What welding helmet are you using?

[225]

What helmet are you using?

Which helmet would you like to have, if you could buy any one?

I have 2 helmets. One is a fiber standard helmet. Just a cheap, good, non-darkening helmet.

The other is a auto darkening Rhino off of Fleabay.

I would love a nice one. Just so many choices. I would love a big viewing area like my Rhino one.

[DaveO]

Good question for the holidays, if you're looking for an answer to the "What do you want for Christmas" question. I have the entry level auto dark from Northern Tool, very pleased with it. I also kept my old static Jackson widescreen as a backup.

Not to hijack 225's thread, I think this is in line with his original question: when you switch from a low-end hood to a high-end hood, what's the biggest difference you see? What is it that makes the jump worth a fistful of dollars?

[Trip59]

Right now, my newest is a Hobart XVS I got on sale at TSC and painted because it was hideous. Prior to that (and before I got my 200DX) I was using a Hobart XFS fixed shade. Happy with both, the XFS now serves for an assistant helmet, for my kids to learn, for someone to watch (providing I'm within shade 10 safety).

I'd really like a larger view, more sensors, and auto adjust, but I'm going to save my pennies for one of the really nice ones down the road. The XVS serves me fine, has grind mode and cheater clips, sensitivity and delay and an external knob for shade.

[225]

Not to hijack 225's thread, I think this is in line with his original question: when you switch from a low-end hood to a high-end hood, what's the biggest difference you see? What is it that makes the jump worth a fistful of dollars?

Exactly..!

[cbmkr]

HF Red Auto $40.00 it works fine no problems and Old Jackson (1981) Large View

[Trip59]

Not to hijack 225's thread, I think this is in line with his original question: when you switch from a low-end hood to a high-end hood, what's the biggest difference you see? What is it that makes the jump worth a fistful of dollars?

The items I mentioned in the second part of my other post: "I'd really like a larger view, more sensors, and auto adjust, but I'm going to save my pennies for one of the really nice ones down the road. The XVS serves me fine, has grind mode and cheater clips, sensitivity and delay and an external knob for shade."

But to add, what kept me away from the HF/Northern/etc. helmets was a few random late night calls from folks I know asking how to get the sandpaper or little dots out of their eyes when their cheapie autodarks didn't do what they were supposed to. I've seen a number of them fail in person as well. I'm not rich, but I'll spend the extra to get one, and Hobarts have yet to let me down.

[Odyknuck]

I have been using the cheapy Northern Tool auto hood for 5 years with no operational issues othe than the head band has a crack in it. I recently bought a cheapy HF of similar design to the NT and it also works just fine. If you weld every day then I would pony up for the high dollar unit.

[Gerry]

Another Northern Tool helmet user, mine works ok.

[Rambozo]

Checkout the thread on the helmet shootout that jakeru did.

http://www.everlastgenerators.com/fo...hread.php/3560

It convinced me to buy a Jackson TrueSight and I love it.

[ramairgtz]

I've been using a harbor freight auto darkening for the past 5-6 years but scored a miller elite helmet off of craigslist yesterday. Going to get some practice in with the tig tonight so I'll see how it compares to the $40 hf helmet

[redbeard]

Checkout the thread on the helmet shootout that jakeru did.

http://www.everlastgenerators.com/fo...hread.php/3560

It convinced me to buy a Jackson TrueSight and I love it.

The headgear isn't as robust as I expected for a top end helmet, but the view is fantastic.

[SeanMurphy265]

I have a regular old Jackson with a small lens, and a Harbor Freight auto darkening that is about dead. I've been looking around for a new hood. I would like one that goes down to shade 5 for grinding and plasma cutting. The next one I will break down and get a good one.

[zedron]

Not to promote any one online retailer but Cyberweld currently has them for around $299 depending on your design choice. The cool thing is that they are also currently offering a 20% mail in rebate discount on them from now till the end of December.

[vicrc]

I have been using the HF blue flame for about a month and it works fine on AC TIG, I don't weld much and if I weld for a living would get the best possible helmets. Worked fine on a Mig machine that I once had.

BTW I had to use pulse feature of my 200DX for the HF helmet when welding in DC mode. DC is so smooth the helmet is incapable of staying dark all the time. I am guessing its frequency related to trigger darkness.

[Tanh]

Our equivalent to Harbor Freight is PrincessAuto. They have a few different types of helmets at differing price points. All made in China though for those that care about that kind of stuff. Mine is a powerweld PWH98551. Just not carbon fiber like the one in the link though. I wear glasses and it works fine for stick and grinding.

My helmet feature wishlist would be better/brighter clarity on the off state and interchangable batteries. I did have problems ducking under the car with the helmet as it was too big. An autodarkening flip up face mask would be ideal IMHO.

[Rambozo]

My helmet feature wishlist would be better/brighter clarity on the off state and interchangable batteries. I did have problems ducking under the car with the helmet as it was too big. An autodarkening flip up face mask would be ideal IMHO.

The TrueSight goes down to #3 in the off state, so it is brighter than most. For tight places you can use a pancake. Pipe welders swear by them for welding outside in a ditch.

[225]

This is the helmet I use the most. I guess I like it because it's so lightweight.


Here is one like my Rhino. Never used it. Still in the box.

[cbmkr]

I just picked up 3 Tweco Weldskill WHC41003 Helmets at a great price will give one a try today and see how they work. They have a 9-13 range on darkness and are solar also.

[EchoSixMike]

Lincoln 3350, was part of a package sale deal. Quite happy with it. I've got a couple cheapie autos for loaners and spares. S/F....Ken M

[cbmkr]

I tried the Tweco Weldskill helmet and it worked just fine . Headgear was easy to adjust and comfortable and the tension knobs worked easy. The shade seemed darker than a 13 but with the 9-13 range made it easily adjustable. The 4 sensors had a fast reaction time and it also has an adjustable delay short medium or long to keep the lens dark after finishing welding.