Topic: Auto Darkening Welding Helmets (Read 38620 times)

TunerToys · « **on:** February 11, 2010, 11:45:31 PM »

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

Corey · « **Reply #1 on:** February 11, 2010, 11:53:32 PM »

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.

hotrex · « **Reply #2 on:** February 12, 2010, 12:18:19 AM »

i loved my miller but i like my jackson with the nexgen eqc lense better

90turboteg · « **Reply #3 on:** February 12, 2010, 01:20:43 AM »

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...

turbob16hatch · « **Reply #4 on:** February 12, 2010, 01:26:21 AM »

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.

ryan89crx · « **Reply #5 on:** February 12, 2010, 03:11:15 AM »

I rock a Huntsman 411P with an ArcOne Super Singles 240 retrofit lens. Works great and relatively cheap.

t_cel_t · « **Reply #6 on:** February 12, 2010, 03:48:06 AM »

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?

turbob16hatch · « **Reply #7 on:** February 12, 2010, 04:39:26 AM »

Quote from: t_cel_t on February 12, 2010, 03:48:06 AM

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.

Ntrain2k · « **Reply #8 on:** February 12, 2010, 06:39:10 AM »

Quote from: t_cel_t on February 12, 2010, 03:48:06 AM

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.

CSaddict · « **Reply #9 on:** February 12, 2010, 06:51:56 AM »

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.

nock · « **Reply #10 on:** February 12, 2010, 08:44:04 AM »

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.

SgtB · « **Reply #11 on:** February 12, 2010, 02:29:28 PM »

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.

malichite · « **Reply #12 on:** February 12, 2010, 02:32:24 PM »

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.

weirtech · « **Reply #13 on:** February 12, 2010, 03:41:18 PM »

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.

ryan89crx · « **Reply #14 on:** February 12, 2010, 06:22:33 PM »

Quote from: weirtech on February 12, 2010, 03:41:18 PM

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

TunerToys · « **Reply #15 on:** February 12, 2010, 08:21:47 PM »

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

Passenger · « **Reply #16 on:** February 12, 2010, 08:34:18 PM »

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.

ADSR · « **Reply #17 on:** February 12, 2010, 09:52:44 PM »

Quote from: weirtech on February 12, 2010, 03:41:18 PM

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.

Toysrme · « **Reply #18 on:** February 12, 2010, 10:05:22 PM »

Speedglas. Best of everything. Best optics, lightest weight, most comfortable, longest life for consumeables.

jay · « **Reply #19 on:** February 13, 2010, 01:57:36 AM »

Quote from: Toysrme on February 12, 2010, 10:05:22 PM

Speedglas. Best of everything. Best optics, lightest weight, most comfortable, longest life for consumeables.

what model do you have

nock · « **Reply #20 on:** February 13, 2010, 06:32:56 AM »

^ the one that shows you porn when you pull it down ^

PhilStubbs · « **Reply #21 on:** February 13, 2010, 01:56:42 PM »

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

Toysrme · « **Reply #22 on:** February 13, 2010, 04:54:23 PM »

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.

malichite · « **Reply #23 on:** February 13, 2010, 10:39:58 PM »

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.

jay · « **Reply #24 on:** February 14, 2010, 12:07:28 AM »

Quote from: SecksyPeePee on February 13, 2010, 01:56:42 PM

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

jay · « **Reply #25 on:** February 14, 2010, 12:09:42 AM »

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94336

TunerToys · « **Reply #26 on:** February 14, 2010, 01:54:54 AM »

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

jay · « **Reply #27 on:** February 14, 2010, 01:59:22 AM »

thanks!

sorry for thread jacking lol

HiProfile · « **Reply #28 on:** February 14, 2010, 05:03:54 AM »

Quote from: turbob16hatch on February 12, 2010, 01:26:21 AM

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).

t_cel_t · « **Reply #29 on:** February 14, 2010, 07:22:58 AM »

Quote from: jay on February 14, 2010, 12:09:42 AM

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

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Author Topic: Auto Darkening Welding Helmets (Read 38620 times)