Best welding helmet on a budget..

[AndrewH]

Hey guys,

I was planning on buying a Longevity Migweld 140 for $300 but after reading a lot and being told the Hobart Handler 140 would be a much better option, I decided to buy the Hobart. I blew past my budget by ordering it so now I don't have near as much money left over for accessories as I had hoped. So I need some help finding an auto darkening helmet for a decent price. Any ideas would be great and just to put it out there I'm well aware of the HF versions.

Thanks,
Andrew

 

[Ruger_556]

Miller ProHobby is a good helmet.

 

[OxJaw]

I bought this one and I am really happy with it. Says it OOS right now though.

http://www.usaweld.com/Striker-Stealth-WG-Welding-Helmet-p/90130-wg.htm

 

[zkling]

Jackson large window, fixed shade ~$40, great clarity, view range, light weight and durable.

Unless you do a lot of tack welding or work in a dark environment I'd suggest you save your money till you can afford a good auto dark. A cheap auto can be a real headache at times IMHO. Although you may want to check out Jackson's new smartiger helmet, for the money it looks and sounds like a nice unit, I have yet to test drive one though.

 

[bobcatdan]

I'm about as anti HF as anyone here, but the one thing I own from HF is the auto darkening helmet and it works fine for me. I pull the welder out 3 or 4 times a week, but only lay a bead or two at a time. For light duty and $40 , I'll go against every grain in my body and recommend the hf.

 

[Stooge]

I recently bought a cheaper ($100ish) hobart helmet to replace a miller helmet i broke. Seems to have the same lens controls as one of my non digital miller prohobby helmets, same headgear as the newer prohobby helmets but with a noticeably larger lens. I really like it and im planning on buying another as a spare.
I know alot of people seem to like the HF auto dark, i have one and i dont know if its just my eyes, but i would always have alot of eye fatigue a couple hours later so i dont bother with it.
Link to the hobart helmet http://m.cyberweld.com/hohoweheimbl.html

 

[malibu101]

I recently bought a cheaper ($100ish) hobart helmet to replace a miller helmet i broke. Seems to have the same lens controls as one of my non digital miller prohobby helmets, same headgear as the newer prohobby helmets but with a noticeably larger lens. I really like it and im planning on buying another as a spare.
I know alot of people seem to like the HF auto dark, i have one and i dont know if its just my eyes, but i would always have alot of eye fatigue a couple hours later so i dont bother with it.
Link to the hobart helmet http://m.cyberweld.com/hohoweheimbl.html

I bought the same helmet at Tractor Supply over Christmas for $130, that's a good deal at the above link.

I haven't used the hood too much and it's my first autodarkening but so far it is awesome.
WOW, this is what I've been missing! Shoulda got one a long time ago.

It makes sense that it may be similar to a Miller as Miller and Hobart are both owned by the same parent company. The ITW group.

 

[taumac]

Personally I did have a HF AD but now use 2 old Jackson's. I put in a hobart gold 10 lens in it. I loved it so much I put another one in my other helmet. I don't miss a AD at all



Have a good one, Gerard

The 5 Stitches Garage part 1 http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=142100

The 5 Stitches Garage part2 http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211899

 

[AndrewH]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, that Hobart helmet looks nice and would match the welder I just bought from them, I might give it a shot.

 

[warweapon762]

Harbor Freight's Auto Darkening is really good for the price, I love mine, very good clarity with it and it hasn't let me down at all!

 

[Stooge]

It makes sense that it may be similar to a Miller as Miller and Hobart are both owned by the same parent company. The ITW group.

I work for an itw company and went on a visit to miller a few years ago for a company relations visit. We were given the tour from an itw bigwig went out for din er and drinks and managed to haggle getting a free digital elite...that i just broke a few weeks ago when i tripped over a tire and crushed it.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, that Hobart helmet looks nice and would match the welder I just bought from them, I might give it a shot.

I definitely recommend getting it, mine's been getting 6ish hrs of use a day for the last few days and didnt skip a beat. I also like that it has a little scoop on the lower part, a little extra protection against a burnt neck in those odd positions.

 

[djjsr]

Stooge - Thanks for the link. Just ordered one.

 

[Tejaas]

Miller ProHobby is a good helmet.

Good advice here.

I rarely use my higher-dollar Jackson anymore... The ProHobby is comfortable and light, and I don't feel bad when I drop it or set it on a hot table.


~Tejaas~

WTB: Armstrong 1/4" 10-972 Ratchet!

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Another vote for the HF one....great lid

 

[Zaylor]

I looked at just about everything available a couple months ago, and I concluded that this one was a good combo of quality and price.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_396400-47120-SGY-A11_0__?productId=3773821

At $100, it has 4 sensors, which is important to me because I want to make sure it will darken at any angle. It has a larger viewing area, which is not common on lower priced auto-darks. Look around, not many will have both of these things until you get into the $300+ range.

 

[reddevildemo]

I bought this Power Weld auto helmet from Menards. Very nice for the price, I picked it up on sale for $49.99 on Black Friday this year, still a deal at $69.99

http://www.menards.com/main/tools-h...arkening-welding-helmet/p-2169549-c-13851.htm

 

[PCO6]

reddevildemo - I have a Power Weld (different graphics) too and really like it. It works well and is a lot more comfortable than other helmets I have owned. I have a Lincoln, which I also like, but I find the head strap less comfortable and harder to adjust than the Power Weld.

 

[IndyGarage]

For MIG welding my $40 Harbor Freight works just as good as my $350 Speedglas.

Actually better, because there's no on/off button to worry about. When you try TIG welding with the cheap helmet, then you notice a difference, but if you are just welding MIG, that's a great cheap option.

You might think you are getting something better if you order the $100 miller or Hobart or something but I'm guessing those still come out of the same China factories as the HF helmet.

You have to spend $200-$300 to get a significantly better helmet.

 

[madcrisis]

I recently bought a cheaper ($100ish) hobart helmet to replace a miller helmet i broke. Seems to have the same lens controls as one of my non digital miller prohobby helmets, same headgear as the newer prohobby helmets but with a noticeably larger lens. I really like it and im planning on buying another as a spare.
I know alot of people seem to like the HF auto dark, i have one and i dont know if its just my eyes, but i would always have alot of eye fatigue a couple hours later so i dont bother with it.
Link to the hobart helmet http://m.cyberweld.com/hohoweheimbl.html

Another vote on this one. I use it with my longevity migweld and it works great. I haven't used it much unfortunately but it seems to be a real solid helmet

 

[BD1]

Here's my local supplier that has great prices.
http://www.weldersupply.com/C/32/Helmets

Mine is a MILLER ELITE. Great, and like the larger viewing area.

 

[PCO6]

For MIG welding my $40 Harbor Freight works just as good as my $350 Speedglas.

Actually better, because there's no on/off button to worry about. When you try TIG welding with the cheap helmet, then you notice a difference, but if you are just welding MIG, that's a great cheap option.

You might think you are getting something better if you order the $100 miller or Hobart or something but I'm guessing those still come out of the same China factories as the HF helmet.

You have to spend $200-$300 to get a significantly better helmet.

I agree with this.

As for where helmets come from, this Snap-on helmet may also come from the same Chinese factory as the HF ones ...
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=675744&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

 

[Stooge]

Woah, the miller and hobart helmets are NOT China made.....they're korean

 

[kball]

Another vote here for the HF helmet. Works just fine for the money. Also works for taking eclipse shots...