Welding Helmet Help: Variable Shade vs. Fixed Shade

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Hi there, I am new to welding and I am looking to buy a helmet to use for TIG welding. I am a little undecided on what to buy just because I am not exactly sure whether a variable shade or a fixed shade is the better option to choose. Can someone please provide some advice on what would be the better option for TIG welding? The helmets I am looking at are both auto-darkening and by Miller. The variable shade has the light state at #3 and then can adjust from #8-#12, while the fixed shade has the light state at #3 and adjusts to #10.
Reply:Depends. Having an adjustable shade AD hood is nice. I typically run shade 9-10 for tig myself, though I've done tig with my shade 13 fixed lens Jackson when I've had to. I typically run 10-12 for mig and 10-13 for stick. Lower amp tig usually means a lighter shade on the hood. I originally learned tig on an old fixed shade 10 Lincoln AD hood and made due with no major issues for a long time before the lens finally gave up and I bought my Miller Elite.However every ones eyes are different. I've had students who really needed the darker shades to see well. 10 was just too light for them..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 started welding with a flip down lid but if you can get a variable ad get it and don't look back seeing the puddle when you first starting is the most important thing and having the ability to adjust your shade for the amps your using will allow this.
Reply:For tig I like adjustable AD. Never know what I will be welding, might need shade 9 for low amp and I've used up to shade 12 for higher amp. Usually like shade 10-11 for most tig welding.Airco Ac/Dc 300 HeliwelderMillerMatic 200 (stolen)Miller Maxstar 150STLMiller AEAD200LE (welding and generating power) Hobart MIG
Reply:Only you can know what is best for you. Cones from experience. When I started learning my ad helmet was giving me trouble. So I went and got a fixed shade with a 10 gold lens. I did get a nice new ad for Christmas that I need to try out and see if I change my mind- Christian M.C3 Welding & Fabrication - CNC Plasma Cutting-Mobile Welding-Custom welding and fabwww.c3welding.com
Reply:Variable. Check the Lincoln viking 1740 helmet as well. Looks a pretty good value lid.  I  was looking at one before gota balder cheap with the rebate.Idealarc 250AC 225SVictor OA-older made in USA stuff.And a crap ton of other stuff.
Reply:started with fixed shad. bought a.d. inserts to try in my hood and hated them on tig because of flashing on/off.I welded with fixed shade for a few years and had a project that required hundreds of 1/4" welds. super told me I would be faster with a nice ad so I bought my miller elite. love that hood.when I left the shop I got stuck on a project (hospital) doing structural modifications (after monocoat) and was destroying my elite. it doesn't fit between pipes, ductwork, etc. bought a huntsman paper hood and threw gold #10 in and havn't looked back. I use it EVERY DAY!I still keep the elite in the truck for situations where I may not be able to fit with a hood. couple weeks ago my fat head wouldn't fit between pipes, threw hood on top of pipes and kept my head below them (too much other stuff to wear hood and stay below) and it worked great! cant do that with fixed shade without getting arc-marks all over your work. I also use the elite for ANY weld test. for tigging, I mostly cup-walk so I do fine with fixed shade. by resting the cup on the material before flipping hood down, there is no chance to missedit. just remembered I broke the elite out a month or two back for some high-amp stuff. got called into the shop to help pre-fab some big-pipe and they needed me for all-position dual-shield. the #10 fixed shade was not near enough. used the miller on max shade (13 I think).bottom line: auto is good for MOST shop use as you USUALLY have the room to run a big fancy one. versatility is nice. cheap auto caused me much frustration. cheap fixed shade will not fail you, and I actually prefer to look through gold over any auto lens.Last edited by 92dlxman; 01-11-2014 at 09:36 PM.bosses stuff:trailblazer 325maxstar 200my stuff:sa 200fronius transpocket 180100 amp Lincoln w/f97 f350 DITKevin
Reply:Hey everyone! Thanks for all of your advice! After reading what you all had to say I will most likely choose the AD variable shade to start off with since I am a beginner and don't want to struggle to see the weld pool.Thanks again!
Reply:http://store.cyberweld.com/hohoweheprod.htmlI just got this one for myself.Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1http://store.cyberweld.com/hohoweheprod.htmlI just got this one for myself.
Reply:Love my fixed shade! Nothing else in the shop.