Is this a decent helmet?

[IEATRICE]

I am just hobby welding, and I need a helmet. I don't want to use the hand held face shield that came with my Lincoln welder. Came across this on ebay. It seems like a decent price. I am not concerned about looks. I am concerned about trusting that brand and something off ebay and most importantly my eyesight.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Solar-Auto-Darken...|39:2|240:1318

In case the link doesnt work, the ebay Item # is: 120405204111

What do you guys think?

Thanks!

[bigblue]

Seems like a good buy to me, it even has a grinding mode. For the price I dont know if you could beat it, my helmet is an atwoods hobart no frills that I bought and added an auto darkening lens to. Ive got around $80 in mine and its only shade 11 so I'd say go for it.

[mudbugone]

I think that's the same helmet sold by HTP on their site...HTP may even be less in price.

I don't need another helmet,but I've been looking at that style/type ...it looks interesting.

I haven't heard anything about them other than on the internet ads since they have just started to surface on ebay in the last few weeks and seem to be selling under that price. I know this doesn't answer your question,but that's just been my observation on them.

If you get one before anyone else does...post an opinion on it.

[gizzardgutz]

I've never used one of these helmets, but my understanding with a cheap auto helmet, they are NOT recommended for overhead welding. Ask the seller specifically about overhead position specifications. Most of these are made from a plastic that will melt when they get hot, and aren't good for overhead. Being a hobby welder, this is probably of little concern to you.

[tresi]

As they would say when I work for a government contractor, it meets the specs. Otherwise it is a cheaply made hood that won't stand up to daily use in the feild. Home use might be ok.

[Ken Dennis]

As said a hundred times, buy cheap and your going to get cheap!
Ask yourself:
How much safety testing has a Chinese company really done to their products, or any other third world manufacturing company for that matter?
How easy will it be to get any warranty honored?
How easy will it be to get replacement pieces parts down the road?
Why should I buy this product, when for just a few dollars more I can buy a known name brands lower end product, that has been tested to meet all standards of safety and still be confident that the company will stand behind it and most likely be around down the road when I need something replaced?

And then ask yourself: do I want to place more value on a few dollars, or my eyes?

Unless you like to gamble with something that is irreplaceable, I think you will come to the right conclusion!

And yes, you will hear from those that will say: I use that same one, and haven't had a single problem!
Those that will make that statement you might be better off asking them in 15 or 20 years from now, how their eye sight is doing!

[mrandrei]

Yes, it's a decent helmet. The specs are pretty basic. Not bad for 69$, plus it has free shipping.

[ol' Stick Guy]

It comes down to how much you use it and what your eyes are worth if you are going to weld overhead get a good shield fibre-metal, sellstrom etc and solar charged tend to perform better I have a Jackson Halo and I will not use it because you never know when the batteries will kack out

[limegreentj]

i have a chicago electric auto dark hood that i use every day at work, i love it. it was cheap too

[IEATRICE]

hey guys I ended up getting this helmet:

https://www.acklandsgrainger.com/AGI...orySearch=true

i like it.

[Rhinorider]

I have one like it, mine came from HTP, same price. It is decent but you can not add cheater lens.

[IEATRICE]

Cheater lens?

[washtip]

Originally Posted by IEATRICE

Cheater lens?

For the blind. LOL! A cheater lens is just a 2x4 glass magnification lens. We give them out to bad welders at work. Although welders that have prescripition glasses use these time to time. Just watch your puddle and keep your lens clean.