F100_0966.jpg&hash=6fd48bb78ff1669f29136ea4373868b87b0d3509)
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Can someone explain to me why "pipe" welders use those style hoods? i'm having a n00b moment.
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everyone has diff reasons why the use em... but when ur at the bottom of a piece of pipe and ur pretty much welding over head, ur body is contorted on a piece of shit scaffold that mexicans build. it helps to keep sparks away from ur face/ears i use my welding cap flap over my left ear since im right handed and left ear is pointed up
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got my Speedglas 9100Xx today and it is tits. No flashing issues yet.
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so its blue flamer one vs speedglass 9002 helmet with hardhat for 150 slightly used
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I have the 9002X its kind of annoying cause the headgear needs to be tighten every now and then.
When welding in really weird angles I tend to get flash but only a couple of times ...wish i got the baller 9100
so its blue flamer one vs speedglass 9002 helmet with hardhat for 150 slightly used
not bad for 150 with hard hat
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HF helmet works fine for my light duty welding, I only crank up the welder a few times a year.
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i got a blue flamer one too when it was on sale for like %40 off or whatever. its comfortable even more so then some expensive ones i tried on i think they were speed glass or some $250-300 shit. the HF one seemed lighter and the headgear didnt piss me off.
the off shade is pretty dark, but thats good incase its not as fast on/off as clamied i guess. but ive not noticed any headach or eye burning and i guess even if it fails the worst that will happen is discomfort from brightness, because the lense blocks the dangerous rays reguardless if its on or off dark. this is what i read on the internet at least :yes:
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i havent seen the new hf hoods, do they look very similar to any other bands. kinda like the hf impact guns that look remarkably similar to the craftsman stuff that is "made in america by a band you can trust"
yes, i will buy anything that is made in chimerica, and on sale, with a rebate, and with a possible coupon trifecta. no mr, i sell tools out of a glorified taco truck, i do not want the easy payment plan, i want tools, i want real tools, tools that dont whine because there dirty, tools that put themselves away, and dont keep hiding when i cant find them, tools that understand there short fleeting existence, tools that will order me another one and then thou themselves in the trash, tools that i can break and not feel bad, i want tools made in chimerica. thank you, and good morning...
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I use a cheap ass princess auto on, and franklly it works great for me. Then again ive never used an expensive bucket before.
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Pipeliner w/ a 4x2 AD lense .. im a pipe welder so a pipeliner is all i know! big ups to Local 430 for givin me my first hood i still have and use 6yrs later
I'm still looking for a hand-me-down pipeliner hood. Our hall sells the Huntsman 411p to all the new welders. I know I could buy one, but I'm a cheapass :noel:
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pro...
(https://realhomemadeturbo.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.plwelder.com%2Fsc_images%2Fproducts%2F448_image.png&hash=1cc89d8487d6e4def7e0b331411f7e971ce5f670)
(https://realhomemadeturbo.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.plwelder.com%2Fsc_images%2Fproducts%2F531_image.jpg&hash=9f7d514d8effd6857de5cf18794e074b7ad230a9)
but im not liken the my little pony thing to much
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coolest fukn hood evar! O0
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Fucking horses are awesome!!! ::)
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Last pipeline I was on, all the welders used those when they were at the bottom. Up top they would use the typical pipeliner hood, but lower they switched to that one.
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yea pancake hoods are legit!
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Pipeliner w/ a 4x2 AD lense .. im a pipe welder so a pipeliner is all i know! big ups to Local 430 for givin me my first hood i still have and use 6yrs later
(https://realhomemadeturbo.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi71.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fi159%2Fkckustums%2F100_0966.jpg&hash=6fd48bb78ff1669f29136ea4373868b87b0d3509)
im also a pipe welder and theres no way id ever use that piece o shit. oh and fuck the union.,
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my harbor fright with the sweet blue flame stickers was like 35 with the coupon out of maxim.
i have not noticed any flash at all with it, also helps that the off shade is like a 5, can almost weld like that alone.
maybe the higher end ones have a lower off shade?
+1
I've been using the blue flame HF special for a few weeks now. No complaints at all. Set the switch for fast reaction and it's instant on the darkening. Good visibility when not kicked on as well.
I have a plain blue HF special that's ~3 years old or so. It started out great then started flashing me pretty badly. Long story short, it's meant to be operated and maintained by the solar panel built into it and a couple years of sitting caused the problems. If I leave it out in the sun for an hour it doesn't flash me, if I do not then my results vary.
To do over, I'd buy a decent helmet. The one that came with a friend's Diversion 165 is solid, I would recommend.
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I got a Jackson Executive EQC HLTS a few years ago that I like a lot. Got it for $265 from weldingsupply.com