I bought a cheap HF helmet. I then bought the less than super cheap HF helmet. I then bought the Optrel and Holy **** its like someone turned on the lights!!! I can finally seen what I have been doing wrong. I can actually see the stuff everyone talks about with tig welding. That helmet is an absolute game changer and worth every penny!!!
First welding helmet purchase advice.
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I bought a cheap HF helmet. I then bought the less than super cheap HF helmet. I then bought the Optrel and Holy **** its like someone turned on the lights!!! I can finally seen what I have been doing wrong. I can actually see the stuff everyone talks about with tig welding. That helmet is an absolute game changer and worth every penny!!!
Yeah, it's like buying boots and mattresses.
danski0224
Well-known member
It probably has an electromagnetic field sensor of some sort.
A Miller electronic hood has a setting for this. Works good when fluorescent lights false trigger the optical sensors.
It may be built in now, automatic.
Exactly what happened when I bought my speedglas. I lent it to a mate who plays board games, who named it 'the mask of +10 welding'
theres obviously something built in because it triggers perfectly without fail even though the sensors are fully covered
Retroman
Well-known member
I guess you stayed under your price point. But being able to see what I'm welding really helped me.
I had a $90.00 Hobart helmet and hated it ended up buying a high quality helmet.
I had a $90.00 Hobart helmet and hated it ended up buying a high quality helmet.
GaryM909
Well-known member
For starting out I would buy a cheap fixed lense from a local welding supply store. If you learn to weld using one of those then you can pretty much weld with any kind of helmet. Also, if you pursue a career as a welder a lot of shops are requiring the employees to use Adflo welding helmets which aren't cheap.
Had a Jackson for about 15 years and the LCD failed. I now use a nice YESWELDER helmet. They make just about anything for welding and if you have not tried a true color lens you don't know what your missing!
YESWELDER Helmet
I got the more expensive one at $80 but it has a large viewing area (4" X 3.7") with 4 sensors and the controls are mounted on the outside of the helmet which is a WAY better design than my old Jackson. Note it's a true color model with top notch optics rated at 1/1/1/1. Pretty much the best.
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YESWELDER Helmet
I got the more expensive one at $80 but it has a large viewing area (4" X 3.7") with 4 sensors and the controls are mounted on the outside of the helmet which is a WAY better design than my old Jackson. Note it's a true color model with top notch optics rated at 1/1/1/1. Pretty much the best.
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if you cant pony up for a new one of good qaulity then check ebay used stuff. recently i sold a miller elite in great shape for $150 which is half price of new. another thing is ,all the better qaulity helmets have around 3yr warranty. HF ,amazon and the other off brands likely have near zero warranty at all. ill take a used miller every day over a new hf/amazon/alibaba helmet
superspec
Well-known member
I don’t and I have a Miller so enlighten me please!
sqznby
Well-known member
I agree with this 110%.
Things are made too easy for the youngsters these days. Buy a fixed Jackson and flicker down like the rest of us had to do. Learn the hard way and you'll appreciate it that much more.
I didn't see this thread until today, but as I was reading I was going to suggest an Antra shield. I have a number of shields, but started out with an Antra AH7 that's similar to what you bought. It's light, comfortable and seems to work pretty well. It's my main TIG shield, but I am eventually going to buy an Optrel Crystal 2.0 (expensive).
For just starting out you'll be fine and after a while you'll probably have a better idea of what you really want in a shield and this will be a good backup.
why not buy a old ************* boat anchor transformer machine while he's at it. theres a reason why stone age tech is all but extinct. theres far better ,faster, safer, more productive methods now days.
sqznby
Well-known member
This stone age tech is still being used today in many factories and in the field.
Experience makes you better, faster, safer and more productive. Not the hat you wear.
And I would be happy and proud to use any transformer style machine.
GaryM909
Well-known member
I would do some research before spending too much. Like I mentioned earlier that a lot of shops are requiring Adflos plus if you are also doing some field work you might have to use a combo hard hat- welding helmet. Every site is different. Also you might not even like welding as a trade.
For field work I have been using $20 helmets with 2 x 4 lenses for years. I use Arc 1 auto lenses - 9 for outside and 11 for inside. I also have solid lenses just in case. Plus I use cheaters.
I have a Miller Elite which I never use. It's faster to flip the lense to grind then using the grind mode.
For field work I have been using $20 helmets with 2 x 4 lenses for years. I use Arc 1 auto lenses - 9 for outside and 11 for inside. I also have solid lenses just in case. Plus I use cheaters.
I have a Miller Elite which I never use. It's faster to flip the lense to grind then using the grind mode.
adflos are badass but the good ones are $2000+ and most people dont care enough about their health that much. thats what i use but the company bought it. at home i just use a respirator. if i had my own business i would buy a adflo no question
danski0224
Well-known member
Best thing I did was get a set of single vision eyeglasses made for my expected working distance. No transition (darkening) either.
Way better than cheater lenses.
But, it may require swapping of glasses outside of the hood, depending on your vision.
sqznby
Well-known member
Hey, if you want to nod your head 300 times a day, have at it. Like I said, you will learn from experience.
I have worked in one shop that supplied an Adflo all others provided Miller or what you wanted out of the catalog from the LWS
Like Gary, I used a fixed Jackson for years and went with the Arc1 in the link for years. Now I'm dependent on cheaters regardless.
I have worked in one shop that supplied an Adflo all others provided Miller or what you wanted out of the catalog from the LWS
Like Gary, I used a fixed Jackson for years and went with the Arc1 in the link for years. Now I'm dependent on cheaters regardless.
i got like 11 helment from the cheapy almost free to a 300 dollar viking. the one i use the most is a full screen lincoln cheapy witha gold #10. the best built one is the pipeliner but I havent modified is yet for the neck clearance, they come factory tight in that area
Retroman
Well-known member
I am 60 yrs old took up welding this year. Not going to learn on a fixed hood. I don't have that much time for cheap hoods and welders. Maybe if I was 20 that would be fine to "properly learn" I bought a MM 211 and a Optrel Crystal 2.0 that should hold me for a garage warrior.
Monza Harry
Well-known member
And they will work if you have enough power and even when that is suspect, all while lasting through anything short of a thermo nuclear EM pulse, or extreme heat (think fire or extreme use with a non-op fan) or corrosion, that will also do in the high tech replacements. A bad cap will take out a high tech machine, a transformer unit no not present! Virtually forever. Harry
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Jswain
Well-known member
I think starting with a fixed lense and then upgrading to a nice auto darkening is money better spent then starting with a ****** auto darkening that you spend 1/2 of what something decent costs only to be let down in a year or two.
In the end you'll have a nice auto darkening plus a fixed lense for maybe the dirtier work, or throw a gold lense in it and use it when you're done tacking.
If you go cheap autodarkening and upgrade you get a nice lid and chances are throw the cheap one in the trash because you're sick of it flashing you, or the ones without replaceable batteries just stop working.
Not to mention flat, cheap, industry standard replacement inner & outter replacement lenses vs expensive curved ones that you deal with forever because you don't want to replace...
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Monza Harry
Well-known member
Maybe not, but a nearby lightning strike, lack of use or a bad Chinese capacitor will that is my only point. Transformer machines last, is my point and learning out of date practices has given the ability to solve problems no on else where I worked had a clue how to. Harry
i get what your trying to say but still it makes zero sense to me. when i first learned to weld ,the last thing i needed was extra difficulty added on my plate with a fixed shade helmet that didnt allow me to see what i was doing. but ya i get it. dont be a one trick pony. learn how to use plan B incase you need it. the reality for alot of us however , never in three lifetimes will we be caught in a lighting storm and have to pull the ole pipeliner helmet from behind the seat. but its good to know its there just in case
Monza Harry
Well-known member
I'm 3 years with mine so far, Stouty's helmet is similar but I forget which one he has. Mine is in a drawer that is cracked open while I'm at work, amount it's open depends how close and how dirty my job is. Harry
cpttuna
Well-known member
I had the cheapest auto darkening solar powered helmet harbor freight made until it quit. I figured I’d upgrade, so got a Miller Elite from eBay, maybe it came from cornchip LOL. The thing would eat batteries! I figured out I put a rag over it when I’m not using it to block the sensors and the batteries last much longer.
i kept trying to figure out why my eyes never hurt welding outside at work but often they hurt in the garage at home. narrowing it down i think the only explanaition is from the arc bouncing off my shirt sneaking in the bottom and reflecting off the walls and ceiling going in the sides. so i got a bottom and top cape thing to try. the bottom should work great. the top im thinking may still let a bit of light in at the bottom when at a bench looking down. might have to put a few snap buttons or sew something on to extend it three or four inches further down my neck area. will try it tomorrow and see what happens