fixed lens helmets?

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i know it's been addressed a bazillion times, but i didn't see much in the archives dealing with non-auto darkening helmets.i just bought a Hobart HH-187 mig and i'm just beginning welding. i'd like to get a fixed lens helmet that i can upgrade with a AD lens if i feel i need one down the line.  I'd like something good quality...i guess the quality of the head gear is priority in fixed lens helmets since there will be more raising and lowering.i was leaning towards a flip up lens helmet until i read someone's opinion that it's easier to flip up and down the whole helmet b/c you can flip it down without using your hands.  what are your thoughts on this? also, i've read that the gold lens is popular among the fixed lens users.  which shade number is best or most common for mig?  i'll be outdoors.  and should i pick up another lens for grinding?  is one brand lens better than the rest?  and finally, if i can't find it locally, what's your favorite online store?  i'd like to spend $100 or less.thanks for the help,spit
Reply:huntsman. if your a young guy with good eyes a 10 or 11 shade. gold ones are cool but i feel that some of them dont seem to be equivilant darkness to the same number green shade. might just be the ones i got tho.
Reply:which model huntsman?
Reply:Huntsman 411P is a great entry level hood. Light too. Put in a gold lense and weld your heart out. If you want autodark, buy an arc one insert and away you go. It is always good to have a fixed shade hood as a backup just in case the autodark craps out.Personally I like the Huntsman 711P but they are being discontinued. Everyone should have one in thier toolbox. I use mine for tig. Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:X2 on the Huntsman and gold lens. I use a #9 for most MIG but a 10 (or higher) on FCAW and SMAW.Lightest helmet available that I can find and the design hasn't changed since what, the 40's?And, if you really want to you can put an AD module in it. Jackson has this model in the 2"X4" window or the bigger one for their NexGen AD inserts I think.
Reply:Any  particular brand of these ' gold lenses' to be preferred ?Where is the best place to buy them ?Weldandpower Lincoln 225 AC,DC with Briggs 16hp gas engine.WW2 era Miller TIG.
Reply:At the local welding supply store I'd suppose.....Only non-auto hood to have IMO is the fibre metal pipeliner.Cut the throat down a little, use the backside of a glove for a throatguard to block the light, and get after it.  Want to fit in when you get out there with the big boys? Get a pipeliner.$45 bucks and your off and running.I'd keep the flip up lense for grinding/cutting IMO1981 Lincoln SA 200Miller Trailblazer 302gMiller 211 Mig Welder w/ AutosetI'm learning to stick metal together
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonHuntsman 411P is a great entry level hood. Light too. Put in a gold lense and weld your heart out. If you want autodark, buy an arc one insert and away you go. It is always good to have a fixed shade hood as a backup just in case the autodark craps out.Personally I like the Huntsman 711P but they are being discontinued. Everyone should have one in thier toolbox. I use mine for tig.
Reply:I used to use a Huntsman before I went AD. It was the model with the slider at the forehead that raised the filter internally for grinding. I always liked that shield. As a matter of fact, I believe it's still hanging in the shed.
Reply:Originally Posted by GBMAny  particular brand of these ' gold lenses' to be preferred ?Where is the best place to buy them ?
Reply:Thanks... it turns out I have three fixed shade hoods... GE pipeliner fibermetal, Hobart , and another fibermetal with no name... And I do remember them hurting my neck when I flipped them down... wondering if I was doing something wrong.... LOLWeldandpower Lincoln 225 AC,DC with Briggs 16hp gas engine.WW2 era Miller TIG.
Reply:Check out the Jackson halo, very cool and light helmet that readily accepts an auto darkening lens.
Reply:I think I am going to stick with a fixed lens for a while..... but will keep that recommendation in mind for later.. thanks,GregWeldandpower Lincoln 225 AC,DC with Briggs 16hp gas engine.WW2 era Miller TIG.
Reply:Originally Posted by jsm11Only non-auto hood to have IMO is the fibre metal pipeliner.I'd keep the flip up lense for grinding/cutting IMO
Reply:Originally Posted by CarlHhuntsman. if your a young guy with good eyes a 10 or 11 shade. gold ones are cool but i feel that some of them dont seem to be equivilant darkness to the same number green shade. might just be the ones i got tho.
Reply:Originally Posted by Spitdo pipeliners come with a flip up lens?
Reply:I'll have to check in the morning when I get home the model number on my spare hood's box, but I belive this is the exact one's I use. I've tried many over the years, but end up giving them away and going back to the tried and true!http://www.pmwelding.com/951p.html?p...hannelid=THFNDThe large window alows you to see better when you get in those tight places on equipment repair. If you're doing just tabletop or new fabrication it's not a big deal. If only we could all be so lucky -DoogieMiller 350PMiller Trailblazer 325 EFI w/ Excel PowerLincoln LN25 suitcase welderXMT 304/22a feederMiller Syncrowave 350LXMiller EconotigHobart Handler 140(2) Uni-Hydro 42-14Hypertherm 65 plasmaWEBB Gap bed lathe
Reply:I use a huntsman 951p with the big window. I bought it about 12 years ago for my high school welding class, and have used it ever since. I've tried others, like miller and 3M but I have yet to find one I liked better. I hear the the 451 is lighter, but I have never tried one. I recommend the gold lens especially if you want to TIG. I recommend the big window if you might do some out of position welding, like under a jeep and such, also the big window will hold an auto dark lens, if you decide to switch. I use a shade 10, not sure what brand. If I was MIG welding only, I'd probably go with a shade 11. Attached ImagesIan TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:I tried radnor gold lenses, ( the generic brand that airgas sells), and I tried a hobart one from tractor supply co...I like the radnor ones better, they had more of a reddish/goldish tint..