Welding Helmet

There are alot to choose from, and I wanted to find out who has one that they swear by.

I have seen a few that look cool but I am looking for an auto darken helmet but not break the bank. Any input is greatly appreciated!

 

got a cheapo auto darken helmet through Harbor Freight, works like a champ

 

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=91214

This is the one I have, It has held up well and is a great price.

 

Saw that same one for $52 a week or two ago. I shouldda grabbed it.

 

I have a Harbor Freight retail store here in town, but was not sure if they would be quality. I appreciate all the input I will head over there on pay day and pick one up. On a side note I did see one on ebay that was pretty cool looking but not sure of the quality (see below)



http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250355359045&category=92090&_trksid=p3907.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSI%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D15%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D54

 

I use my miller elite series almost daily for around 3yrs now and love it. Frank on the board has the one of the skulls that you pictured above and I think he's fixing to ditch it for a entry level miller. That skull has too long of a delay darkening and even when its dark it isnt dark enough. The miller came with about 10 extra lenses, and nice little storage bag.

edit... heres a link to the one I have http://store.cyberweld.com/hohobigwiela2.html

 

I have the HF one. I am sure for Jasons use it is not enough but for my use it is great. I mean I have not done a full days worth of welding in years, normally it is about 10-15mins here and there maybe a half hour if the project is big.

 

I also have one of the Harbor Freight helmets. It is great for the price. Not a heavy duty helmet, but fine for what I do. If you look at them or others get the one with the bigger window. It is much easier to see with. The bigger windows cost a little more, but once you try it, you will like the bigger window. This is what I have, same helmet just different color.......... Harbor Freight ITEM 94336-2VGA

 

My wife gave me a Lincoln auto-darkening for Christmas and I love it, although it took a bit getting used to the shades of yellow instead of green, and it gave me a headache the first couple times I used it till I got used to it, darkens to a #10 shade, I prefer an 11 so I may add what someone told me was a "comfort lense/filter"

 

Miller Elite is my favorite! Large window, easily adjustable & comfortable headband, grind mode, adjustable shade...
Of course I used a head-snapper hood and AC stick before getting a MIG and auto darkening hood so I don't have much to compare to.

 

Same helmet I use at work. Just got it a month ago and it rocks!
What I like about it:
1 large window
2 when not welding, the window isn't as dark as others I have used. Its easier to make adjustments, check the weld, etc without flipping up the helmet
3 it has 4 welding sensors. most of the cheaper helmets only have 2, mid line units have 3. I weld around corners alot and having those extra sensors has completely eliminated accidental flashes
4 lots of adjustability for shades and delay

Even though it was a $300 helmet, I would definitly buy one for home use.

 

I have the HF one and got it at a tool discount group that comes thru town often and paid $29.00 W/batteries. Works great for me.

 

I also have the Miller Elite. I bought my first one a few years ago. I loved it. That one had a push button "on" switch. Eventually the switch died. I called about replacing the switch/ main electrical lens housing, but it's not worth it.It's almost as much as a new hood.

I bought another Elite hood, this year. It is "auto-on" when you strike an arc, so no "on" switch to wear out.

I weld for a living, and it is a great hood.

 

I bought a cheap one off ebay about 3 yrs ago. It worked fine as far as I could tell. When I started teaching my son to weld, he complained of a flash every time he started.. I hadn’t noticed it, but after he mentioned it, ... it was obvious.

I bought him a new one from ebay for Christmas.(I hadn’t read this thread yet) It doesn’t flash.(Yet) So I threw my old one away, I may try the HF one.

Good Info, as always

Jay

 

I use a Jackson EQC helmet everyday at work. It's about a year and a half old, and i love it. The new ones have a grind setting, so you can have the helmet down while grinding and not have it activate. Not sure about the news ones, but mine was $260 new.
Hate to say it, but the fixed shaded ones work just as well. Kind of wish i had one for the barn, the winter weather really slows the electronics down.

 

This is the one I use also at the house. Love it. It only has three sensors so out of position it will flash. I'd like to have sensors on the top and bottom of the shield to help stop that. I was using a fixed shade #10 at the shop the other day and it really hurt my eyes. I would prefer an #11.

 

Oh, forgot to mention the Lincolon I have uses a mini lithium battery and is recharged with small integrated solar cells,,,very cool.

 

I have a Hobart XVS and even though it has 2 sensors I love it. When I get some more money I am going with the Miller elite.

 

if you didn't know i'm Frank...

the skull one was my first helmet. i thought it worked fine for the price. well i just picked this one up and well i must say, how i ever welded anything with that other helmet is a suprise to me. "don't buy the skull one"

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200311850_200311850

this is why i got it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUhD63fmB-k

for 55 bucks shipped to the house it's GREAT

now i just have to work on buetifying my welds.