Need Welding Helmet Advice ....

[xtal_01]

OK ... so I got my first welding helmet when I was 14 ... simple old time Fibre-Metal unit. Still have it 44 years later.

That said, it is time for an auto darkening unit. I had a cheap one once (probably Harbor Freight) .. about 15 years ago ... it kind of worked.

I do a bit of everything .... stick, MIG, TIG ....

So I started looking ... had never even heard about "true color" ... or Optical 1/1/1/2 or 1/1/1/1

Soooooooo .... where do I begin?

I see you can spend $50 to $500

Since I am more of a hobbyist (I am a retired machinist .. build the odd trailer .. always repairing something) ... I would like to stay in the lower end of the scale if possible.

That said, I want to be safe and keep my eye sight.

Any suggestions?

Thanks .... Mike

 

[Gary Fowler]

The welding helmet I bought and linked on another thread works great and the headband is very comfortable. I have to go back and search for the link.
Here is the link for my current helmet. It is super light weight plastic but it works great.

www.toolots.com/welding-helmet-auto-darkening-sun9b-carbon-fiber-1.html

 

[CA_Bgrwldr]

You can find Miller/Hobart, Lincoln, and other shade level 8-13 helmets on sake here starting out at about $70. https://store.cyberweld.com/

True color lenses block the harmful wave lengths of light allowing you a clearer view while welding, rather than the green look you get with traditional welding lenses.

Optical X/X/X/X is how lenses are now graded.

 

[Gary Fowler]

You can find Miller/Hobart, Lincoln, and other shade level 8-13 helmets on sake here starting out at about $70. https://store.cyberweld.com/

True color lenses block the harmful wave lengths of light allowing you a clearer view while welding, rather than the green look you get with traditional welding lenses.

Optical X/X/X/X is how lenses are now graded.

View attachment 1329

The hood I linked to in the above post claims 1/1/1/1 clarity. So far I have not seen any of the effect shown here so I would say that their claim is accurate.

 

[Gary Fowler]

It also has a replaceable battery!

 

[xtal_01]

Thanks guys!

After 40 plus years of my old fixed Fibre-Metal hood (gold lens), I think it is time to upgrade.

It would be nice to stay on target rather than move a bit when flipping down the hood.

Mike

 

[Gary Fowler]

Thanks guys!

After 40 plus years of my old fixed Fibre-Metal hood (gold lens), I think it is time to upgrade.

It would be nice to stay on target rather than move a bit when flipping down the hood.

Mike

Well, if you have an American Optical Super Blue Gold Lens, you have a semi-precious item you can sell on ebay for well over $150. I have seen them for up to $400 but I doubt that they sold for that but who knows for sure.

 

[streem26]

I'm a huge fan of Miller Elite. The Digital Elite is pretty much a standard for me. This one Digital Infinity is the Cadillac... well worth the money. It comes with an upgraded head gear set that really makes a difference.

 

[Dirt Guy]

streem26, I agree. Have a Miller Digital Elite myself, Mine is the Digital Infinity, True light, wide view and it is Great. Anyone interested in buying a new helmet, spend the extra money and get a good helmet. The headgear on the Digital Infinity is the best I have ever worn. Miller did a good job on these helmets.

 

[barts]

Thanks guys!

After 40 plus years of my old fixed Fibre-Metal hood (gold lens), I think it is time to upgrade.

It would be nice to stay on target rather than move a bit when flipping down the hood.

Mike

The other thing you may find useful - reading glasses. For those of you 45+, you'll know what I'm talking about.... I normally wear progressive lenses, but they're difficult to weld with, since lining up the right portion of the auto darkening lens and the glasses and my eye and the welding arc is hard. A pair of inexpensive readers made welding much easier.

 

[Dirt Guy]

barts, I agree, I wear number three readers under my hood all the time. At sixty eight, us old guys need all the help we can get when it comes to seeing what we are doing. Makes life a whole lot nicer when you can see what your welding.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I put a 2.5 cheater lens in my hood. With that and my tri-focal glasses, I can see pretty good as long as I can get around 12" from the weld. Closer or farther away and it gets a bit out of focus.

 

[PILOON]

"At sixty eight, us old guys need all the help we can get "
Jeez, I passed 82. did I flunk the old guy club?
But hey, I still weld, mostly stick with my old Hobart..

 

[Dirt Guy]

Piloon, You did"t flunk the old guy club. You started a new one. We can call it the 80 plus club. Glad your still welding at 82.

 

[bplayer405]

No doubt! You give the rest of us hope. I want to be still welding and hunting deer 30 years from now...

 

[Gary Fowler]

Piloon, You did"t flunk the old guy club. You started a new one. We can call it the 80 plus club. Glad your still welding at 82.

You guys are great. I have 9 years to go before I get in that club. I just hope I can still walk at that age.

 

[Frank S]

OK ... so I got my first welding helmet when I was 14 ... simple old time Fibre-Metal unit. Still have it 44 years later.

That said, it is time for an auto darkening unit. I had a cheap one once (probably Harbor Freight) .. about 15 years ago ... it kind of worked.

I do a bit of everything .... stick, MIG, TIG ....

So I started looking ... had never even heard about "true color" ... or Optical 1/1/1/2 or 1/1/1/1

Soooooooo .... where do I begin?

I see you can spend $50 to $500

Since I am more of a hobbyist (I am a retired machinist .. build the odd trailer .. always repairing something) ... I would like to stay in the lower end of the scale if possible.

That said, I want to be safe and keep my eye sight.

Any suggestions?

Thanks .... Mike

My first helmet was a Hobart sometime around 1967 I used it probably up until I joined the Army in 71. After i got out in 77 I bought a fibermetal or a Lincoln hood not sure which then I found another riveted Hobart hood when I went back to pipeline and outside field work my go to hood was a Gilcrest pancake sometime in the late 90s I came across a Speed-glass helmet and was sold on autodarkening for the past 7 years I have had a Chicago Electric autodarkening it was cheap but so far seems to function just fine no battery just a solar charge panel but since it is getting older I sometimes need to leave it in the sun for a few minutes before using it otherwise it will flash on and off a few times in the off setting it is still about a #5 not enough to weld with but just enough to prevent me from getting flash burn but I don't weld with my head closer than about 16 inches anyway and have almost never looked directly at the arc I'd rather look at the puddle than the arc

 

[Old Irish]

I own and use many different hoods, my favorite is a esab sentinel but it is pricey, I own the vulcan hood and use it as often as I use the sentinel or maybe more because I haven't taken time to put a cape on the sentinel yet and I hate trying to position my head to eliminate glare. the arc one hood belongs to one of the guys at work and it is the best hood I have ever used in that price range but make sure it has the 1000F lens, the carrera comes with different lens's and in my opinion the 1000f is the best.

Harbor freight sent me a 20% off anything in the store coupon yesterday, if you sign up for the emails you will probably get one as well. I have had the vulcan hood and used it regularly for about 4 years now with no problems at all. I look forward to seeing what you choose and how you like it.

10.1 sq. in. ARCSAFE Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet

Amazing deals on this Arcsafe Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

ArcOne 1000F-0100 Professional Grade Welding Helmet Carrera Shell with 1000F Auto-Darkening Filter, Black - Welding Helmets - Amazon.com

ArcOne 1000F-0100 Professional Grade Welding Helmet Carrera Shell with 1000F Auto-Darkening Filter, Black - Welding Helmets - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

 

[Old Irish]

My first helmet was a Hobart sometime around 1967 I used it probably up until I joined the Army in 71. After i got out in 77 I bought a fibermetal or a Lincoln hood not sure which then I found another riveted Hobart hood when I went back to pipeline and outside field work my go to hood was a Gilcrest pancake sometime in the late 90s I came across a Speed-glass helmet and was sold on autodarkening for the past 7 years I have had a Chicago Electric autodarkening it was cheap but so far seems to function just fine no battery just a solar charge panel but since it is getting older I sometimes need to leave it in the sun for a few minutes before using it otherwise it will flash on and off a few times in the off setting it is still about a #5 not enough to weld with but just enough to prevent me from getting flash burn but I don't weld with my head closer than about 16 inches anyway and have almost never looked directly at the arc I'd rather look at the puddle than the arc

I bought a wendy's pancake a couple of years ago and put a arc one auto shade 9 in it and it can't be beat for welding outside.

 

[Popgadget]

3M Speedglass is what I use. Nice big windows and side view works well with my progressive glasses . Works for scaling slag and grinding as well as welding. It was on the pricey side, but well worth it in my opinion. It replaced my 40 year old Jackson which was fine until I got older and needed glasses.