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Wanted to get some input on auto dark helmets and the clarity of the view you get from them.We do a all mig in out shop and my guys are requesting we get some auto darks for about 1/2 the work we do. right now the 3 welders use a Huntsman 411p with glass green shade 11 and really like them. I got them started on those helmets because they are so light easy to use. We will keep these for the long runtime welds that don't do lots of tacking and require holding a level in one hand all the time. No doubt we could use the auto darks for welding down grating and expanded metal on jobs we do.Im looking at getting some Viking 2450's or 3350 at around $225. My LWS has them along with all the replacement parts. I like the idea of not having to turn it on vs. say a miller digital elite. Question is we really are used to the clarity of the fixed shade and need it for some of the precise stuff we do. Are we gonna be happy with the Lincoln clarity. what helmets might you guys recommend with optimum clarity, im looking at around +/- 200 for the helmets as i'll have to buy 3. Im just a little worried about getting 3 helmets and not liking them due to a clarity issue.
Reply:I've used abut 5 different auto dark hoods and they all looked as good as any regular hood. The only difference is they will save you money over the long haul.Many years ago I built 3 sail boat marinas, the first a 26 slip, the second a 29 slip and the 3rd a 36 slip marina, all about 2 years apart. It was built in sections and hauled to the lake and assembled there. Each section, on the first dock, took an hour and 45 minutes to weld out and 5 months to build using stick machines and regular hoods. The second dock, using mig, took about an hour to weld out each section and still using the regular hoods and 4 1/2 months to build. The 3rd. dock, using mig and auto dark hoods took 45 minutes to weld out each section and 4 months to build even though it was by far the largest.This was when auto dark was fairly new and the hoods, Huntsman's, were about $360 a piece. They easily saved me that much on that one dock. I think you will be well served to get the auto dark hoods even though I know nothing about the Lincolns.
Reply:I gat my first auto dark hood a year ago and really like it. It is a lincoln not sure what the model is. Cost about 200. It is as clear as the fixed shade that I was using. If you are not sure then buy one and try it that way if you don't like it ( you will like it ) you are only out one hood. Good luck
Reply:It is unfortunate that a welding publication has not done a conclusive review of welding helmets comparing features and performance.
Reply:With all the AD hoods I've tried or used, you get what you pay for as far as clarity. Cheap AD hoods just don't have the clarity the expensive ones do or that of a good fixed shade lens. All the higher end hoods I've used Speedglass, Jacksons or Millers all compared very favorably with a good fixed lens ( not the cheap plastics) I can't say all that much about the mid priced units, though the ones today are probably fairly decent..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:I have a Sellstrom Phantom Lite XL that is 15+ years old and a Miller Elite (non digital). I like them both for different reasons and would buy either again. Puddle is slightly easier to see with the Miller but for a 15+ year old helmet the Sellstrom is good enough. I never thought I would like using an auto dark hood but after a couple of days spent tacking and welding expanded metal, etc. my neck convinced me otherwise real quick.
Reply:I have the 3350, and out of all the helmets ive owned its the best. The optrel satellite was good although it was heavy but durable. Once the lens got a little dirty it was hard to see, new lens was good but the viewing area was smaller. loved the grind mode feature on the outside. I bring it out of retirement when I am doing side jobs. The speedglas was a little larger viewing area, but the head gear sucks, constantly falling down and leaving a dirt spot on my nose. I didn't like how the front lens cover clipped on, the shell for my helmet with the powered air filter is just about worn out. The nexgen was a great helmet with a large viewing area, however I can barely remember that one, I left it at a shop I was working at, I forgot it somehow, when they laid some of us off. when I came back after doing some schooling I found one of the newer guys who was learning to weld was using it and wrecked it. I would love to get another auto dark cartridge for that shell.Now my Lincoln 3350, it amazes me every time I put it on. Its so clear and crisp. Even when it gets dirty I can see well enough. The lenses are readily available. The viewing area is huge. The head gear is comfortable. and its fairly light. I dont want to weld with anything else. I put on different miller helmets and I was blind with them on. I even prefer it over a gold lens. However, sometimes its nice to switch it up and use something else.Nothing Ever Got Done By Quitting, Never Give Up.
Reply:My Viking 3350 reminds me of my 65 inch HD television.WIDE screen and High Definition!ExcaliburLincoln Electric:Ranger GXT 250SA-200LN-25Pro MiG 256Pro Mig 180Esab CV 251Invertec 160Victor Torches
Reply:got a helmet from Lowes with 4 sensors its as good as or better than miller big elite that fell a couple feet and self destructed , lowes hood was bout 90-100 bucks, I know I will get lit up from this by the elitists , Jackson w/ eqc filter widely used by way better welders than me about 280
Reply:I can't give and opinion on the Lincoln. I haven't used one of those yet. I have two Millers, and an ArcOne. The ArcOne I generally use for mig. When it darkens, it is red versus the green of the Miller. Just my preference, I prefer the red view. I also have the ESAB 6-13 A/D X/L. I use it for tig only. It has the best clarity of any hood I have used.When you light up with the ESAB, the colors stay true. You don't have a red or green tint. I do mostly aluminum tig. When I light up-the aluminum stays silver. You can see the blue arc come off the tungsten. The ESAB is a little pricey-but a good long term investment if you are doing precision work.
Reply:Used the Lincoln AD for years until the cartridge started to go bad. No available cartridge (obsolete), and new one was just a few dollars more than a new hood anyways. The Lincoln is about a 2 1/2yr disposable hood. Production runs offshore, with limited lifespan for parts availability, like any overseas made stuff. But it is a good hood for the price. This seems to be the norm nowdays. We just found out our freezer has to be scrapped because they no longer have a replacement RELAY Went to Sears, and exchanged it for a new one MADE BY THE SAME COMPANY Nothing is made to last, or be repaired."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Take this for what it's worth, we had a run of Lincoln hoods come in at work (about 15) and every one of them had to be warrantied within 3 months of use. Some of them were returned more than once. The little wires and fine electrical connections are extremely sensitive and prone to breakage. I have been running the same speedglas hood for almost 8 years now and not one issue. I guess all I can say is you get what you pay for. Just my .02.
Reply:3350 vs Miller digital Elite, go for the 3350, headgear is better, non-digital gives all the shades in between, no turning it on, excellent clarity, easier to get spare clear covers. Has a brown tint like nice sunglasses,instead of miller's green.SqWave 200Millermatic 190Airco 200 ACHypertherm PM45Boice-Crane Band SawVictor O/A
Reply:I can go up to the Speedglass 9100v which is the one with the smaller 2x4 viewing area if you guys think its quality and optics would be worth it over the 3350's or 2450'sI want quality, clarity and reliability over viewing size, that's for sure.
Reply:i see them for around 250 online, about 25 more than the Lincolns
Reply:I have a Speedglas 9100xx and it's the most amazing thing I have ever welded with. Better than a gold shade glass lens (IMO) Everyone in the shop with thank you if you get Speedglas.Psalm 121:1-21 I lift up my eyes to the hills where does my help come from?2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. |
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发表于 2021-8-31 22:47:58