welding hoods

admin

i was just curious on what welding hoods you guys prefer? as in auto/fixed.  and if auto what brand? Just wanting opinions! thanks
Reply:Usually I would try to answer but this has been covered many times...Use the search.Airco Ac/Dc 300 HeliwelderMillerMatic 200 (stolen)Miller Maxstar 150STLMiller AEAD200LE (welding and generating power) Hobart MIG
Reply:That was his 2nd post and now maybe his last.Last edited by Charliekilo; 01-09-2013 at 09:22 PM.
Reply:Copenhagen,,, welcome to the forum.   I've found that its like asking someone here which truck they like.  Ford, Chevy or dodge.   For welding hoods there's Miller, Lincoln, Jackson, Speedglas......  Many big reputable manufacturers out there.   Then all of those manufacturers have different models and lines of hoods.   Miller has "classic" series, "Titanium" series, or Lincoln has their "Viking"series with model numbers delineating various models etc....There's real cheapo ones too.   Harbor Freight makes a pretty darn good one for around $40 for a home hobbiest.  It works, it keeps the UV light out and if on a budget, I'd use it.   I started out on one, but its now used for "visitors" when they wanna watch me weld something.  I believe most would tell you that they use the auto darkening type of helmet now.   Pipe welders maybe, maybe not.   Basically everybody is different.I have a Lincoln Viking series, a Lincoln regular (non-auto darkening type) and a Horrible Fright.   The last two are just back ups or for guests/kids.   Basically, find out what you can afford and buy it.    I don't necessarily think a $120ish dollar one is any better or worse than a $350 model, but that's just my opinion from trying them on in the past.Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:I have been using an Optrel Satellite for about six years and just got a Lincoln Viking 1840 as a rebate for buying a welder (Money Matters offer).  Both are solar powered with batteries that charge. This Viking series does not have replaceable batteries.  I got it as an extra for guests, etc., as SuperArc stated.  I was surprised at how nice a helmet it is.   Both have an external switch to allow shade selections and one setting for grinding. Nice to changed shade without removing the helmet. Search, see what others like and why and, if possible, try them on and try them out first.Good luck.TxDoc's Photos Lincoln SP175 PlusLincoln Power Mig 256Lincoln 250 LX Spool Gun Lincoln Precision Tig 225 Hypertherm 600 KMG 2x72 Belt GrinderBaldor 812RE Grinder
Reply:I have 2 Miller elites, a Lincoln Viking, a Speedglass, and my old fixed shade.  The only time the fixed shade gets used is when my son wants to play with it.  Otherwise its always hanging on the wall.  Honest opinion of my other hoods is that they all work great.   If I had to pick just one though, it would be the Speedglass.
Reply:I had been using the harbor freight blue flame one as it was on sale and with a 20% of coupon I got it for under $40. After saving up and some Christmas money, I bought a Miller digital Pro hobby helmet. The Miller has much better headgear and is more comfy than the HF one.  The HF one has a quirk where the head band adjuster pops loose at the most inoportune times that drove me crazy.  Also, the clarity while welding is much better on the Miller.  I am comparing a $40 helmet against a $120-$150? helmet though.Harbor Freight Inverter 130 amp DC stick/tig (sold, really!)Lincoln Square Wave Tig 175 AC/DC stick/Tig
Reply:I like all the bells and whistles on the miller elite.  Has a weld mode, a cutting mode, that works great with plasma, a grind mode, and an outdoor mode which is nice, because the Sun does not trip it.  I never know where I will be or what I will be doing.  The biggest draw back, is I really hate to use it in the rain, because it costs so much.  I have used the harbor freight, and for the money the work well, and if they die, you don't feel near as bad.Bruce DeLaetHeavy Equipment Mechanic and Welder1948 SA-200 short hood1949 LincWelder 1801963 SA-200 red faceMiller S-32-P
Reply:as a novice, i've been pretty happy with my AutoArc (by Hobart) hood from Tractor supply. it has sensitivity control, time delay (before it goes back to clear), and external adjustment for darkness.  decent headgear, IMO, no complaints anyway. cost was right at $100 on salemy only complaint is that when welding in a dark garage, the sensitivity is really not high enough and you tend to get "flashed" before it picks up the arc.  your eyes are protected, but you still end up with a bright spot in your eyes for a few seconds.  i found the fix for me was to have the sensitivity all the way up and work with a 500w shop light in front of me. this puts the sensor much closer to its threshold and it turns on instantly when you strike the arc.  once i figured that out, i was much happier with the hood.  outside, it works perfectly every time!I got the one with a replaceable battery instead of the rechargeable one.  for me, my hood lives its life in a dark garage for months until i need it.  i was afraid that the solar hood would not be charged when i needed it.  that, and the battery in the solar units is not replaceable, once it dies, its another $100 bill to get a new hood.down side to the battery is it needs to be replaced.  mine lasted a year, but i left it 'on' so that's my fault.  battery is a watch type battery and is a VERY odd size that is almost exclusively used for welding helmets.  the ONLY place i could fine one was Batteries Plus and it was about 5 bucks.  so if my helmet goes through one battery a year and lasts 20 years .. its a wash with the solar helmet, because i KNOW the battery in that won't last 20 years...... (i've never had a rechargeable anything last more than 5)other than that, i got a cheapie with a flip lens that i hate.good luck on your quest for a helmet.
Reply:I personally prefer a standard ie non reactor type screen with the appropriate shade glass for welding work.
Reply:Originally Posted by delaet20The biggest draw back, is I really hate to use it in the rain, because it costs so much.
Reply:Huntsman XVL
Reply:Lincoln Vista serieMauricio
Reply:Tried for years to find a decent hood.I have probably 15 hoods that have been gathering dust since I bought an ACCUSTRIKE hood.It's the only one I use.Takes some getting used to,but once you do you'll wonder what you ever did without it......
Reply:Fibre-Metal Pipeliner with a gold lens.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."