The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest auto darkening weld helmet

need some advice.
I am in the market for an auto darkening weld helmet.
I would use it primarily for welding patch panels on a one time project(51 pickup), so useage would be limited.
My concerns are light to dark response times, with the cheaper ones yielding a slower response time.
How critical are these times when you are talking milliseconds? I don't want to overspend, but conversely, I don't want to cut corners, regarding my eyesight...or should I just stay with my fixed lens helmet.
thanks

Welcome to the Tool Chest, Archburycontrol,

I've used a few of those auto-darkening helmets. The cheaper ones usually switch on quick enough to do the job. On some of the earlier versions I have used, I found that the biggest concern was that there was no warning when the battery died. Having no test buttons to check, and no sun because I usually weld at night, I would find I was only getting a #5 lens protection. I mostly stick with a fixed lens these days. I can depend on it to work all the time!

I had a cheapie from one of the imported tool trucks that roll through town occasionally. It lasted for about 2 months and would not darken (or in this case lighten--when you turn in on it would lighten). The tool truck rolled though town the next year and I got my money back.

Last summer I bought a Miller self-darkening hood from www.cyberweld.com and I really like it. I do a fair amount of welding from time to time, so I guess I could make it pay. It has one of the larger 'window' sizes so out-of-position welding is easier to see.

I think this is a case of you get what you pay for.

I have one of the ones that used to be expensive. There is no battery but I have an adjustment dial that goes from 9 to 13. I can tell you that they are quite amazing. It is possible to position your head such that the sensor gets blocked and it doesn't darken. In my case, this results in me seeing a bright green ball with no detail. However I do not get any after affect, I just stop right away and try a different position. I have never had any eye problems from welding and I am close to completing an entire cab rebuild.

When I was looking at helmets, I took the flash from my camera and used it to evaluate the response. With one of the cheapies it was just like looking into the flash with no helmet. With my present helmet I could clearly see all the details inside the flash lense.

I have one called a journeyman (not sure of the manufacturer) and have used it for about 2 years now. It is battery powered and you press the top of the outside lens and that puts it on. Ordinarily it looks a bit weird but when you push the button it turns light. If you look at a light bulb that's bright it will dim. It was like $90 but it works very well and is very fast and is still on the original battery. It is a standard 2" by 4" lens that fits in any helmet.

It has never let me get flashed. I REALLY like it, my welding instantly got better.

go to the local welding supply and get the helmet...

I bought one at Harbor Freight for $50 on sale and have been very happy with it. They had another one for more money but the only difference was graphics on the helmet. (flames)

Got mine at Harbor also, No problems 3 yrs old

mine came from harber freight.the only problem with it is when i tryed to weld under my truck my work light would darken it when i was trying to see.

Got mine also from Harbor Freight $50. So far no problems.

mmsmith i have on of the solar helmets and it works good . plus it doesn;t matter what time you weld with it because the welding arc charges it so you don't even need sunlight

go to haror freight they are always on sale and the warranty issue is always hassel free kinda how sears was years ago. i have two, my personel one and the one everyone in the shop uses. i only require one thing bring a fresh battery with you because you ain't gonna borrow mine. i have the extended warranty: 10 bucks! they replaced the last one i broke,dropped a piece of metal on it and they gave me a new one no questions asked plus they will let you upgrase and apply amount paid toward new purchase.

I got the HF one with the flames....it's cooler. Oh yeah, it works great too!!

The Harbor Freight one has the photovoltaic panels so maybe that keeps it charged? I havn't had a problem with the battery.

Someone asked what I have it set on, I hadn't adjusted it and it came set between 10 and 11, which has been fine with my mig sp-175