Welding helmet advice for a farmer

[kevin37b]

I bought one of the AD hoods and still kept doing the nod , my old brain .

 

[bigtiller]

First thing you want to check before buying an auto hood, is the cost of the clear plastic cover lenses. Some will just floor you!:shocked:

This is what I use.
Fibre-Metal 110-WH Superglas Pipeliner Welding Helmets White Superglas [614605131] - $44.20 : WiperMaster.com, Nitrile Gloves, Safety Vests, Industrial and Protection Supplies

Airgas - AG2T240-10 - ArcOneｮ 2" X 4 1/4" Tradesman Fixed Shade 10 1/2 Auto Darkening Welding Lens For Fixed Front And Lift Front Helmets

WHAT? 60 bucks for a 2x4 piece of clear plastic? Clearly, I need some educating. Why so expencive? Why won't 30 cents buy one?

 

[joshuabardwell]

The auto-dark hoods are well worth it. If you are skilled enough that you can consistently strike an arc where you want with a traditional hood, then you can get a much better quality lens, much cheaper. But if you are a beginner, the ability to see exactly where you're striking the arc with an auto-dark will probably more than make up for the lack of image quality compared to a non-auto-dark lens. Of course, you can get very high quality auto-dark lenses too, but they're very expensive.

Bear in mind that an auto-dark hood will always provide UV and IR protection, even if the battery fails and it doesn't go dark. This means that you may see spots if you flash yourself, but you're not going to get arc eye, which is caused by UV. Because I'm paranoid, I always test my hood before I begin using it--either with a fluorescent or halogen light, by looking at the sun, or by sparking the rod just out of my peripheral vision with the hood down. I might be less paranoid with a higher-quality hood, but even they can fail.

 

[Shield Arc]

WHAT? 60 bucks for a 2x4 piece of clear plastic? Clearly, I need some educating. Why so expencive? Why won't 30 cents buy one?

Where do you see $60.00 for a clear lens? :confused3:

 

[mikehaugen]

Where do you see $60.00 for a clear lens? :confused3:

I also have a fibre metal hood and was considering something similar, but for some reason my mind tells me the window would be too small. I don't know if it would be, as you are usually looking through the same part of the lens anyway, but for some reason it is stuck in my head. You obviously have a lot of experience, have you ever felt the need for a larger window?

 

[Shield Arc]

have you ever felt the need for a larger window?

No! No way, I think I'd be scared with all that light inside my hood.

But seriously, I've tried other people's big lens hoods, I don't see the need. The cover lens cost more, along with the color lens cost so much more. Never seen it on a construction site where they would buy / replace the big lenses. That would be left up to you to furnish.

 

[Reyer Farms]

No! No way, I think I'd be scared with all that light inside my hood.

But seriously, I've tried other people's big lens hoods, I don't see the need. The cover lens cost more, along with the color lens cost so much more. Never seen it on a construction site where they would buy / replace the big lenses. That would be left up to you to furnish.

Here in this plant alot of the "welders" , I mean that in the most sarcastic tone I have, use a 3m hood. It's crap, floppy, fisher over priced junk. That's my objective opinion about the space shuttle hood. It only takes their curved lenses and cover plates, it is a three window hood. It has two passive lens on the sides. I don't understand it, but they are free. I gave mine back, if I'm gonna wear it 10/ 12 hours a day I want to be comfortable. Small lens is all I ever needed, can put an extra in your pocket. For me it was about getting the job done, without breaking the bank. But I know guys who swear by a big window. To each his own. Light up or light out!

 

[bigtiller]

Where do you see $60.00 for a clear lens? :confused3:

Your second link.

 

[Reyer Farms]

Your second link.

I believe that 60 will get you an auto dark lens. Which is a pretty good deal! Mine averaged 90 at nordan smith a few years ago which is now airgas.

 

[Shield Arc]

Your second link.

I believe that 60 will get you an auto dark lens. Which is a pretty good deal! Mine averaged 90 at nordan smith a few years ago which is now airgas.

That is correct!
Don't know if you're old enough to remember the American Optical Cool Blue lenses? They were amazingly clear! The Lincoln Super Visibility are a close second, but these ArcOne lenses are just as clear as the Lincoln lenses.

Welding Lens American Optical Cool Blue Shade 10 | eBay