Welding helmet lens question

[charle10]

I'm looking for a high quality used welding helmet. I'd rather not take a chance with my vision by getting a cheapy. I've run across these Fiber metal ADF helmets a few times, but I can't find any quantitative information on the lenses. Has anyone used one of these, or have any feedback about them? I'm a hobby welder, so spending big money on a new helmet wouldn't make me popular with the wife.

 

[Kylecivicsi]

I'm looking for a high quality used welding helmet. I'd rather not take a chance with my vision by getting a cheapy. I've run across these Fiber metal ADF helmets a few times, but I can't find any quantitative information on the lenses. Has anyone used one of these, or have any feedback about them? I'm a hobby welder, so spending big money on a new helmet wouldn't make me popular with the wife.

keep an eye on craigslist! I picked up a Jackson EQC professional variable for 35 bucks. Ebay has decent prices from time to time as well, as long as you arent looking at a popular model (anything miller, for instance).

 

[charle10]

I've noticed the premium price for the Millers too. I've been looking around for Speedglas, Jackson, or a Miller. I've seen these Fibre Metal helmets a few times for $25-35 new, which seems cheap for a "name brand" helmet.

 

[W650Mike]

Tractor Supply usually has a decent deal on Hobart auto/adjustable hoods.

 

[Case IH]

Go with a new Hobart they are great and relatively cheap

 

[impulse922]

miller pro hobby is like $91 on cyberweld. free ship too.

The HF autodark helmet isn't all that bad either.

 

[Tigwldr]

Whats your budget?

 

[rickairmedic]

Tractor Supply usually has a decent deal on Hobart auto/adjustable hoods.

I agree with this I paid $69.00 for a Hobart Auto dark from Tractor supply and it is a great hood only one I have thats better is my Miller BWE and I paid $125.00 for it used ( although in like new condition ) . I had a few HF autodarks and after putting on the Hobart I tossed the HF hoods. Dont get me wrong I have alot of good HF tools but their hoods are not on the list of good tools.

Rick

 

[crewchief888]

+1 for a miller pro hobby.

nice hood, has spare inner and outer lenses, comes in several different graphics,

and free shipping from cyberweld.

one thing you may want to do, is check out whats available at your LWS, and find a hood that fits and covers.
one thing i did find out a while back was that the solar only AD lenses have a predicted lifespan.

mine was 10 years old when it decided not to autodarken anymore.
bad arcflash, saw spots for a couple days, and a headache for several days.
a lot of the cheap hoods and AD lenses dont have the fast response time that a better quality hood does. i can tell the difference after welding with a cheaper northern tool hood vs. the miller.

 

[charle10]

Is the slower lens speed an issue (3,600 vs 12,00 vs 20,000+)? I'm not planning on spending 8 hrs a day welding, but I'd prefer to err on the safe side.

I'd like to keep it under $100, but I've passed on a few speedglas in that range because I'm not in a huge hurry to get one.

 

[PCO6]

I'm not familiar with the helmet you are asking about but I just bought a Lincoln K2799-1 AD helmet for $130 CDN and it's been great. I think you can get them for a little over $100 US so it's close to your range. I also have an AD helmet from Princess Auto ($60 CDN on sale) and it's been good too. Personally, I'm not sure I'd trust a used AD helmet. Lots of guys take care of their stuff but some don't. Hopefully you can tell if its been well cared for by looking at it. A regular helmet - no problem. An AD helmet - ?

Lincoln helmet ...
http://www.google.com/products/cata...=X&ei=zcxlTda4BYep8AbF9syJCw&ved=0CFgQ8wIwAQ#

Princess Auto helmet ...
http://www.princessauto.com/worksho...7-solar-powered-auto-darkening-welding-helmet


Edit - I just realized that was post 666 for PCO6 - about a flaming skull helmet - seems right to me.

 

[charle10]

What would the concerns be with a used helmet? I think it would be pretty easy to see if it darkens or not. What else could be wrong with them, other than a dying un-changeable battery on a solar only helmet? How do auto darkening helmet usually fail? All I've seen online indicates they just stop working, and usually from dead internal batteries, mishandling, or freezing/getting them wet.

 

[crewchief888]

What would the concerns be with a used helmet? I think it would be pretty easy to see if it darkens or not. What else could be wrong with them, other than a dying un-changeable battery on a solar only helmet? How do auto darkening helmet usually fail? All I've seen online indicates they just stop working, and usually from dead internal batteries, mishandling, or freezing/getting them wet.

when my old AD lense decided to quit working, i checked with the manufacturer, 10 year warranty on the lense, mine was almost 11 years old when it died.
from what ive noticed specwise, a lot of the cheaper hoods have a single sensor, and a slower response time.
more expensive hoods have multiple sensors, and a faster darkening time.

i can tell the difference between a cheaper lens and a more expensive lens after welding with them for a while.
the better the lens the less spotty vision and headache

 

[PCO6]

What would the concerns be with a used helmet?

I tend to take better care of my AD helmets than I ever did with my non AD helmets. First, they are more expensive. I also "assume" they are more sensitive to shock so I "put" them down vs. tossing them around. If you see a used AD helmet that's banged up I'd be concerned. Also, as Crewchief points out, AD helmets have a life span. Verifying how old a used helmet is, as well as how its been used, may be tricky.

 

[impulse922]

gotta keep the solar powered ones somewhere around light if you dont use it much. You will be in for an unpleasant surprise if you dont.

 

[evintho]

I've heard alot of knocks on the cheap helmets but I gotta tell ya, this one works great! I got it on sale last year for $40. I used it non-stop 4 hours a day with no problems at all. I set it on #11 and it goes dark in 1/25000 of a sec (instantaneously). I've heard the headband can wearout or break eventually but you can adapt a better quality headband to it, when and if that happens. For the price, you can't beat it!

http://www.harborfreight.com/blue-flame-design-auto-darkening-welding-helmet-91214.html

 

[PCO6]

I've heard alot of knocks on the cheap helmets but I gotta tell ya, this one works great! I got it on sale last year for $40. I used it non-stop 4 hours a day with no problems at all. I set it on #11 and it goes dark in 1/25000 of a sec (instantaneously). I've heard the headband can wearout or break eventually but you can adapt a better quality headband to it, when and if that happens. For the price, you can't beat it!

http://www.harborfreight.com/blue-flame-design-auto-darkening-welding-helmet-91214.html

I agree. As I mentioned above, I have a Lincoln helmet and one from Princess Auto (http://www.princessauto.com/worksho...7-solar-powered-auto-darkening-welding-helmet) and I can't say that one is any better than the other. I wouldn't have considered the PA one until I went into a welding shop one day and saw one of their apprentices using one. I asked him how he liked it and he said several of their welders used them and liked them.

 

[crewchief888]

I tend to take better care of my AD helmets than I ever did with my non AD helmets. First, they are more expensive. I also "assume" they are more sensitive to shock so I "put" them down vs. tossing them around. If you see a used AD helmet that's banged up I'd be concerned. Also, as Crewchief points out, AD helmets have a life span. Verifying how old a used helmet is, as well as how its been used, may be tricky.

the only AD lenses ive run across that have a life span are the solar only powered ones. i dont know about the battery/solar units expected life span , maybe one of the welding experts can chime in.

 

[fflintstone]

the only AD lenses ive run across that have a life span are the solar only powered ones. i dont know about the battery/solar units expected life span , maybe one of the welding experts can chime in.

Back in the day I bought a just under $300 battery/solar Jackson back in 97. Despite fresh batteries it was not darkening enough and quick enough. It was about 11+ years old when it quit. I was and still am laid of so I picked up an HF model, and have not had problems with it.
I am sure there are tons of nice inexpensive name brand helmets now, but I would assume they are all made off shore.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

I think for hobby work you are better off with a simple #11 gold coat filter.

After having two AD's bite the dust on me at REALLY inopportune times, I've given up on them altogether.

 

[wishihadatalon]

I think for hobby work you are better off with a simple #11 gold coat filter.

After having two AD's bite the dust on me at REALLY inopportune times, I've given up on them altogether.

Man you must not be able to see hardly anything half the time you are welding The only time I have ever gone with an 11 shade is when I was doing flux core welding at well over 200 amps. I do agree with you 100% about the auto darkening helmets. I would like one for some work (the speedglas one with side windows) but I have made my way through way too many welding classes and tests with a $30 jackson helmet, glass filter lens, and plastic lens protector.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

We've got a little list of "approved" grades - If I remember right the #11 was for anything over 90 amps on any material less than ¼". I find it easier to just use the #11 all the time.

 

[gmwelder86]

If you think the gold is good try the lincoln super visability, they are a little hardto find now a days but they blow the standard gold lenses away. Its like going from a green to a gold. As to the OP go with a standard hood for now. I have the HF auto while it is decent the clarity just isnt there, while I do still use it some times its only when I am in a position where I cant use my standard FM pipeliner. Other than that it sits in the garage collecting dust.

 

[charle10]

I'm using a fixed shade now, that's one of the reasons I'm not in a big hurry to get one. But the AD lenses sure do make tacking things a lot easier, at least for someone without years of experience flipping the lid down.

 

[Skin]

Man you must not be able to see hardly anything half the time you are welding The only time I have ever gone with an 11 shade is when I was doing flux core welding at well over 200 amps. I do agree with you 100% about the auto darkening helmets. I would like one for some work (the speedglas one with side windows) but I have made my way through way too many welding classes and tests with a $30 jackson helmet, glass filter lens, and plastic lens protector.

everyones eyes are different. I tried a 10 on some light mig welds and was seeing spots. It was very bright. For this reason i'd actually suggest trying before you buy. Lenses are the most expensive part.

Pretty sure most helmets are made in China these days, including high end models like the Miller Elite, so not trusting a cheaper no name model but trusting a name brand probably made in the same factory seems a bit silly to me. Once you start hunting in the $100-$150 or below catagory i think most are the same.

 

[crewchief888]

ive always had more than one hood,

miller pro hobby AD
jackson big J large fixed
no name skull flip up lense

i pull out the jackson just for old times sake, it's the type i learned how to weld with

not pictured
NT AD

 

[PCO6]

ive always had more than one hood,

Do you still have an old "hand held"? There are times when they come in handy too.

 

[crewchief888]

Do you still have an old "hand held"? There are times when they come in handy too.

now that you mention it,

i have 2 of them

both newer lincolns that were packaged with the promig 140.

funny thing is, i have used it a couple times.
sometimes theres just no room for my head


i havent seen an old timey hand held in a long long time, dad had one in the cellar of a house we lived in nearly 50 years ago.
by the time i was old enough for him to teach me to weld, he had a brand new jackson big J