looking for an auto darkening helmet?

[grumpyvette]

now Ill admit its just opinion, and IM no expert, but Ive certainly done plenty of welding jobs
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=46092

Ive got three, and I think this is the best value, it works just fine and if its damaged you throw it in the dumpster and get another one without feeling all that bad

theres no question this is better
http://www.welders-direct.com/merchant2 ... ode=216322
but at 5 times the price its only slightly better in my opinion..at some point you just don,t get a big improvement for the extra cost

other options
http://www.weldinghelmetstore.com/index ... elmets.asp

 

[grumpyvette]

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=46092


http://www.weldinghelmetstore.com/index ... elmets.asp

good value

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/wel ... -elite.php

much improved

http://www.lincolnelectric.com/knowledg ... lenses.asp

read first

BTW while were talking about glasses, ID point out that you should ALWAYS wear corrective lens sun glasses not contact lenses under any welding helmet ,when welding under your self darkening welding helmet as they offer far more protection during the very brief arc flash that darkens the self darkening helmet, over time that repeated flash you can,t see can damage vision .. and the radiation from some types of arc welding CAN damage contact lenses.


these cheap helmets work surprisingly well for the low cost,
but they are not nearly as good quality as the professional helmets
heres a cheap but functional weld helmet

http://www.harborfreight.com/adjustable ... 46092.html
The auto darkening lens on this solar powered welding helmet darkens in 1/20,000 of a second as soon as you begin welding! Featuring a custom fit made possible by a ratcheting headband and padded interior, you can arc, MIG or TIG weld in comfort. The solar powered welding helmet gives you a full view of your welding area as well as complete UV/IR protection.
one Arc Sensor
Darkens in 1/20,000 of a second (clear #4 to dark state)
Variable shade control - shades #9 to #13
High/low light-sensitivity adjustment
UV/IR protection


but its really not comparable to better helmets
http://www.millerwelds.com/products/wel ... ets/elite/
$355.00 Arch Armor Welding Protection

Details
Resources

2 Year Warranty

Viewing Area - 3.85 x 2.38 in/ 9.22 sq in (97 x 60 mm)
Features Variable Shades #8 - 13 and Light State #3
Four Arc Sensors - 1/20,000 sec lens speed
Sensitivity and Delay Control - .10 - 1.0 sec
TIG rating - 5 Amps
Auto-On/Auto-Off power control and Grind Mode
Weighs only 18 oz (510 g)
Replacement lithium batteries (2) 3,000 hours with solar assist
Convenient Magnifying Lens holder
Includes $25 Accessory Package: 5 outside and 2 inside cover lenses, helmet bag, comfort cushion
Meets ANSI Z87.1-2003 (High Impact) standard
Hard Hat Adapter accessory available (#222 003)

 

[grumpyvette]

BTW the question of which auto darkening welding helmet comes up frequently so,

Ive got 4 auto darkening hoods now,
but I use the cheap a$$ harbor freight hood more and more for two reasons,
first it works flawlessly, and second if I screw it up with welding splater Im out something less than $50 so its no big deal to weld overhead or get a bit careless with it, and I can save my $340 hood to impress guys while it hangs on the welder cart, as its not significantly better in any function but snob appeal, and while it looks great,its not much better in function, in my opinion
in fact Ill buy a second spare for the shop,next time I drive bye HF

viewtopic.php?f=60&t=7511&p=25482#p25482

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=46092

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=94336

might as well get a couple of these also while your there

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=46092

one of the VERY RARE... GOOD VALUES ...at harbor freight, (above)
I had a 15% off coupon in a sales flier, I bought a second auto dark helmet from them for $44 ,I had the old one for several years with no problems yet, how can you beat a basically throw away price on an auto darkening helmet that works for that price//
Ive got $360 miller auto darkening helmets that are only marginally better

theres some better quality helmets available at most welding shops
but REMEMBER,MORE EXPENSIVE doesn,t ALWAYS mean its BETTER QUALITY ALTHOUGH THATS A REALISTIC TREND

http://www.buyweld.com/welding-helmets- ... l-arc.html

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/wel ... head_face/

http://www.amazon.com/Auto-Helm-AH88BK- ... 796&sr=1-4

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=94128

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=98704