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which welding helmet

C

CobraChevelle

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I need a welding helmet for prototype metal fab class.

Looking for best bang for my $$ under 150-200$. Would like to have auto dim and big viewing area if possible.

Yes i need this for school, but will be using it at home too.

thanks
 
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Loscaldazar

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Feb 23, 2013
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This is a great one for that price range. I have it and it works very well- never been flashed with it (at least, it wasn't the helmet's fault, I forgot to switch it from grind to auto darkening mode).

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NEUAZEY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Extra large viewing screen
Light to dark 0.00004 seconds
4 Sensors (not two like a lot of cheaper ones)
4-9 and 9-13 shade modes (hgihly adjustable for different welding processes and plasma cutting/oxy-acyt, etc)
Grinding Mode (doesn't darken so you can see what you are grinding)
Sensitivity and Delay adjustment


Great option, TONS of reviews, and lots of love for it. The plastic is pretty thin and flimsy, but it is strong and I haven't broken it after nearly a year of use.
 
M

maxpower_hd

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I have this Forney one I just got and it works really well. It has plenty of adjustment, it has a cut/weld setting and you can adjust the delay. It also has replaceable batteries. Not all of them do so be sure to look for one that does. My cheap Lincoln one does not. I only paid $130 for mine at the local hardware store so I am sure you could do better than this link. It is just the first one I found.

https://jet.com/product/detail/93c5...A4vxi5QDw0lJqtwWkPOXoASm050xpLFipwaAi9V8P8HAQ
 
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Jazz1

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Thunder Bay On.
Speedglas ,,they are pricey but you have it for life. I would not trust my eyesight to cheap auto helmet. If you look on ebay you can buy replacement auto lens for $10, how much quality is there? That is exactly what is put in big box store welding helmets. So the cheap helmets at the big box store is a $7.00 helmet with a $7.00 lens and thats 100% markup on each..ya they could pedal those HF helmets for $14.00!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-x-2-Solar...309900?hash=item541e39138c:g:dgEAAOSwNSxVQdNd
 
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imagineer

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Ohio
+1 on the Jackson EQC. I've been using the same one for at least 10 years and it's still working perfectly. I've replaced the head gear a few times, but the autodark insert is the original. It lives in my pole barn with the rest of my tool so it's subjected to below zero temps as well as high humidity in the summer and it keeps on working.
 
M

Mastermind

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Ypsilanti, MI
Another vote for the Jackson. Mine is 15 yrs old. Still going strong. Except the low battery light, so I keep spares in my box. My buddy gave it to me after he won an optrel, it died yrs ago with way less use.
 
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pepi

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3

3 Gun Shooter

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Cyberweld.com has great prices on most helmets. I bought a Miller Elite for $230, bit more than what the OP wants to spend but it was over a $100 off retail.
 
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tarbellb

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I bought the Speedglass 100v after lots of suggestions on here, and it being made in Sweden.

Well after 3yrs I have decided I dont like it. Tried to convince myself it was a better product then my HF helmet but simply.... its not.

It flashes me all the time, and only has two sensors which tend to be hidden behind what I am welding resulting in flashes as well. Im sure the 9000 series is much better.

IMO I would be looking for the features you want at proper fit. COO at this point doesnt seem to make much difference. If the Chinese can make a Iphone then I trust they can make a Auto Dim sensor. JMO.
 
X

xela456

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May 22, 2014
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I'll explain my Jackson Vote. I first bought my Jackson Shadow hood and loved it. About 35 bucks with the ring to put it on my hard hat. Then I shelled out the 150 bucks for the EQC lense, mine is the 0227 model, I think its the most simple it has the large window, dials (not buttons except the on/off buttons) and the part I love most about it is it runs not only on solar but on AAA batteries, not watch batteries. This thing has been abused, wet, dropped you name it and it keeps going, i'd buy anouther
 
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HotRodMan

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Mar 25, 2013
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I researched welding helmets on the internet for two weeks and finally decided on the Jackson True Sight II. It has the best of everything. Large viewing area, clearest lens with Balder technology, 4 sensors, uses the common AAA batteries, 5 year warranty, weld grind and cut mode. Everything you would want in a welding helmet. I am an amateur welder, but I weld almost every day and this helmet has made me a better welder, because I can see what I am doing so much better. I had the cheep helmet to start out with but this is worth every penny that you pay for it.
 
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bczygan

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So as usual......no consensus!

Yikes!

Now I'm totally confused!

Bill

Maybe a list of the ones to avoid and a list of all the features that are must have things and a list of the most reliable models???
 
B

BD1

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bczygan said:
So as usual......no consensus!

Yikes!

Now I'm totally confused!

Bill

Maybe a list of the ones to avoid and a list of all the features that are must have things and a list of the most reliable models???
Click to expand...

To avoid ? My eyes are worth more then a cheap helmet. The higher end ones have better optics , feel, and larger window. Try them and you'll see the difference. Why do you think they cost $200 to $300 ??
 
B

bczygan

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BD1 said:
To avoid ? My eyes are worth more then a cheap helmet. The higher end ones have better optics , feel, and larger window. Try them and you'll see the difference. Why do you think they cost $200 to $300 ??
Click to expand...

OK,

Let's expand on that.

What features?

Auto on off?

More sensors?

What else?

Start narrowing it down to makes and models.

I have cataracts and one eye is near sighted and the other far sighted. Do they have room for glasses?


Bill
 
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pepi

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Originally Posted by bczygan
So as usual......no consensus!

Yikes!

Now I'm totally confused!

Bill

Maybe a list of the ones to avoid and a list of all the features that are must have things and a list of the most reliable models???
BD1 said:
To avoid ? My eyes are worth more then a cheap helmet. The higher end ones have better optics , feel, and larger window. Try them and you'll see the difference. Why do you think they cost $200 to $300 ??
Click to expand...


Can someone please tell Bill, part of being a grownup is to have ability to gather information and make a decision.

Wants a list of attributes and models, pro & con. That is out there it is called research, takes some work.
 
B

bczygan

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pepi said:
Originally Posted by bczygan
So as usual......no consensus!

Yikes!

Now I'm totally confused!

Bill

Maybe a list of the ones to avoid and a list of all the features that are must have things and a list of the most reliable models???


Can someone please tell Bill, part of being a grownup is to have ability to gather information and make a decision.

Wants a list of attributes and models, pro & con. That is out there it is called research, takes some work.
Click to expand...

Well thank you..........that helped a lot!
 
T

tony302coupe

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May 16, 2013
Messages
31
Location
Perth Western Australia (WA)
Hi guys, I have 2 welding helmets, the first is a Miller elite black $400au, the second is a weldcorp auto darkening professional $250au its a copy of the elite but with a bigger lens.
I don't know if you guy's can get this helmet in the US but with the exchange rate it should be under the $180US mark, I do like it over the miller.

http://www.bunnings.com.au/weldcorp...sional-variable-shade-welding-helmet_p5910206 (Bunnings is like Lowes)

But after seeing what some of you guys have,I like that Jackson the big thing is the AAA batteries, I didn't know helmets use AAA's that's so convenient also the controls are great. looks like I'll have three helmet's..

P.s. Thumper68 love your work and thanks for the link
 
S

sk farmer

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i have a miller pro-hobby with 8-12 variable shade. not fancy but works very well and has been trouble free for years.
 
Z

Zeke

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Aug 13, 2009
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Long Beach CA, the sewer by the sea.
bczygan said:
Zeke,

Which one did you get?

Bill
Click to expand...

It is called the "SmarTIGer."

Jackson-Safety-SmarTIGer.jpg
 
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