Welding hood

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I'm looking to buy a new auto welding hood... I have a speedglas now and a Jackson fixed lens....I don't really like the speedglass but not for any reason other than I just don't like it...It works fine.  Have any preference/suggestions I can check out. Have also owned a Miller elite and although it was impressive, I didn't think it was worth what it cost. Any tips before I drop my money is appreciated.Scott
Reply:Well all I was going to say is they used Miller elite at one job I had and they worked great. I personally dont use one. I will get one for TIG eventually. Steel Thunder Welding LLC. St. Thomas VI USAMM350PBOBCAT 3MAXSTAR 150 STH375 EXTREME PLASMA6.5 HP COMPRESORDEWALT 18, 24, AND 36 VOLTO/A TORCH SETAND SO MUCH MORE I DONT REMEMBERALL IN MY 2005 2500HD EXTENDED CAB L/B
Reply:Don't get me wrong, I liked the Miller Elite, it had a much better view than the Speedglass and I'm not opposed to buying another one. I was just wandering if there is a better one out there for around the same cash.....Like I said I liked the Miller but dang that's allot of money. I guess I'm looking for a hood with air conditioning and a beer tap with an optional back scratcher...Miller 225GLincoln 215Magnum Spool GunA/O RigIf I can step over it, I can weld it!
Reply:Anyone ever heard of/used an optrel satellite?Miller 225GLincoln 215Magnum Spool GunA/O RigIf I can step over it, I can weld it!
Reply:I have heard of Optrell Satellite, but have not used one.If you like your Jackson fixed lens hood, you can get an auto-dark lens from them that will fit in your hood.   They make them for both the small 2x4 lens size and the large 4x5 openings.  If your hood is the big-window 4x5 style, any of the 4x5 EQC lenses will fit, provided your hood was made sometime in the last 5 to 10 years.  I tried to put an EQC lens in my old Jackson hood, circa '92 and it would not fit cause they changed the lens mounting style.I'm quite sold on the Jackson EQC lens.  I've posted quite a few times here about it on other threads.   I bought mine 4 years ago and have been using it in high-volume production welding at my regular job, where we weld like mad men all day long, as well as using it at the home-shop and now out on the welding truck too.  It has seen many thousands of arcs and has not once ever given me a problem.  I am quite surprised it has lasted this long with as much use as it has seen.  This EQC has sensitivity adjustable down low enough that I have used it TIG razor blades at 5 amps without it flickering on/off at all and was able to see the tiny arc just fine, while it still goes plenty dark enough to MIG and stick weld outside in bright sunlight too.  It has a variable shade from 9 to 13 and runs on 2 regular AAA batteries, no solar charging.  The batteries last a long time, I change them about every 3 months.   I paid about $250 for it and I have to say it has been worth every penny I spent on it.  I fully intend to replace it with another one just like it, once it finally does give up the ghost.  I believe this model is the 'EQC Professional Variable'.  It was a step or two down from the most expensive model at the time.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Have to say that is the best answer I could ask for....I really love my Jackson lid but hate snapping my neck to strike an arc....I think I'm gonna go with the lens. Thanks again,ScottMiller 225GLincoln 215Magnum Spool GunA/O RigIf I can step over it, I can weld it!
Reply:I broke the lens on my Forney brand auto darkening helmet about a month ago, while in the middle of a job.  I started to use a reg helmet but the close mechanism was worn out (why I had bought the new Forney) and wouldn't stay open. I ran to Lowes (it was late in the day) and bought an adjustable delay, sensitivity and darkeness AD helmet and was impressed for $140.  Very comfy, nod works good the adjustability is great compared with the old helmet I had. The only thing I hate is the stupid blue color and flames on it. I would have to say that it is a Hobart Hoodie with a different name, Kobalt.  We'll see how long it lasts, but initial quality and function are great.  It's MUCH better than any other cheap helmet I've used.Anything can be fabricated on-site. Truth is fabricated online.
Reply:One thing I forgot.  The view window is set a little low for me. Mostly when welding overhead.  I've ran into this before though. I think my head is shaped funny.  I almost need a chin strap to keep it from falling off the back of my head when open.Anything can be fabricated on-site. Truth is fabricated online.
Reply:optrel satellite is my favorite,a little heavier than the speed glas,the outside concave lenses are pricey,but for the $,i would buy another optrel before another speedglas,i have both..
Reply:i have an optrel satellite,and a speedglas,i much prefer the optrel,shade 4 grinding mode,the concave lens seems to give a larger field of view
Reply:Jackson NexGen for me.  Nothing else has even come close.  No durability issues, easy controls, accepts standard outer lenses, and the best visual quality I've seen to date.
Reply:The cheap, flat outter cover lens of the Jackson was another reason I decided to stay with Jackson over Miller when I originally decided to go auto (main reason was because I was already used to welding with my old fixed lens Jackson hood).  The curved shaped Miller lenses were alot more $$ than the flat Jacksons.  As an extra money-saving reason to go with Jackson, my old boss at work used to cut up pieces of flat clear plex from scrap left over from one of the products we manufacture for us to use as cover lenses, so I could get them for free as long as my hood could accept a flat lens.   Although it may not have been ANSI or OSHA approved, the cut-up plex lenses lasted longer than the ones we buy at the welding shop.  They didn't pitt as easily.  Since he left the company, we just buy them at the welding shop cause we're all too busy/lazy to go cut them from scrap ourselves.Last edited by DesertRider33; 01-25-2008 at 05:37 PM.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:do you wanna sell the speed glassComplete Fabrication Shop specializing in pipe fabrication. Also offering heavy steel fabrication and sheet metal work.
Reply:Scub, I really don't wanna sell the Speedglass cause my son likes to get out there with me......I need to keep a couple of hoods on hand....Miller 225GLincoln 215Magnum Spool GunA/O RigIf I can step over it, I can weld it!
Reply:I have a miller elite inferno. I love it, just a nice helmet. I've had a speedglass also, and sold it. I didn't like it. It felt cheap and flimsy. But my miller is very nice.
Reply:Here's another vote for the EQC. I've had one for a few years. I got it from a place I used to work, they threw it in the trash. I got it out of the can, took it home and put a new battery in it. It's been working great ever since. I've used a few other hoods and just didn't like them as much. When not welding the EQC lightens up more than any other hood I've seen, you can actually see pretty good out of it. Mine is a EQC professional, not variable but set at shade 10. I stuck it in an old ratty looking jackson helmet. I figure it's less likely to walk off a job without me if it doesn't look special.Last edited by Joe H; 01-27-2008 at 02:17 PM.Miller EconotigCutmaster 38Yes ma'am, that IS a screwdriver in my pocket!
Reply:I have used Jackson hoods, not exclusively, for almost 30 years. I just got a Boss EQC in the Halo helmet. I really like it, basically weighs noting, excellent view, and absolutely terrible for overhead work, lol. I'm keeping the lens and getting another Jackson hood for it.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:I have a miller elite and i love it, But it is the only auto hood i have ever used, probably doesn't help you much,,,,,,,,,,boo
Reply:Originally Posted by scott9116I broke the lens on my Forney brand auto darkening helmet about a month ago, while in the middle of a job.  I started to use a reg helmet but the close mechanism was worn out (why I had bought the new Forney) and wouldn't stay open. I ran to Lowes (it was late in the day) and bought an adjustable delay, sensitivity and darkeness AD helmet and was impressed for $140.  Very comfy, nod works good the adjustability is great compared with the old helmet I had. The only thing I hate is the stupid blue color and flames on it. I would have to say that it is a Hobart Hoodie with a different name, Kobalt.  We'll see how long it lasts, but initial quality and function are great.  It's MUCH better than any other cheap helmet I've used.
Reply:I just picked up a miller elite, I have a jackson nex gen as well...   The nex gen is a bit "cooler" because of the digital display and it has a cut mode that the elite doesnt. But other than that I prefer the miller, the headband part is much better. it has more adjustments and stays where you put it and drops when you want it. just a more comfortable helmet in my opinion and the viewing area and performance is the same. Price is steep but you can find deals on Ebay they are priced about evenly with the top end jacksons... Never used a speedglass but my friend does and swares by it, I've been meaning to try it out for comparison reasons.I like to party!
Reply:you could buy yonnex head band and wear the hood... prevent sweat and feel solid... it work for me wonder if it a norm in US...
Reply:Originally Posted by tin_bender3Don't get me wrong, I liked the Miller Elite, it had a much better view than the Speedglass and I'm not opposed to buying another one. I was just wandering if there is a better one out there for around the same cash.....Like I said I liked the Miller but dang that's allot of money. I guess I'm looking for a hood with air conditioning and a beer tap with an optional back scratcher...