Author Topic: Auto-Darkening Welding Helmets - trust it or not? (Read 13466 times)

Loki · « **Reply #30 on:** Feb 01, 2007, 03:50:15 PM »

i bet if you used the hood i use, you'd be saving money for one...that hood is the poop

kneedownnate · « **Reply #31 on:** Feb 01, 2007, 07:45:06 PM »

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

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

I wear my motorbike helmet when welding. Everybody points and laughs, but I'm not sure if it's the normal pointing and laughing or the "look, he's welding with a motorbike helmet on!" pointing and laughing. I dunno though, I can't even see what I'm typing now....my eyes feel all itchy, kinda like they have sand in them...

Yota87Truck · « **Reply #32 on:** Feb 01, 2007, 08:25:49 PM »

The Auto-Darkening welding shieds work great. I haven't done much welding but the first time I welded I used a relly old one that didn't have the Auto-Darkening and I couldn't even see what I was doing. Once I used a Auto-Darkening sheid and it made all the difference.

Loki · « **Reply #33 on:** Feb 02, 2007, 08:14:34 AM »

Quote from: Yota85Truck on Feb 01, 2007, 08:25:49 PM

The Auto-Darkening welding shieds work great. I haven't done much welding but the first time I welded I used a relly old one that didn't have the Auto-Darkening and I couldn't even see what I was doing. Once I used a Auto-Darkening sheid and it made all the difference.

that's where the whole Pre-position your stick, neck flick, and pull the trigger method come in. I use a standard hood too, but it's nice to have one that allows you to not pop the hood up all the time as well.

Yota87Truck · « **Reply #34 on:** Feb 02, 2007, 08:31:42 AM »

That really doesnt' work when your using a stick welder....which is all I have used.

Loki · « **Reply #35 on:** Feb 02, 2007, 08:35:15 AM »

sure it does...plant your wrist and then use the flick method

do you have a foot pedal?

Yota87Truck · « **Reply #36 on:** Feb 02, 2007, 02:36:35 PM »

Well I still think that it makes everythink mutch easier with the Auto-Darkening Shield. I have always used the Auto-Darkening sheid except for my first time. And that is probably why it was so much harder. My friend's Dad had to leave for a bit and my friend and I were working on an exhaust piece and my friends Dad just say to play around with it and to try not to burn a hole in it. I couldn't see anything.

Oregon Crawler · « **Reply #37 on:** Feb 03, 2007, 11:51:35 AM »

the 200-300$ autos are awesome to weld with, not sure about the one U got, but the last shop I worked at, one of the guys bought a cheapo one, he sees spots all the time, hes not blind yet but give it time. So if u start to see spots I would use something else!!!

kneedownnate · « **Reply #38 on:** Feb 03, 2007, 08:20:37 PM »

I think the one I use at work is a speedscreen?? It's a really nice hood, probably way outa my pricerange!

Edit: speedglas!

Loki · « **Reply #39 on:** Feb 03, 2007, 09:47:42 PM »

1/11,000 sec from pop to dark...now that's quality

Oddmar · « **Reply #40 on:** Feb 03, 2007, 09:59:10 PM »

I bought one of the early ones, about 12 years ago...no solar panel but for $280 it has a really big lense...tint, sensitivity, and delay controls...1/25,000 second switching speed...still works fine.

About 10 years back i didn't have my welder set up, i had to make a quick stop to get the bipod on my .50cal welded before going to the range. I brought my helmet with me so i could watch, but the guy at the shop had an old-type lens, so i offered to let him use mine, he declined...started welding with his old-type and i watched...he stopped...i look up to find out why, without lifting my helmet...he asks to switch, we trade and he starts with his helmet raised, i have to tell him how to use it...he welds a few seconds, looks at me in surprise, then welds the whole thing.

He really wanted to get one...he was amazed at how easier it was. I want to upgrade to solar with the external tint-control knob, but mine still works good so

KWP · « **Reply #41 on:** Feb 07, 2007, 05:27:45 PM »

I have a Miller elite flame hood. I am a welder by trade and weld 10 to 12 hours a day 5 days a week. When i'm not using it at work I weld for my dad in his machine shop on the weekends. I've had the hood for over a year now and have had zero trouble with it. I think it's bar none the best investment i've made as far as welding equipment. I would recomend it to anyone.

Mega Baby Huey · « **Reply #42 on:** Feb 09, 2007, 03:45:42 PM »

Quote from: Yota85Truck on Feb 01, 2007, 08:25:49 PM

The Auto-Darkening welding shieds work great. I haven't done much welding but the first time I welded I used a relly old one that didn't have the Auto-Darkening and I couldn't even see what I was doing. Once I used a Auto-Darkening sheid and it made all the difference.

well that explains it...
you should have see how much he welded my exhaust! it was a monster...it went from about 1/16 of an inch thick to 2.5 inches thick

! i guess that works cause no one has to look at it...LOL
i don't think that piece is breaking off anytime soon!

Stinky · « **Reply #43 on:** Feb 10, 2007, 03:05:52 PM »

the miller elite is the way to go...i started weldin w/ the old-school-flick-ure-head-down style...its nice cuz of the bigger window...but once i started usin an auto lense, it was a whole new world....i have the jackson nexGen hood...its $300 and it was a graduation gift almost 2 years ago...its one of the best $ can buy...but the cartridge is heavy and the window is small...

but if u can get used to the old school style, run the gold lense(i forget who mentioned it on the last page), but its AMAZING how clear the puddle looks...alot of guys that run dual shield or high production( as in 40-50' beads at a time) SWEAR by the old school style, just cuz of the big window(4 1/2" x 5 1/4")...

when my batteries went dead last year at work, i borrowed a co-worker's miller elite, WOW, it weighs practically nothing and the windows just a tad bigger and the headgear is alot more comfortable...especially after a 10 hour shift... 6 days a week.... just my $.02

as for trusting it, i would, since their designed so that even if they dont start right up, u just get a minor flash...which shouldnt phase you for more than a minute or so...my jackson, if you forget to turn it on, its a shade 12-13...

Bazzi · « **Reply #44 on:** Feb 10, 2007, 04:15:36 PM »

love them can´t work with out them

KWP · « **Reply #45 on:** Feb 11, 2007, 03:21:39 PM »

Quote from: Stinky on Feb 10, 2007, 03:05:52 PM

the miller elite is the way to go...i started weldin w/ the old-school-flick-ure-head-down style...its nice cuz of the bigger window...but once i started usin an auto lense, it was a whole new world....i have the jackson nexGen hood...its $300 and it was a graduation gift almost 2 years ago...its one of the best $ can buy...but the cartridge is heavy and the window is small...

but if u can get used to the old school style, run the gold lense(i forget who mentioned it on the last page), but its AMAZING how clear the puddle looks...alot of guys that run dual shield or high production( as in 40-50' beads at a time) SWEAR by the old school style, just cuz of the big window(4 1/2" x 5 1/4")...

when my batteries went dead last year at work, i borrowed a co-worker's miller elite, WOW, it weighs practically nothing and the windows just a tad bigger and the headgear is alot more comfortable...especially after a 10 hour shift... 6 days a week.... just my $.02

as for trusting it, i would, since their designed so that even if they dont start right up, u just get a minor flash...which shouldnt phase you for more than a minute or so...my jackson, if you forget to turn it on, its a shade 12-13...

I love my elite. I think the Miller hoods are like a shade 9 or 10 when it's not on, so your not going to get flashed if you forget to turn it on. They are a very comfortable hood to use all day. Like I stated before, I use mine daily and have nothing but good to say about it. I paid around $300 for mine also.

MT4Runner · « **Reply #46 on:** Feb 11, 2007, 09:14:08 PM »

Quote from: toyotman22r on Jan 30, 2007, 08:30:15 PM

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.

Wow--didn't know that. Thanks for the tip!

skyscraper · « **Reply #47 on:** Feb 11, 2007, 09:21:06 PM »

ya, the other day at school, i tried both the regular lense and a gold lense. same exact hood, just with different lenses. The traditional lense was just an orange glow where the puddle was, and i couldnt see anything around it. but the gold lense makes it look like your not even using a hood and the light isnt brite...does that make sense? the colors aren't changed at all by the lense, and you can see all around the puddle. to me, or any other accasional welder, the regular flip down hood makes more sense since its way cheap, and only like 10.00-20.00 more for the gold lense. but if your going to be welding alot, spend the money and get an auto darkener.

Loki · « **Reply #48 on:** Feb 11, 2007, 10:00:21 PM »

i might have to check out the hold lense...sounds interesting. how much do they run?

MT4Runner · « **Reply #49 on:** Feb 12, 2007, 07:06:12 AM »

A regular Shade 10 lens is about $10. A gold lens (standalone replacement) is $18-25, IIRC.

Loki · « **Reply #50 on:** Feb 12, 2007, 09:07:07 AM »

not the best shot of the hood, but this is the hobart hood i've been using...it worked great til it fell and the lense got damaged

skyscraper · « **Reply #51 on:** Feb 12, 2007, 12:49:04 PM »

Quote from: Loki on Feb 11, 2007, 10:00:21 PM

i might have to check out the hold lense...sounds interesting. how much do they run?

airgas has the gold lenses for under 15.00

Loki · « **Reply #52 on:** Feb 12, 2007, 03:08:57 PM »

cool...there's one about 7 miles from here... that's where i pick up tips/electrodes...i need some new/nicer gloves so i might check some out when i go up there

BLACKDOG · « **Reply #53 on:** Feb 12, 2007, 05:19:39 PM »

I've got the HF special auto darkener ($49.99 on sale) and I love it. The reliability of the darkening is somewhat irritating at times though. I weld outside, and if happen to glance toward the sun or something that reflects it, and I'm not welding, it'll cause it to darken.

guess thats a good thing.

Nothingface5384 · « **Reply #54 on:** May 03, 2007, 07:30:00 PM »

that pre position/ flip hood trick never works for me...the time i flip my hood i'm way out of position ha,or sometimes i'm pre positioning and before i flip the hood i flash myself(happened maybe 2 or 3 times) sucks...i've seen harbor freight had some cheap auto darking ones reg for 80/90 bucks and had a sell...think i got it for 40? ...havent used it yet because the time i got it we moved onto oxy...

but the reaction time is 1/20,000 secs....solor ppowered.....made by western saftey..

was thinking i probly should have kicked in another 10 bucks for the ones that have the rechargable battery.. and also would be able to sport some flames haha..

brainlessfool · « **Reply #55 on:** May 03, 2007, 09:55:52 PM »

would not weld with out one, saw a helmet the other day that I wanted bad.
a three way helmet. grind, gas, arc. sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet.

fatt_matt · « **Reply #56 on:** May 03, 2007, 10:40:03 PM »

here's my take.. im sorry i did not read through all the psots.. but auto darkening helmets are awesome, if you do not weld for your career... I feel you will go blind or loose your vision because there is that very quick reaction time form the initial strike to the helmet darkeneing.. if you weld occasionally.. THen the auto darkeneing are brilliant..

sorry if this was already stated.. just do not have time to read through the entire post...

yotaboy79 · « **Reply #57 on:** May 03, 2007, 10:41:31 PM »

ive had a jackson eqc hood for about 4 years now and havent had a single problem with it i do fab work for a living and we have 3 of the jackson eqc's at work that we have had for about 5 years and they get the crap beat out of them one even got thrown acrost the shop at a coworker when some one go pissed off and it still works fine, by far the most durable hood ive ever used, id like a new next gen with the new flexable hood but i need mine to die first and i dont see that happening any time soon

toy4x4ota · « **Reply #58 on:** May 04, 2007, 08:03:28 AM »

another one for the HF 69.99 special. under 100 dollars with a 2 year replacment plan, cant beat that. my hood hasnt given me any trouble yet and i use it pretty often.

yotaboy79 · « **Reply #59 on:** May 04, 2007, 06:48:33 PM »

ive used the hf hoods and trust me if you ever use a nice one 200-300 doller range you will never go back there is definatly a difference, the hf hood i used had a bunch of lines and black dots in it and it wasent very clear but the nice ones are cristal clear view of the puddle and area sarrownding it

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