I'm not much of a welder, but I enjoy piddling with it. I've got a Hobart mig and a Lincoln stick. I use a harbor freight welding auto darkening helmet but I've been looking at a Lincoln hood. Are they worth the investment?
Welding helmets
- Thread starter Chaznsc
- Start date
When I bought my Hobart 165 welder it came as package, welder, auto-helmet and cart. The Hobart is a decent helmet but I started having issues and it's turned down to shade #9. The wife bought me, at my request, a Miller Digital Performance helmet for Christmas. I wasn't happy with it at first, I thought it was cheaply made, but after some use, I'm starting to like it. I think it was worth it for me. The older helmet is about 10 years old and if this Miller last just as long, it puts the cost down to $18/yr give or take.
goodysgotacuda
Well-known member
Definitely. The HF hood seems "ok" when you have nothing else to compare it to, but quickly falls short when you get under a better hood.
I sold myself on a different one by picking up the $100 Kobalt at Lowes, I figured if it wasn't better, I could easily return it...well, I still have it and the HF hood is lost in my shed.
I sold myself on a different one by picking up the $100 Kobalt at Lowes, I figured if it wasn't better, I could easily return it...well, I still have it and the HF hood is lost in my shed.
Warrenator
Well-known member
I had the HF blue flame helmet, which works great for Mig and stick, when I started Tig welding my instructor advised me to get a better helmet as the sensitivity is a little low on the HF and supposedly you get flashed a lot. I bought the Jackson BH3 Balder helmet and really like it. Never been flashed. Supposedly the optics are better in the Jackson helmet and it is easier to see the puddle, I use a slide in cheater lens as well (direct fit on the Jackson helmet, I think I used tape on the HF one) and that helps too.
I miss having great close up vision, if you are over 40 you might want to try the cheater lens too.
I miss having great close up vision, if you are over 40 you might want to try the cheater lens too.
Falcon67
Well-known member
I replaced my HF hood with a nice Hobart item - big difference. Also, I can buy cheater lenses at Northern Tool. AFAIK, no cheater lenses available for HF hoods.
crkleve
Well-known member
I have a Lincoln (US Flag style helmet) and had a 'cheapy' before. The viewing screen being much larger and the extra light that allows for preparation prior to the arc is absolutely worth the extra money. I have become a much better welder simply because I can 'see' much better. Yes, buy it... it is a GREAT Investment in my opinion!
GOD Bless,
Chad
GOD Bless,
Chad
Ironhorse74
MEMBER EMERITUS
I just got a Miller auto darkening helmet that was on a student special for 79.00 at Airgas. I really like it. And no I am not a student.
Brad
Brad
I have been using a $100 Lincoln helmet from HD for the last few years and it is ok but just upgraded to the Jackson Safety True Sight II, I haven't actually welded with it yet but have had time to try it out with a bright led flash light at the LWS (designed to mimic arc flash) and here at home and I am in love with it, the viewing area is huge, 4 arc sensors, great arc reaction and it uses AA batteries so no searching for replacements.
I will be out in the shop tomorrow and finally be able to give it a good test.
I will be out in the shop tomorrow and finally be able to give it a good test.
myredracer
Well-known member
I bought these Servore welding goggles a few months ago. They are the greatest thing for the MIG welding I do. If doing close up fine work and/or are near-sighted, they are so much better than a conventional hood with auto-darkening lens. I think Miller now makes a similar one now. The Servore mask, hood + goggles are $219 on Amazon.
Kinda scary looking and would be useful at Halloween when answering your door, lol.
Kinda scary looking and would be useful at Halloween when answering your door, lol.
matt_i
Well-known member
Currently using the Speedglas 9100XX. It is not a $100 helmet but awesome view out the front and sides. for peripheral vision. Excellent comfortable headgear.
I justified this by not being able to get another pair of eyes.
I justified this by not being able to get another pair of eyes.
3 Gun Shooter
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2015
- Messages
- 880
I just got a new Miller Elite from Cyberweld, get helmet retired my old Jackson P411 &
P711's. I had one of the original Speedglass helmets back in '80 when I was at LLL building large vacuum chambers, nice but the were $700 back then, the Lab bought them for us.
P711's. I had one of the original Speedglass helmets back in '80 when I was at LLL building large vacuum chambers, nice but the were $700 back then, the Lab bought them for us.
dawgee
Well-known member
i just bought a 3M speed glass to replace a HF helmet no comparison
Doug Arthurs
Well-known member
My Lincoln auto seems to have a bad battery in it so it only darkens a couple of times then stops. I can't see any way to replace the batteries so I bought a Hobart which you can change the batteries in. You may want to make sure you can can them on whatever you buy.
Reversepolarity
Well-known member
What is your budget?
A**holes Garage
Banned
I bought my first welder right before Christmas and splurged on a Miller Digital Elite helmet. I haven't used anything else but I'll say it's very comfortable and has great visibility thanks to a large viewing area.
I'm only a DIY guy and an inexperienced one at that. But there are a few things in life I have avoided skimping on and I think it's been good. Two of those are things that go near my eyes and safety equipment. This is both. So for me it was worth the cost.
I'm only a DIY guy and an inexperienced one at that. But there are a few things in life I have avoided skimping on and I think it's been good. Two of those are things that go near my eyes and safety equipment. This is both. So for me it was worth the cost.
Jazz1
Well-known member
I bought a Speedglas 100. Money well spent! Much better clarity than my 15 year old Praxair which finally quit. I did bring home a $100 Lincoln hood for a day,,,kept getting flashed and when I returned it to vendor and told him why he did not seem surprised.
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Reversepolarity
Well-known member
I use an Optrel auto hood for tig welding.
But for mig, and stick. I prefer my trusty old fixed shade passive hood.
Most of my work day is under a welding hood.
But for mig, and stick. I prefer my trusty old fixed shade passive hood.
Most of my work day is under a welding hood.
Huntsman. Your welcome.
Fixed that for you.
I got to try out my new hood today and I have to say that it is the best view I have ever had, by far.
Couple of things that I liked:
The window is huge
the color is much better than anything else I have tried
it fits my head great both bare headed and with a welding cap on
Some of the other pluses:
set up was easy
takes 2 aaa batteries
light weight
Negatives:
Cost $300+
grind mode button is on the inside
didn't come with extra outer cover
Couple of things that I liked:
The window is huge
the color is much better than anything else I have tried
it fits my head great both bare headed and with a welding cap on
Some of the other pluses:
set up was easy
takes 2 aaa batteries
light weight
Negatives:
Cost $300+
grind mode button is on the inside
didn't come with extra outer cover
52wrench
Well-known member
I'm looking at the Speedglas. Do these high end helmets actually provide more visual clarity to see the puddle better? That is my main concern above all the bells and whistles. I have a HF chicom and it darkens fast enough, has 9-13 settings and works ok for TIG and stick but I have an especially hard time seeing the puddle when doing MIG. Just doing a straight **** joint I find myself wandering because I can't see the seam. I wear my 2.5 cheaters but it's like there is just not enough definition or something. Thanks.
The kobalt has really good ratings.
junkyardwarrior
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2014
- Messages
- 174
I won't give another dime for an auto-darkening helmet. I had a $400 Miller unit that I bought a few years ago. Seems like every time I use it, I have to replace the dern battery. I was keeping an extra battery around just for this purpose. After it sits a while, it too goes dead so then the helmet stops working. And it never stops working when it's convenient. Always the worst possible time, like say you're just struck an arc.
That old Forney helmet I had laying around....it doesn't have a battery to die. Just an old traditional style helmet with regular old cheap glass in it; and honestly I can lay down a better quality weld with it than I could with the Miller.
IF I had a TIG machine, yeah I'd like the auto darkening feature a LOT better; and I might even be more tolerant of the darn batteries going dead every time I needed it.
That old Forney helmet I had laying around....it doesn't have a battery to die. Just an old traditional style helmet with regular old cheap glass in it; and honestly I can lay down a better quality weld with it than I could with the Miller.
IF I had a TIG machine, yeah I'd like the auto darkening feature a LOT better; and I might even be more tolerant of the darn batteries going dead every time I needed it.
Ilikeike
ALLIANCE MEMBER
There's obviously something wrong with it if the battery keeps going dead.
My Miller is two years old and I have yet to change the battery.
Reversepolarity
Well-known member
If you are not using them. The solar panels can't charge the battery.
Jazz1
Well-known member
The lens in my Praxair shield lasted 10 years and was always stored in a box to protect from damage. No user serviceable battery in that lens. Vendor was also surprised I had no issues all those years. Depends on quality I'm thinking.
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I guess I'm still old school. I have a very nice Millet Big Window Elite that my wife and son bought me about 6 years or so ago, but I can't seem to give up either of my old manual hoods. I like my old Huntsman for MIG welding and my Jackson Harley Davidson edition for TIG. Both with the larger 4.5"x 5.25" lense and disposable clear protective cover.
About the only times I reach for my auto hood is when I need to get into a reals tight spot up under a suspension system or similar. Otherwise I have one of my standard manual hoods on.
Mike.
About the only times I reach for my auto hood is when I need to get into a reals tight spot up under a suspension system or similar. Otherwise I have one of my standard manual hoods on.
Mike.
TerryH
Well-known member
I started with a HF. Have Speed Glas 9100V now. I only do MIG. Amazing difference in the clarity. Improved my vision very significantly. Worth every penny in my book anyway. I wear my regular glasses or my reading safety glasses under the helmet. Either way works fine.
I started a thread when I was trying to decide what to do. Here it is...
Welding helmet thread
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I think my new Miller has better clarity than the decent Hobart that I have been using. I was also having a hard time seeing the puddle on #9 with the Hobart just like you. Now that I have the Miller adjusted right for fit, it's gotten alot better.
I wasn't sure at first, but now, I'm positive it was money well spent.
1969
Well-known member
Subscribed....
Scout Driver
Well-known member
I bought this Weldcote a couple years ago and have been very happy with it. No battery issues, good optical quality, nice size viewing area and the price wasn't bad either.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008YZHD8A/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Scott
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008YZHD8A/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Scott
crewchief888
Well-known member
before i bought my last hood, i made the rounds of LWS and tried on every different hood i could find.
for the price, fit and comfort i chose a miller pro-hobby.
none of the LWS stores could/would come close on price,
i bought mine from cyberweld.
$140 to my door
i now have 2 of them, 2nd one came from a FB contest
for the price, fit and comfort i chose a miller pro-hobby.
none of the LWS stores could/would come close on price,
i bought mine from cyberweld.
$140 to my door
i now have 2 of them, 2nd one came from a FB contest
Attachments
Joe69
Well-known member
I have a Miller digital elite and like it a lot. My only complaint is the headgear. I cant keep it from falling, it won't stay up.
Joe
Joe
Maybe get some of these?
Attachments
Mark in Indiana
Well-known member
I'm old school about helmets also. For the 6 - 8 welding projects that I do a year, my manual helmet is just fine.