Welding googles

[Ferd Turgeson]

I'm just a hobbyist welder with a 110v Lincoln MIG and Lincoln AC stick welder. I have used a Miller battery operated auto darkening helmet for some years now. There are many projects that I do that don't involve hours of fairly steady welding time. For the stick welding - I will stay with the full helmet. Are there any suggestions for a good pair of auto darkening googles that I could use for a quick MIG weld job? I prefer the battery type CR2450 since I might need them on the quick and I don't trust the solar battery option. I have read tons of Amazon reviews on some welding googles, but Amazon reviews are sometimes suspect. I learned the hard way about getting a nasty sunburn while I was watching a friend do some welding so I'm aware of the unprotected areas while using the googles. Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[CA_Bgrwldr]

Might try a welding supply store like cyberweld.com over Amazon.

Eye Protection

store.cyberweld.com

 

[Ferd Turgeson]

Sorry for the delay - but thank you.

 

[Old Irish]

I borrowed a miller goggle from a welding supply store and I liked them except for after decades of reaching down to flip a hood up I kept snatching the face shield off of the googles. this was when miller first put them on the market so that issue may have been addressed by now. another option you may consider is a pancake, pretty much just goggles with a different face shield configuration. 99% of the time I use a pancake with a cheater lens and highly recommend it. it eliminates all the back light issues we deal with with typical hoods.
Good luck and let us know how t goes.

 

[Ferd Turgeson]

A pancake with a cheater lens - I'll have to do some research on what exactly this is?

 

[Old Irish]

Sorry for the delay, just saw your post.

Amazon.com

Amazon.com

Amazon.com

 

[houdel]

A pancake with a cheater lens - I'll have to do some research on what exactly this is?

A pancake can best be described as a a flat, round shield affixed to a welding goggle. A cheater lens is a magnifyng lens added behind the goggle lens to make it easier to see the weld puddle.

 

[Ferd Turgeson]

Much appreciated for the information on the pancake. I had never heard of them.

 

[Don_]

Are there any suggestions for a good pair of auto darkening googles that I could use for a quick MIG weld job?

We all know you meant "goggles" & not "The Google".
Your really better off with the helmet as there is no UV protection for your face, ears and neck with goggles.
There is no reason to fear the auto darkening helmet/lens and you should learn to feel comfortable with them. They are the best and is one less thing to have to think about as you learn welding. Think about how many hundreds of thousands of welders who use them daily.
What you will learn is to check it daily for proper operation.
Keep a spare battery with your helmet along with your spare lens covers.
It's just a normal reflex to not trust them at first, once you burn thru a roll of wire or a box of sticks you won't think twice about it.
Best wishes and happy welding.

 

[Gary Fowler]

My first auto dark was a speedglas lens (1990 era)that I inserted into my Hobart welding hood. It got ruined when the batteries leaked in it due to lack of use and My stupidity for not taking out the batteries. After many years of not welding, when I retired and got back into the welding game, I bought a Harbor Freight ($39) AD hood that I used for a few years till the batteries (not replaceable) went bad, bought another ($39) which still works but now I have the top of the line Vulcan AD($149 on sale) which works just like the cheaper one but has a much more comfortable headband and larger viewing area. The only major difference is the sensors 4 instead of 2. The $39 hood with just 2 would sometimes get blocked causing the lens to lighten when welding. This wont cause flash burn but does flash blind you a bit.

 

[Don_]

My first auto dark was a speedglas lens (1990 era)that I inserted into my Hobart welding hood. It got ruined when the batteries leaked in it due to lack of use and My stupidity for not taking out the batteries. After many years of not welding, when I retired and got back into the welding game, I bought a Harbor Freight ($39) AD hood that I used for a few years till the batteries (not replaceable) went bad, bought another ($39) which still works but now I have the top of the line Vulcan AD($149 on sale) which works just like the cheaper one but has a much more comfortable headband and larger viewing area. The only major difference is the sensors 4 instead of 2. The $39 hood with just 2 would sometimes get blocked causing the lens to lighten when welding. This wont cause flash burn but does flash blind you a bit.

I have owned and used a couple of the HF hoods and found that you can replace the batteries.
Be very careful (Elmer Fudd) when you open the cover and replace the old with the new.
My favorite hood is one that's called a blue lens. bought it on Amazon and fitted it with a Lincoln head band for comfort.
Don

 

[old yooper]

A pancake can best be described as a a flat, round shield affixed to a welding goggle. A cheater lens is a magnifyng lens added behind the goggle lens to make it easier to see the weld puddle.

The lens can also be prescription.

 

[sparkye]

I'm just a hobbyist welder with a 110v Lincoln MIG and Lincoln AC stick welder. I have used a Miller battery operated auto darkening helmet for some years now. There are many projects that I do that don't involve hours of fairly steady welding time. For the stick welding - I will stay with the full helmet. Are there any suggestions for a good pair of auto darkening googles that I could use for a quick MIG weld job? I prefer the battery type CR2450 since I might need them on the quick and I don't trust the solar battery option. I have read tons of Amazon reviews on some welding googles, but Amazon reviews are sometimes suspect. I learned the hard way about getting a nasty sunburn while I was watching a friend do some welding so I'm aware of the unprotected areas while using the googles. Thanks in advance for any replies.

I use to stick weld every day in another life. I still weld for myself doing different projects and repairs. I have two Mig and two stick welders and have adopted the auto darkening helmets since they first came out and will never go back. I have a few of them. I can tell you as a young man welding I was not as concerned with the power of the UV light and walked away with a lot of sunburns. I dress up now with a welding jacket, gloves and hat which is the reason I would not just use goggles to do any type of welding that involves electricity. Gas welding and brazing if fine with goggles, but be carful of pops, which will burn you.