Welding Helmet Choises

[brycez28]

Been curious, besides look and comfort, what is the functional difference between a auto-darkening welding helmet from Menards for $44 vs one from Miller for $95 (variable shade) vs one from Miller for $369.

What shade ratings do you look for in a welding helmet for typical home use (MIG, Stick, maybe Tig someday)? Any recommendations for a helmet in the $150 area?

Menards- $44 http://www.menards.com/main/p-2446006-c-10163.htm
Miller- $95 http://www.millerwelds.com/products/welding_protection/head_face/helmets/classic/#load-panel-vs813
Miller- $369 http://www.millerwelds.com/products/welding_protection/head_face/helmets/titanium/#load-panel-9400

 

[Professur]

Clarity.

 

[Stooge]

i generally dont comment on these threads, but really?? this topic has been covered hundreds and hundreds of times on here just in the short time i've been on this board.
https://www.google.com/search?hl=en...&sa=X&ei=_u4SVdmeBYSnNoLPgoAL&ved=0CB4QrQIwAA

buy whatever fits your budget

 

[Bondo]

Been curious, besides look and comfort, what is the functional difference between a auto-darkening welding helmet from Menards for $44 vs one from Miller for $95 (variable shade) vs one from Miller for $369.

What shade ratings do you look for in a welding helmet for typical home use (MIG, Stick, maybe Tig someday)? Any recommendations for a helmet in the $150 area?

Menards- $44 http://www.menards.com/main/p-2446006-c-10163.htm
Miller- $95 http://www.millerwelds.com/products/welding_protection/head_face/helmets/classic/#load-panel-vs813
Miller- $369 http://www.millerwelds.com/products/welding_protection/head_face/helmets/titanium/#load-panel-9400

Ayuh,.... The $44. one works fine, til ya get sick of the headaches from flash-burns, 'n poorly fittin' headgear,....

The $100. ones will be ok for yer applications, unless ya plan to wear it 8 or 10 hours a day,...
Then, ya buy the $400. one,....

 

[AMCguy]

There is no "functional" difference. They are all auto darkening. There is however, a huge difference in quality, features, sensors, reaction time, sensitivity, viewing area, battery type and life expectancy etc.

The obvious question is, what are your eyes worth?

For $40. you can get Miller's top of the line fixed shade helmet. I have a couple. It's money well spent.

When I wanted auto darkening, I spent over $400. In my opinion, anything in between is come sort of compromise.

 

[IndyGarage]

I have the 44 auto darkening HF helmet - it works fine for MIG welding - it's too slow for TIG - it has no batteries

I have a $300+ speedglas 9100X that works great most of the time, but it seems to eat batteries.

I have a $100 speedglas that I bought at the pawn shop - it's beat to heck but works perfectly.

For a hobbyist - I can't see any reason to spend more than $50 on the HF

 

[neonnblack]

Love my speedglas helmet that i also picked up at a pawn shop for 60 bucks.

 

[TejDarkmoon]

I use a speedglas 9100x most of the time but i also use a fiber-metal pipeliner for overhead and tight quarters.

 

[91bronc300]

Any recommendations for a helmet in the $150 area?

If you're not in a hurry, myy recommend would be to watch the Jackson WH40 on Amazon and see if you can get it for $140 or $150.

 

[Falcon67]

I use a Hobart auto dark. IIRC it was around $140. It replaced an HF $50 unit that did well. I like the Hobart much better - Fits better, easier adjustments, serviceable for battery replacement and parts like cheater lenses.

 

[Thumper68]

I picked up this one on a whim while at Home Depot one day, on sale for $99.

 

[justanengineer]

There is no "functional" difference. They are all auto darkening. There is however, a huge difference in quality, features, sensors, reaction time, sensitivity, viewing area, battery type and life expectancy etc.

Actually, there is a huge functional difference, its similar to the difference between a real oil pressure gauge and a dummy gauge. The lower end "auto dark" helmets have a simple on-off "sensor" that adjusts the helmet to whichever specific shade is preselected via the knob on the helmet. Higher end helmets (usually ~$150+) have an active sensor control and a sensitivity adjustment, if your arc gets brighter the helmet automatically adjusts for the extra light which is very nice if youre like me with sensitive eyes that require multiple shades for different processes, regularly swap cheaters/magnifiers in/out, like to set it and forget it, or otherwise. Comfort really doesnt have dink to do with expense other than eye comfort, Ive had expensive helmets that would wear out my neck with their weight or were otherwise uncomfortable, Ive also had cheapies that were feather light that I could wear all day.

 

[crewchief888]

Been curious, besides look and comfort, what is the functional difference between a auto-darkening welding helmet from Menards for $44 vs one from Miller for $95 (variable shade) vs one from Miller for $369.

What shade ratings do you look for in a welding helmet for typical home use (MIG, Stick, maybe Tig someday)? Any recommendations for a helmet in the $150 area?

Menards- $44 http://www.menards.com/main/p-2446006-c-10163.htm
Miller- $95 http://www.millerwelds.com/products/welding_protection/head_face/helmets/classic/#load-panel-vs813
Miller- $369 http://www.millerwelds.com/products/welding_protection/head_face/helmets/titanium/#load-panel-9400

i like both my miller prohobby hoods.

right in your price range..

 

[Nele]

Save money and just put your hand in front of your face, if you squint hard enough you'll be able to see, and save money.

 

[RedneckWelder]

The el cheapo units will work for stick and mig but the response speed is faster for the higher end helmets and the better optics will be easier on the eyes.

I've used all three levels, the HF unit worked but was not a joy to use, the $100-150 helmet was a good bit better, and the expensive units was much better for actually welding.

 

[stokefire7]

I like my Huntsman 909.

 

[Loscaldazar]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NEUAY5E/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Works wonderfully, I have one with the larger viewing area.

 

[RedRabbit]

One thing to think about, you are messing with your eyes. If you buy a cheap auto, then you increase your chance of eye damage, not a big percent but enough. When it comes to safety always buy the best you can.

 

[taumac]

I have 2 Jackson helmets and changed out the lens to Hobart num 10 gold lens for under $10. They aren't AD but the clarity I get IMO outweighs the AD feature. I'm a hobbyist so didn't want to spend a lot for something I don't use too often.

 

[Fugio]

I got the $40 from HF. Works ok with my wire welder so far! Fits really good too!

 

[Farmall 1066]

I'm going to be the odd man out here.
Take a look at a Cherokee helmet.
Love mine, with gold lens and 1x magnifier.

 

[rcjoy]

Some of the higher end auto-darkening helmets (such as the 3M Speedglas) will also sense the TIG high-frequency start.

 

[151marker]

Love my overprced Snap On. Made by save phace if wanting to source it cheaper.

 

[BTMSUP]

I have a few. A snap on auto darkening, a bunch of miller fixed helmets with different shades in them and a couple cheap ones. I plan on buying a miller soon. The difference is noticeable when you start using them on a regular basis. You can also add cheaters and vent systems to the millers if you plan to weld all day.

 

[bcradio]

Ayuh,.... The $44. one works fine, til ya get sick of the headaches from flash-burns, 'n poorly fittin' headgear,....

The $100. ones will be ok for yer applications, unless ya plan to wear it 8 or 10 hours a day,...
Then, ya buy the $400. one,....

 

[Wizzard]

Miller Big Window Elite.

Big window helmets are much better, the one mentioned above has lasted me years (stored in a non climate controlled garage) and is still going strong...fully adjustable electronics as well.

 

[garfunkle24]

Miller ProHobby or step up to a Big Window Elite, as above. Digital is not worth it and i actually prefer the non. I forget why cos I rock a 9100x now too. I like the extra peripheral vision from the side windows and the cradle fits me well.

 

[225]

That Rhino eBay special. I have one and used it for countless hours.

 

[Engine]

A choice for the budget minded welder: