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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

Auto-darkening welding helmets ... a question ?

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Alberta Mike

11-23-2003 12:36:34




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Am considering buying one of the auto-darkening helmets but as time passes I'm getting more concerned. Seems there are two features now to contend with (adjustable shades plus response time adjustment). Also, there seems to be a HUGE price spread in helmets that I've seen so I don't know how the cheaper ones compare to the more expensive ones. Like most other stuff these days, brand names don't mean a lot since even the top end manufacturers put their labels on somebody elses product. Any suggestions as to what a guy should look for or anything else relating to my situation would be appreciated.

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KeithF

11-24-2003 13:10:34




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 Re: Auto-darkening welding helmets ... a question in reply to Alberta Mike, 11-23-2003 12:36:34  
I don't know how much or the variety of welding you are doing, but if you are using several different process (TIG, Mig, Stick) I would go for a good helmet. By good I mean one that has variable shade, variable delay, and variable sensitivity. Also, I would recommend one with batteries and not solar power. We just went through a bad experience at work with an expensive OPTREL brand hood. It worked fine until the solar pack stopped working. The bad news is that the solar pack and the shade are part of one unit. The warranty had just run out, but the welding supply made good on it anyway. However, that replacement didn't last 6 months before it died. They wouldn't do any more for us. So we scrapped it and bought a Jackson EQC. It's nice and is completely adjustable. However, if you are doing non-complex Stick or MIG welding you can probably get by with a less expensive hood.

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Fred OH

11-24-2003 05:05:04




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 Re: Auto-darkening welding helmets ... a question in reply to Alberta Mike, 11-23-2003 12:36:34  
Just out of curosity...what are you older fellows that use a cheater doing. The helmets that I looked at didn't have any place to mount one. Fred OH



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Fred OH

11-24-2003 19:19:37




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 Re: Re: Auto-darkening welding helmets ... a quest in reply to Fred OH, 11-24-2003 05:05:04  
Thanks Jerry ...and T_Bone. I like the cheater method the best while wearing my regular bifocal glasses. If I decide to go with a auto darkening helmet I will use the duct tape method...but when doing a job like hunting a fuse up under a dash...I think I'll get a pair of T_Bone specials. Fred OH



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Jerry

11-24-2003 08:55:47




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 Re: Re: Auto-darkening welding helmets ... a quest in reply to Fred OH, 11-24-2003 05:05:04  
Fred, I had that problem and was duct taping one in my auto helmet until I found a sweedish helmet "Optrel" carried by my local welding supply has provisions for a cheater. of course it only takes there brand of cheaters (optrel) but they are not overly expensive. I prefer them to glasses because the sweat and fog factor, and constanly laying them down and getting them broke.



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T_Bone

11-24-2003 05:39:01




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 Re: Re: Auto-darkening welding helmets ... a quest in reply to Fred OH, 11-24-2003 05:05:04  
Hi Fred,

Have you looked into "all bi-focal" lens or also called reading glasses?

This worked best over any other types I tried. In fact I didn't ware my regular glasses while at work as I never had to look under the line.

Long range vision (with all bi-focal) was limited to about 200ft or so with fairly clear vision but I have extremly poor vision to begin with, -575.

T_Bone



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Farmer/Paul

11-24-2003 03:24:37




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 Re: Auto-darkening welding helmets ... a question in reply to Alberta Mike, 11-23-2003 12:36:34  
I am using a Nex Gen by Jackson, the helmet has many good features. Large view area and uses the same cover plate as my old Jackson lid. You are able to grind and use the torch with it, replacable batteries, variable shade 9-13, sensitivity, delay etc. I have used this on tig down to 30 amps no trouble.



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Slowpoke

11-23-2003 21:08:24




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 Re: Auto-darkening welding helmets ... a question in reply to Alberta Mike, 11-23-2003 12:36:34  
The more you pay the more you get, but not necessarily higher quality. Usually it's maximum features for maximum price. For the lowest price, you get a view about 1/1/8" hi x the standard width, fixed shade, fixed response time, and a junky helmet and suspension system, replaceable battery or solar cells.
As you move up in cost, the view area gets bigger, shades are adjustable, maybe both battery and solar, better suspension and other features are added.
My Harbor Freight helmet is 1-3/4" hi view, adjustable shades, 5 year solar cells, fixed response, but the suspension is not quite as good as my Huntsman helmet. The clear state is like light sun glasses and it goes from dark to light in an instant, not 1 or 2 seconds. $120 on sale, made in Korea. Makes welding more fun.

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TimV

11-23-2003 18:39:44




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 Re: Auto-darkening welding helmets ... a question in reply to Alberta Mike, 11-23-2003 12:36:34  
Alberta Mike: The Huntsman or Speedglass models are the way to go if money is no object. However, I picked up a "speedway series" auto-darkening lens with adjustable shade (9-13) at a Homier travelling tool show this summer for $39.99, and so far I'm VERY happy with it. The only thing I find annoying is that it takes about 2 seconds to come back to "light" after you're done welding. This is fine for someone that can strike a perfect arc every time, but for someone like me that has to tap a few times to get a good arc going, it's frustrating. You tap, get a flash but no arc, and then either have to wait for the lens to brighten back up, or tap blindly (and of course always hit in the wrong spot!) or lift the mask, which kind of defeats the purpose of having an autodarkening helmet. However, I don't know if the better helmets brighten up faster, or whether this is a built-in safety feature against getting "flashed". I'm guessing the latter, and if you are a decent welder (which I'll freely admit I'm not) it probably wouldn't be an issue.

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kjm

11-23-2003 21:29:04




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 Re: Re: Auto-darkening welding helmets ... a quest in reply to TimV, 11-23-2003 18:39:44  
Tim,I am glad to see your post,I just read their ad for the 39.99 helment and now I know what to look for (Tool Trucks will be in town tomorrow)



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TimV

11-24-2003 10:45:10




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 Re: Re: Re: Auto-darkening welding helmets ... a q in reply to kjm, 11-23-2003 21:29:04  
KJM: Check them out--I was impressed at them for the price. I'm sure that they're the same helmet as Northern, Harbor Freight, etc. offers for anything from $60-100. Mine has a replaceable battery (AAA) with an auto-off feature after 5 minutes of non-use. The auto-off turns the vision area from "clear" to "dark", so you can't get flashed if it turns off unexpectedly. The helmet comes with batteries already in it, and I'm sure if you ask, they'll let you take it out and try it. Put on the helmet and point your noggin in the general direction of a bright light--it should trip the sensor. Also, a welding buddy of mine told me that it's VERY important to store these in a clean, dust-free place (such as the original box) because if you don't, dust and scratches will severely shorten the sensor life.

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wh

11-23-2003 17:05:23




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 Re: Auto-darkening welding helmets ... a question in reply to Alberta Mike, 11-23-2003 12:36:34  
look at the the new jackson model call "nex-gen". larger lens than the older ones. also, i have a "speedglass". can change from 9 - 13 on darkness and can change the sensitivity of the lens. both of these models are pricey - $300 dollar range. wade



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Green_in_MI

11-23-2003 13:27:08




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 Re: Auto-darkening welding helmets ... a question in reply to Alberta Mike, 11-23-2003 12:36:34  
Check out the attached site sponsored by Hobart. Auto darkening hoods are discussed there to no end. A site search will yield lots of posts on the subject. I think an adequate auto dark helmet can be had for less than $200.



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Alvin n Ms.

11-24-2003 10:58:51




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 Re: Re: Auto-darkening welding helmets ... a quest in reply to Green_in_MI, 11-23-2003 13:27:08  
I have been looking at one in the MAX TOOLS cat. for $79.00. Phone 1-800-629-3325 or go on line



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