Auto Dimming Welding Helmet

Fred from MO · Sep 19, 2012

Wow, I just purchased an auto dimming welding helmet. I never had one of these. I had to weld something where I had to stick my neck up around something and couldnt flip the old style helmet down so I thought I would go out and get one and move into the modern age. Wow!! That thing is the best thing since sliced bread for a novice guy like myself. I bought a Miller Pro Hobby. So far I am impressed. No more flipping down the hood or welding an inch off for me!!

rustyfarmall · Sep 19, 2012

(quoted from post at 07:11:06 09/19/12) Wow, I just purchased an auto dimming welding helmet. I never had one of these. I had to weld something where I had to stick my neck up around something and couldnt flip the old style helmet down so I thought I would go out and get one and move into the modern age. Wow!! That thing is the best thing since sliced bread for a novice guy like myself. I bought a Miller Pro Hobby. So far I am impressed. No more flipping down the hood or welding an inch off for me!!

I got the Lincoln 3350. It's actually fun to weld again because now I can see what I'm doing.

old · Sep 19, 2012

There ok if your the one welding but me I'll never ever use one of them again. I had to many nights of going to the hospital due to burned eyes from having one and being where others where also welding. All my helmets I have now I use the gold plated lens in

Geo-TH,In · Sep 19, 2012

Old, the auto dimming helmets may not be the best. However, I got more flashes using the old style helmet. Rod would strike before I got the helmet down. I too only weld once in a while. Love mine. My eyes are ok. Maybe the flashes have something to do with my memory, I Can't Remember Stuff, CRS.

George

old · Sep 19, 2012

Been welding since I was 16 and never had a problem with the old type helmets but the auto type got me about once a week or more when I welded for a living. I'll stay with my old type with the gold plated lens

curtis larson · Sep 19, 2012

Do not buy from Harbor ft. Buy a name brand and you will be happy

sd pete · Sep 19, 2012

My son is a tig welder and thats all he will use. His is expensive don"t know what brand he uses.

tomturkey · Sep 19, 2012

can magnification lenses be had with auto darkening????

rustyfarmall · Sep 19, 2012

(quoted from post at 14:03:04 09/19/12) can magnification lenses be had with auto darkening????

Yes. Mine has a slot specifically for that purpose. So far, I don't feel the need for a magnification lens because my helmet has the LARGE window, which allows me to use my tri-focal glasses and focus through whichever portion is appropriate.

jon f mn · Sep 19, 2012

Been using mine for more than 20 years. Got burnt eye the first time I used it, and the salesman said I would, but havn't had any problems since. I keep my old one around for when the batteries go dead, but most of the time when that happens I just make the trip to town.

Geo-TH,In · Sep 19, 2012

Old, My dad had an old lincoln welder. I know what it feels like to get too many flashes, Hot burning sand in the eyes. Never got that much exposure with my Auto Dimming helmet. Doesn"t seem to bother my eyes. Don"t make a living welding either. I love my helmet. Definately better for my eyes, because of all the mistakes I make without using it.
George

timcasbolt · Sep 19, 2012

I've got a HF auto-darkening helmet. Adjustable from 9-13. Works very well. Had it about 5 years.

Dale in WV · Sep 19, 2012

got one from Lowes - its not batteries, but solar powered - like it so much, ordered one for a neighbor, too.

old · Sep 19, 2012

They maybe ok in a home shop but not mu home shop. Did welding for a living and spent to many nights with burned eyes and sand in them and hospital trips at 1am so they are not for me. Son learned the same thing as I did when he was in the navy and did welding. He used the auto dark helmets a few times and said NO WAY he too did not like burned eyes

Stuart · Sep 19, 2012

That is because you used the cheap ones.

Anonymous-0 · Sep 19, 2012

The Lincoln 3350 is a good deal for what you get. A
comparable Miller is about $100 more. You can get
cheater lens for the better auto dark helmets but
you usually have to buy the ones from the helmet
maker because they are thinner than the standard
cheater lenses.

Anonymous-0 · Sep 19, 2012

If the gold coating gets scratched you will get flashed. If you were around other welders is more likely when you got flashed unless it was an early cheaper auto dark. I know it took several years for them to get CSA approval to be sold in Canada.

36 Coupe · Sep 20, 2012

I keep a plastic plate on the back of the gold plate .No scratches, storing the helment in a plastic bag keeps it clean.Plus I notice the welders who weld full time seem to favor the tilt helmet.

old · Sep 20, 2012

If they where cheap it was because the company I worked for got cheap ones and I do not think that was the case. Again opening your mouth when you only know a little bit of the whole story showing me what you do not know. I have asked you to leave me alone here as I do you have that much respect

old · Sep 20, 2012

Yes I know about scratching a gold lens and I have both front and back cover plates on the lenses. As for getting flashed yes I was in a factory building boat docks and ramps doing Mig welding and got flashed more times then I ever want to again so I'll stick with the helmet I like and be done with it

old · Sep 20, 2012

One of my welding instructors who was a formed Pipe line welder on many of the oil lines would not use anything but a gold lens and a flip type helmet but he was old school and died at the age of 94 about 7 years ago

mkirsch · Sep 20, 2012

How'd you get flashed with the auto-dark helmet?

I've never had anything but the cheap HF ones, and NEVER been flashed. Not once.

I can't weld with a regular helmet. I move too much. I tried and tried and tried, and every time I went to put on the hemlet, I'd move 6".

Keith Molden · Sep 20, 2012

The only problem I've ever had from an auto darkening hood while working around someone else who is welding is when they strike an arc, mine darkens. Sometimes it darkens when I don't want it to. Never have gotten a flash by wearing one and I've had 2 of them so far, one cheap and one in the $250.00 range. I've had several flashes in the past while welding ( used a lot of potatoes getting rid of the burn) Just my thoughts, Keith

rustyfarmall · Sep 20, 2012

(quoted from post at 10:18:43 09/20/12) The only problem I've ever had from an auto darkening hood while working around someone else who is welding is when they strike an arc, mine darkens. Sometimes it darkens when I don't want it to. Never have gotten a flash by wearing one and I've had 2 of them so far, one cheap and one in the $250.00 range. I've had several flashes in the past while welding ( used a lot of potatoes getting rid of the burn) Just my thoughts, Keith

That is what convinced me to get an auto-darkening helmet. Just couldn't seem to keep from making contact with the rod while trying to pull the helmet down, and then of course I'd get a flash and couldn't see anything for a few seconds. Never did get an eyeburn though.

I've also found that with the auto-darkening helmet, if I look up from the work, and look directly at the open shop doors where the sun is shining in, the lens will go dark, but there is a sensitivity setting that I need to play with some more.

mdtractormechanic · Sep 20, 2012

Like my auto dim as well. Used it for at least 10 years. I always test it before I use it though. I welded working as a heavy equipment mechanic for many years and really dislike being flashed using the "old" style helmets but still use both.

Stuart · Sep 20, 2012

A good welding helmet cost around $1000. I know for a fact I have done more welding than you. Wow a you actually posted without mentioning your BA tractor. Like your the first one to ever build one of those. Maybe you should patent it.

Anonymous-0 · Sep 21, 2012

Actually you can spend over $1500 for welding helmet but is equipped with a self contained filtered fresh air supply and an inner mask to seal it from outside air. Top of line auto dark helmets without fresh air packs don't come close to $1000, $600 maybe.

JDseller · Sep 21, 2012

I have a Miller Auto helmet too. I have had it for over ten years. I gave $300+ for it then. You can adjust the sensitivity and darkness. I rarely weld without it. Get things.

As for getting flashed as Old talks about. I have never had an issue with the one I have. I have gotten burnt eyes when welding around other guy welding when the light from their arc reflected off the inside of my helmet. Cost me a lot to fix that problem, maybe a $4 tee shirt. I just covered my head and helmet. Never got flashed again.

36 Coupe · Sep 21, 2012

I question the hugh price spread between auto dark helments.Also wonder if they go dark fast enough.

rustyfarmall · Sep 21, 2012

(quoted from post at 02:30:32 09/21/12) I question the hugh price spread between auto dark helments.Also wonder if they go dark fast enough.

That is exactly why I went with a known name brand. I have only one pair of eyes, and they are priceless. $200 or even more for a welding helmet is pretty cheap, all things considered.

JGayman · Sep 21, 2012

I have an auto-dimming welding helmet I got from Northern Tool. I paid around $65 for it. It had about 700 positive reviews and it has worked perfectly for me. The specs are very similar to the expensive name-brand helmets out there... large window, 1/25,000 reaction, variable sensitivity and variable 9-13 darkness. Battery/solar powered. It has a handy battery check function. I've never gotten flashed with it. Quite frankly speaking for myself I can't imagine welding without an auto-dimming helmet.

rad · Sep 24, 2012

I also have an HF helmet as well as one from Miller. I bought the Miller version becasue the solar (light) powered HF unit flashed terribly when striking an arc. I do most of my welding in the evening when it is dark and there is no light fro the solar cell until the arc is struck. The Miller has a battery and an on/off button hence no flash. My eyes prefer it although my wallet didn"t. ;-)

Anonymous-0 · Sep 24, 2012

Don't like the solar powered ones, the battery powered ones work much better IMO.

Auto Dimming Welding Helmet

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