HF auto dark hood

   / HF auto dark hood #1  

kossetx

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I sometimes have issues with HF stuff. It is better than some chinese stuff, but a lot of it leaves me desiring for better.

I was using my Harbor Freight auto dark helmet this weekend and I have only one complaint about it. I try to shake my helmet down to cover my eyes when I want to strike an arc, when it is already down. I forget it is already down because I can see with it down. They are a cool addition to welding. Some here will say they may hurt your eyes but I don't think so. At least not from what I've felt. For those of you that have never tried an auto dark helmet, they have them on sale for 39.99 right now at HFT.

I was going to start this thread after this weekend because I like the hood. Seeing it for 40.00 made let you all know.
 
   / HF auto dark hood #2  
I have been using an autodarkening helmet for years and think it is the only way to fly. I sure did suffer to try to lower my helmet when it was already down when I first started with it. one improvement would be if the auto darkening lense had a "defeat" switch you could reach without taking it off or flipping it up. The defeat switch would stop it from darkening. Thsi woiuld require discipline so you were in the right conditioni before welding. Mine is so sensitive that if it "sees" even small sparks when I use a grinder it darkens. The flashing off and on is anoying. Yet if you raise the hood you risk getting debris in your eyes. I wear glasses but have been to the emergency room twice to get metal out of my eyes in the last 5 years. If the auto darkening lense could be raised and leave a clear plastic safety layer in place to protect yoiu while grinding that would be the cat's meow! It is a hassle to swap back and forth between the hood and a safety shield. I like to protect my eyes but wouild like another means except switching back and forth between head gear.

Is the HF unit batt op or is it powered by light? Mine goes for a few years on one AAA cell. I have never had a problem with being flashed. It works first time every time. The closest thing to a problem is my helmet doesn't quite come low enough to stop about a 1/4 inch slice of my neck getting hit by the UV, sometimes. I'm gonna have to glue a "veil" on it. IT is OK when I wear my leathers like a good little boy but when it is 100F+ I tend to skip the leathers.

Pat
 
   / HF auto dark hood
  • Thread Starter
#3  
I've had mine 2 years and never even looked for a battery, so I don't know how it is powered. Bad aren't I. Mine also darkens while grinding. I thought I'd be able to use it for grinding, but it blacks out.
 
   / HF auto dark hood #4  
I bought the cheap HF AD hood a couple of years ago and, honestly, I don't care for it at all. My eyesight is worth more than $40 to me. With MIG welding I was blinded nearly every time. I took the stinking thing back twice and each was the same. I'm sorry to say that I wouldn't give a plug nickel for the hood. I spent my money on a much nicer (and more expensive) hood and the difference is night and day. On the better hoods you can set the sensitivity, the hood reacts much faster and better, and the darkness settings are far superior. I'd save my $40. Sorry, but that's the way I see it with the junk hood. If you don't mind being a blind man for $40...
 
   / HF auto dark hood
  • Thread Starter
#5  
dargo, You've always made it plain about your dislike for hft. I simply don't agree with you on this one. After a year of using it, my eyesight is still perfect, and I'm 47.
 
   / HF auto dark hood #7  
My old lady gave me a HF AD helmet for Christmas and I like it. I don't know how much she spent on it but it has adjustable shade and sensitivity. It's also light powered. One thing that I find however is that smoke will get between the plastic cover and the lens and make it hard to see clearly after a while.
The first time that I used an AD was my uncle's about 3 years ago and it was a high dollar helmet that flashed me. Therefore I didn't have high hopes for this HF AD... but I was wrong and it's never failed me yet. I weld stiick, mig, and tig and it can be adjusted for all three. Really nice to be able to run a row of spot welds with the mig, saves a lot of time not having to raise and lower the helmet.
 
   / HF auto dark hood #8  
I'm not a welder. I burn rods and make sparks mostly.
I bought one of those cheap HF stick welders off ebay for $5. Hobby Arc 110.

Went to HF and got an auto darkening helmet. Love it.
It uses two AAA battery's and has a solar cell.

One thing I really like about this helmet,
if I forget to turn it on and start welding,
it is shaded just right for me to weld with.
Have to turn it on to get a clear lense.
This is a very nice safety feature for me.

For grinding and other stuff I got a full face shield for $20.

Pooh Bear
 
   / HF auto dark hood #9  
I bought my AD shield 8-9 years ago for something like $240. It's pure battery, but I get at least a year from 2-AAA batteries. Love the adjustable shade, sensativity & delay (how long it stays dark after welding, very handy when doing high amp & aluminum, TIG). My only complaint is the electric eyes (2) are on the top & I was getting flashed while welding roll bars (works great in open areas, not so great in tight confined spaces).

I know what you mean by trying to flip the AD shield down. I did that for a long time, & since I stopped professionally welding in 2000, I still find myself doing it from time to time. Old habits die hard! :D
 
   / HF auto dark hood #10  
ive got an HF one with senisitivy adjustment.

darkens quick enough not to strain the eyes. and i can turn it off and use it for the gass axe as the "off" shade is about right.

what i dont like about it is its darkened state you still cant see your weld as good as some of the expensive helmits. My neighbor has a tig and bought a $200 (non auto) helmit and its REAALLY nice to weld with, but it was 3 times the cost also...

ive learned it will work...

but you get what you payfor
 

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