auto darkening helmets

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are they worth it ? do they work well ? how do they work ?
Reply:Nice location.
Reply:I like my auto darkening helmet allot. It really helps Tig welding. I got a miller elite helmet. If wouldnt get a cheap auto shade helmet. Atleast get one that has the speed of 1/15,000 of a second and get a good brand one. I spent around 250$ for my helmet i dont use it to weld overhead i rather use a 20$ flip helmet for that. I hear the miller elite and the jackson nexgen helmets are the better ones.Last edited by All positions; 11-15-2005 at 12:51 AM.
Reply:I've got a couple of Speedglas hoods that I use that work just fine overhead.  Why would you use a fiip helmet for that?-Heath
Reply:halbritt, it may be to protect an exspensive hood, not that it wont work overhead.
Reply:Originally Posted by halbrittI've got a couple of Speedglas hoods that I use that work just fine overhead.  Why would you use a fiip helmet for that?
Reply:I suppose I just don't see the point in trying to protect a welding hood from slag.  It's inevitable that it'll get slag on it.-Heath
Reply:Hi JS,I am new to this forum but think I can give a fair answer from my experience.My 2 Son-in-Laws have tried to steal mine several times but i threaten to cut their arms off and they put it down. It's just a green tinted lens (you can see through) that when the internal electronic circutry detects the very start of the flash, turns the lens dark like a regular lens. This time is so short that you can't blink before it changes. This is way over simplified but it works this way. I used to be the KING of stick welding (because I stuck so many rods it looked like a Porcupine) but can really do a satisfactory job now.Good luck.Ken
Reply:Maybe that's why I always sucked at stick welding.  I should try it with my auto hood.-Heath
Reply:Originally Posted by halbrittI suppose I just don't see the point in trying to protect a welding hood from slag.  It's inevitable that it'll get slag on it.
Reply:SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, or maybe PAW?I'm being pedantic, and a bit of a prick, but "ARC welding" can be confusing to some.  I think it's mostly referred to as "stick" these days.The cool thing about Speedglas hoods is that the entire hood minus the filter can be replaced for $30.  The design of the helmet is such that it's extraordinarily unlikely to get slag on the filter.-Heath
Reply:Originally Posted by halbrittSMAW, GMAW, GTAW, or maybe PAW?I'm being pedantic, and a bit of a prick, but "ARC welding" can be confusing to some.  I think it's mostly referred to as "stick" these days.The cool thing about Speedglas hoods is that the entire hood minus the filter can be replaced for $30.  The design of the helmet is such that it's extraordinarily unlikely to get slag on the filter.
Reply:The lens speed isn't listed in the specifications.  However, I discovered that like the Miller hood, the Speedglas also isn't rated for overhead welding.In addition to the Miller, and Jackson helmets, there's also the Optrel Satellite, and the Speedglas 9002X which are also considered to be "better" hoods.  As stated, I've got a couple of the Speedglas hoods that I use.  They're pretty nice in terms of visibility but the headgear is cheaply constructed.  That's nice in that it's light and cheap to replace, but I'd prefer a better quality headband.  The ratcheting tightener isn't that great.  Also, the tension mechanism that holds the hood up isn't so great either.-Heath
Reply:well im getting a lincoln or a miller auto helmet soon, and i tried welding with my uncles auto lincoln hemet and it was awesome and worked really well
Reply:The Optel looks cool,but it sucks.So much moisture builds up you caint see a frikin thing,I paid a bunch o bucks for mine and finally gave it away.Went back to a Speedglass and that's where I'm agonna stay.
Reply:The reason for worryin about the overhead aint got as much to do with the slag, its more concern of the fact these hoods are plastic, plastic melts.  if something molted drips down onto your hood it can melt through.   Ive never had one do it all the way through, but I have had it partially.  I knew a guy who it did happen to him though.  he was running 5/64" flux core over head, beleive he blew through and it dropped down and burned a whole in his hood. Its a very dangerous situation, but then halbritt has been welding for so many years he can be arrogant and cocky as a turkey in heat cause he knows everything.  The overhead stick welding has never bothered me any more than the wire, except solid wire has a few less sparks.  Otherwise neither one should be droppin anything on ya, but on that rare occassion if it does  you oughtta be ready for it.  Jus my two centsCHRIS
Reply:Just wanted to post about cheap auto darkening helmets. A good friend of mine bought me a cheap auto darkening helmet. I started using it to mig weld. After I bought my tig and it flashed me couple times I started looking at helmets. What I bought was from HTP. I believe it is a Jackson unit. Ayway The screen is much clearer and darker than the cheap one. It also switches much faster. Didnt realize the cheapie was flashing me on the start until I got the new one. My new helmet is great. Should have bought it sooner. It is also darker on the lightest setting than the cheapie.Your eyes are important dont waste money on a cheap helmet.
Reply:I agree PapasloanI have a cheap one and a Miller autodarkening.  After I got the Miller I put the cheap one away.  Recently I started using the cheap one in the field.  I never realized how slowly it reacted to the arc.  The arc is especially pronounced when the light is dim.  It is also difficult to find lenses for the cheap one.  The Miller is much clearer prior to welding.The auto darkening helmets are great for production work.  It is amazing how much time can be wasted lifting ones non-auto helmet to see where to start the next weld.  Also, autodarkening helmets cut down on stray strikes, thus reducing some cleanup.Last edited by tapwelder; 11-24-2005 at 12:40 PM.
Reply:shweet, ill definately be getting one
Reply:What ever happened to plain ol' jackson pipeliner with some extra lenses. Auto and from 9-13 depending on what your doing. Had mine for about as long as I can remember, along with my ever faithful pancake.
Reply:Buy the MILLER HELMETwww.AIRGAS.com