The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest Auto dark helmets

I've about had it with the "old fashioned nod" welding helmet I use. It's not a super cheap one either but, I'm over it.
I think it's time for an auto darkening helmet. Anyone got recommendations? I'd like variable shade with some nice, comfortable headgear that will adjust to my headsize and STAY adjusted. And also stay up when I want it to stay up.
-David

I got a cheapo from harbor freight that works good for 50 bucks.

Just my 2 cts worth.Go to a good welding shop and see what they have.They are not cheap,but the people there know what they are selling,and can advise you on what you need.

Yeah, was planning on checkin' 'em out where I buy my gas. Just hopin' for a little more insight beforehand.
I checked the AWS (American Welding Society) forums and it looks like Hornell and Optrel hoods are popular there. A couple guys said nothin' beats their "nod" hood with a good gold plated lens. Said they really could see much better.
I've got a couple gold lenses I'll try today but, my problem is not so much being able to see the puddle, it's nodding that thing down in tight spaces and that the headgear and adjustments are crappy.
-David

Mugsy,
there has been discussions on here about a helmet with a chin activated filter glass. It seems to be pretty popular. I think that the name is Accu-Strike and on their website they have a video that shows how it works.

I use a Lincoln helmet with the self darkening range of 9 to 13. I use it on about 10 and I like that. If I accidently position my head so it blocks the sensor, even though it doesn't trigger, I don't get any flash burn problems. The lense is dark enough at the start to stop harm to the eyes.

My father retired from the aviation airframe and powerplant industry in April, 2004 after 35 years as a certified welder. His "nod" style helmet retired with him. He has used the same one all those years. After countless lense and chassis replacements he still uses it. I think the key is to test fit the helmets that are available and select one that best fits your head.

I appreciate your comment about welding in close quarters. I recently replaced the floor pans, rockers and kick panels on my '66 K-10. Climbing under the truck repeatedly created problems with the "nod" style helmet. I decided to use my google style shield with a #10 lense. Needless to say, I looked like I just got back from a weeks worth of skiing, racoon eyes and all. It was very convenient but tough on the face and neck, especially on my nose.

Red you are crazy to bot use a full face helmet.
Occasionally I wear a short sleeve shirt an get fried from the top of my gloves to the sleeve of the shirt. Sometimes depeding on how I am situated the back of my ears burn too.

My wife keeps telling me she will buy me a new helmet once I decide what I want.

Keep us updated mugsy.

In2deep:

Call me crazy. I think desperate is more the word. I couldn't get situated to make the last few welds without wearing the eye shield or removing the front clip. I healed in a few days. I'm sure glad to have that portion of the project complete. For the record, I do wear a leather shirt, welding gloves and a full welding helmet 99% of the time. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Well, I got the lock-knob adjuster on my nod hood to actually lock and stay adjusted by squeezing the crap out of the metal pin with a C clamp.
Then I tossed in one of the gold lenses I had. There definitely was a difference with that lense. I could see pretty well. I'd recommend one of these for sure. Ran some nice beads.
Wifey says I've gotta sell some stuff on ebay before I can fork out the $200+ for an auto dark.
Couple a weeks. I'll let you know.
-David

I was a production mig welder building f**d f-150 frames for the last 9+ years. For the last 5 i've used a speedglas helmet. I really like it. Adjusts for mig and tig from 9-13 with a sensitivity adjustment, it also stays adjusted very well. Only problem, if you got big ears (like me) the sides will rub a little.

Speedglas. That's the Hornell one right?
Seems to be pretty popular with lots of accolades. I'll have to check those out.
-David

Well.
I bought the 59 dollar harbor freight auto dark.

I just used it to run a couple of quick beads. wierd how it can just click on and off. It works so far. no telling how long it will last though. It has the type of head adjustment like hard hats with the single twist knob on the back. My thought was anthing has to be better than what cam with the welder.