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Welding Helmet

Discussion in 'Shop Safety' started by HellsBells, Jan 13, 2009.

  1. Jan 13, 2009
    HellsBells

    HellsBells Burning rubber!

    Cedar Rapids, IA
    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2008
    Messages:
    35
    There are alot to choose from, and I wanted to find out who has one that they swear by.

    I have seen a few that look cool but I am looking for an auto darken helmet but not break the bank. Any input is greatly appreciated!

    :flag:
     
  2. Jan 13, 2009
    $ sink

    $ sink Gazillians of posts

    Virginia Bch
    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2004
    Messages:
    1,373
    got a cheapo auto darken helmet through Harbor Freight, works like a champ
     
  3. Jan 13, 2009
    VintageJeeper

    VintageJeeper New Member

    Huron, Ohio
    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2006
    Messages:
    33
  4. Jan 13, 2009
    jayhawkclint

    jayhawkclint ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

    Oklahoma City, USA
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    May 18, 2006
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    2,622
  5. Jan 13, 2009
    HellsBells

    HellsBells Burning rubber!

    Cedar Rapids, IA
    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2008
    Messages:
    35
  6. Jan 13, 2009
    neptco19

    neptco19 That guy....

    Athens, GA
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2003
    Messages:
    1,381
    I use my miller elite series almost daily for around 3yrs now and love it. Frank on the board has the one of the skulls that you pictured above and I think he's fixing to ditch it for a entry level miller. That skull has too long of a delay darkening and even when its dark it isnt dark enough. The miller came with about 10 extra lenses, and nice little storage bag.

    edit... heres a link to the one I have http://store.cyberweld.com/hohobigwiela2.html
     
    Last edited: Jan 13, 2009
  7. Jan 13, 2009
    mb82

    mb82 I feel great!

    Charlottesville Va
    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2003
    Messages:
    2,706
    I have the HF one. I am sure for Jasons use it is not enough but for my use it is great. I mean I have not done a full days worth of welding in years, normally it is about 10-15mins here and there maybe a half hour if the project is big.
     
  8. Jan 13, 2009
    mikieboy

    mikieboy Member

    Jacksonville, FL
    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2005
    Messages:
    155
    I also have one of the Harbor Freight helmets. It is great for the price. Not a heavy duty helmet, but fine for what I do. If you look at them or others get the one with the bigger window. It is much easier to see with. The bigger windows cost a little more, but once you try it, you will like the bigger window. This is what I have, same helmet just different color.......... Harbor Freight ITEM 94336-2VGA
     
  9. Jan 13, 2009
    Psychojeeper

    Psychojeeper Aint 'sposed to be pretty

    Las Cruces, New...
    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2005
    Messages:
    368
    My wife gave me a Lincoln auto-darkening for Christmas and I love it, although it took a bit getting used to the shades of yellow instead of green, and it gave me a headache the first couple times I used it till I got used to it, darkens to a #10 shade, I prefer an 11 so I may add what someone told me was a "comfort lense/filter"
     
  10. Jan 14, 2009
    DKillam

    DKillam Sponsor

    San Angelo, Texas
    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2005
    Messages:
    228
    Miller Elite is my favorite! Large window, easily adjustable & comfortable headband, grind mode, adjustable shade... :)
    Of course I used a head-snapper hood and AC stick before getting a MIG and auto darkening hood so I don't have much to compare to. :rofl:
     
  11. Jan 14, 2009
    bkd

    bkd Moderator Supreme Staff Member 2022 Sponsor

    K-Town Tenn.
    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2007
    Messages:
    3,294
    another vote for HF auto dark unit , it's worked great for all the mods on my Jeep. If I welded for a living I'd surely upgrade however
    Jim S.
     
  12. Jan 14, 2009
    Jeepman252

    Jeepman252 Sponsor

    Menomonie, WI
    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2005
    Messages:
    198
    Same helmet I use at work. Just got it a month ago and it rocks!
    What I like about it:
    1 large window
    2 when not welding, the window isn't as dark as others I have used. Its easier to make adjustments, check the weld, etc without flipping up the helmet
    3 it has 4 welding sensors. most of the cheaper helmets only have 2, mid line units have 3. I weld around corners alot and having those extra sensors has completely eliminated accidental flashes
    4 lots of adjustability for shades and delay

    Even though it was a $300 helmet, I would definitly buy one for home use.
     
  13. Jan 15, 2009
    Walt Couch

    Walt Couch sidehill Cordele, Ga. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    cordele, Ga.
    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2007
    Messages:
    5,916
    I have the HF one and got it at a tool discount group that comes thru town often and paid $29.00 W/batteries. Works great for me.
     
  14. Jan 20, 2009
    rixcj

    rixcj Member

    Rhode Island
    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2006
    Messages:
    351
    I also have the Miller Elite. I bought my first one a few years ago. I loved it. That one had a push button "on" switch. Eventually the switch died. I called about replacing the switch/ main electrical lens housing, but it's not worth it.It's almost as much as a new hood.

    I bought another Elite hood, this year. It is "auto-on" when you strike an arc, so no "on" switch to wear out.

    I weld for a living, and it is a great hood.
     
  15. Jan 20, 2009
    Desert Runner

    Desert Runner Member 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hickory, Pa
    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2005
    Messages:
    807
    I bought a cheap one off ebay about 3 yrs ago. It worked fine as far as I could tell. When I started teaching my son to weld, he complained of a flash every time he started.. I hadn’t noticed it, but after he mentioned it, ... it was obvious.

    I bought him a new one from ebay for Christmas.(I hadn’t read this thread yet) It doesn’t flash.(Yet) :rofl:So I threw my old one away, I may try the HF one.

    Good Info, as always:coffee:

    Jay
     
  16. Jan 20, 2009
    MHaver

    MHaver When people get bored

    Boyne City, Michigan
    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2008
    Messages:
    44
    I use a Jackson EQC helmet everyday at work. It's about a year and a half old, and i love it. The new ones have a grind setting, so you can have the helmet down while grinding and not have it activate. Not sure about the news ones, but mine was $260 new.
    Hate to say it, but the fixed shaded ones work just as well. Kind of wish i had one for the barn, the winter weather really slows the electronics down.
     
  17. Jan 20, 2009
    NoFlyZone

    NoFlyZone Member

    Ridgeville, SC
    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2006
    Messages:
    578
    This is the one I use also at the house. Love it. It only has three sensors so out of position it will flash. I'd like to have sensors on the top and bottom of the shield to help stop that. I was using a fixed shade #10 at the shop the other day and it really hurt my eyes. I would prefer an #11.
     
  18. Jan 22, 2009
    Psychojeeper

    Psychojeeper Aint 'sposed to be pretty

    Las Cruces, New...
    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2005
    Messages:
    368
    Oh, forgot to mention the Lincolon I have uses a mini lithium battery and is recharged with small integrated solar cells,,,very cool.
     
  19. Jan 27, 2009
    groomer_guy

    groomer_guy Member

    Western...
    Joined:
    May 12, 2007
    Messages:
    233
    I have a Hobart XVS and even though it has 2 sensors I love it. When I get some more money I am going with the Miller elite.
     
  20. Feb 3, 2009
    cj5 buggy

    cj5 buggy Member

    hardeeville, SC
    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2003
    Messages:
    403
    if you didn't know i'm Frank...

    the skull one was my first helmet. i thought it worked fine for the price. well i just picked this one up and well i must say, how i ever welded anything with that other helmet is a suprise to me. "don't buy the skull one"

    http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200311850_200311850

    this is why i got it.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUhD63fmB-k

    for 55 bucks shipped to the house it's GREAT

    now i just have to work on buetifying my welds.
     
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