looking for a good welding helmet for a good price, which one to get?

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I got a lincoln 180 mig welder for christmas and I would like to get a welding helmet.  I don't need the helmet that auto darkens.  I just want a helmet that has an adjustable knob on it to darken manually and will not hurt my eyes.  All I will be using this welder for is a little welding on my 42 willys jeep(floor boards, bumber) that kind of thing.  I don't want to spend a ton of money on a helmet.  So which one to get.Looking for manual adjusting darkening.  I don't trust an auto darkening helmet, I would rather use a manual adjust.
Reply:i have never seen an adjustable shade that is not auto darkening, though you could get a good auto darkening and set it to max sensitivity so that it is almost always triggeredDynasty 200DXPassport plus w/ spoolmate 100victor 315c oxy/(act and prop)Miller digital elitemilwaukee power tools
Reply:I have never seem a fixed shade helmet that was adjustable not saying there is not one out there. Miller has some nice helmets and so does speedglas. If you get a good auto darkening helmet it will not hurt your eyes and it  is much easier to get set up in tight spots to weld just because you can get it to the right position and weld you don't have to flip the hood down and risk moving something.Vantage 300 kubota ,miller 304 xmt ,lincoln ln 25 pro , ranger 305 G, plenty of other tools of the trade to make the sparks fly.
Reply:I use a Miller digital elite auto-darkening but they are very pricey.  In the "inexpensive but good" helmet field, I used to use a chinese auto-darkening solar-powered shield that I got on sale for about $70.  It was made by a company called (at least it was labelled) "Techmen".  I actually still have it and use it on rare occasions.  I'm not a fan of chinese-made quality, but this helmet has been the cat's ***.  It works perfectly and in fact, in some ways I actually prefer it over my Miller that cost about $400 more!  (Sometimes when I'm slow, the Miller will auto-shut off and I forget to check, then start welding- even when off it's at shade 5 but annoying when I have to stop welding, turn it back on and all I see for 3 minutes is a white ball).Anyway, because it's made in China and probably re-branded to 15 different companies, you can probably find the same helmet under a Harbor-Freight brand or something similar.  I've attached a link to the one I'm talking about (the blue one) from my LWS and another similar helmet. http://www.kmstools.com/magnum-elect...ng-helmet-3197http://www.kmstools.com/vaper-large-...g-helmet-10160Lincoln AC225 & MigPak 140, Lincoln Magnum SpoolGun, Miller Spectrum 375-X Plasma, Syncrowave 200 TIG, Millermatic 252 MIG, Miller Digital Elite, General 7x12" horiz/vert bandsaw, 3' box/pan brake, 20 ton press, milling machine, 12x28 lathe, etc.
Reply:I have three of the Northern tool auto darken hoods they are the best for the money I have only had to take one back. I like it because at $49.99 I'm not afraid to scratch it I have one of the hobart auto darkening with the graphics on and I have the same issue with Aquafire that it turns itself off then you get blinded. Heres a link they are not much more then a regualar fixed shade hood and are def worth the money. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...1850_200311850Vantage 300 kubota ,miller 304 xmt ,lincoln ln 25 pro , ranger 305 G, plenty of other tools of the trade to make the sparks fly.
Reply:i think he may mean an auto darkening with a manual knob that you set the shade with like the HF helmet vs the digital style350P 30A spool gun cut master 51  syncro 250 other stuff " take a dog off the street and make him prosper and he will not bite you sad the same cannot be said for man" i didnt use punctuation just to piss you off
Reply:I had a jackson nextgen witha shadow hsl100?the nextgen quit working so i got a arc-one lens for i think $120so with a hsl100 you be out  $160ish ( I could be wrong, ive had it about 2 years)i really like the arc one lens, it doesnt have the knob on the side but it is the largest veiwing area in the industry lolthe lens is solar powered and "always on" so you dont have to worry about it shutting off ( it has flashed me after a while of not using and the batteries were dead but just an instant and it went dark)AaronLast edited by AMC724; 12-30-2010 at 11:35 PM.
Reply:Sounds like I should get the solar one so it doesn't auto shut off.
Reply:If it is for hobby use spend the fifty bucks and it will be Ok, don't have to worry where you set it down.But if you want to be able to grind without flipping the hood up and neutral density control that works you have to spend $175+, also the veiwing area increases with price.
Reply:buy a  hunstman for $35 and a few lenses in differnt shades so you can try them out..
Reply:I second the Northern Tool $49 helmet. I saw it reviewed on another site and it was highly recommended. So I figured for $49, why not try it.I've had it now for almost a year and it is even better than my Miller $300 helmet. It is very fast and has adjustable shades from 9 to 13. I've never been flashed with it. It is very light and the head band works like a charm. The helmet itself stays up when you raise it unlike the heavier Miller that always liked to fall down over my face.My Miller went dead on me and I was told it would cost $100 to fix. If my Northern Tool helmet dies, I'll just buy a new one.
Reply:I'm leaning towards this northern tool helmet
Reply:I grabbed the $49 NT auto darkening helmet earlier this summer as my learnin' hood.  It's done fine for my newbie needs around the garage.Lincoln AC225 and CartLincoln WeldPak HD and CartOne hand
Reply:Check Harbor Freight auto darkening with adjustable shade.  I have one of these for 40.00 and it is really good.  The auto darkening has really helped me get to be a better welder. Best Ralph
Reply:+1 on  the HF helmet.you can get the same lens unit - made by chameleon - in a couple of other hoods by paying a little more or a little less but at least with HF if you are not happy with it you can take it back and they will try to make it right.
Reply:OK guys, I am "on point" for a Miller Digital Elite Vintage AD Helmet and having a tough time breaking over for $287 bones for this rig (eBay)!  No, I'm not a cheap-*** just a very smart buyer when it comes to these things.  Would love to even purchase a used one if it exist!  Something about that nostalgic look (and the copper color) that makes me say "gotta have it!"  Just got set up with an extra fine pre-owned Miller 252 rig and looking to complement the deal.  I'm a middle-aged guy so wild looking Jokers, dead zombies, and tribal crap on a helmet drive me crazy, love old glory and consider myself to very patriotic - but I'm also tired of that look too (unless it's flyin' high above my head on a pole!
Reply:Good price?? What is a "GOOD" price? It isn't out of the ordinary to spend $600 for a pair of eyeglasses. What is your vision worth.There is no way in he!! I would trust my future welding everyday with a $49 hood myself. I wouldn't hire a person who insisted on using one either. Not trying to start a ruckus, I just expect a person who welds for a living to use better equipment. I feel there is a reason why better welding hoods cost more money.I would recommend something like  Miller Performance series. Otherwise just stick with a standard welding hood and not an A/D style. Or look for a deal on a good used one like JTL64 is trying to do.Once again, not wanting to pi$$ in anyones cornflakes. I just wanted to state my position on this and would be fairly sure that there are other shop owners and the like who feel the same. YMMVMiller Dynasty 700Miller 350P with Aluma-pro push-pullMiller 280 Dynasty with expansion card Dynasty 200 DXMigMax 215 Enuff power and hand tools to create one of anything..... but mass produce nothing!!!
Reply:When I first started welding I popped for the Miller Elite series. I have not regretted it since. --louis
Reply:Rule # 1 NEVER NEVER Go cheap on your eyes . Once theyre injured theyre injured. ITS YOUR EYES MAN lol . Spend the coin and get a good name brand trusted hood. I have 3 Miller Elites and love them. You wont be disapointed however Speedglass and Jackson make some nice ones as well. ....
Reply:thanks for the "swift kick in the pants" I probably neede to hear it  I had Lasic Surgery in 1997 and have enjoyed great success with it ever since!  Prior to that, I wore expensive prescription glasses, so these are very good points.  The cooment that really helped the most is owning three Miller Elite Helmets!  That's pretty good testimony for me. JTL64
Reply:I'm just a hobbiest, but here's my 2 cents:I've never had a problem with my HF helmet.  I've also never heard of any problems caused by them in threads like these.The way I see it, sometimes a $50 Casio is all it takes to tell the time.If I was going to spend more, I'd get a unit with a supplied air hookup.That's where I feel I would get the next jump in safety.------------------------------Lincoln 175HDLincoln AC/DC225Smith O/A
Reply:Originally Posted by cnywelderI'm just a hobbiest, but here's my 2 cents:I've never had a problem with my HF helmet.  I've also never heard of any problems caused by them in threads like these.The way I see it, sometimes a $50 Casio is all it takes to tell the time.If I was going to spend more, I'd get a unit with a supplied air hookup.That's where I feel I would get the next jump in safety.
Reply:I've never been one to skimp on good equipment, but I've still got a little ways to go to get over the $258+ for Miller Digital Elite or Jackson setup.  It appears I'll have to overcome this as I would rather pay $300 for brand new than $150 for scratched and worn!
Reply:ive got the 50 dollar HF but the one im looking at is the  radnor 54vi select the one i checked out was nice but about 300350P 30A spool gun cut master 51  syncro 250 other stuff " take a dog off the street and make him prosper and he will not bite you sad the same cannot be said for man" i didnt use punctuation just to piss you off
Reply:i use the standard style straight hoods by fibre metal ... there about 50 bucks now i dont understand all this jazz with auto smarkening flarkening flitter flatter it kinda reminds me of this one story, how the story goes is  My welder can beat up your welderI forgot how to change this.Originally Posted by Torn7thRule # 1 NEVER NEVER Go cheap on your eyes . Once theyre injured theyre injured. ITS YOUR EYES MAN lol . Spend the coin and get a good name brand trusted hood. I have 3 Miller Elites and love them. You wont be disapointed however Speedglass and Jackson make some nice ones as well. ....
Reply:Originally Posted by LawsonWeldingLLCi use the standard style straight hoods by fibre metal ... there about 50 bucks now i dont understand all this jazz with auto smarkening flarkening flitter flatter it kinda reminds me of this one story, how the story goes is  My welder can beat up your welder