welding helmet

[thejudges69]

My dad has been helping me alot on this build on my truck and he was having a hard time with his welding helmet being its an older style with the glass front and it isn't auto darkening. I want to get him a new helmet for helping me and don't know what to buy. I was looking for a miller one but I haven't had a lot of time to research, but I was also looking at the astro 8077 helmet, and northern tool has a few nice ones as well. What are you guys using out there and what kind of money did you invest in yours. pros and cons to them as well.

 

[Stephenw]

I just purchased a Speedglas 100V. It's a nice helmet.

http://shopngarage.com/2012/08/speedglas-100v-welding-helmet/

 

[BD1]

If you tig weld, four sensor helmets are better. It depends on how much welding you do and budget. I have the Miller Elite, not cheap. I would stick with the popular hoods, Miller, Lincoln, Hobart, Jackson, and Speedglass. Whatever you decide get extra lenses when you purchase hood. Depending on dad's age maybe check to see if hood has a magnifier available for it too. Just a thought. Here's my local suppliers site .
http://www.weldersupply.com/products.asp?id=32&cat=Safety+Equipment|Auto+Darkening+Welding+Helmets

 

[capswin]

I think that the helmets with flames on them make you weld better!

 

[Monte]

Optrel

 

[JC23]

I think that the helmets with flames on them make you weld better!

And you're right! Ditto fer pinstriping!

 

[zmotorsports]

I have the Miller BWE (Big Window Elite) and quite like it the little bit I use it. However, I still grap for my tried and trued large window standard, non-auto Huntsman about 95% of the time. Don't know if it is sentimental reasons or just old-school but I don't care for the auto darkening helmets much. If I have a real tight area under a vehicle and it will be easier to get to with the helmet down then I will grab for my auto darkening Miller BWE, otherwise my old Huntsman is on my head.

Mike.

 

[thejudges69]

My dad is 73 this October, we don't do a lot of welding anymore but I know he struggles with what he has when he does weld, I wasn't aware of a magnifier, that would be awesome for him. Can other people use it too? Budget isn't to big, he's my dad so I want something good for him. I don't think he needs a 400 dollar helmet on the shelf tho. He used to weld a lot welding truck and trailer frames but not so much anymore.

I'd like to stay with a good brand also. I can also look into extra lenses. The local oxygen acetylene supplier suggested that astro helmet.

 

[crewchief888]

i have a miller pro-hobby

around $150 from cyberweld

IMHO the northern tool auto darkening hood is a POS.

i have an off brand "skull design" with small lense flipup that i have a 1.5 or 2.0 power magnifier in.

also have a jackson BIG J that i've had for years.

 

[zmotorsports]

Also, stay away from the Snap-On auto darkening helmets. I don't know what controls they are using but a guy I work with has had nothing but problems with his.

Mike.

 

[BigSteve63]

Optrel

^^^^^ THIS ^^^^^
Optrel Satellite - love it.

 

[plinker]

I just purchased a Speedglas 100V. It's a nice helmet.

http://shopngarage.com/2012/08/speedglas-100v-welding-helmet/

Big +1

You can get the helmet off ebay (Indiana oxygen co.) for 160$ free shipping.
I would not buy anything less myself.