Which auto darkening helmet?
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bauschracing
Well-known member
If you can go a few more dollars, miller has a performance series helmet that is a good value. I had a cheep lincoln auto helmet that lasted 10 years and replaced it with the miller. It has 3 sensors which helps when doing tight welds. Some helmets only have 2 sensors, and I found that the 4 sensor helmets were out of my price range. I gave $190. at my local welding store.
Mike
Mike
NCCheesehead
Well-known member
The miller pro hobby can be had in black for $119 on eBay.
Mmfh
MEMBER EMERITUS
I have the basic Lincoln, no adjustments, just basic auto hood. It has worked great for years.
Not fancy but it works great and a lot cheaper than $150.
Mm
Not fancy but it works great and a lot cheaper than $150.
Mm
jasonreck71
Well-known member
I got one from HF on sale...I think about $50...I consider myself a hobby welder but I have also built a few trailers and this helmet was more then suitable. If I was a welder by trade and/or it was my job by all means I would get a better one
riskyvt
Well-known member
Do you live near a Tractor Supply or Northern Tool? They sell Hobart welding equipment, auto-darkening helmets too. I love my Hobart helmet.
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A**holes Garage
Banned
Jackson NexGen
GirlnAgarage
Well-known member
I guess you have two ways to go about it. You can buy several cheap hoods over time or go with a quality more expensive hood.
I got a cheapie $49 from Northern Tool and it's done what I needed to do. Been about 1-1.yrs still works. For a cheap hood, it does the job in my hobby/home project garage. I'm starting to mull over another cheap hood or going ahead with a quality unit. Since I'm a casual 'weldor' a cheapie works with little investment.
I got a cheapie $49 from Northern Tool and it's done what I needed to do. Been about 1-1.yrs still works. For a cheap hood, it does the job in my hobby/home project garage. I'm starting to mull over another cheap hood or going ahead with a quality unit. Since I'm a casual 'weldor' a cheapie works with little investment.
kartracer55
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Stick with name brand. It's your eyes, and you only get one set. You never know what problems may develop later and safety gear is never something to cheap out on. Ask any intelligent rider or race car driver.
Hobart offers small windows for around 100$, if you want the big viewing window hoods in a quality brand, expect to spend closer to 250. I guess you need to make the call as to what you need in the hood, and how much you value those features.
Hobart offers small windows for around 100$, if you want the big viewing window hoods in a quality brand, expect to spend closer to 250. I guess you need to make the call as to what you need in the hood, and how much you value those features.
bczygan
Well-known member
OP has a price limit. I am interested in what is the best helmet period.
kartracer55
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I've got a 3M Speedglass 9100X that kicks major ***. Can be had for around $300. Made in Sweden. Head gear is very adjustable and very comfortable, cheap to replace if needed as well. The 9100V has a slightly smaller window, 9100XX has a slightly larger window, and the price varies accordingly. I can't say enough about this helmet, I believe I posted a more in depth review...
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38906&highlight=9100x
http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0046/9692/files/2011_01_Speedglas_9100_FX_Brochure.pdf?100214
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fsae0607
Well-known member
I have the HF red skull one and it works good, also makes you look badass! 
PCO6
Well-known member
Do you mean like this Chinese Snap-on helmet? For $315 It must be good. Right?
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1751&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
GirlnAgarage
Well-known member
I have the HF red skull one and it works good, also makes you look badass!
haha I got red flames on my NT model
GeorgiaHybrid
Well-known member
I have a Miller Performance hemet and a 3M Speedglas 9100. If you can afford to stretch your budget just a bit, Any of the Miller, Jackson, SpeedGlas and Lincoln helmets that are above the hobby level will last a long time and offer (in my opinion) better protection for your eyes. Of the two that I have, I prefer the Miller but after borrowing a buddies Miller Elite, I wish I had gotten one just for the larger field of view.
For the 3M helmet, if you are welding with others, take a long, hard look at the Speedglas with the side windows. They help with awareness in a shop environment.
For the 3M helmet, if you are welding with others, take a long, hard look at the Speedglas with the side windows. They help with awareness in a shop environment.
chris fresh
Well-known member
been a while since i saw it,is it snap on who makes the mask with the really large window? that will be my next one,but for now i'm still rockin the h.f from 9 years ago.been great for the 49 bucks i paid for it on sale
chris fresh
Well-known member
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Snap-On-Wel...402?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item416182c17a
this is the one i was refering to,and anyone who wants to chime in on wether or not it's a good price with the 3 lenses
this is the one i was refering to,and anyone who wants to chime in on wether or not it's a good price with the 3 lenses
Had it for a good 4 years now. Works flawlessly. kartracer55
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I LOVE this feature.
bggrnchvy
Well-known member
I've had a Speedglas Utility for about 5 years now for both home use and some welding for a couple jobs.
For the price point of ~$130 I think it's a decent unit. I wish the window was bigger and the shade was adjustable from time to time, but that's where you get into $300+ hoods.
The only part that's failed is the head gear hardware but a new set was $4.50. The front shield is just a consumable and I've probably burned through more of those than I have into the purchase price of the hood (at $22/ 10pk it's not too hard).
I think they superceded the Utility though and now it's the 100S. In any case, it's served me well.
For the price point of ~$130 I think it's a decent unit. I wish the window was bigger and the shade was adjustable from time to time, but that's where you get into $300+ hoods.
The only part that's failed is the head gear hardware but a new set was $4.50. The front shield is just a consumable and I've probably burned through more of those than I have into the purchase price of the hood (at $22/ 10pk it's not too hard).
I think they superceded the Utility though and now it's the 100S. In any case, it's served me well.
CAOS
Well-known member
I have the Speedglas 9100XX, I went without the side windows. Love the larger lens. The head gear is the most adjustable and comfortable I have ever worn. Usually use this lid for TIG only, and use a generic cheap hood with a fiber metal auto lens. Clear lenses are cheaper to replace and the hood sees a lot more abuse.
I've got a Miller Performance and really enjoy it. Though I've never tried any of the other higher end. Being able to adjust the shade is nice going from MIG to TIG. I went with black because it will get scratched and what not, plus you can put stickers on it
Back in welding school when they were just coming out I dropped 500 on a really nice optrex. Loved it. 3 years later some 'tard drove over it with a forklift. Only had enough $$$ for a 59.99 Princess Auto / HF. I used and abused it for over 10 years untill either I left it behind on a job or someone else needed it more than me 
I had the funds that time but went back to the cheep one, I don't care what you spend on it they all crush the same It's not as fast as it could be in all situations. At -40 it seems a little slow and the worst is when you're stick welding and the rod sticks when you first strike. It doesn't seem to go dark properly. I've never gotten a flash with it but I have seen spots for a few seconds
There are some advantages to the spendy ones. I'm liking the idea of side windows, haven't seen it so can't say much more to that. Miller has a nice one in the $150 range that has a grinder setting. Never used it but like the idea of it. Especially on sites that require dual eye protection while grinding. I end up leaving a clear shield on my hard hat and leave the stock headband on my welding hood. Not permitted but *most* safety officers let me slide as long as I make sure I don't go for a walk without my hard hat.
Make sure you can get replacement lens protectors for whatever one you chose. My princess one uses the cheap **** ones for a "normal" big window with a little trimming. I paid $2 for a pack of 10 2 years ago.
The Optrel lens I picked up for a friend was $15 for one.
Miller is also dirt cheap for clears.
I had the funds that time but went back to the cheep one, I don't care what you spend on it they all crush the same
It's not as fast as it could be in all situations. At -40 it seems a little slow and the worst is when you're stick welding and the rod sticks when you first strike. It doesn't seem to go dark properly. I've never gotten a flash with it but I have seen spots for a few secondsThere are some advantages to the spendy ones. I'm liking the idea of side windows, haven't seen it so can't say much more to that. Miller has a nice one in the $150 range that has a grinder setting. Never used it but like the idea of it. Especially on sites that require dual eye protection while grinding. I end up leaving a clear shield on my hard hat and leave the stock headband on my welding hood. Not permitted but *most* safety officers let me slide as long as I make sure I don't go for a walk without my hard hat.
Make sure you can get replacement lens protectors for whatever one you chose. My princess one uses the cheap **** ones for a "normal" big window with a little trimming. I paid $2 for a pack of 10 2 years ago.
The Optrel lens I picked up for a friend was $15 for one.
Miller is also dirt cheap for clears.superspec
Well-known member
subscribing
my dad is known for leaving his millermatic 210 at my house for months at a time and he only has some cheap *** hood from one of those 1 day tool shows. every time i put the damn thing on i have the "i cant see **** captain" moments and i am wanting to buy my own hood.
my dad is known for leaving his millermatic 210 at my house for months at a time and he only has some cheap *** hood from one of those 1 day tool shows. every time i put the damn thing on i have the "i cant see **** captain" moments and i am wanting to buy my own hood.
BCM
Active member
I used a crappy hood for years, and could never see what I was doing. Switched to an Optrel E680 and love it... This welding thing is a heck of a lot easier when you can actually see
GeorgiaHybrid
Well-known member
Well, Like I said earlier in this thread I have a Miller Performance and a 3M Speedglas hood but after welding with a buddies Miller Elite, I wish I had bought one. Took a side trip to the pawn shop today and lo and behold, a Miller Elite Camo model that looks brand new (still in the box with the spare shields and the fabric cover was still in the plastic).
$195 out the door and I now have three helmets in the shop. I have had times where several people wanted to watch at the same time and now they can....
$195 out the door and I now have three helmets in the shop. I have had times where several people wanted to watch at the same time and now they can....
Key word in my post was C.H.E.A.P.!
PCO6
Well-known member
"Cheap" can mean 2 things of course - bad product and/or inexpensive. If you are saying there are good Chinese products I'm glad to hear it. I agree because there are. There's also a lot of junk. Many on here would say ... if it's Chinese it's junk ... if it's expensive it must be good ... if it's Snap-on it must be great. That helmet I posted covers all three.
Personally, I have a $50 Auto-Weld helmet and a $200 Lincoln helmet and they both work fine.
Here's an interesting comparison of a high priced helmet and an affordable one ...
http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/auto-darkening-welding-helmets.html
JayL
Well-known member
I won a new Speedglas 9002X in Ebay for $156. I did bid a lot more than this amount but I guess it was luck that nobody bid higher.
One can look for good helmets in Ebay given he/she have the time and patience to watch out for deals.
One can look for good helmets in Ebay given he/she have the time and patience to watch out for deals.
I, too, would like a new helmet, and about $150 is my price range. I currently have a cheapie $50 one, and though I don't get a full flash, I do sometimes get a brighter light than normal when I do some pulse welding. I wonder if more costlier ones have the same issue.
tractordude
Well-known member
I dont post here often, but this is something I know well. I was a maintance guy in a large welding shop ( we made very large hi-line poles, 200-300 ft long weighin up to 80,000 pounds) well, I would repair welders and "borrow" helmets to run test welds. I have a hobart at home and thought it was pretty nice, but the miller elite and 3m speedglass 9100xx are the cats meow. now I have a miller elite. It was $380, but it should be the last helmet I'll need to ever buy for home use.
CKC
Active member
Hobby or Pro, What are your eye's worth?
I Own a Miller Elite, Great Helmet large view window. flawless operation you will never regret it.
I Own a Miller Elite, Great Helmet large view window. flawless operation you will never regret it.
blackice
Well-known member
I have a miller elite (29 roadster) and I would never go back to a cheap one again. It wasn't cheap, but its worth every penny.....
SWT Racing
Well-known member
My daily helmet is an old Miller Elite XLsi that is now obsolete. It's a great helmet, but the lens got damaged and a replacement is around $250. To get by, I bought a Northern Tool unit and swapped the lens out. It fit in the Miller well and the external adjustment dropped right in, even using the Miller knob.
I liked the fact that it was auto on, and it works great for bench work and MIG, but it absolutely ***** for out-of-position TIG welding. It will shut off if you are not directly looking at the arc. Even if you have a clear view and the sensors are unobstructed, you must be looking straight at the arc. I was trying to TIG some fuel line bulkhead tabs on the frame of a '72 Bronco the other day, and it was so bad, I stopped and picked up a HF helmet for $35. It did the same thing. I had to tuen the sensitivity up, aim my drop light at the lens to darken it, and finish the work.
If you can afford it, pick up a Miller, SpeedGlas, Jackson or Optrel helmet. If you can, try one on before buying. The headgear is an important part of the helmet. The cheap units have the worst headgear. They are uncomfortable, and have no cant adjustment which is important when welding out of position.
If you can't afford a good auto darkening helmet, pick up a Huntsman with a large gold lens and use it until you can afford a higher end helmet.
I liked the fact that it was auto on, and it works great for bench work and MIG, but it absolutely ***** for out-of-position TIG welding. It will shut off if you are not directly looking at the arc. Even if you have a clear view and the sensors are unobstructed, you must be looking straight at the arc. I was trying to TIG some fuel line bulkhead tabs on the frame of a '72 Bronco the other day, and it was so bad, I stopped and picked up a HF helmet for $35. It did the same thing. I had to tuen the sensitivity up, aim my drop light at the lens to darken it, and finish the work.
If you can afford it, pick up a Miller, SpeedGlas, Jackson or Optrel helmet. If you can, try one on before buying. The headgear is an important part of the helmet. The cheap units have the worst headgear. They are uncomfortable, and have no cant adjustment which is important when welding out of position.
If you can't afford a good auto darkening helmet, pick up a Huntsman with a large gold lens and use it until you can afford a higher end helmet.
metalhead212121
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subscribing....
Todd.Brock
Well-known member
Last night on CL read the post I have been waiting for. NexGen, $100 bucks. I thought it was too good to be true. Come to find out a guy in the aerospace trade who tigs under a microscope had an extra Nexgen that he never used. Bought just the lense 2-3 months ago, brand spankin new and put it in a basic Jackson hood that isnt the Halo, etc.. that is supposed to be light weight. So, I picked it up and needless to say, me happy camper. Just the Nexgen lense is $300 bucks online... had to tell someone! Now I just need to burn more than a couple times a year.
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lotsoftools
Well-known member
I recently upgraded to a Lincoln Viking and love it. Check out weldingsupply.com, they have some good prices (at least better than I could find) and fast shipping.
BD1
Well-known member
I have a miller elite (29 roadster) and I would never go back to a cheap one again. It wasn't cheap, but its worth every penny.....
YES FOR SURE! It's great but pricey, however it should last a long time. Look on Craigs list for a deal. These auto dark make it way too easy. Wish I had one when I started 40 years ago. Larger viewing area is nice too.
