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

[vv111y]

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

Went through the whole thread. This looks really promising. 3 things:

1) jaw fatigue? sometimes I have to do a fair amount of grinding, fitting, or whatever. How long have you held the visor open? Anyone else have experience?

2) glass clarity. Everyone is saying the expensive ones are very clear. Are these as good?

3) How often do you have to change glass types? What is the most typical #? Not doing TIG yet, but someday.

This might be the one, also jumping off the HF bandwagon.

 

[MoparTrucks]

I too appreciate everyones input and sharing of your experience. I am a beginning welder with an old Dayton Arc welder and an el cheapo flux core Mig welder and have been using a Kobalt ...lots of things to consider as I progress.

 

[buildyourown]

After being flashed a few too many times by the crappy communal helmets at work I spent my tool allowance on a nice Miller. So much better. Everything about it. It stays clean, you can see everything, you never get flashed.

However, I wouldn't buy it again. I figured Miller was a good brand and it was the most expensive so I ordered it. The buttons are on the top so you can't reach a thing without taking it off and removing your gloves. It eats batteries and they are cheap.

Go to a well stocked store and try on the $250-300 ones. Like so many other things, buy the one that fits.

 

[mike13u]

All you guys that have high-end autos...when you get a chance, try a cheap Fibre-Metal or Huntsman static hood with a Philips Safety Athermal, gold-coated, #10 lens ($20) and report back to us.
I own and use a few high-end autos. I have never found anything more comfortable and with a super clear, bright, soothing blue view of the arc than my Fibre-Metal with a gold lens. Not even close.
I still use an auto out of convenience when I need to make a bunch of tacks during set-up and reposition a lot. But, none that I have found, are lightweight or have a better view once you strike an arc.

 

[pat g]

I recently purchased this helmet , http://www.usaweld.com/Striker-Digital-Welding-Helmet-p/90131-dig.htm

The price was good and it works very well , has four arc sensors

 

[pepi]

Here this one will get you noticed, new from Miller, scrap the air bushed flame and goofy face helmets. Auto darken lens .... even

 

[bw77]

Just my 4 cents (inflation) I learned to weld at Lincoln in Ohio in 1974.
Stick welding with a #10 fixed lens. The fiberglass helmet cost me $12.
I used that helmet for 12+ years working in a pipe fab shop. The helmet had the small
lens. In a fab shop I found that the large lens helmets caught reflections of what was going on behind me and distracted me.
I still don't have an auto darkening helmet. I still use a similar helmet and a good "goldback??" lens which I find superior to the gray/green lens.
But then again I am old and set in my ways LOL.

Nick

I learned to weld at Lincoln in 1972. Still have the helmet.

 

[sublimate]

Here this one will get you noticed, new from Miller, scrap the air bushed flame and goofy face helmets. Auto darken lens .... even

I like that.
Anyone used one or seen any reviews?

 

[rburke65]

I have a Jackson weld helmet. Probably 6 years old. Really like it.

 

[TejDarkmoon]

All you guys that have high-end autos...when you get a chance, try a cheap Fibre-Metal or Huntsman static hood with a Philips Safety Athermal, gold-coated, #10 lens ($20) and report back to us.
I own and use a few high-end autos. I have never found anything more comfortable and with a super clear, bright, soothing blue view of the arc than my Fibre-Metal with a gold lens. Not even close.
I still use an auto out of convenience when I need to make a bunch of tacks during set-up and reposition a lot. But, none that I have found, are lightweight or have a better view once you strike an arc.

I did exactly this to go along with my speedglas. The fibre metal is great for confined space and overhead welding IMO