AD welding helmet..??

[CTyler]

I have a HF AD and a cheap standard unit and always use the AD. Think it was $30-$40 on sale a couple years ago. It has an external adjust for the shade and a switch inside for fast/slow response. It always stays on fast and haven't noticed getting flashed. I did start making it a habit to blink when pulling the trigger for no reason other than...just in case.

If your going to be welding a lot a helmet with a nice headband would be welcome. The HF unit is not junk though IMO.

 

[slowrev]

It says the shade adjustment is internal ? I like the external ones best so you can tweak them while you watch your puddle.
Ben

 

[Sully2]

Well..I wound up buying a Jackson from online. Tried both out at the local welding joint and the Jackson just kinda fit nicer...very slight better "specs" but I doubt better enough to worry over...but the local shop wasnt even close to an internet price...I mean not even close. Yet...they were $100 BETTER...than ANY internet price I could find on the welder..???? Who knows?

 

[3RRL]

I think with TIG I would rather have the AD lens as it is not desirable to touch the tip to the work with my welder which is not the scratch start type...

Henro,
It's funny how people do things differently. I always use my regular Miller helmet for TIG, thinking it gives me better protection? LOL ... Plus I've done it that way for a hundred years it seems. I can place the tungsten on my work piece, flip the helmet down and just before I step on the pedal, I pull the tip away slightly. I do a lot of very intricate mold welding. I always position my work securely and then "prop" my welding arm and hand so it is super steady, whereas I don't do that when arc welding. I never thought of using the AD for it! It would be much easier indeed and I'll try it.

I have used the AD exclusively for arc welding because if I bring the tip of the rod too close to my work it will "fire up" in the wrong place. So I use it to make sure I'm at the right place to strike the arc. My HF helmet has 1/25,000 second response. I don't worry too much about the larger viewing area as on the Miller helmet...my reading glasses impair me more than anything when they start to slip down my nose!