Welding helmet advice for a farmer

[Gary Fowler]

I used the 2x 4 1/4 standard lens in autodark by Speedglas back when they first came out with the autodark. Back then the standard size was all that I needed. Now with my tri-focal glasses, the larger view area is easier for me to get my glasses in the right position and still have some welding lens to see thru. For someone with normal vision or not using bifocals, the small lens would work just as well as the large one AND if you are on a job, most of them furnish the small lens, but maybe not the double size so it would mean money out of your pocket to buy them and a trip to the LWS for them.
THe Northern Tools hood looks to be the same quality and style as the HF just double the price. The only thing some of the higher priced hoods would have that the cheaper ones don't would be the grinder mode, so you could use a grinder and not go dark on you. This would be handy so as not to have to take off the hood and put on a clear face shield. For your home hobbyist that might also allow you to skip paying $25 for a clear faceshield and $15 for a clear replacement shield when it gets all scratched up also.

 

[cowski]

why don't you try a jackson or fibre-metal with a gold lens.the cheap auto helmets do not last long ,we have one that works now and 3 others that quit..i would not hesitate to get a harbor freight auto helmet as long as i had a fixed one to back it up.

 

[Reyer Farms]

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

Naw, shield arc that was before my time. I started welding to pay college bills in 2002. I spent more time at work than I did at class. Had a professor tell me my attendance record was "not stellar and it was highly unlikely for me get a c out his realestate law class." Made an A on the final which counted twice because I skipped first exam, and got a B overall. Not bad for attending 6 classes! Then I welded in a Jackson Shadow with a gold lens.

 

[Shield Arc]

I started welding to pay college bills in 2002.

2002! I got welding shirts older than that!

 

[cmore]

I like my harbor freight auto darkening helmet. Less than $50 with the coupon. Wouldn't want one if I welded all day but it meets the requirements for this part time farmer and occasional welder.

That is what I use and I see coupons for $39.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Naw, shield arc that was before my time. I started welding to pay college bills in 2002. I spent more time at work than I did at class. Had a professor tell me my attendance record was "not stellar and it was highly unlikely for me get a c out his realestate law class." Made an A on the final which counted twice because I skipped first exam, and got a B overall. Not bad for attending 6 classes! Then I welded in a Jackson Shadow with a gold lens.

Man that is just plain nuts. I used those all the time and preferred them to the AD for weld puddle clarity but $550 is just nuts. I think they quit making them in the 70s or so but they were $25 back then. I may have to tear my place a part as I know I have 1 or 2 in a sock drawer or somewhere that I put them when I quit welding.

 

[Shield Arc]

Gary, I've seen them go for pushing $700.00! :confused3:

 

[Reyer Farms]

Gary, shield arc
Am I missing something? I worked for an old Deere dealer, family business, they gave me the hood in the box, new. I found the lens in a drawer boss said use it. It was a 13 could not see a dang thing! They had stuff everywhere, I mean nothing was throwed away. Asked how much I owed them and the momma said I earned it. I didn't know I had anything special??!?

 

[Shield Arc]

Gary, shield arc
Am I missing something? I worked for an old Deere dealer, family business, they gave me the hood in the box, new. I found the lens in a drawer boss said use it. It was a 13 could not see a dang thing! They had stuff everywhere, I mean nothing was throwed away. Asked how much I owed them and the momma said I earned it. I didn't know I had anything special??!?

OK, now I'm confused! What are you talking about?:confused3:

 

[Reyer Farms]

OK, now I'm confused! What are you talking about?:confused3:

Gary quoted me about the hood I had in college. I thought. Then y'all were talking 500-700 dollars. I reasoned I had a high dollar hood and was unaware of its value. Maybe Gary knows?