Trying to pick a MIG welding mask

[IndyGarage]

I strongly disagree!!! I have been welding a long time and a HF hood is no where Near the same class as a speedglas. I still have my first 15 year old speedglas 9000v with well over 10,000 hours on it and never had a problem with it. No different than buying nice Tillman gloves or proper fitting safety glasses. Top notch gear is not only more comfortable, but it is safer that's a fact.

I'm a hobby welder, not a professional like you, so there are probably some factors that I just don't appreciate as much. I certainly wouldn't recommend a HF helmet to a professional. I would agree that the field of view of the HF helmet is not as good as either of my Speedglas helmets, however I don't really see much difference in terms of visual clarity within the field of view, but again, I may not even know enough to see it.

As far as ease of use, you can't get much easier than the HF helmet. There is no on/off switch, only a darkness knob. With the speedglass, you have to turn it on on the inside of the helmet, and there are digital adjustments for the darkness - I personally find the knob easier.

Perhaps it's like the consumer hand tool discussion vs. truck brand tools. For the shade tree mechanic, Craftsman wrenches might be all he ever needs; he would likely never know, nor need to know about the durability or capability differences between them and Snap-on. If you are a pro, you cannot afford a lost couple hours because your tool breaks when you push it hard.

I still think if you are occasionally using a MIG welder, the HF helmet is a great option. It does work, and if you can get by with it and spend a couple hundred more on a better welder, that would be money well spent.

 

[Thumper68]

Bringing up an older thread, forgive me.

As my eyes have gotten older I find that beyond needing better glasses I need a better helmet as well, I have been trying some out on loan from the LWS but none of them have been that much better.

I got to try out this one from Jackson Safety at Fabtech and it was a world of difference.
Truesight II.

Video

Does anyone have one? If so what are your impressions?

Wife is getting one for me for x-mas and I want it to be the best it can be.

 

[Professur]

Your LWS loans trial masks? Care to name them? I always like to advertise shops that go that extra mile.

 

[Thumper68]

Your LWS loans trial masks? Care to name them? I always like to advertise shops that go that extra mile.

I don't know if they loan out helmets to just anyone so I don't want to put them on the spot.

 

[Professur]

I don't know the product ... but they've got all the buzz words right.

 

[TauntDevil]

I use a harbor freight Auto darkening helmet for mig welding and works great but for tig, I currently have a shade 13 helmet which doesnt have anything. Using it until i can save up to buy a good auto darkening since HF ones and many others I have tried dont do well with tig. Only mig

 

[dogdog]

HF unit works with hobby TIG or Mig (occuational), the battery does needed to be changed out if it is weak, it won't switch or slow switch.... there are two button cells if you open the unit up inside (needs to be soldered out)... they are connected in series 6V total, a Radio Shack 4x AAA battery holder fit nicely, now turn on strong every time.

The Jackson I have also uses two batteries CR2450 that needs to be changed from time to time... and it's a pain and expensive, performance wise I think they are almost the same. Jackson is a littler better if you weld all day long.

 

[ryolse]

I know it's been discussed many times over the past 6 months here. But FWIW for the next guy who stumbles into here I also have 2 of the HF auto darkening helmets and they've done well. My only dislike is that the drop down henge on both of them tended to be sloppy and eventually broke. I ended up using a wing nut to replace them both.

 

[Mike.ASC]

I am also shopping for a replacement . Does anyone have any experience with either of these ?

http://www.weldinghelmetsdirect.com...o-large-view-4-x-2.6-grind-carbon-fiber-rh01/

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HTP-Striker...ig-Tig-Stick-Arc-Weld-Cut-Grind-/141674076123

 

[shoot summ]

I started with an import AD helmet that met the ANSI standard, thought it was OK.

Started welding a lot more and noticed that my eyes always hurt the next day. Decided my eyes were worth investing a few $$'s in a better helmet. Did a little online shopping, noticed that Speedglass seems to be the shiz. Took note of the best online price, and stopped by my local welding store. They got close to the online price so I bought it there. Really like the side windows in the Speedglass, and my eyes don't hurt anymore.

 

[Thumper68]

Bringing up an older thread, forgive me.

As my eyes have gotten older I find that beyond needing better glasses I need a better helmet as well, I have been trying some out on loan from the LWS but none of them have been that much better.

I got to try out this one from Jackson Safety at Fabtech and it was a world of difference.
Truesight II.

Video

Does anyone have one? If so what are your impressions?

Wife is getting one for me for x-mas and I want it to be the best it can be.

So I have been reading all the reviews I can find on this mask and so far I haven't found a bad one.

Everyone seems to say that it is the best AD mask they have ever used and would buy again if needed.
At right around $300 I guess I will tell the wife to pull the trigger. Merry x-mas to me.

I also like the fact that it uses 2 AAA batteries instead of the expensive button batteries like most of the other higher end masks, and the 5 year warranty doesn't hurt either.

 

[joshuakline]

I just bought the Jackson Safety BH3 Auto Darkening Welding Helmet with Balder Technology. I got it on sale at amazon for $253. I did have the harbor freight auto darkening helmet, and that seemed to work ok. I tried out my brothers, Lincoln Viking and that was better than the harbor freight but the Jackson bh3 is so clear it makes a huge difference.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AAQ4ZPK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

its not on sale anymore. I do feel it was worth the money

 

[driz]

HF unit works with hobby TIG or Mig (occuational), the battery does needed to be changed out if it is weak, it won't switch or slow switch.... there are two button cells if you open the unit up inside (needs to be soldered out)... they are connected in series 6V total, a Radio Shack 4x AAA battery holder fit nicely, now turn on strong every time.

The Jackson I have also uses two batteries CR2450 that needs to be changed from time to time... and it's a pain and expensive, performance wise I think they are almost the same. Jackson is a littler better if you weld all day long.

After ruining a few HF and one other mid range not quite top of line models I found out the extreme cold was killing mine. Now I bring mine in the house for the winter. It also sits on a shelf where it gets some light on the solar panel. I also park it in a window area when not being used for weeks while in the shop rather than hanging face done by its strap.
Does it work or even help, who knows . One thing for sure, my current HF cheapo is going strong after more than 5 years. I guess that counts for something. You have to remember that unlike the pros most of us weekend warriors often go week or even months without welding and that can be tough on batteries in extreme cold climates.
The achillies heel of the cheap ones is that it's damned near impossible to change that battery. I tried once and by the time I got done it was trashed because it was so inaccessible. . That's my one real gripe with the cheap ones..

 

[AnthonyJ124]

Another HF helmet here. Works good. I bought it because it was cheap and I "needed" it quick. I figure when it dies, I'll upgrade later.

 

[Pettydev]

If you haven't tried any of the 3M Speedglas masks you are missing out. They're expensive (Starting at around $350), but they are great. Light weight, stay put in any position, comfortable, and a very large viewing window. The adjustments on the auto darkening response and color actually make a difference (compared to other masks I've tried).

 

[Superbec]

After ruining a few HF and one other mid range not quite top of line models I found out the extreme cold was killing mine. Now I bring mine in the house for the winter. It also sits on a shelf where it gets some light on the solar panel. I also park it in a window area when not being used for weeks while in the shop rather than hanging face done by its strap.
Does it work or even help, who knows .

all it does is kill your batteries and lcd faster, they are not rechargeable batteries, the solar panel only powers the lcd that darkens the lens , it's not actually charging the batteries.

I keep all my electronic welding helmets in motorcycle helmets bags , no dust.

 

[Superbec]

If you haven't tried any of the 3M Speedglas masks you are missing out. They're expensive (Starting at around $350), but they are great. Light weight, stay put in any position, comfortable, and a very large viewing window. The adjustments on the auto darkening response and color actually make a difference (compared to other masks I've tried).

you can find discounted speedglass for around 100$, it's the cheapest model though, but milion times better than cheapo ****.

the thing with welding helmets ... they must darken fast, if they don't you get flashed 1/100s , do that 3-400 times a day and it's 4 seconds of welding arc in your eyes, you'll feel it after you go to sleep

miller elite digital actually darkens before even there's an arc, it's fantastic welding tech, I love it

now...when "you" squirt your flux core 90A from harborfreight once every 4 years in a bluw moon that's no problem , you'll be fine and you'll contaminate the gene pool even further

 

[mtnkrake]

I have an Esab Origo-Tech that i really like. Its super clear but it doesnt have the biggest window. Its 10 times better than a harbor freight.


http://www.dougdeals.com/p-68312-ne...8yv8RNnyZv6UOdY_DK2zQ-jKAsnn-rGbJEaAs2L8P8HAQ

 

[dbabicky]

I have the Miller Elite and a HF one. Bought the HF one for backup but I grab for the cheap HF over the Miller one most of the time now its more comfortable and its lighter weight. Far as seeing and darkening its the same for both far as I can tell and I can see the weld area and puddle just fine for TIG, stick, and MIG in all positions. The lens is smaller but that is no problem for me and I personally do not like using the grind mode on the miller. I use a clear face shield when grinding so I can see what I am doing better.
Who knows maybe I just got lucky with my HF one.

This is the HF one I got:
http://www.harborfreight.com/blue-flame-design-auto-darkening-welding-helmet-91214.html

Its all going to come down to using it if you like it or not, most decent welding supply stores will let you try several with a welder there in the store. Mississippi Welders Supply is one around here that does that.

I have the same two hoods my self and as you do, I grab the HF one first as well.

 

[crewchief888]

miller prohobby

for me, it "fit" better than anything else i tried on...

local welding suppliers wouldnt budge on prices,
i bought one from cyberweld, the 2nd one came from matheson welding supply as a facebook giveaway.

 

[MarkG]

I have a Miller Digital Elite and worked at a place that wanted you to use what THEY supplied. Brand new Speedglas, but I still think I like mine better.