So let's talk welding helments.....

[TerryH]

I bought the HF auto darkening helment when I bought everything else to set up my little home shop welding station. A comment was made that perhaps the HF helment wasn't going to protect one's eyes properly. I welded quite a bit yesterday and everything is fine today and as I have had welder burn in the past I feel like the protection of this helmet is fine but the issue seems to be that it's difficult to see the puddle and where the weld should be going. I messed with it quite a bit yesterday and never really did get to a level of being able to see the area that I was welding that I was super happy with. I plan to do some more experimenting with the settings of this helmet before I do anything.

Anyone else have one of these helments that could speak from experience? I could get a better helment but I hate to spend as much as I have in the entrire rest of the setup for a better auto helment. I also don't want to go back to a regular helmet if I don't have to but I obviously need to be able to protect my eyes while still being able to see what I'm welding.

Thoughts? Opinions?

 

[Gamble]

I literally just posted a review on the HTP welding helmet. It's on sale for $99 with free shipping. Go return yours ASAP. I had a harbor freight one and will never have another. I hope your eyes are worth more than $39.95 + 20% off coupon

Here you go
http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=244681

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

And their best one with 4 sensors is only $139
http://www.usaweld.com/Striker-Stealth-CSV-Welding-Helmet-p/90130-csv.htm

 

[NRDave]

I had a hf helmet many many moons ago when I started at my current fab shop. Used it quite a bit. Never really seemed to have a prob with. But I figured if I'm gonna make a career outta welding why not buy the good stuff. I now how 2 miller elite helmets. Just picked up the second one which is the digital elite and I love the thing. Have never had any probs with them. If you are just home using then I would say you don't need one that expensive. Or like mentioned above find one on sale.

 

[Gamble]

It's also literally a night and day difference with what you can see with a quality hood.

 

[skyking]

My equiptment matches my skill level..........................It's all ****.

 

[930dreamer]

I tried to do some welding Saturday with my friends HF auto tint hood. I have a very difficult time seeing through it. Just my .02

 

[Crusty Nut]

I will say it again... http://www.accustrike.com/

 

[OldNeons]

My dad taught me, and my experience has reaffirmed, to buy quality tools that will serve you well for a long time. This is one area I absolutely won't skimp! I have a 3m Speedglass with extra wide and tall viewing area. If you think the optics, reaction times, and visibility are comparable in a HF helmet, you are sorely mistaken IMO. I'm not a pro welder, but my eyes are priceless to me. Speedglass offers a wide range of helmets at different price points, and I'm sure there are other quality helmets too.

 

[Stephenw]

Auto dark helmets are supposed to provide UV protection, even in the clear mode. If you get flashed, it will be uncomfortable, but there will be no permanent eye damage.

I'm not so sure I would trust a bottom dollar welding helmet. Some of the name brand helmets are also using lenses that are made in China. That doesn't necessarily mean they are the same as what comes from Harbor Freight.

I'm using a 3M Speedglas helmet. It is more expensive, but the visual clarity through the lens is amazing. The helmet and lens are made in Sweden.

 

[1967lemans]

Have you considered a used helmet? deals can be had on a speedglas or an optrel. I use a speedglas every day and love it. I don't think I could ever use anything else.
There are also a few other great helmets on sale right now for a decent price.
http://www.bakersgas.com/weldinghelmets.html/?lid=site_header
The millers, vikings, jacksons, speedglas, and optrels all get great reviews.
Heck just slap an AD filter in an old fibre metal.

 

[CNGsaves]

Same answer, different thread . . . ditch the cheapie HF helmet.

Shop for a used quality helmet on CL, or spend a little on good new one.

 

[silver2000]

I bought one at lowes, then bought an htp and finally ended up with a Miller digital and the comments are absolutely true, it is a better experience and I am able to see better with it. Not sure the reasons why but it is noticeably better.

 

[purplezr2]

miller 9400, I will say it is a huge step up from the hobart I previously had.

 

[bullnerd]

http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/auto-darkening-welding-helmets.html

also ,can you add a cheater lens to the one you have? Makes a big difference.

 

[frozen-stitches]

speedglas I have 2 and and I love them.

 

[justanengineer]

I welded quite a bit yesterday and everything is fine today and as I have had welder burn in the past I feel like the protection of this helmet is fine

Having suffered significant measurable hearing loss in one ear and a slight loss in the other when I was in the Army, mainly due to being around running engines, grinding and other "everyday work" activities, I would highly recommend taking no chances with losing your senses. I never noticed how bad it was getting until it was too late.....and admittedly, I am not in the medical field but I would suspect eyesight is very similar in that losing its typically not very noticeable to you and very much irrepairable.

That being said, I had a Speedglas and that was my personal preference when I was still welding several hours everyday mainly for the comfort factor. I sold that several years ago bc I also have a very lightweight Lincoln non auto dark hood and SWMBO has an auto dark Hobart thats identical (near as I can tell) to the Miller Elite. I think I paid ~$100 for hers.

 

[c39er]

I have a speedglas 9000X with the cheater lens and the optics are perfect. Pay to play in a comfortable way!

 

[OldNeons]

Sorry to be ignorant here - what is the "cheater lens" I see mentioned here several times?
thanks

 

[frankush]

It's a magnifer that fits on the inside of the lense. Available in different strengths. I have a Speedglas as well and I love it. I had an SL model but hated the headgear. Moved up to the 9200 series, not cheap, but it's the best lid I've ever used and very comfortable.

 

[zollster]

I would never,ever let harbor freight protect my vision, I like to see.....you can't just buy a new set of eyes, buy a good helmet, take care of it and have it forever.

 

[Sureshot]

I have a Speedglass also and like it. I had one of the cheap ones and the headgear is uncomfortable and broke. You get what you pay for.
I never had any issues with the protection from the cheap one.
People take welders flash as way more than it is.

 

[BudgetRacing]

I have a Thermal Arc and enjoy it. I am a semi-pro welder and use it all the time.

http://www.buyweld.com/w4012000.html

 

[BTC]

Welding helmets seem to have come a long way in the last 25-30 years. I can attest that ultraviolet eye burn really *****. I would go to great lengths to prevent it from happening again.

 

[ket-tek]

Like others here I only weld at home and I had a HF helmet for many years, and I thought it was fine for what I was doing, but I never could see really good through it.

I did not know how big of a difference a good helmet could make. I bought a Miller Digital Elite a little over a year ago, and after using it I wished I had bought one many years ago. I can see way better and it was noticeably more comfortable on my eyes although I thought the HF helmet was doing fine.

 

[2mJps]

Alot of this helment are probably made at the same place. If you were welding for hours on end I would by the best or use a fixed lens helment. I started welding in the late 80s and dont like them very well. I have one to use in places were you dont have room to flip a regulare helment up and down.If i was you and not welding 24/7 i would use it and if you want like ever thing up grade some day.

 

[volaredon]

a new HF just opened near my job; I visited it a few days ago and it quickly reminded me why I don't buy anything at HF... nothing but a bunch of ****

 

[IndyGarage]

I had a Optrel that I really liked, but the non replaceable battery inside died and I had to replace it.

I bought a Harbor Freight, which works great on Mig welding. If all you are doing is MIG, they are fine.

It was flashing me with my TIG welder. I don't think it was fast enough to darken under lighter currents, so I was just using an old fixed helmet.

Well, I got tired of that and went out an bought a Speedglass 9100x. I really want to say the speedglass is way better than the Harbor Frieght - but on MIG, I can't tell the difference. However on TIG, the speedglass works way better.

I think almost all of the companies have a low budget - made in china helmet for sale now. If you are buying one of them, you are getting exactly the same thing as you get in Harbor Freight, in my opinion, so you might as well go for the cheap one.

 

[TerryH]

http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/auto-darkening-welding-helmets.html

also ,can you add a cheater lens to the one you have? Makes a big difference.

Interesting thing about this video is the guy actually likes the cheapie $50 helmet.

I think one could be added but I would just have to buy a brand name one and give it a shot. It would help. I'm wearing my progressive bifocals or my reading safety glasses under the helmet. I'm not super happy with either choice. Afraid I'm going to damage my real glasses and trying to get just right to see with the reading safety glasses is a joke.

 

[TerryH]

Money was never the issue. I just thought that the cheap helmet would be good enough for my occasional usage. I still think it will protect my eyes since all these helmets have to be ANSI approved as I have found out but my issue continues to be that I can't see well enough to put the bead where it needs to go.

I still don't want to buy a $400+ helmet so I'm thinking it's likely between these 2...

Miller Pro-Hobby

or

ATP America Striker Stealth CSV

Price is a wash between them and both have available cheater lenses. The reviews are good for both. Obviously I recognize the Miller name but never heard of ATP America before today. Is there another helmet in the $150 range that I should consider?

 

[OldNeons]

Again, if you trust your eyes to the Chinese factory saying it meets ANSI standards, go ahead with the Cheapos. I don't! Each to his own though. I'm not familiar with the ATP helmet, but I'm pretty sure the Miller is a cheapo like your HF. Not certain of that. Go to a real welding supply store and talk to a knowledgeable sales rep about a lower end helmet from a solid reputable HELMET MFGR. Miller, to my knowledge is not such. Yes, a reputable welder company, who is private labeling someone else's helmet most likely. Look at Jackson, Speedglass, etc. you won't regret it.

 

[ket-tek]

Again, if you trust your eyes to the Chinese factory saying it meets ANSI standards, go ahead with the Cheapos. I don't! Each to his own though. I'm not familiar with the ATP helmet, but I'm pretty sure the Miller is a cheapo like your HF. Not certain of that. Go to a real welding supply store and talk to a knowledgeable sales rep about a lower end helmet from a solid reputable HELMET MFGR. Miller, to my knowledge is not such. Yes, a reputable welder company, who is private labeling someone else's helmet most likely. Look at Jackson, Speedglass, etc. you won't regret it.

I'm not sure about the Miller Pro-hobby, never seen one, but the Digital Elite is absolutely not the same as the HF hoods.

I've have head many many times that Speedglass does indeed make some great stuff.

 

[Beaumont67]

I usually won't buy the cheapest tools/products/equipment, or the most expensive either:
- have an 20 y/o Miller 150 mig (220V) & unless I want auto body hammers, then it still Snap-On for me

Look at this one, great value & loaded with high end features:
Northern Industrial Welders Large View Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet
- features 4 arc sensors, double that of many helmets
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...lding Helmets&cm_cat=Nextag&cm_ven=Aggregates

Item# 1644910 <------- also watch linked video [4.7/5 star review]
Was $139.99 // Sale $109.99

Description
This solar-powered high-impact nylon helmet features a large 3.82in. x 2.44in. viewing area
— making it ideal for seeing more of the workplace when wearing glasses.
•9 - 13 variable shades with 1/25,000 second switch time
•Helmet will auto darken when welding with as low as 2 amps
•View maintains a shade of 3.5 when not welding
•Fully automatic On/Off switch
•4-point adjustable ratcheting headgear and replaceable sweat band for maximum comfort
•Replaceable batteries ensure that power is always available
•Hard hat compatible for use on any worksite
•Contains 4 front and 2 inside cover lenses (Item# 23109)
•CSA and ANSI approved

Key Specs
Ship Weight 2.0 lbs
Auto Darkening Yes
View Area W x H (in.) 3.82 x 2.44
Switch time (sec.) 1/25,000
Adjustable Sensitivity Yes
Variable Shades 9–13
UV/IR Coated Lens Yes
Adjustable Fit Yes
Power Supply Solar
Welding Processes MIG, Arc, Flux, TIG
Low Battery Indicator Yes
Battery Included Yes, 2 CR2450 coin-style

 

[lotsoftools]

Save Phace! http://www.savephace.com/EFP/Coming-Soon-the-Gen-Y-Series

Their new Gen Y's are hitting the street soon and I think they're about $150

 

[Jason280]

I bought one of the auto darkening HF helmets years ago when I first got into welding, probably at least 6-8 years, and it still works great to this day. I'm not sure what problems others have with them, but mine has worked perfectly. I have two other auto helmets, a Hobart that uses 2x AAAs and a solar powered Lincoln, and it dims just as well as both. In fact, the only issue I've had with a helmet is the Lincoln has to stay in the sunlight a bit to keep a charge, and the internal batteries don't last as long as they used to. The HF is slowly heading that way, but considering how inexpensive it was and how old it is, I'd say I've gotten my money out of the helmet. The Lincoln, while it is certainly more comfortable than the HF, cost 3x what the HF did and the internal batteries have not lasted nearly as long.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy another.

 

[Racecarl]

I bought a Miller Elite self darkening hood about 10 years ago when I bought my Millermatic 251. Up until a few years ago, it has worked great under some bad conditions and poor handling. I think one of my helpers dropped it, so when it darkens the third of the lens that is in front of my right eye goes almost completly dark--so dark I can't see through it. At first it would just do this once in a while, now it is nearly every time I strike an arc. I have been teaching myself how to TIG weld and this loss of vision was unacceptable.

I sprung for a Miller Digital Elite and so far it is GREAT! I just got it last Friday and played around with the TIG on some aluminum and it is a huge improvement. I also got a 150 diopter cheater lens which also was a very nice addition. Now I can't wait for the rest of the TIG stuff I ordered to arrive Monday (2-4) so I can play some more.

 

[dbabicky]

I have both a HF "cheepo" helmet and a very expensive Hobart helmet. I prefer the HF helmet over the Hobart. In fact when I was a maintainence Mechanic at a local foundry I used my Harbor Freight Helmet every day over my Hobart.

 

[trythis]

I have a Sellstrom helmet like this one:

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/SELLSTROM-Welding-Helmet-1N791?Pid=search

It was given to me in 2000 when I was teaching welding.

At that time they were made in the USA but eventually some of helmet parts wore out and I called Sellstrom directly and ordered a new helmet minus the lens. What showed up was a flimsy piece of ****. When I called to complain they said that they moved the factory to China (even though the Grainger site says USA) and the damn thing was so loose fitting that welding light would come through the front of the helmet around the lens insert. I have to use electrical tape to seal the old helmet and could only use the headband from the new unit. I love the fit on my head, and it doesn't cut into my collar bone like most helmets (especially Jackson) do. They still cost $400 even though they are imports, so expensive doesn't always a good helmet make.

Later I was given a Hobart unit that was OK, but it looked stupid with all the goofy paint job. I always felt my eyes hurt after using it, so I sold it on Fleabay. It worked, but I guess not well enough for me.

I am a bit nervous about using anything but my old one and dont want to risk buying one I cant feel on my head first. Fit and landing position are just as important to me as the auto-darkening speed and darkness. The local ones available to try on are so expensive and I feel like I am paying for brand marketing... I would like a 4 sensor unit. The Sellstom is only 2 and my welding fume extractor keeps blocking it. It works great for TIG though.

 

[R6 Racer]

I'm glad others have a hard time seeing out of the HF one. I thought it was just me. Can anyone recommend a relatively inexpensive ($100.00 to $ 150.00) that will greatly increase what I can see while welding.
I have never been flashed with my HF unit, but I often run a great bead only to find out that I drifted off the line I was trying to weld. I cant see where the 2 pieces of metal join while I'm welding. Is this my inexperience or can a better (but still inexpensive [see above]) helmet help become a better welder?

Steve

 

[JimVonBaden]

My equiptment matches my skill level..........................It's all ****.

Same here! No eye issues, but I weld for 20 seconds at a time, with a total of maybe 3-5 minutes on a job.

Jim

 

[JimVonBaden]

I have both a HF "cheepo" helmet and a very expensive Hobart helmet. I prefer the HF helmet over the Hobart. In fact when I was a maintainence Mechanic at a local foundry I used my Harbor Freight Helmet every day over my Hobart.

You sir, are obviously not a tool snob!

Jim