Author Topic: Auto-Darkening Welding Helmets - trust it or not? (Read 13483 times)

Yota Up · « **on:** Jan 30, 2007, 01:35:40 PM »

I bought this Lincoln AutoHelmet at Home Depot for $100.
I look inside and crap my pants to read "If helmet does not darken, check battery or refer to owners manual".

WTF, these things aren't reliable? Am I gonna go blind?

You're the pros, let's hear your take. If you seasoned guys tell me that you use standard helmets only, I'm taking this thing back.

Thanks a million, I appreciate it.

Willy Mammoth · « **Reply #1 on:** Jan 30, 2007, 01:44:46 PM »

I have to say I have use an auto darkening helmet for years and can still see.

So long as you get the right shade and it darkens when it is supposed to you will be OK.

When the batteries go weak or there is not enough light going to the sensor it will sometimes flash you, but for the most part they are great. It sucks to go back to a standard helmet after using one.

Duffil · « **Reply #2 on:** Jan 30, 2007, 01:48:50 PM »

yeah, they work great.

ZukIzzy · « **Reply #3 on:** Jan 30, 2007, 03:05:53 PM »

They work well, if it does not darken you will know right away and be able to check it out and get it fixed.

Wayne

jimbo74 · « **Reply #4 on:** Jan 30, 2007, 03:11:35 PM »

i trust an autodarken helemt to darken faster than me with the hood up flipping the hood down once i strike the arc

Loki · « **Reply #5 on:** Jan 30, 2007, 03:58:27 PM »

they work well...i'd suggest the solar rechargeable helmets

I need a new lense for one...it fell off the hood of the truck

alwayzbroken · « **Reply #6 on:** Jan 30, 2007, 04:52:41 PM »

This is the one I have and love it http://millerwelds.com/products/weldinghelmets/elite.php

The only time I get blinded is when I forget to turn it on

!

Loki · « **Reply #7 on:** Jan 30, 2007, 05:02:32 PM »

is it true that miller owns hobart now? I'm trying to get a replacement lense for my helmet

welder2000 · « **Reply #8 on:** Jan 30, 2007, 05:24:57 PM »

I've been a welder for 15 years and have tried them and don't like them at all, you go to use them and the batery is dead or it does'nt work I just stay old school it never fails to work.

Gittinit · « **Reply #9 on:** Jan 30, 2007, 06:02:02 PM »

Quote from: Willy Mammoth on Jan 30, 2007, 01:44:46 PM

I have to say I have use an auto darkening helmet for years and can still see.

So long as you get the right shade and it darkens when it is supposed to you will be OK.

When the batteries go weak or there is not enough light going to the sensor it will sometimes flash you, but for the most part they are great. It sucks to go back to a standard helmet after using one.

X2 I love mine! My brother in law who welds for a living is not allowed to use an auto darening hood at his job and dosen't like my hood. He says its not dark enough for him.

RynothealbinO · « **Reply #10 on:** Jan 30, 2007, 06:21:04 PM »

Get a Hobart with adjustable sensitivity, delay, and darkness. Now that I have one I can't stand using a regular helmet. Most of them have around a shade 4 lense even if it is not tuned on so if it isn't working you will know right away but it shouldn't damage your eyes too badly if you quit right away.

Hyena · « **Reply #11 on:** Jan 30, 2007, 06:26:05 PM »

I use my miller auto darkening unit every day at work. 5 months straight since i got the helmet and it hasn't failed me once. mine has the easy light/darkening nob on the outside of the helmet so i can adjust it while welding. going back to the oldschool ones while welding at a friends house just plain sucks. i have flashed my self counltess times because i forget to turn it on but i can still see pretty good.

kentuckyken · « **Reply #12 on:** Jan 30, 2007, 06:47:25 PM »

I've been welding for 34 years and I've had 4 eye operations. 2 cataracts (4 yrs ago) and 2 to remove film/scar tissue (3 yrs ago) that came back. I take care of my eyes now and I have been using this helmet for 14 months with no problems and it's 5 thousandths slower turn on than the Miller link above. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=91214
I shy away from their brand of welders but I love the helmet.

Yota85 · « **Reply #13 on:** Jan 30, 2007, 06:55:08 PM »

I used auto darkening all through welding school they are great. They work so good I wish they had them for underwater welding.

kneedownnate · « **Reply #14 on:** Jan 30, 2007, 07:39:47 PM »

Quote from: Willy Mammoth on Jan 30, 2007, 01:44:46 PM

It sucks to go back to a standard helmet after using one.

Going back to standard after autodarkening is like going back to solo love making after being in a relationship. It'll get you by but it's not near as nice!

jimbo74 · « **Reply #15 on:** Jan 30, 2007, 07:51:08 PM »

loki, miller has owned hobart for awhile

skyscraper · « **Reply #16 on:** Jan 30, 2007, 08:30:15 PM »

Quote from: Yota Up on Jan 30, 2007, 01:35:40 PM

I bought this Lincoln AutoHelmet at Home Depot for $100.
I look inside and crap my pants to read "If helmet does not darken, check battery or refer to owners manual". WTF, these things aren't reliable? Am I gonna go blind?

You're the pros, let's hear your take. If you seasoned guys tell me that you use standard helmets only, I'm taking this thing back.

Thanks a million, I appreciate it.

Even if it doesnt turn on and you stop pretty fast, you should be fine. I've gotten flashed plenty of times at school and I never got arc flash. Maybe its just me, or maybe it'll catch up with me later on in life...I dont know. But I prefer the traditional style helmet too, because I use a gold lense. It helps you see your puddle MUCH more clearer, and they're not that expensive to upgrade your regular helmet.

Loki · « **Reply #17 on:** Jan 30, 2007, 08:50:21 PM »

Quote from: jimbo74 on Jan 30, 2007, 07:51:08 PM

loki, miller has owned hobart for awhile

then where do i get a replacement lense for my hobart hood? hobart's website doesn't list this hood anymore and it's only 2-3 years old

alwayzbroken · « **Reply #18 on:** Jan 31, 2007, 09:19:45 AM »

Quote from: Loki on Jan 30, 2007, 08:50:21 PM

then where do i get a replacement lense for my hobart hood? hobart's website doesn't list this hood anymore and it's only 2-3 years old

How about a welding shop that carries the miller/hobart line

854RUN · « **Reply #19 on:** Jan 31, 2007, 09:59:10 AM »

I have had mine for 3yr and love it. It sucks using a flip down now

Loki · « **Reply #20 on:** Jan 31, 2007, 10:23:31 AM »

Quote from: alwayzbroken on Jan 31, 2007, 09:19:45 AM

How about a welding shop that carries the miller/hobart line

Well i went in there and the guy was a little shady. he told me that it would cost more than a new hood. He also didn't sell new electrodes or tips for the plasma cutter, so i went to another welding shop and picked those up. i guess i can go back to the guy i bought the tips from and see what he can do. i just couldn't believe that it was going to cost that much. I might as well buy a new hood if this guy tells me the same thing.

CTENG in KS · « **Reply #21 on:** Jan 31, 2007, 11:07:05 AM »

I gots ta HF one too...solar like...never flashed me yet...much easier to use than a std helmet.

Doosty · « **Reply #22 on:** Jan 31, 2007, 11:19:32 AM »

i got a nice miller one for my bro for x mass... and hes been welding 14 hrs a day with it since and has had no problems. you get what you pay for as i say... the only thing i dont like about them is that i had arc flash befor and damaged one of my eyes pretty bad.. and there is like a 1/100th of a second befor it darkens or w/e and i can still feel the flash.. but i like using them allot. no problems yet

Volcom · « **Reply #23 on:** Jan 31, 2007, 01:27:30 PM »

I've used a HF for several hours. Seems to work for the limited time I've spent welding.

papa mike · « **Reply #24 on:** Feb 01, 2007, 06:27:16 AM »

if you do burn your eyes from flash cut a potato and squeeze the juice from it into your eyes instant gravel remover it really work

Loki · « **Reply #25 on:** Feb 01, 2007, 06:45:09 AM »

Quote from: miner mike on Feb 01, 2007, 06:27:16 AM

if you do burn your eyes from flash cut a potato and squeeze the juice from it into your eyes instant gravel remover it really work

you know i've actually heard this before about something similar, but i thought it was BS

Saber · « **Reply #26 on:** Feb 01, 2007, 08:49:03 AM »

Quote from: RynothealbinO on Jan 30, 2007, 06:21:04 PM

Get a Hobart with adjustable sensitivity, delay, and darkness. Now that I have one I can't stand using a regular helmet. Most of them have around a shade 4 lense even if it is not tuned on so if it isn't working you will know right away but it shouldn't damage your eyes too badly if you quit right away.

X2!!! Hobarts are the way to go, especially due to the many adjustable features. These auto-darkening masks have a built in lithium-ion rechargeable battery, that recharges automatically with light. Where do you find a light source that is closest to the sun? Right in front of our faces! Someone was thinking when they made this one.

Loki · « **Reply #27 on:** Feb 01, 2007, 09:58:49 AM »

Quote from: Saber on Feb 01, 2007, 08:49:03 AM

X2!!! Hobarts are the way to go, especially due to the many adjustable features. These auto-darkening masks have a built in lithium-ion rechargeable battery, that recharges automatically with light. Where do you find a light source that is closest to the sun? Right in front of our faces! Someone was thinking when they made this one.

x3 this is the hood i have and it is awesome...i just need a replacement lense...stupid me, dropping it off the hood of the truck. I just found out it's going to cost me 224 for a new auto-dark lense for the Pro-VBX XVI Hobart Hood

ouch

DTB · « **Reply #28 on:** Feb 01, 2007, 01:23:52 PM »

You're supposed to wear a helmet when welding???

MR_DIY · « **Reply #29 on:** Feb 01, 2007, 02:11:49 PM »

Quote from: Dirt Toy Boy on Feb 01, 2007, 01:23:52 PM

You're supposed to wear a helmet when welding???

DAMN YOU! I was scrolling down here to say the same thing. you beat me to it.
oh well, damn funny man.

I use the HF helmet and couldn't weld w/o it

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