>>> AUTO-DARKENING WELDING HELMET ??<<<

[BearKiller]

Does one of these :

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=95950

lens-protecting plates come already with the helmet, or do I need to buy seperate ??


Also, I never knew such a thing existed as a "cheater" lens.

Are these available in different magnifications ??



As for the ongoing dispute about so-called "cheap" foreign-made products, regardless of whether we are talking welding helmets or any other product, sadly, more and more often, it has been my observation that paying more does not usually get you a better product, especially where electronics are concerned.

Many of the "respected" name-brands are no better, and often not as good, as plain old no-nonsense H-F products.

When the good old U.S.A. will put my income at a level where I can afford to demand "made in the USA" products, that is what I will buy; but, so long as it takes me pinching every cent just to have the bare necessities, I will spend my dollars where they do the most good.

 

[Low Bucket]

I'm willing to bet that all of the AD hoods mentioned here are made in China.

Regards,

- Just Gary

Jackson Welding Helmets are made in the USA!- I posted a link in this thread.- That's what I use and will continue to use.- No HF Cheapo hoods for me again.

 

[JoelD]

True. By the time you notice, you've already ruined the only pair of eyes you're going to get. Enjoy the hundred bucks or so you saved. It may go towards surgery or a cain.




Um, no. Quality control on the cheapo Chinese Horrible Freight hoods is non-existent. You will positively have no U.S. government agency help you one bit if you go blind from using a cheapo HF hood.

Again, guys, it's your eyesight. I don't sell hoods and, at the risk of sounding rude, don't give a rat's patoot if you go blind. I don't know you and I won't have to lead you around if you go blind nor will I have to pay for your eye surgery. I'm just constantly amazed at how little value is placed on safety here on TBN when it comes to the chance of saving a buck. This site is interesting because nobody is allowed to flat out call a total piece of junk tractor exactly what it is. There will be dozens of people talking about what a great price it sells for. The same goes for many other junk and plain dangerous products that lack any quality. Again, at the risk of sounding rude, there are pieces of equipment, tools and machinery that are nothing but pure junk that should never be sold to anyone or ever imported. Still, I constantly see people here afraid to tell someone that they should cut their losses and buy something with far better quality.

I'll just flat give up on trying to advise people against practices that are not only dangerous, but stupid; stop explaining that there is most certainly a quality difference in a cheap knock off imported item and the original and give up on explaining that sometimes it just flat costs more to buy something that is high quality. If you roast your eyes, set your hair on fire, buy a tractor that never runs etc., just think of the money you saved over a similar item that costs more.

I bet you're not gonna give up and that's just momentary frustration talking. Guys like you can't help your self.

I for one think we need the common sense safety heads up on a regular basis.

I'm guilty of the cheap way out with my HF helmet. Problem is I weld so infrequently it is tough to justify a more expensive helmet, but as you pointed, a couple of times I might add, it is not a bunch of money from low end to high end.

Is there a particular helmet make and model you recommend for the hobbiest welder, someone who might weld for 3 hours straight but only once or twice per month?

Or is it an all or nothing, I'm guessing you'd recommend a helmet that would protect no matter how much you use it.

Please let me know what make and model you recommend as a good helmet.

I have read more than once where guys have messed up their eyes welding and I don't want to be one of them.

I do work hard to stay away from the smoke, I understand that stuff can hurt you bad as well.

Thanks for looking out for us.

Sincerely,
Joel

 

[JB4310]

Does one of these :

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=95950

lens-protecting plates come already with the helmet, or do I need to buy seperate ??


Also, I never knew such a thing existed as a "cheater" lens.

Are these available in different magnifications ??

At least one protective cover lens comes on the helmet, I bought a pack of extras when I got my helmet.

As far as the cheater lens goes, I also just learned about that here in this thread, I see the manufacturer of my helmet offers them in 3 different magnifications. Welders favorite accessories I think I will try one myself.



.

 

[JustGary]

Jackson Welding Helmets are made in the USA!- I posted a link in this thread.- That's what I use and will continue to use.- No HF Cheapo hoods for me again.

Oops! I sit corrected. Of course, the components could still be made in China and assembled here....

Obviously, we are talking about the ability of helmet lenses to absorb ultraviolet radiation. Glass works very well, and the shade of the lens doesn't really contribute to the absorption. The best tip I got from this site is to cover reflective items near the welding station. Covering the back of the hood is important also, to keep reflected UV out of your eyes.

Do any of you have access to a UV meter (or some of the paper patches)? We could put this to bed quickly by actually measuring the amount of UV that each type of helmet will pass.

Regards,

- Just Gary

 

[ovrszd]

If possible, I'd get on here and talk some serious "technical" stuff about various helmets. But,,, alas,,,, I'm not a techno geek...

So I'll just stick with my personal experiences. My first helmet was a $75 jobby that I bought at the local Ag Supply Store, can't remember the brand. I thought it worked fine and it never burned me.

Then after my shop burned and I had to replace everything I bought a $250 Miller Helmet, can't recall the model. It's never burned my eyes either.

The difference I noticed was immediate. I can see my work more clearly when welding. I don't lose track of the "splice" I'm trying to weld anymore and can draw a straight weld. Secondly, I can see more clearly when not welding. Sometimes I'll get into the moment fabricating and be walking around arranging things or grabbing the next piece with my helmet still down. My wife thinks I'm a little nutty when she walks in the shop and I'm moving around with my Darth Vader helmet on.

Love my Miller helmet, won't own another cheap one.

 

[Low Bucket]

Oops! I sit corrected. Of course, the components could still be made in China and assembled here....

Not so fast.

Do you know for sure ? - Show us the proof if so.

I seriously don't believe 'ALL' "components are made in China."- If they were, then my "Jackson AD-Hood" and any other brands made in the USA would burn your eyes like the "cheapo HF hoods" do.

Covering the back of the hood is important also, to keep reflected UV out of your eyes.

I had already said this.- (See my post at the bottom)

Do any of you have access to a UV meter (or some of the paper patches)? We could put this to bed quickly by actually measuring the amount of UV that each type of helmet will pass.

No, I sure don't have one.- I don't need a UV meter with my Jackson Hood!

It's funny, When I used a "HF Cheapo Hood" my eyes got burned every time.- Then when I spent some $$$ for a good helmet, my eyes have never been burned.- No problem what so ever.- So it was the "Cheapo Hood" that was letting the UV pass through and causing my eyes to get burned.

Our welders at work use "Jackson helmets" and they have never had their eyes burned.- I'm talking about guys that weld on D9, D10 dozer blades and other big equipment "all day long."- That's all they do is weld.- I know for sure these guys "would not" use a cheapo hood. - And they are not using a little "MIG welder."

If you want to burn your eyes up then keep using the "Cheapo Hoods."- I'll use a different kind.$$$

Another thing a person should have on their "hood" is a flap to keep the flash from coming in the back/top, and it helps if your welding in the sun.

 

[Chilly807]

I've been pretty happy with my Miller, it's the "Performance Series".

Chilly

 

[ovrszd]

I've been pretty happy with my Miller, it's the "Performance Series".

Chilly

Yep, that's what mine is too. It's like a high end tractor, has all the neat little features and is very user friendly.

 

[Chilly807]

The Miller "performance" model has three arc sensors as opposed to one (harder to block accidentally), has a battery as well as solar charging, more comfortable headgear, etc. I tried on a Princess Auto special (our version of Harbor Freight). It was ok, nothing I could really fault with it. Then I shopped around and compared different helmets. The Miller really stood out of the crowd feature and comfort wise.

The Miller is at the high end of the price range, no question about that, but I'm glad I bought what I did. It's a pleasure to use and has never let me down.

One thing I don't like about it is the "grind mode". It should have a separate switch for that instead of it being at one end of the shade selector dial.

Once I have the helmet dialed in I never touch settings, so grinding means taking the helmet off and putting on safety glasses or a face shield.

Chilly