Auto-Darkening Helmet

[undercut]

I used a $50 AD helmet from Northern Tool

Wel-Bilt Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet | Welding Helmets | Northern Tool + Equipment

Works fine--never been flashed.
My concern is more about UV getting inside the helmet via reflections off my jacket into the chin area and from reflections off stuff that's behind me. I generally wear a pair of UV400 goggles under my helmet to eliminate this problem.

I've rigged a leather extension that drapes down from the chin of my helmet to cover my neck area from UV and to block off reflections. Am looking to do the same for the sides. Hoping that this will still allow airflow and will keep me cooler as I won't have to wear something close fitting around my neck.

 

[dstig1]

Well I think some solar powered welding helmets DO have a battery also, and I think some DON'T. The high capacity storage capacitor is very common now, with typical ratings of 5 volts and 1 Farad of capacity. Typically these are about the size of 2 nickels stacked on top of each other. These capacitors are commonly used as backup "battery's" in a lot of microprocessor controlled devices. They are not battery's they are capacitors in that they can stand being totally discharged for long periods and countless times without being damaged like a battery would be. My helmet is often stored in the dark for long periods, and it just takes a couple of minutes in the light to charge up and become operational. May be a fine point the difference a lithium battery and a High density storage capacitor, but they are a different thing.

James K0UA

You certainly could be right, though I was told they all have batteries in them. They may have moved to capacitors in more recent times. My info is a few years old, but was from a very reliable source at that time.

 

[kf4uda]

I got this helmet a while back.

Inferno - Welding Helmets Direct

I have used it a few times for both stick and mig. This is my first auto-darkening helmet and so far I really like it. some of the features that attracted me to this helmet were the larger view, ratchet head gear, battery + solar power and price under $100. I am just an amateur who occasionally welds on farm projects and repairs.

 

[OkieDave]

Miller Welding Helmet - Black Classic Series VS Lens 251292. Auto-darkening, adjustable from shades 8-12.

$85, shipped. No connection with the store but as a satisfied customer. And according to Miller's site it changes in 1/12,000th of a second, not 1/8000th.

 

[undercut]

I got this helmet a while back.

Inferno - Welding Helmets Direct

I have used it a few times for both stick and mig. This is my first auto-darkening helmet and so far I really like it. some of the features that attracted me to this helmet were the larger view, ratchet head gear, battery + solar power and price under $100. I am just an amateur who occasionally welds on farm projects and repairs.

That looks like a pretty good helmet. Advertised to be compatible with TIG down to pretty low amps, too.

 

[jw3]

Okie Dave do you like the miller black Classic hood? I saw the same one advertised and was intrigued if it was worth having or not. It seems reasonably priced.

 

[OkieDave]

I'm happy with it so far. Adjustable for shade, sensitivity, and delay to return to clear. The adjustment knob is positive and doesn't slip--you have to push the knob down to turn it, and it springs back out when you release it. The raise/lower tension (knobs at the temples) aren't quite as positive, but I haven't found it to be that big of a deal.

That said, my welding experience consists of four classes (four days, not four courses) at the local vo-tech (the course ends on 27 June). I'm probably not qualified to give a detailed review just because I haven't used it enough to know what is important, but so far, I'm liking it.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I just did some quick calcs and figured that I spent no less than 18,200 hours under my hood welding for a living, most of those welding pressure piping, and that doesnt count the hours welding on the farm or those after making supervisor or while watching students weld in community college welding courses. One of the best comfort devices you can get is a padded sweat band to go on the helmet band. Some helmets come with them and others dont, so if yours doesnt, get one or more, they do require changing occassionally.
If you dont want to swap between grinder face shield and helmet, buy one with an adjustment on sensitivity that allows you to grind without it going dark. #4 shade allows you to see pretty well what you are grinding most of the time, but keep a face shield handy anyway for the delicate stuff.
Delay in changing from dark to light is something you could live without but most have them.
The large viewing area is OK but not a necessity as 2x4.25 is plenty for most welding conditions. I remember the old Speedglas I had fit in a 2x4.25 welding helmet but the viewing area was only about half that and one could still see ok after getting used to it. Might have to adjust the helmet sometimes though. I seems most of them now have a 4 x4.25 or thereabout viewing area and you dont need anything larger than that for sure.
When you buy your helmet, go ahead and get clear lens to fit it at that time because every hood seems to use a little bit different size clear lens although they may look the same and remember the size so you can get more of the same later.
Shade adjustment from 8-12 is plenty or even 9-12. You rarely need anything darker than a 12 to weld with as a 12 is good for about 400 amps or more and need at least 300 to see the arc.
Finally for shade adjustment, go lighter when in the sun and darker when inside. I know that sounds backward, but it isnt. When in bright light your eyes are adjusted to the bright light already and if you use a darker shade, then it is like trying to see when you walk into a dark bar room from bright sunlight. When in dark area, your pupils are expanded and dont need to have as much light to see, therefore use a darker shade. I am only talking about maybe one shade up or down not drastic change. If using a 10 inside go to a 9 outside.

 

[undercut]

I just did some quick calcs and figured that I spent no less than 18,200 hours under my hood welding for a living, most of those welding pressure piping, and that doesnt count the hours welding on the farm or those after making supervisor or while watching students weld in community college welding courses. One of the best comfort devices you can get is a padded sweat band to go on the helmet band. Some helmets come with them and others dont, so if yours doesnt, get one or more, they do require changing occassionally.
If you dont want to swap between grinder face shield and helmet, buy one with an adjustment on sensitivity that allows you to grind without it going dark. #4 shade allows you to see pretty well what you are grinding most of the time, but keep a face shield handy anyway for the delicate stuff.
Delay in changing from dark to light is something you could live without but most have them.
The large viewing area is OK but not a necessity as 2x4.25 is plenty for most welding conditions. I remember the old Speedglas I had fit in a 2x4.25 welding helmet but the viewing area was only about half that and one could still see ok after getting used to it. Might have to adjust the helmet sometimes though. I seems most of them now have a 4 x4.25 or thereabout viewing area and you dont need anything larger than that for sure.
When you buy your helmet, go ahead and get clear lens to fit it at that time because every hood seems to use a little bit different size clear lens although they may look the same and remember the size so you can get more of the same later.
Shade adjustment from 8-12 is plenty or even 9-12. You rarely need anything darker than a 12 to weld with as a 12 is good for about 400 amps or more and need at least 300 to see the arc.
Finally for shade adjustment, go lighter when in the sun and darker when inside. I know that sounds backward, but it isnt. When in bright light your eyes are adjusted to the bright light already and if you use a darker shade, then it is like trying to see when you walk into a dark bar room from bright sunlight. When in dark area, your pupils are expanded and dont need to have as much light to see, therefore use a darker shade. I am only talking about maybe one shade up or down not drastic change. If using a 10 inside go to a 9 outside.

Nice summary! When I was looking for my helmet, it took me quite a bit of digging and scratching on the web to get all of the information you provided in one post .... Cheers.