FWJ,
I normally agree 100% with what you post, but on this one I feel differently.
I would suggest you use one a bit, and I think you may like it.
I will also throw into this discussion something that maybe nobody but me will want to admit too, but probably everyone can tell you they have seen someone else do it.
For a while, I was doing a fair amount of decorative steel work, fences, gates, doors etc..... Many, many, many (did I say a bunch) of tacks, spots etc to get things positioned.
At some point you find yourself holding the piece in position and squinting or turning your head and making that little spot without dropping your conventional hood. Now I know nobody here would do that, but I am willing to bet most people have seen it done....
Anyway, that was one of the greatest benefits to me, is that I can accurately place my workpieces, and I am always protected.
And in the FWIW between my father and I, we have owned, and still own, numerous models of these helmets from the $500 versions, to the HF $50, currently at my house I think there is a Jackson EQC, one of the old reflective helmets with shade 10 in the middle, couple of visitor helmets, my big shield hard hat helmet (when hard hat is required) and a HF cheapy.
The HF is on top of the welder right now, and is normally the one I grab. Dad uses his HF one more then his expensive ones as well.
Sixth post just
