Welding Helmet???

admin

So I am a newbie...When I first started I bought a Lincoln helmet for ~$30. It works fine with a shade of 10. I wanted an auto darkening because I usually move the tip after I flip the hood. Anyway, I found a new in box Lincoln auto darkening for $70 but it's fixed shade of 11. My welder is a Lincoln ProMig135, I'm a garage hobbiest trying to learn. The 11 seems to be too dark.What are your reccomendations? Do any of you use the auto darkening?Thanks
Reply:There have been a number of threads on the AD helmets, if you do a search. Many use them. Some recomend top of the line units like Millers, speedglas and Lincolns. Others like the cheap import or HF ones. I don't want to start the cheap vs expensive fights again.You should be able to find a nice adjustable in that range or a bit more. My LWS has some in the $65-80 range I believe. They sell the Miller Hobbiest AD helmets in plain black for about $125 usually and a bit cheaper on sale.I have one of the old fixed shade Lincoln AD helmets. I believe mine is a shade 10 but it's been so long since I bought it I can't remember. It's getting some spots on the lens so it will shortly become a backup. I'm looking at the adjustable millers and Speedglas ones myself. There's nothing wrong with the old fixed shade lens helmets other than you have to flip down the hood. I've welded a bunch with one and still use it for some projects. Get one that fits well and is comfortable. I'll let you read the thread on the AD helmets that was going not to long ago with the cheap vs expensive line and let you decide how you fall in your personal choice. If you believe like some that safety is worth the extra money or the cheap helmets are safe and you save money.Good luck, you'll understand my reluctance to bring this up after you read the thread.
Reply:I use an arcone singles autodark in a shade 10 in my pancake. In fact I am on the second one. I am sending my dad the super expensive Jackson Boss I got because it is too heavy and gives me migraines. I've always used Jackson and Fibre Metal, but I surprised my partner with a Miller Pro/Hobby for Xmas. I tried it out and now have a performance series Miller. I haven't had a welding hood induced migraine since I changed, lol. I do a lot of work under stuff and in tight spots and although I got along for a long time without a/d it sure is nice in a tight spot.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:i use fixed shade, normally with a 10.