Welding Mask....help??

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Hi Everyone!This is my first post in this forum, I found it by doing a search on MSN.I am looking for some help from all of the welders out there.  My husband is a welder and has mentioned in the past that he needs a new welding mask.  I remember him saying something about a mask that doesn't need to be flipped up and down as it darkens when you begin welding.I am looking at purchasing such a mask for Christmas and I was wondering if there is a brand/make that is popular?  Does the mask that I described even exist, and if so what is it called?Sorry for such a vague question, but I really need some help with this one!Thank you.
Reply:Yes it does. It its called auto darkening or auto shading. The one I use is a miller american eagle and runs about $199 to $250. It is a great hood but I think there are other for less money that preform just as good with the millers you are paying for the cool graphics more than function mine was a gift and I like it but if I was buying I would not pay 250 for a hood. WeldersWife you will need to do some shopping for the best deal as far as form and function. Guys post up and help her she is buying her old man a hood for gods sake! p.s. want my wifes phone number WeldersWife.
Reply:Ma'am,Yes what you are looking for is call  AUTO DARKENING    http://www.millerwelds.com offers a line of welder hoods/helmets/masks of the auto darkening pursusasion.  http://jacksonproducts.com/ also offers a good line of auto darkening hoods.  I do beleive http://www.lincolnelectric.com is also in the market of selling auto dark.  There are other brands, so you can always hit up a search for auto darkening welding hoods or auto darkening welding helmets.  They will be a hefty penny, however to many they are worth it.  When choosing one, I would recommend going with one of the more pricey higher grade ones.  The differnces usually are in the sensors that pick up the light.  The more sensors the better.  Basically the sensor picks up the light.  Under certain conditions you might not have enough light, or your positioned in a bad spot where with the model with more sensors you will have a better chance of the hood knowing you are still welding.  Anyway, there a lovely gift.  I know hell be very happy.  Good luck to youYa'll have a merry christmas in a bout a month from now heheCHRIS
Reply:There is a brand called 'speediglass' (??) or similar. They have some in the moderate price range, around $170. A few years ago anyway . Like already mentioned, don't pay a lot for lightning bolts and graphics. They are on the outside so the guy wearing it doesn't see them . Just remember the phrase "auto darkening".. Good luck. If he's never had one, he'll be tickled......
Reply:yeah Sandy but when you work in a welding shop with a bunch of other guys the lightin bolts and graphics make you look cool   Course I know I know ive got my ole black jackson...one of them old azz fiberglass jobs withthe small window been around since like World War II or someting...but when I get out my old hood and put on a carhart welding shirt and my ole wolverine boots the farmers are tickled...as long as I got a collar heck I can weld in a hawaiian shirt  heheCHRIS
Reply:WeldersWife, another thought: Perhaps a cheapie Harbor Fright one just to find out if he really does like it. A 25 dol. hood for a test and then ramp up if he does. Then too, you can have one when your out working with him.  jus' my .02
Reply:Originally Posted by TxRedneckyeah Sandy but when you work in a welding shop with a bunch of other guys the lightin bolts and graphics make you look cool   Course I know I know ive got my ole black jackson...one of them old azz fiberglass jobs withthe small window been around since like World War II or someting...but when I get out my old hood and put on a carhart welding shirt and my ole wolverine boots the farmers are tickled...as long as I got a collar heck I can weld in a hawaiian shirt  heheCHRIS
Reply:You guys crack me up trying to out old each other . " I welded with a catchers mitt and dark glass from a beer bottle one time" and stuff like that.Just messing with ya'll. I came from the old school that you guys did I had the old rounded face jackson with the sheepskin forehead pad and used it until I dropped it off a chem tank and cracked it beyond ducktape repair. At that time I bought a new huntsman ( my first ever new hood) and it became my favorite. It still gets used in my dads home shop for welding on his old car parts. To tell the truth I kinda miss it and have even considered going by and getting it but I know he uses it and would have to buy a new one if i did even though he says he he don't. I have got to where I like this auto hood more and more as time goes on. I have qualms with millers design but I find little things wrong with just about every thing just picky I guess. The things I like though are being able to go from 9 to 13 shade with a turn of the dial, the control I get on small pieces or tight places by being able to start arc with my hood already down and tacking long stretches like 40 foot of flatbar without lifting the hood (I used to just close my eyes tight). My point is there are good thing to be said about the advances in welding. I remember when the first small plasma torches came out we scoffed "that little thing wont hold up or cut heavy plate smooth like a victor torch" boy where we wrong. Given the choice I roll the plasma torch over to where I am cutting.
Reply:You guys crack me up trying to out old each other . " I welded with a catchers mitt and dark glass from a beer bottle one time" and stuff like that.
Reply:I guess im not experienced long enough to remember the lucky lager but hearin ya'll tell these lil tid bits always gets me lauging and makes me think of a better time,  but then again maybe it was only better cause we dint know no better.  I agreewith robby.  although I use the old fashion hood, on occasion I use stars and stripes of my friends.  Its awesome.  Usually only use it when where doing the r&d stuff.   As far as the R sayin he is picky,  well I think to be an alum welder you gotsta be picky..just my observation.    Well my only reservation so far in getting autodark is the cost.  Its a pretty penny,  I beleive worth every bit of it, but when youve got a 6 yr old and all her school expenses, not to mention growing liek a weed, an 8 month old baby and another baby in 3 months you kinda go eeek I cant afford one yet mine will just have to get me by. I figure im not experience enough yet and not paid quite enough dues to move up to the esteem of an auto dark like you two have.  Well anyway, enough of my ranting...talk to ya'll laterCHRIS
Reply:WeldersWife, another brain drizzle ; I think that you can get just an auto-dark lens for a regular hood. I dont know if they have them anymore but  'bout 5 yr ago the bossman got us shopdogs some to try. I think he said they were around 80-90 bucks. I didn't like it 'cuz it was a #3 shade when off and I like clear. He got them at Airgas...........Good luck
Reply:I've read that there is one Harbor Freight helmet that's decent.  The model number is 91212.  Here's a link:http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=91212It's $50 and folks claim it's ok, but I can't attest to that from personal experience.  I use a Speedglas, which is great, but they run about $300.-Heath
Reply:I have the cheapie Harbor Freight 91212. For $60 its not bad,sure beats using a standard helmet. However when you turn the shade up to 13 or so its nice and dark in the middle, but around the edges its very light.If/when this one breaks I'm def goin for either a speedglas or Optrel. Ill keep the HF one around for any bystanders or helpers.
Reply:Several years ago I  bought an Optrel Mira for about $260 . Three years ago ,because i couldn't pass it up, Ibought a HF Western Safety model 47277 for $49+tax. Two years ago the Optrel quit. I have used the HF since with no problems except to tighten the band adjuster a few times.
Reply:i have had four jackson helments a shade 10 speed lens that i leave at my dadsa 12 year old first gen pro that i use at home a 2nd gen pro that i left in the garage that froze and dont work any more and a next gen that i use at work the fixed shade 10 was the cheepest the next gen cost the most but i useall the feathers on it every day so in the long run it saves me $chuckp.s wen it comes to safty or tools that im going to use every day its my thought that going cheep to save $ dontLast edited by chopper5; 11-27-2005 at 02:58 PM.
Reply:Chopper I agree when it comes to my eyes I just don't want to risk them on a cheap mask from Harbor Freight. They could be fine for all I know but it just seems way to cheap to be any good. When it comes to stuff you make a living with there is no room to cut corners.I would say if your husband uses it everyday for work spend the $300 and get a good mask that will last him for years.
Reply:Ma'am, I would definately agree with scuba.  Nothing against these other fellas...but you sasid its a christmas gift so I think it deserves the extra price.  As a contract welder myself I strongly beleive in purchasing quality tools and especially safety. Dont get me wrong I cringe at the sticker shock. But the risks of not paying the money dont work for me. If yoyur a hobbiest id say these hoods may work.  May is the oppurtive work here.  Anyway just my two centsCHRIS
Reply:I've used a couple of the cheaper hoods, including the HF one.  They're not as nice as the more expensive hoods, but they seem to work just as well.If the husband makes a living as a welder, then I'd suggest getting him a nice hood.  If he's just a hobbiest, then the HF one should do fine.-Heath
Reply:Miller Helmet
Reply:I've used  my $50 HF 47277 for several years now after my $260+ Optrel Mira quit.
Reply:well neenavv are you a seasoned welder?    CHRIS
Reply:I may not be a seasoned weldor, but if I can get a few more beers in me, I'll be a pickled weldor.-Heath
Reply:I bought a Harbor Freight auto hood its a piece of crap. Four weeks into installing in a high speed planer at a lumber mill its falling apart. The lens is tweaking and I put a nice crack in the top of it from a small bump. I was low on money and just getting back on my feet after a back injury thought I was getting a deal I was dead wrong.If your a hobbyist HF is alright I guess but for a professional buy good tools HF sells junk in my opion.
Reply:sorry to hear your setback wulf.   i agree about hf tools.IF it Catches...Let it Burn
Reply:TxRedneck I was wondering since this topic is about hoods is there any auto hoods better suited for pipe welders? Since the HF one I have is junk and I need a new hood.Some of the products HF sells are useless junk and some of the products are useful junk.  I've used on of their hoods, #91212 and it was ok.  It worked well enough to be useful, but it's not nearly as clear as a Speedglas.  I'd use one for rough work, but nothing where I'd really need to see the puddle.-Heath
Reply:Wulf on regards to the auto dark in the piping industry, Ive yet to meet a pipeliner, or process piper, who works wiht the auto dark, atleast on pipe work.  Not sure really the reason.  But it seems most I know still stick to either huntsman or the fiberglass type.  The autodark are plastic and like other plastic hoods say they are not recommended for overhead welding.  I dont know if this is just my experience pipers arent using them, if if its just more widespread.  Also, dont kow if the reasoning has to do with what Ive sited here either.  I do know a guy who uses an old huntsman for his pipewelding with a flip up and the gold.  The  when he does fab like at home he uses a miller auto.  IMO if you want auto dont cheat the system.  Get Jackson, Miller, I think Lincoln has em and should be good.  Esab for years Ive heard made them.  Im sure thres others. but they wont be cheap.  Best source for purchassing will be the weldikng supplyIF it Catches...Let it Burn