School me on Welding Helmets

[Craig Balzer]

I have no clue what features are required vs those that are just dressing.
More importantly -- I have no idea what a good price is for a used helmet.

For example: spotted this on CL -- is it a good deal?

ESAB Sentinel Welding Helmet - $150
Text reads: I have a lightly used ESAB Sentinel welding helmet that has a brand new display panel. Comes with box and all accessories that you would receive if bought from a dealer.

 

[PoorOwner]

that appears to be a helmet that sells for $300 new

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XRYV3N3/?tag=atomicindus08-20

as far as features, most of helmets are about the same, and ESAB is one of the more well known brands.

 

[mokelv]

I use a Miller auto darkening helmet, works great in the shop and in bright sunshine.(x-mode) I really like the x-mode of the Miller helmet when outside, otherwise a flash of sunshine can trigger the helmet. The response time of the sensors, ability to change to grinding, cutting, welding mode is a plus for me along with comfort. My general rule is to use a quality helmet, from a known company. Cheap welding helmets are not a way to save money in the long run, Esab makes quality products, never used their welding helmets though.

MoKelv

 

[tarbellb]

Prices are between $30 (HF) to $300+.

Features to look for:
_ viewing area
_ total # of sensors (2,4,6)
_ headgear comfort
_ adjustments ie shades, grind mode, etc...

Lots of excellent (new) choices in the $125-175 range.

That one listed is pretty good, at a decent price. I would also look at Speedglas, Jackson, USAweld. And of course the big welding brands will have options, but you are paying for the name as well.

 

[bczygan]

HF Vulcan.

Bill

 

[metaldad]

mine, are millers.
not going to trust my vision to a 'cheap' brand

 

[OldNeons]

Speedglas is right at the top of most lists, and what I have for myself. As mentioned above, this is not a place to skimp.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[Rory Bellows]

Lincoln Viking 3350 $50 rebate right now. Bought mine off Amazon last month doesn't qualify for rebate. With rebate about $210 with tax.

 

[gmwelder86]

I run a fiber metal pipe liner day in and out as a union pipe welder. Our hall just bought the new Lincoln auto dark with the 4c lens and the puddle is very clear I just don’t find them comfortable. The old pipeliner just feels like home.

 

[gatlibs]

https://www.accustrike.com
I use these. You move your jaw to operate the lens. It is hands free and battery free operation.

 

[jkesselr]

So I have a serious question... everybody says don’t trust your eyesight to a cheap helmet, but is there something to this or just fear of the imported helmets? For example, it seems that if a helmet isn’t doing its job, you’re going to have flashburn and know that pretty quick. Is there any kind of objective evidence that shows cheaper helmets don’t protect as well or have a cumulative effect on vision over time of use? I ask because the new Vulcan line from HF seems pretty damn nice for a budget helmet, but is it false economy, or just false economy in the minds of COO snobs?

 

[aussiek2000]

So I have a serious question... everybody says don’t trust your eyesight to a cheap helmet, but is there something to this or just fear of the imported helmets? For example, it seems that if a helmet isn’t doing its job, you’re going to have flashburn and know that pretty quick. Is there any kind of objective evidence that shows cheaper helmets don’t protect as well or have a cumulative effect on vision over time of use? I ask because the new Vulcan line from HF seems pretty damn nice for a budget helmet, but is it false economy, or just false economy in the minds of COO snobs?

I bought a cheap helmet from tractor supply, I don't recall the brand name. But every time I would use it, I'd end up with a headache the following 2-3 days. Quit using it and when to a lincoln viking and not only can I see what I am welding better, I don't get a headache.

 

[Millwrong]

So I have a serious question... everybody says don’t trust your eyesight to a cheap helmet, but is there something to this or just fear of the imported helmets? For example, it seems that if a helmet isn’t doing its job, you’re going to have flashburn and know that pretty quick. Is there any kind of objective evidence that shows cheaper helmets don’t protect as well or have a cumulative effect on vision over time of use? I ask because the new Vulcan line from HF seems pretty damn nice for a budget helmet, but is it false economy, or just false economy in the minds of COO snobs?

No. Liquid crystal cells aren't some voodoo magic that only 3M and Miller are capable of producing, and I'd wager that their panels are made in China anyway. The only thing I'd be wary of on a super-cheap mask is the filter's response time, but even there, you're not going to find a shield that'll make you blind.



I avoid this whole debate by wearing a Fibre-Metal with a passive gold filter in it anyway.

 

[AS556]

My buddy has one in the OP and it is badass.

I use a Cornwell.

 

[Certified Drunk]

I have a Lincoln Viking 3350.

 

[tarbellb]

AFAIK- Speedglas is the ONLY MFG NOT MAKING AUTO SHADES IN CHINA.

 

[Legion Prime]

All I know about welding helmets I learned from AvE

 

[Jazz1]

I have Speedglas, it offers much better clarity than my old Praxair auto. You can upgrade a manual welding shield to auto(single shade) for $5.
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/4-1-4-x-2-s...435661?hash=item21546e4d4d:g:5I0AAOSwv-NWX9wG

Best to spend the money on quality shield that has variable speed and grinding functions

 

[dr_clyde]

AFAIK- Speedglas is the ONLY MFG NOT MAKING AUTO SHADES IN CHINA.

I believe Optrel is Swiss made.

 

[LS3]

My coworker has that hood. Used it for about 15 hour of welding maybe. It was a nice hood very clear and very comfortable for my head at least.

I always give him **** for it though, it looks like something out of a video game LOL!

 

[Wamsutta]

How well do they except cheaters? That should be the #1 search criteria.

 

[dr_clyde]

How well do they except cheaters? That should be the #1 search criteria.

Ugh. Not looking forward to that day. My eyesight is very good right now, those cheaters are like trying to look through the wrong end of a telescope.

Hopefully I can just keep using my regular glasses for another 20-30 years.

All the old timers I've worked for/with all had them. I suppose it's inevitable.

 

[evintho]

Nothing wrong with the HF helmet. Been using the same one for 10 years and I weld quite a bit. The filter response time is immediate and I've never had any issues.

 

[sberry]

I bought a HF as a spare, I actually like it as well or better than some others I used.

 

[dr_clyde]

FWIW,

I do 99% of my welding with a Jackson shadow with either a #10 or a #12 gold fixed shade in it.

The headgear is my favorite, they are inexpensive, they have a very large viewing window, they are readily available, don't take batteries, can survive a fall off a ladder or scissor lift, they can get wet, and they have the best optics I have found.

Once you get used to a fixed shade, you really don't need an auto-dark. Somehow, welders made good welds for decades with them.

I find the advantage of auto-darkening to really only be useful when you are doing some very specific things. Lots of short, small welds in a row, in strange or hard to get to positions, or in an environment where you can't raise and lower the hood.

I have a Miller Elite, and it is a nice helmet for the money. I also have a Jackson NexGen, and is also a very nice helmet.

 

[deranged]

Disclaimer: hobbyist at best, hack most days.

I have the Esab Sentinel Helmet that's in the OP, I bought it with my Rebel EM215ic due to a discount, and wanting to cry once. I've used other ones over the years, (mostly at work) including a couple of cheap ones that would eventually fail at inopportune times leaving me with starry vision for a while.

Once set up right, and there are a lot of settings, it is super comfortable, offers great clarity, and has affordable consumables that protect the expensive bits. I have no regrets.

Anecdotal evidence: my dad used my welder/helmet combo once and ordered the same thing the next day.

 

[NerdDad]

You should look for a few features, and stay away from certain hoods, depending on it’s intended use. If you’re welding occasionally, on a bench exclusively, then the following is probably useless info..

What I’ve learned,
Proprietary replacement lenses
- more expensive
- harder to come by

Alternatively, you can get a hood that shares the same protective lenses as your other hood(s) it might not seem like a big deal, but if you end up with multiple hoods, just keeping track of all the inside/outside lenses is a PiTA

Sensors
- 2 sensors is OK, but if you’re welding out of position (inside/under a car etc..) you’ll get flashed.

Look for something with x4 sensors, and your hood will almost always respond when you strike an arc.


Clarity:
- it won’t make you a better welder in most cases, but a large window and a color pattern that you find appealing will make it more enjoyable. Personally, I like the “new” Lincoln 4C optics. They’re super clear, and show white/blue. In my opinion, it’s the most natural. Plus the hoods are relatively cheap, durable, and comes with a lot of extras.

That being said, my Jackson/Balder is probably my favorite hood. Bullet proof, super light, and no one else has it where I work.

 

[bdbecker]

$150 for good quality hood in near new condition seems like a pretty solid deal.

I haven't had a chance to run the Sentinal A50 yet, but I have ran the the Lincoln Viking with 4C lens and 3M Speedglas 9100XXi ADF lens, both of which have a 1/1/1/1 lens clarity rating rating. In a perfect world, I'd have the Lincoln lens in the 3M shell. If Lincoln ever makes their shell a little smaller to stop light coming in from behind and glaring off the lens, I'd buy one in a heartbeat to replace my aging 3M Speedglas 9000 (actually, I already bought a Lincoln for my Dad for Christmas).

I am really curious about the Sentinal though. It gets a 1/1/1/2 lens rating, which means that when viewing at an angle, the shade may get darker. Not a deal breaker for a hobbyist. This is a good read on weld lens optical clarity ratings mean:
https://www.thefabricator.com/article/safety/1-1-1-1-clarity

Knowing what I know now, if I was on a tight budget, I wouldn't waste my money on a cheap auto darkening hood (been there done that). Instead, I'd get a hood with the biggest flip down fixed shade lens I could afford. I recently got one as part of a package deal when I bought my Millermatic 135. I was going to sell the hood, but figured I'd give it a run to see what it was like before I did. Honestly, I liked it way more than I ever imagined and am going to keep it as a backup to my 3M.

 

[KenC]

I bought one of these:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pro-Solar-...ig-Mask-Grinding-Welder-Hood-US-/272414063844
a few months back, just because I couldn't believe the price.

Suprisingly it works really well. The headgear is much better than expected and the lens works fine. adjustable delay and shade. The hood itself is lightweight and flexible do doesn't compare to higher cost hoods.

I've only used it a couple of times since I'm just a hobbyist, but it gets a passing grade.

 

[dnschmidt]

The best bang for the buck without question is Antra. https://healthyhandyman.com/best-welding-helmet-guide/

I have both the model in this review and the one with the bigger lens. Both are optically fantastic. Headgear could be better but it works OK. For the cash this is the clear winner. Look at any reviews. They all go nuts for it and justly so. Only complaint I have is the knob on the outside of the helmet that you use to adjust the lens shade tends to move. So, I put a piece of masking tape over mine to stop this movement. A very minor deal.

 

[no704]

Just get a fixed lense with gold plate. F the auto dark.

 

[bsaint]

Yea I use both the auto and fixed lens in our shop and I've claimed the fiber hood pipeline. It's my favorite. I only use the auto dark if I'm in a rush tig welding.

Once you weld long enough you don't really need auto dark. Especially for any work that doesn't matter if you strike an arc off weld path and adjust a little in the beginning.

 

[GaryM909]

It's best to learn with a fixed lense and maybe try an auto lense later. My favorite is the Cigweld helmets although I have a Fibremetal, Sellstrom and a Miller Performance.

 

[Jlarson]

We keep coming back to the Lincoln Viking helmets, tried Optrel and Miller but they didn't do as well in the field plus our vendor carries lots of Lincoln parts so clear lenses are no problem to get.

I have a few harbor freights too as beaters. One probably had more arc time then most people. Still works. Nice thing about the cheap ones is they are lightweight for all day use lol.

 

[brownbagg]

i got the lincoln viking, but the one i always grab is the fiber metal pipeliner with gold lense. I got about 14 helmets

 

[F-22]

I got a 3m. They make really good ones.

The solar powered ones offer no real advantage, and can be a marketing trick - batteries last for years...

 

[ive]

Speedglas or optrel. Made in Sweden and Switzerland. Take care of eyes.