Welding helmets

[Chris142]

I'm not much of a welder but I often have to stick 2 pieces of metal together with a wire feed welder. I need a good Welding helmet to protect my eyes.

Harbor Freight has some that Auto dark as soon as an arc is struck. I don't know if I'm willing to trust my eyes to a $60 made in China helmet.

A Snap-On auto darkening one is $300. A standerd helmet thats dark all the time is $133. Matco is in the same price range.

Whats the thoughts on the HF ones?

 

[The_Jeff]

I would get a helmet that someone makes a lot of, on the theory that any issues would show up/ get recalled. IDK who makes the most. The design is pretty simple, solar panel makes LCD darken up. And there's still some smoked glass there as a fail safe. I use a 500 watt work light about a foot away so I can see what I'm doing.

As for my own, I got it at a welding shop and it's the cats meow. It's an "optiva 2000v" and carries an ANSI spec.

 

[tig1]

For what you do they work fine. I use a non self darkening Fiber Metal Tiger hood for most of welding, but I also have an inexpensive auto darkening hood for some jobs.

 

[willix]

The auto darkening helmets are great & can be found cheap. Just make sure you have replacable clear inserts to protect the auto darkening viewer.

This one is solar powered & $50 on nextag

 

[beast3300]

The Snap On one could be China too..... Their electric impacts most certainly are. Go to HF if you have one close by and check it out.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

Beast3300, you need to check your facts, Snap-on's battery powered impacts are made in South Carolina, last time I checked, that is still part of the USA.

For a good welding helmet, go to your local welding supply company. Take a look at all of the different levels of the helmets made by Miller, the 3M Speedglas or Jackson and buy the one that best fits your needs. I have a Miller and a Speedglas and most of the welders that I know have one of the three that I mentioned.

You only have one set of eyes, how much do you think they are worth? I would avoid Snap-on, Matco or the other tool truck brands and get one from a known good brand that is easy to get serviced. For that same reason, I would avoid, Northern Tool or Harbor Freight. There are some things in life that you should not go "cheap" when you buy them.

Safety equipment is one of them.

 

[tom slick]

A good always dark helmet is $20-30 at your local welding supply. Look and Huntsman or Jackson. You don't need autodarkening as an occasional user unless you do a lot of tack welding.

 

[beast3300]

Originally Posted By: GeorgiaHybrid
Beast3300, you need to check your facts, Snap-on's battery powered impacts are made in South Carolina, last time I checked, that is still part of the USA.

For a good welding helmet, go to your local welding supply company. Take a look at all of the different levels of the helmets made by Miller, the 3M Speedglas or Jackson and buy the one that best fits your needs. I have a Miller and a Speedglas and most of the welders that I know have one of the three that I mentioned.

Not all of them
You only have one set of eyes, how much do you think they are worth? I would avoid Snap-on, Matco or the other tool truck brands and get one from a known good brand that is easy to get serviced. For that same reason, I would avoid, Northern Tool or Harbor Freight. There are some things in life that you should not go "cheap" when you buy them.

Safety equipment is one of them.


Not all of them

example 1

example 2

edit: Snap On's helmet here is made in China.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

I don't know why SO called that little driver that they put a 3/8 anvil on an "impact". They also have it out now with a 1/4" anvil, either way, I wouldn't call that little POS an "impact".

I still consider the CT4410/4450 and the CT4850/6855 series "impacts" but it looks like a draw on this one as I will admit that little driver is made in China while the larger ones are made here.

Back to the OP's question though, while you are learning to weld, an auto darkening helmet will allow you greater control when starting a weld as you can see where to start. They are also much easier to use when tacking a project together.

Don't forget to use a good set of gloves and wear a long sleeve welding jacket/sleeves that will keep you from getting burnt by sparks and UV. If you are welding overhead, add a welding beanie unless you like the smell of burnt hair. Flame retardent cotton and leather are your friends.

 

[Chris142]

I did some shopping and comparing today. I found Lincoln fixed shade helmets to be USA assembled. But the shade is made in China. Lincolns auto darkening helmets are also Made in China and are priced near the Snap-On prices.

The USA assembled fixed shade ones were very inexpensive but the Chinese made glass shade was extreemly scratched already.

Nobody locally had Miller stuff to compare.

Checked out the reviews of the HF ones. This one has very good reviews.

http://www.harborfreight.com/adjustable-shade-auto-darkening-welding-helmet-46092.html?p=1

I bought one. We will see how it does.

 

[willix]

A cheap helmet is very adaquate, You can get better light filter inserts. I think the darkening lens is a timesaver & you don't have to lift it open for every move. If you don't have a arc flashing you are blind.

 

[Trav]

I picked up an auto dark from HF when i broke the Lincoln.
Honestly its not bad at all,it gets more than dark enough and has good response time.Using it since last April with no problems,i don't intend on replacing it with some brand that's more expensive and also made in China.