Since welding is the hot topic of the week, recommend me a self darkening helmet for under $100?
Since welding is the hot topic of the week, recommend me a self darkening helmet for under $100?
I've got the cheapo HF unit. The window is small, and after a full day of welding (very rare for me) my eyes are tired, so I suspect the lag time to darken could be better. OTOH, it was cheap, I'm not blind, and it's held up well as little as I use it.
I had the predecessor of this one for two rough years of near daily use before the light sensor died. Replacement parts cost as much as the mask IIRC. It was light and the mask itself was a flexible plastic which was nice for getting good viewing angles in odd places. That's how I weld at least. The Jackson I replaced it with has a stiffer plastic.
http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us/equipment/welding-gear/helmets/Pages/viking-1740.aspx
Adjustable shade is nice. I weld at a setting of "9".
I see HF has a helmet with just such a feature for $50. I believe my Miller helmets cost me like $250 by comparison.
http://www.harborfreight.com/adjustable-shade-auto-darkening-welding-helmet-46092.html
3M Speedglas off Craigslist. Or dig a little deeper if you don't want used. I got my 9100XX for $200 or so on Amazon Warehouse Deals.
You only get one set of eyes.
I used to think the HF hoods were good. They lasted about a year and seemed to offer everything I thought I needed. And then I bought a Weldcote on recommendation of the guys at the welding supply shop. I was looking at the Miller Digital Elite and a few others and they suggested I try out the Weldcote.
4 sensors, Large window, inexpensive. I think I sent out a group text to everyone I know apologizing for ever recommending the HF POS. It was like switching from VHS to bluray. A whole different world. I didn't notice the flash I was getting from the HF hood until it was gone. And if you do TIG note that it says not for TIG on the HF box. It won't always trigger when welding low amperage stuff.
http://www.amazon.com/Weldcote-Metals-DIGITAL-Auto-Darkening-Welding/dp/B00CXWYN4M
And now that I see it is that cheap on amazon I feel like I got ripped off at the brick and mortar store. I paid significantly more.
I have had it about 9 months. Still love it.
On the basis of "one pair of eyes" and "I hate to berkeley up a part with hours of machining tied up with a E36 M3ty weld" I finally threw down and got a Jackson Nexgen and it's like someone magically imbued me with welding talent.
The downside: Over $100
The upside: It's awesome and as I keep it in a bag in a box, it'll last forever.
I got a Hobart for $109 at Northern that I quite enjoy. Sorry for the budget push.
Along with motomoron's statement, I only have the 2 eyes, and I kind of like them. I ponied up for a Digital Elite, well over $100, but in my opinion worth it.
I used a ~$80 auto hood from TSC, maybe a Hobart, I don't recall, it flashed me more times than Secret Squirrel. If it was near freezing out, that hood wouldn't go dark and was useless for welding.
bigdaddylee82 wrote: ...I only have the 2 eyes, and I kind of like them.
I was told the following was posted in one of the laser labs at my brother's employer--
"Do not look into beam with remaining good eye"
I have a couple of those Harbor Freight helmets. Misplaced the first one so I bought another. First one worked great so I figured just buy another. Second one works for a while then for no reason at all, pow, stops darkening, see bright flash, scream, throw helmet. Luckily I found the first one again. Now the second one is reserved for annoying guests that want to bother me with questions when I'm welding.
Also if shopping used keep in mind that technology is always moving forward. My first auto darkening hood was a Jackson. Cost around $300 15 years ago. When it died 6 years later the $50 HF was just as good as it ever was, which is why I thought they were "fine"
A ten+ year old premium hood is probably not as good as a modern mid grade.
Go for big viewing area and 4 sensors.
http://peaveymartonline.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=722
i got mine on sale at tractor supply for around $89.
Norther Tool has a good one for about $60. It works better than the HF one it replaced.
Bumping this back up. I got a free Craftsman Mig welder and am starting to learn the basics.
Has anything changed in the past couple of years for auto-darkening welding helmets?
In reply to CrustyRedXpress :
Cheap ones are about the same. Higher end ones have less color distortion and quicker reaction time now.
Thanks R50R.
I'm looking at one from Lincoln for 60$, reaction time is 1/10,000. No info on distortion, so i imagine it's not great. 2 sensors.
In reply to CrustyRedXpress :
The newer high end Miller, 3M and ESAB helmets have mostly eradicated the classic greenish tint of welding helmets. That's what I meant by less color distortion.
In reply to NOHOME :
That's the one I have. There is definitely a lag to the auto darkening, and it's noticeable if you're welding all day, but for as much as I do it gets the job done.
Our guys at work all swear by Speedglas.
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