Need to upgrade welding helmet

[Fender1325]

My HF $40 helmet has been good for me the past 3 years. It's finally starting to flash me a little. I bought a $120 kobalt tonight at Lowes. Has a good clear view but it isn't engaging fast enough for me, even maxed out. I'm returning it tomorrow and going to airgas to see what I can find.

What do you use? I want something ANSI certified. I do auto restoration so a lot of sheet metal quick tacking off and on.

 

[plinker]

Speedglas 100v.

 

[ssdave]

I recently bought a Lincoln Viking 3350; it's almost twice what you paid for the Kobalt, but it's very good and the view is excellent through it. It also won't trigger on sunlight, so it can be used outside very effectively.

There are several speedglass and Millers in the same league.

I bought it from here: https://www.bakersgas.com/lincoln-welding-helmets.html

I had a coupon code that dropped the price down into the $180 range as I recall.

 

[IndyGarage]

I have a couple of speedglas, one of them I paid full price for and my favorite I bought at a pawn shop for $60. They work great

 

[James-W]

I have heard Harbor Freight has a new auto-darkening welding helmet that is supposed to be pretty good. I don't have one but some of the members here do and they say they are nice.

 

[dbabicky]

Snap-On Model # ??? , but I'm sure it's made by some one else besides SO. Very nice hood. I added the "Old Guy" magnifying lens and man does that make a difference. Love it !!

 

[customh]

I've got a Miller Digital Infinity- it's good enough and I'm happy with it. Found out today if you light up in grind mode it switches modes for you.

Buying today with what I know now and some hours with the Miller I'd get an Arc-One Vision with the IDF-81 lens. I wish I could change from weld to grind without getting my dirty hands inside my hood and the Arc-One allows for that.

 

[Kenskip1]

Funny this thread popped up.Yesterday after reading about welding helmets I decided on the Kobalt from Lowes. I was going to try the one from Harbor freight the Vulcan but I went with the Kobalt.I also had the $49 HF helmut to start with.Anyway the view is great. However I have not had a chance to weld with it. Tomorrow for sure. Lowes is about three miles from my home. HF is about 70, one way.I will update tomorrow. Ken

 

[L.Cheapo]

I use the Miller digital infinity. I like it a lot. Its a bit heavy, but you get used to it. First set of batteries didn't seem to last very long though.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I got tired of my eyes hurting from the older HF auto darkening hood. I was going to buy a Kobalt or Lincoln from the box stores, but stumbled on a Snap-on YA4606 for $80 and eBay had a $15 off coupon going. Didn't work when it showed up, but popped it open and found the battery was in upside down. Reinstalled it and it's worked great, no more headaches from split second flashing my eyes.

 

[Lelandwelds]

I still don't get why people consider electronic helmets a "must buy". All the lenses have a weird tint and even a prime brand like Speed glass or Jackson has a switching speed that flashes you a bit. Most of the cheap ones can't handle low amp inverters either.

I just wish I had put back a few more of the cobalt blue or even American Optical lenses back when I could have.

 

[matt_i]

The Speedglas with the shade 5 sides is really nice for more field-of-view. I think its a 9100xx.

Really nice comfortable headgear system too.

It was more expensive yes but I don't regret a dime of the purchase. Definitely makes for a better experience overall.

 

[Bobcat753]

I recently got a new Miller T94 at work and it is an awesome helmet! Super sensitive and has lots of cool features. The headgear takes some time to break in/ get used to but it is very comfortable.

 

[goldtang]

had a go with this ESAB Sentinel A50 Welding Helmet a couple of weeks a go about not cheep but best helmet I have used

 

[GaryM909]

I still don't get why people consider electronic helmets a "must buy". All the lenses have a weird tint and even a prime brand like Speed glass or Jackson has a switching speed that flashes you a bit. Most of the cheap ones can't handle low amp inverters either.

I just wish I had put back a few more of the cobalt blue or even American Optical lenses back when I could have.

I agree. You can't go wrong with a solid lense and its not going to quit on you either. Those cobalt blue ones are the best but almost imposable to find.

 

[Htscheg]

Miller Digital Infinity all day!!! Awesome helmet, large viewing area. Couldnt be happier!

 

[txvwnut]

I’ve got an ArcOne Viper and it’s been the best auto shading helmet I’ve ever had.

 

[Fender1325]

I agree. You can't go wrong with a solid lense and its not going to quit on you either. Those cobalt blue ones are the best but almost imposable to find.

Try doing sheet metal work with a solid lense, running 5-6 tack welds back to back.

 

[wretched73]

I have the new Vulcan welding helmet from HF. I love it. Leaps and bounds better than the $40 helmet it replaced

 

[Parrothead]

Miller Digital Infinity all day!!! Awesome helmet, large viewing area. Couldnt be happier!

I did the Google...$250?!? Oh.

That’s a significant difference from the $45 HF unit. It must be a really nice helmet!

 

[shoot summ]

I did the Google...$250?!? Oh.

That’s a significant difference from the $45 HF unit. It must be a really nice helmet!

Depends on what you think your eyes are worth...

I also got tired of my eyes getting burned by a cheap AD helmet.

Went with the Speedglass and haven't had an issue since. Sure it was expensive, but my eyes are worth it.

 

[LawnBoy-5247]

The major manufacturers often run rebates and sales, my digital infinity only cost me $180. I looked at the HF for $120 but it only has a 90 day warranty and no parts support compared to the Miller with a 3 year warranty and known parts support.

Sent from my LGLS991 using Tapatalk

 

[Parrothead]

Depends on what you think your eyes are worth...

I also got tired of my eyes getting burned by a cheap AD helmet.

Went with the Speedglass and haven't had an issue since. Sure it was expensive, but my eyes are worth it.

No, I get the point, for sure. However when you only spent $135 on a new welder, it's hard to spend $250 on a helmet. lol.

 

[MoonRise]

The Lincoln Viking 3350 with the 4C lens is soooo much nicer than the HF helmets (I have both ).

Perfect? No. The adjustment switches are inside the helmet, so can't adjust the settings (shade/mode/whatever) on the fly while using it.

But the headgear is much better than the HF. The lens is so much sharper and clearer, nice big viewing area to look through, and no green tint.

Roughly $200-$250 or so.

 

[Stadger]

I bought a Hobart about 20 years ago and it still works like new.

 

[bustedcrawler]

Lincoln Viking 3350 is my go to. Tried the HF auto dark to replace a well loved and old Jackson fixed shade. Absolutely hated the HF, headgear was uncomfortable, and the arc flash was horrible. Seemed too easy to cover one of the sensors and it wouldnt trigger.

Got the Viking, and its nice. Big viewing area, doesn't care if I'm outside, triggers everytime even doing rollcage work.

 

[nicktomi]

This striker helmet gets a lot of talk on welding forums. The price can swing a little bit but I bought at $99 and it's been good to me. However, I'm just a weekend warrior so I'd be grateful to hear what experienced welders have to say about the helmet

http://www.usaweld.com/Striker-Supreme-Welding-Helmet-p/supreme.htm

 

[HAP]

Optrel. Ophthalmologist approved...

R,
HAP

 

[crewchief888]

i have a couple miller pro-hobby hoods.

no flashes, no problems.


i bought one from cyberweld, $140 shipped to my door, the other one was a contest freebie

 

[zmotorsports]

I'm not that big of a fan of the electronic welding helmets. My son and wife bought me a very nice Miller BWE (Big Window Elite) for Father's Day about 8 years ago and I seldom use it. It has its place such as when awkwardly trying to get up under a vehicle and tangled up in the suspension but for general welding I won't give up my ole' tried and true Huntsman and Jackson large window helmets. They're light and require no batteries and always just work, no fuss no muss.

 

[Kenskip1]

Yes I am back as mentioned.The Kobalt welding helmet that I purchase from Lowes is a piece of GEM,GOLD,SAPPHIRE ext.What a difference from the HF.I am able to see clearly the weld and the seam see clearly the area all around. This is the best thing that I ever bought from Lowes. I highly recommend it. I will add that the weld was a first for the helmet but the first time using my new stick welder.Ken

 

[royesses]

Viking 3350 with 4C color technology. Great clarity in living color and great headgear.

Roy

 

[garagelogician]

AvE on Youtube just did a bunch of videos on this subject.

TL;DR:
Even the cheap helmets are opaque to UV and IR before they darken...so any flash you get from a cheap helmet is not going to damage your eyes. The visible light will just be annoying.

Make the choice that is best for you and your needs, but don't be afraid that a cheap helmet is going to damage your vision. Longevity, durability and darkness levels do need to be considered however.

 

[Fender1325]

I bought the Miller digital elite today. I knowingly overpaid at $300 (ouch), but the guys there spent the time to let me try on all the helmets - Viking, esab, Jackson, Miller and it was in stock NOW, so i could use it at work today. My eyes were actually hurting last night and this morning so I said enough F***ing around, I need to upgrade to a pro helmet now.

I was very close to buying the viking, but the Miller was slightly more comfortable, and highly sensitive to light changes - I could get it to flick on and off very quickly when looking at the ceiling fluorescent lights in the store. I trust the brand and pulled the trigger.

It took a little dialing in and getting used to it at work, but I'm glad I bought it. I believe it will serve me for years to come. Fully certified and all.

Side note - man id love to try a Jackson truesight II - it is supposed to have the 4c lense like the viking but it has this pinup "arc angel" artwork I really dig. Haha. Anyway, the bottom line is I'm doing a lot of welding at work lately and I decided to buy once cry once.

I want to also note - it has an on/off button. Something I'll have to get used to. It will automatically shut off if there's no activity for 45 min. More importantly, it turns ON automatically when being used. A couple times I forgot to turn it on and it auto turned on for me thankfully. Comes with a few extra lenses and a protective bag to store it in.

 

[pbon]

Grassroots Motorsports mentioned this $135 Razorweld helmet recently

http://www.gamblegarage.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=109&product_id=159

 

[ssdave]

Fender, I know you'll be happy with the Miller. There's a real value to being able to try out different ones and get what fits your needs best, and it's worth paying a bit more for that. You won't remember the extra dollars later as much as you'll appreciate having the right helmet.

The sensitivity of the Miller vs the Lincoln Viking is the opposite of why i bought my Lincoln. The Lincoln is specifically designed to not trigger on sunlight or fluorescents or incandescent light, so it doesn't go dark when you get a glint of sunlight off of something shiny or look towards a light. That is one of the features i really appreciate about it. Welding outside, that feature is much appreciated.

 

[gmwelder86]

Fiber metal pipe liner, the money maker.

 

[Fender1325]

Fender, I know you'll be happy with the Miller. There's a real value to being able to try out different ones and get what fits your needs best, and it's worth paying a bit more for that. You won't remember the extra dollars later as much as you'll appreciate having the right helmet.

The sensitivity of the Miller vs the Lincoln Viking is the opposite of why i bought my Lincoln. The Lincoln is specifically designed to not trigger on sunlight or fluorescents or incandescent light, so it doesn't go dark when you get a glint of sunlight off of something shiny or look towards a light. That is one of the features i really appreciate about it. Welding outside, that feature is much appreciated.

Thanks. Yeah, if I'm not mistaken my new helmet has "x mode" which is designed for welding outside.

Me, I'm always inside the shop. The viking and Miller were the two biggest sellers at my LWS.

 

[atthebeach]

Viking 3350 with 4C color technology. Great clarity in living color and great headgear.

Roy

And the viewing area is big enough to see the weld puddle while wearing bifocals instead of having to use a cheater lens.

 

[dr_clyde]

I think you'll be happy with the elite. A friend has one and loves it.

Me personally, I don't use electronic welding helmets unless I'm in a situation where it makes a huge difference. The optics aren't as good, they are expensive, they require batteries, and they can get quite complicated. I have a few, and they have their place, but they just aren't the same. I have a Jackson NexGen and a Miller WeldMask FWIW.

I use a Jackson shadow with a #10 or #11 gold lens. Less than $50, nice large window, standard clear cover plate, really comfy headgear. I don't have to worry about dropping it, or getting it wet, it can get hot or cold and not affect it.

I weld a LOT of thin gauge SS. The gold lens has the best optics I've found for welding stainless. You can see temperature gradients way better.

And for what its worth, I welded in a body shop for years, never had an issue with a standard helmet. You can still see the glow of the base metal and wire between tacks, and most of the time, you can only do a few in a row anyway before you need to move on or hammer on it or something. The old timers in our shop didn't even use a helmet, they just shut their eyes for the tacks.