HF auto dark hood

[SPYDERLK]

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...

A couple years ago I had the same thing happen, but I kept calling customer service and getting return labels to send them back. I sent 4 back with the same complaint and they finally gave up and said there must be something wrong with the lot. I waited a while and bought another recently - - it works!
Larry

 

[MossRoad]

I bought one at HF a couple weeks ago for $59 that has adjustable lens, adjustable time and adjustable sensitivity. I keep it up on 13 for arc welding and it works great. I am amazed how fast it auto darkens. I believe it is 1/25,000th of a second. It also has those cool flame decals.

 

[Dargo]

A couple years ago I had the same thing happen, but I kept calling customer service and getting return labels to send them back. I sent 4 back with the same complaint and they finally gave up and said there must be something wrong with the lot. I waited a while and bought another recently - - it works!
Larry

I gave up and didn't stay with it as you did. It will work okay for arc welding as the initial sparks will cause the lens to darken, but with MIG welding it blinds me with the initial arc.

Gees, you guys seem to think I don't like HF. So far, I've been satisfied with a cheapo set of pipe wrenches from there, a cheapo set of digital measuring calipers, and a claw hammer. So, see, I can't say that I've been totally dissatisfied with all of their items.

 

[rswyan]

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.

Yeah, I'm with ya on this one - I have NEVER been flashed by my $49 Harbor Freight AD hood ....... I picked up a pricey ($150+) Hobart hood when Sears had them on clearance .... I've been flashed by it numerous times. Anytime the arc is close to being obscured by the MIG nozzle .... bang ! ..... the big green spot majically appears.

I've been forced into using the Hobart because a small part on the headband rachet popped off the Harbor Freight helmet and fell on the floor in the shop and I've had no success in finding it.

Interestingly, I've always been able to see the arc and puddle better with the HF helmet - in spite of the Hobart one having a bigger viewport and having had the plastic covers (inner and outer ones) replaced several times. The HF unit is still on it's original plastic covers - but they're due.

 

[HomeBrew2]

On the front page of this week's mailer, it's on sale for $40. #46092.

 

[MossRoad]

I gave up and didn't stay with it as you did. It will work okay for arc welding as the initial sparks will cause the lens to darken, but with MIG welding it blinds me with the initial arc.

Mine's pretty sensitive. I'm very impressed with it. After I am done making a weld and it lightens up, I turn to drop my stubb into a coffee can and if it is a bit hot and makes just a tiny spark when it hits the can, the hood darkens up on me again. It also gets set off if I catch a reflection of the sun in shiny metal. Haven't tested it on the refelction from my bald head, yet!

 

[Soundguy]

Now that i got a real welder.. i guess I need to get an AD helmet... sheesh..

Soundguy

 

[SkyPup]

I've got three Miller AD hoods and they all work excellent, like the fact that the arc recharges the battery too!

Their Big WIndow Elite has an excellent view.

 

[PBinWA]

I started with a HF AD helmet but I scratched the lens and decided to try a Miller Big Window Elite. I noticed the difference imediately. The Miller is much more sensitive and faster to respond. The protective plates are easier to clean and do a better job of keeping the crud off the main lense.

The HF helmet worked fine but the Miller is much better.

 

[Dargo]

Now that i got a real welder.. i guess I need to get an AD helmet... sheesh..

Soundguy

Aww, c'mon on! You're not going to get the 4wd model?