Recommendations on Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet

[Leaky88]

Hi,
I’m looking to buy an Auto-Darkening helmet for personal use at home. Other than being automatic, I have no experience or knowledge of them. Primary concern is protection of eyes. No fashion police in my place. Any recommendations please? Thanks. Leaky

 

[classicJackets]

Leaky, I got an auto darkening mask for $39.99 at Northern tool that has worked well for me so far, and at the right price for how often I use it. I may eventually upgrade to the top shelf models but mine is for personal use as well, relatively infrequently, and it's been good to me so far.
I'm sure more experienced welders will chime in with their experiences pretty soon.
Doug

 

[Ign]

A friend of mine got this one
http://www.eastwood.com/large-view-auto-darken-welding-helmet.html

at the same time she ordered her Eastwood wire feed. It works but damn it feels like its gonna break just sitting still. Replacing or removing the cover lens is an adventure in cheap plastic. We never could get it to snap back together completely. And I don't understand the point of external knob for shade adjustment.

It made me realize all that I've just taken for granted from my Miller Digital Elite.

I'd look to Hobart for an affordable hood.

 

[Professur]

Lens clarity is the thing nobody talks about, but can really push the price up. We're talking the difference between walmart sunglasses and the optically perfect sunglasses you get at the opticians. For just running a bit of wire in the garage, the Northern Tools AD is sufficient. But after 20 minutes or so ... you're going to know why it's that cheap.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

I've gotten a collection of helmets and I keep coming back to a generic $50 one I picked up a decade ago. The biggest factor was having a ready supply of replacement plastic shield covers for the main lens itself. I should probably replace the battery some day, bt it keeps going and going.

Adding a soft cotton/neoprene cover over the front headstrap really helps with comfort and they can be washed when they get too dirty.

 

[yjWrangler]

I've got a Harbor Freight helmet for the welding classes I'm taking and it works pretty well so far.

 

[jgorm]

I have 2 cheap auto helmets and a speedglass. The speedglass has a huge window and I can see way better. That alone made a huge improvement on my welding. Having adjustable darkness is nice too.

 

[OHMS LAW]

I use the red harbor freight autodark at work for exhaust work. It's works fine for what I do with it

 

[Nekit]

I really like the Speedglass helmets I've had.

 

[Hammer1963]

Jackson!

 

[rcjoy]

3M Speedglas 9100XX if you want the best.

 

[madcrisis]

http://store.cyberweld.com/hohoweheimbl.html

I have this one. Im an at home guy who doesnt use the welder too often, but I love this mask. Excellent head gear (very adjustable and very comfy) come with a replacement lens (havent needed to replace mine yet) its a nice quality helmet and works every time for me. I dont know if they all have this feature but it has a reset button. I hit the reset every time before I use it to ensure the battery is good and I wont get flashed. I really like this feature because I know it will work without striking the arc. It also has a grinding mode that I havent used.

A couple christmases ago we got my dad this one:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0052OYGX6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

He welds every day for a living but never had an auto darkener. He likes it but barely uses it and doesnt bring it to work. He tries to keep his good tools in good condition and so he usually grabs for his old beat up flip up. Kind of silly if you ask me. It has worked every time for him but with limited use.

 

[tarbellb]

I picked up the HF el cheapo black adj helmet 6 yrs ago and used it for 4 yrs straight. It performed every time and was comfortable enough for extended welding sessions.

I then convinced myself I needed a better helmet and looked into all the brands. 90% of the helmets (or auto lens rather) are made in China. So China guts in a $400 Jackson/Miller/etc.... is still a China lens.

So I ended up buying a Speedglas 100V series helmet with Swiss made auto lens ~$100 with rebate.

Truth, Ive been flashed by my Speedglas more then my HF. I almost hate even writing it but its true. Take my rambling for what you want.

 

[ncfh]

I've been a speedglas user for years.

I prefer the older, pre 3M helmets. They were narrower and you could stick your head more places.

The newer ones have the best hard hat mount of any helmet, but the regular headgear is overly done IMO and the floppy rear headband is a pain. You have to hook the back of your head just right or use two hands to just put the darn thing on. If I'm tacking and measuring, putting my helmet on and off frequently, it gets old having to put down the tape or torch and use two hands to put helmet on. Old school headband, plunk, its on, whether I'm upside down on the floor, wherever.

 

[justme-]

My ol man and I have Hobarts - 3 of them no issues and work as well as I can expect. I'm no welding expert so I may miss something a professional welder may look for but as an occasional welder they're great and reasonably priced.

 

[thor]

For what it's worth, my recommendation is to get one with a replaceable lithium battery. The ones that don't will die over time.


I have this miller and would recommend it http://www.zoro.com/i/G4564542/?utm_source=Bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PLA

 

[AndeiH]

add me to the list of northern tool welding helmet users. i think its the same as the harbor freight model under a different brand.

i'm a hobbyist using mig and tig machines at home and i'm going on year 3 with this helmet. no complaints and i haven't been flashed yet.

 

[Jason280]

I have three different makes of auto-darkening helmets, a cheap HF that I've had for 6-7+ years, a 4+ year old Lincoln Electric, and a 4+ year old Hobart. Both the HF and Lincoln are solar powered, whereas the Hobart is powered by two AAA batteries. The Lincoln, by far, is the most comfortable and gives me the best facial coverage...but was also the most expensive. That being said, it was also the first to **** out. It now has to sit in sunlight a good while before it can be used, and usage is limited. Same can be said with the HF, needs to be charged a little before use, but it's usage is longer than the Lincoln. Not only is it older than the Lincoln, but it was considerably cheaper. My go to helmet right now is the Hobart, as i can simply turn it "ON" and it will work...no need for charging.

I don't weld a lot, so my helmets spend most of their time hanging up. If I could pick, I would like to have the lens set up of the Hobart in the shell of the Lincoln.

Eta: I ALWAYS test my helmet with a torch striker before use to make sure it is correctly "darkening".

 

[twertsy]

I won't recommend a particular one but will say that, at least for me, when it comes to welding helmets, cost=quality. I had an HF one (couldn't see ****), then upgraded to one (don't recall brand) for about $75 from a welding supply shop (could see a little ****), then I got a Miller. Ridiculous how much better the Miller is. I can actually SEE what I'm doing! Don't waste your time / $ on the cheap ones. If you don't believe this, go to a welder and try a good one out for yourself, makes all the difference in the world.

 

[Tim37]

I agree with twertsy atleast try for a medium grade. There's plenty out there if all you can afford is a cheapy here's a tip blink your eyes when you strike a arc. That split second before the lens darkens is accumulative and after welding all day it can leave you with burnt eyes and that really *****.

 

[royesses]

I had a HF and had problems with my eyes ( I have cataracts). I purchased a Lincoln viking 3350 and all the problems went away. It has a 2450 replaceable battery, extra large window and nice comfortable headgear. It also has clips for a cheater lens. The newest model has the clearest rating in the industry. My son has one two. The other helmet I use to have was a Jackson next gen 3 in 1. Also a very good helmet but it had a mottled appearance to the lcd.

 

[225]

I have countless hours on this helmet. And I love it: http://www.ebay.com/itm/RHINO-LARGE...109?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35cf5d2a6d

 

[Professur]

Not to start a fight ... but everybody does understand that in welding, you don't look at the arc, you look at the puddle? The ability to read the puddle properly is what makes a good welder. Cheaper helmets do protect you from the flash .... but it's like looking out a dirty windshield at on coming traffic. Instead of lights ahead being sharply defined pinpoints of light, they ray out, the entire windshield brightens, and you grip the wheel in terror until they're past because you haven't a hope of seeing the road lines. Same thing, minus the terror. With a lens that isn't perfectly optically clear, the arc appears fatter and brighter and washes out any hope of seeing the puddle.

Naturally, welders that don't understand the story the puddle is telling won't be able to see the value of the higher priced lens. But without the better lens, they'll never be able to see the puddle well enough to learn it. Catch 22. If you can read the puddle well enough with a HF or Northern Tool mask, then that mask is good enough. If you can't .. maybe a more expensive one is the answer, or maybe cheaters is the way to go. Remember that even the best lens on the market is **** if you don't regularly change your cover glass. Or remember to remove the plastic protective wrap from the new cover glass (yeah, seen it).


I walk through car parking lots and often wonder at the number of dirty windshields I see. Windshield washer fluid is expensive.

 

[Strouty]

Put up your dukes!

 

[Stroked383]

Ill agree with a better helmet made me a better welder. I always felt that I had a hard time seeing what the hell was going on. Now I feel like I could see your soul while welding. Ive been very pleased with this Save Phace helmet. I've burned plenty of wire using it and am completely satisfied.

 

[Nele]

Just get te best your money can buy, you can't go wrong with personal protection and investing in it. I'd suggest miller digital elite

 

[zmotorsports]

I hope I don't offend anyone here but it boils down to quality of the optical unit itself. It is more than just protecting your eyes and face. If you can't see, you can't weld, period. I went over to a friends house a while back to help him setup his new welder and to give him some pointers. Like an idiot I didn't bring my own helmet, gloves, PPE, etc. because I was just running over there after work. I should have planned better.

Within the first few minutes I was ready to throw that **** HF helmet across the shop. Yes it protected my eyes and face but that was about it. The clarity was not very good and personally I think it was a little slow to darken. I didn't weld very long with it but later than night my eyes hurt like they were arc burned slightly.

As for the electronic style helmets, I have a Miller BWE (Big Window Elite) that I have had for about 8+ years now. It is a very high quality helmet and works well, I just don't care for the automatic/electronic welding helmets. I use my Miller BWE when I have to reach into a tight, cramped area and don't have room to raise/lower the helmet that is about it.

For 95+% of my welding I use my old manual flip down welding helmet that I have had for the past decade or so. It is a Jackson and has the larger 4x5 viewing window. I have replaced the headgear several times as they wear out and get to a point where they either break or won't stay in the raised position. Head gear are cheap and I merely just replace them when needed, I actually keep a spare on the shelf.

While we are talking helmets, keep a supply of clear lense protectors handy and change them out when needed. I can't tell you how many times I see someone welding with a helmet that is so splattered it will barely let light through let alone being able to see through it. Again, if you can't see you can't weld.

Mike.

 

[Professur]

If I may include (but not particularly recommend) http://www.fastenal.com/web/product...rchMode=productSearch&filterByVendingMachine=

A 3M Speedglas 100 mask for $125 cdn. I dare say you won't find better for the money if you move quick.


or for the more patriotic amongst you all ... http://www.fastenal.com/web/product...rchMode=productSearch&filterByVendingMachine=

 

[rixtrix1]

I have a Miller Elite Big Window that's 7 years old ($350)and works great for MIG and TIG, but I picked up an HR auto dark for $45 for use at work doing exhaust and it works great! Feels kinda flimsy but darkens super fast , just has a small window. Probably good for occasional use