What welding helmet do you use?

[stronics]

I'm having an awful time with my current helmet and was wondering what one you use.
I had a fiberbuilt I think that's the name but it finally fell apart after 20 years or so and I have a Jackson fiberglass lift front that is so flimsey as to be useless. The headgear bends and twist and if you adjust it so it will stay up on its own it won't come down without some major head movements, then is slams down so hard it wants to come off.
Other than take up fishing, what do you recommend.
Frustrated!
David

[TxRedneck]

Hi David. Well you know there are the plastic options. THey are lighter weight, and they do well. There is the auto darkening option which many love. I personally have an old Jackson fiberglass fixed shade and I love it. It aint the best, and there are times when it could be much improved. However, for general work its awesome. No complaints. Good luck

[gnm109]

I have a sturdy old hood that started out life as a fixed shade unit. I upgraded it when I bought an auto-darkening unit that I got at a discount through my welding school about ten years ago. It is smallish but it works very, very well.

I also have a Speedglas, which is made in Sweden. It was very expensive and I use it sometimes. It has a larger screen than the old hood and also has adjustments for Stick or Tig sensitivity and indoors and outdoors light. It's really much too fancy for everyday use for a hobby weldfer such as myself.

I think that Hobart has some good ones and, as I say Speedglas is nice but bring your wallet. :)

[zapster]

i have the same Jackson flip style i bought new and "customizzzzed" in '91

gonna be an antique in a few yrs...

...zap!

[MAC702]

I learned on a Huntsman and a Jackson flip-lens.

But I wouldn't own anything but an autodarkening these days. Greater safety and WAY higher productivity.

My personal hood is my Miller Big Window Elite. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this hood.

My backup is my 5-year old Jackson EQC Executive (their big window). Great lens, and I barely tolerate the headgear.

I also recently won an Arc-One HAWK in a drawing on this forum. I like its simplicity, and my guys really love it for general use. It doesn't see the arc from my Maxstar 150, though, but it's a good hood for GMAW. I do miss the big window when I wear it, though.

[structweld1]

I still only use a huntsman big window. I also use a slider version. No autos for me yet...lol. Soon though I will have a speedglas for work though.

[chopper5]

i use jackson next gen

[383bigblock]

I like my HTP Striker Ultra XL auto darkening. It nice to adjust the darkness to where you can actually see what your doing.

[RC-Racer]

For the most part, I use my Optrel Satellite. It works great for all processes. It darkened reliably and gave good visibility even when trying to TIG weld two razor blades edge to edge at 5 amps. ( notice I said trying :blush2: )
The two ranges make it super flexible for various processes and conditions. I have even used it while plasma cutting with it set in the grind mode.
I use a cheater in the Optrel ( getting old ) so I occasionally wear my cheap Chinese AD hood when MIG welding when I can't get close enough for the cheater to focus. It works fine but the optical quality between it and the Optrel is like night and day.

[codeman]

Hi David. Well you know there are the plastic options. THey are lighter weight, and they do well. There is the auto darkening option which many love. I personally have an old Jackson fiberglass fixed shade and I love it. It aint the best, and there are times when it could be much improved. However, for general work its awesome. No complaints. Good luck

I agree with you TxRedneck!!

[MicroZone]

I now use the ARC-ONE Phantom Auto Dark and I love it !

I once kissed it good night before I left my shop...haha.

[Aric]

I have a cheap HF 91212 $50 special autodarkening helmet and its great for stick welding, but it has a small window.

I Absolutly love my old shool flip style Huntsman 451P Welding Helmet with a big 4-1/2" x 5-1/4" window. Its light and its never "not seen" a low amp TIG arc. I have two of these, one set up with a #5 shade for O/A work.

[imagineer]

I've got a Jackson helment with an EQC Variable lens. I think the helment shell is called the Shadow or HSL100 style.

I'm pleased with the weight, coverage and lens. I absolutely HATE the head gear!!!!!

From day one, the head gear has been a nuisance. The old fixed shade helmet that I used had detents that allowed the helmet to hold in the up position and only a slight head nod made it drop. Unfortunately, it got ran over and destroyed so I got this Jackson. The only way this helmet will stay in the up position is if I tighten the head gear all the way, then I have to force it down when needed. This causes the head band to slip and pull out what's left of my hair.

Again, like the helmet and lens, HATE the head gear.

[MAC702]

Yep, that describes my Jackson headgear perfectly. SUCKS!

[wello]

I have 2 I use at work
one is a 20 buck cheapy
4206


i use when doing a job were my miller bwe may get damaged the miller cost me 500 aussie dollars but has been worth every cent wish I had brought it years ago
4207

[littlefuzz]

I use the miller hood. The ones just below Wello's, it's served me well and never let me down.

BTW wello, what's the conversion of US to Aussie dollars, any idea? You can get those hoods for $260 us dollar if you shop around real good. One guy at work paid $350 for his. :cry:

[SPC_Randy]

I use a Huntsman 951p with their auto-darkening solar lens. Works great for what I do.

[MAC702]

I use the miller hood. ... You can get those hoods for $260 us dollar if you shop around real good. One guy at work paid $350 for his. :cry:
I paid $215

[Tailshaft56]

I paid $215

Kinda pays to shop doesn't it Mac!

[AZboy]

I use a Jackson flip top, but with a gold number 8 lens in it. I will never use the big lens style because my cousing was chipping with one of those helmets and red hot slag got in his eye, so now I use the flip tops so I can chip safely :P

[welder.man]

My everyday helmet is a speedglas V9000.

I also have an migatronic protector auto darkening
http://www.migatronic.com.au/pdf/Automatic%20Helmet%20&%20Blower.pdf

And I still have a $20 CIG hiderok Flip helmet as a back up, with a gold shade 10.


Simon
http://members.optusnet.com.au/~abba/index.html

[wello]

I use the miller hood. The ones just below Wello's, it's served me well and never let me down.

BTW wello, what's the conversion of US to Aussie dollars, any idea? You can get those hoods for $260 us dollar if you shop around real good. One guy at work paid $350 for his. :cry:
at the present time my 500 AUD hood would cost 381.910 USD
I could buy another for 318aussie +52 shipping from weldingsuppliesatioc on ebay at the time I didn't have the ready funds and my old helmet was causing a few health probems eg :sore neck and headacnes so I was able to buy it throught work and pay it of I'm planning to buy another later on and this time I'll buy out of the states

[Wildguy]

I love my OSE satelite by Optrel. Best 300 bucks I ever spent.

[prop-doctor]

i ll keep me OLD Huntsman been around a l o n g time

[gawelder]

I have had a Jackson Nex/Gen helment, that I have used about two years.The only problem I have had with it is the headgear. Previously, I had
two Jackson executives.Had problems with the battery compartments on both of them.

[yardbird]

I started welding in 1965 using a Huntsman 711P. At the time it cost $5.75, that included tax and came with a #10 filter. Over the years I have tried them all, and still dancing with the one I started with . This year I purchased a new Huntsman 711P and the price was $40.00. There was no lense with it.

[yardbird]

I started welding in 1965 using a Huntsman 711P. At that time it cost five dollars and seventy five cents. That came with a #10 lense. Overthe years I have tried them all, and go back to the one I started dancing with first. This year I bought a new 711P the price was forty dollars and did not come with a lense.

[yardbird]

I started welding in 1965 using a Huntsman 711P. At that time it cost five dollars and seventy five cents. That came with a #10 lense. Overthe years I have tried them all, and go back to the one I started dancing with first. This year I bought a new 711P the price was forty dollars and did not come with a lense.

[B2N3 Welder]

I understood that the first time yardbird:laugh: I use a HTP WCG auto darkening helmet and fibremetal helmets I really like the HTp weld cut and grind modes .

[Weldtek]

I have a Huntsman 711p, it's about 20 years old. Lightest, toughest shield I've come across; I use it everyday. I have a new one I keep at work, it's a little larger but the same model number. The worst thing about those fancy, high dollar auto shields is that they're easy to spot and they have a tendency to grow legs and walk off the job. You can get a Huntsman or other brand and by an auto lens that fits in it and no one notices what it is.




Weldtek

[Pitalplace]

I have had my big window for about a year and love it.

[zapster]

i've used mine for 15 yrs now..jackson..#12 filter
aint no turning back for me...:nono:

...zap!

[justweldit41]

I use a Fibermetal Pipeliner small lens 10yrs here and love it.
I bought a speedglass 9002X works good but still like ol-reliable.

[riley mcmillan]

I use a magnifying lens in my helmet. Are the magnifying lenses available for the big window helmets?

[justweldit41]

I havent seen one yet for a big lens, but wish you luck finding one.

justweldit41

[Cobra06]

I use an Optrel satellite and love it. I see that Optrel has one with lights built in for dark areas, that's something I wish I had. Does anyone have an attachable helmet light or rigged one to their helmet?. I do car restorations and some areas you just cant get a halogen near and the heat of the lights are also a killer.
David

[jimmyhat]

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/5996/dscn3763zq1.jpg

Im getting an autoshade really soon

[Softail Rider]

I paid $215
Care to share where you got that deal?:)

[MAC702]

They are $225 (for the black) now, here: You have to scroll about halfway. Their website really isn't organized very well for shopping:

http://www.brwelder.com/indextemplate.cfm?file=shop/categoryresults.cfm&Category=19

[Softail Rider]

They are $225 (for the black) now, here: You have to scroll about halfway. Their website really isn't organized very well for shopping:

http://www.brwelder.com/indextemplate.cfm?file=shop/categoryresults.cfm&Category=19

Thanks Mac :waving:
But I think I'll go with the Inferno for $239.

[backuproller]

i use a welding helmet that my grandad gave me. no name on it, just bob and go. he used it before he died and i think he told me he bought in the 60's. he had me welding under that thing when i was 5. only shield i ever used, see no reason to change now.

[Softail Rider]

They are $225 (for the black) now, here: You have to scroll about halfway. Their website really isn't organized very well for shopping:

http://www.brwelder.com/indextemplate.cfm?file=shop/categoryresults.cfm&Category=19
Hey Mac just wanted to thank you for the link.
I orderd the BWE Inferno, the man said it would ship out today.:cool2:

[coronet440]

I just got my HF auto darkening helmet $50 (91212) yesterday, I'm excited to try it out this weekend.

There were lots of good comments about it from guys on pirate4x4.com comparing this model and a couple others the HF sells in the same price range. Since I'm just a hobbiest I'm sure it will be ok.

It will be a nice change from the heavy old helmet I've been using. Sadly, this auto darkening helmet I think has a bigger window than the old black flip-window helmet I was using. I'll take some pictures comparing the two later.

[timm9]

While it is not my intention to "hijack" this thread, I found it very interesting and wanted to ask a question or two;

I was less than "wise" in trying to save a few dollars (someday I'll learn) and ended up less than thrilled with my cheap hood. Living in a rural area and so far from a supplier, it is almost impossible to try anything on/out. I have been researching/looking for a quality hood. I had (until seeing this thread) decided on a Jackson NexGen. I'm very interested in a "big window" feature.

I believe I have narrowed it down to one of the Miller Big Windows, or the Optrel Satellite. I would greatly appreciate any feedback, suggestions, etc. from the pro's.

Thanks!

Tim

[chopper5]

well as i said i have and ues a nex gen every day and for the fab work i do i could not get by with out it ,but that's just me

[bugdust]

I started with a Fibermetal flip up in 1993 (still have it somewhere), had a few Jacksons (flip-up & big window w/ gold shade 11), had a SpeedGlas auto in 94 (hated it, green and fuzzy). I have a Jackson EQC auto here at home (battery cover gone) and a Jackson NexGen at work that is by far the best hood I've ever used. http://www.volksrods.com/forum/images/smilies/welderface.gif

[Cebby]

I have an old Jackson EQC and as of last year, a NexGen.

[elderthewelder]

I have been using my Huntsman 411P for the last 15 years . love it it is light weight and user friendly

[Kalroy]

Been using the 3M FlexView with a 3M/Hornell 9002X. It's default shade (off) is a 5, so I've been using it to oxy-acetylene with too. I don't know what the default shade (on) is, but it's a bit lighter and seems to work great when silver and lead soldering too. Plus the large flip front is pretty nice during pre and post weld ops.

[Softail Rider]

Just a update,
I got my BWE helmet the other day.:cool2:
I had the cheap HF helmet. It's amazing how much better you can weld when you can see what your doing. I wish I had bought the BWE in the first place. Great helmet!:) :)
Yeah it cost alot $238 but its worth it.:waving:

[welderdan]

I'm a pancake man myself

[welderdan]

4956see if this works

[bubblegum]

i got out of welding for about 10 yrs. when i came back to it i decided to use a miller elite auto darkening. that was a great decision. i production mig weld and do alot of fitting. the great thing about this hood is i can do alot of tacks in a series and not get my face burnt up. if i had a coventional hood i would make all those tacks with no hood on and just close my eyes, sometimes forget to close my eyes, ouch. plus i think the lens is better too 'cause my eyes don't hurt at all ever since i've been using this hood. even though it is pricey i think it's worth the price.

[Spec-V]

I'm using a Antec Solar PWR Auto Darkening AFV-102. Specs are 1/25000 reaction time, adjustable from 9-13 shade,the off shade is 4, 98mmX44mm viewing area, sensitivity is adjustable, and delay from dark to light. Purchased off Ebay for $39.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b362/02RedSpec-V/ANTECAFV-102WeldingHelmet150X150.jpg

[TozziWelding]

I use a Huntsman big window helmet with a #11 gold filter. I still have my original Jackson shadow in the tool box too.

[alanaker]

An old Jackson fiberglass hood with a speedglas auto darkening insert that I fit in there. Has a really good headgear setup.

[wildb454]

I'm with zapster i have a 12 shade, and don't believe in auto darkening lenses
Wildb454

[wildb454]

I'm a pancake man myself
I like your style need more snap shot views of that bad !@# mask!! and love the head band to "walmart has in there sewing section some funky designs you might like

:jester: wildb454:jester: