What welding helmet are you using?

[Bryan27]

I'm using the Speedglas 9100x and I'm happy with it. When I first got it the tensioner knobs were defective and wouldn't keep the hood up but once and the screw would back out enough that the second time you'd lift it you have to tighten it back down. A quick phone call to 3m and they sent me new gear. I'd give it a 8 out of 10 now, deducting a little only because the clear lenses are proprietary and kinda expensive compared to others when you replace them. Other than that, no problemo.

[zapster]

What welding helmet are you using?


Mine.

...zap!

[HOBART]

I got the ratchet headgear with mine. I didn't find any feedback on the rubber band. Please tell, and post pics.

i'll try to get some pictures this weeknd for you, stick. i was a little concerned with the rubber band at first, but is basically infinite adjustment. i've always had ratchet head gear (jackson 370, which i like) but it was sometimes right between notches. no longer an issue with the rubber band. i suspect teh rubber band will wear out sooner than the ratchet, but should be cheap to replace.short term evaluation is great, long term is still unknown. if you get the opportunity to try one give it a shot.

[DemonSpeeder]

Two Miller Elite's, 1 for tig and the other for stick/mig ... However, I have an itch to go old school... I'm thinking about a Huntsman 451P with a gold lens....

[mb_welder]

An ugly old reliable Huntsman 411p with a leather sweat band and a shade 11 Phillips lens. It does the jorb!

[brucer]

speedglas 9001x

[Jeromy_E]

I use a Miller Titanium 9400i, I love it! It has shock absorbing so if I drop it it won't bust, weld. cut, grind and X-mode, has an integrated grinding shield, 4 arc sensors, it has a 9.22 inch viewing area, silver shell to reflect a little heat ( I can feel the difference ) I also have a few cheap $40 fixed shade Lincoln, one with a standard fixed shade lens and one with a Shade 11 gold lens. I never use the standard lens, I use my Miller 9400i the most but when it's just something like a quick tack, I use my gold lens.

[Tat2dHandz]

3M Speedglas 100.

Good helmet. Never had any problems. Replacement lenses are cheap. Don't see myself buying a new helmet anytime soon unless it's free.

[wbigsby]

speedglas 9000 - love it, but would even more love a solar unit, as the batteries die every now and then and when a forklift with flashing lights drives by (the lens flashes to let you know that the batteries are going)

Tried a friend's Optrel the other day, and really liked it alot - very very comfy hood - going to pull the trigger on one soon - reviews to follow...

[welderinwv]

i have a cheep fiber one for nasty jobs and a speedglas 9100x for the other jobs

[RaptorDuner]

If you get a Miller Digital Elite, make sure it's the newest model. A few months ago, Miller added auto on as a feature. Before that it was manual on/ auto off. Some places still could have the older model in stock.

[ct from shawnee]

I just pulled the trigger on Jackson Truesight a few days ago and used it at work for the first time today , i have been using just a fixed shade Jackson with the 370 headgear that the company furnished for me and i figured if i like the 370 headgear i would just go with the Truesight instead of the Miller Elite since the soft touch buttons are so much bigger and looked to me to be more user friendly with gloves on . i am here to tell you i am impressed i have never used an Auto Dark helmet before and now i know why everybody has one or wants one ! if any of you guys are debating on getting an Auto Dark i recommend the Truesight .Chris

[rifleco]

I run the plain old sarges pipeline pancake, thinkin about buying a Wendy's though

[rschreck]

A Huntsman 990P because we aren't allowed to use anything else in welding class. With a gold #10 lens.

[ZJones1994]

Miller Performance black with new miller headgear and just pulled the trigger on a Miller Digital Elite in the Vintage USA print. I also keep my eye out for a non a/d, either for when someone is watching me or if im doing SMAW.

[jtcnj]

To have 2 peckers

Lol. One has gotten me in enough trouble already!

Speedglax 9100x for Tig mostly,

Cheapy black HF AD for everything else, especially vertical and overheard Stick / Mig.

[jtcnj]

Lol. One has gotten me in enough trouble already!

Speedglax 9100x for Tig mostly,

Cheapy black HF AD for everything else, especially vertical and overheard Stick / Mig.

Lol, I'm quoting myself. I couldn't edit for some reason.

I have been giving it some thought and I agree with and am concerned about the statement regarding going cheap on safety equipment, especially the eyes.

Just now finished a 3 hour-ish session stick welding between 55 and 75A with the HF at around 11 1/2 shade. My eyes definitely feel fatigued. I never feel that way after a Tig session with the Speedglas, but thats usually at 35 to up around 65A.

No way I can spend big bucks on another hood, so I guess I'm going to have to get over keeping the Speedglas pretty. I'm still not doing overhead stick with it though.

Might be a good sell to the wife for a replacement for the HF.....

[bush450]

I'm using a digital elite. I've had for about a year now. I love it

[boatwelder]

Huntsman with #10 Lincoln supervisibility and a Jackson helmet with same lens. The Jackson is super light and durable. The headgear is held together with electrical tape. The filbert helmet doesn't do well outdoors in wet weather. Even though the lincoln lenses aren't the fancy auto lenses they provide me with the best view of all lenses ive tried. I used to have a spedglas helmet. Nice but heavy and expensive.

[Rora]

Lol, I'm quoting myself. I couldn't edit for some reason.

I have been giving it some thought and I agree with and am concerned about the statement regarding going cheap on safety equipment, especially the eyes.

Just now finished a 3 hour-ish session stick welding between 55 and 75A with the HF at around 11 1/2 shade. My eyes definitely feel fatigued. I never feel that way after a Tig session with the Speedglas, but thats usually at 35 to up around 65A.

No way I can spend big bucks on another hood, so I guess I'm going to have to get over keeping the Speedglas pretty. I'm still not doing overhead stick with it though.

Might be a good sell to the wife for a replacement for the HF.....

Outer replacement lenses are only $2.50 each and last about 200 hours. Everything else is not going to affect what you see while you have it on.

[Stick-man]

i'll try to get some pictures this weeknd for you, stick. i was a little concerned with the rubber band at first, but is basically infinite adjustment. i've always had ratchet head gear (jackson 370, which i like) but it was sometimes right between notches. no longer an issue with the rubber band. i suspect teh rubber band will wear out sooner than the ratchet, but should be cheap to replace.short term evaluation is great, long term is still unknown. if you get the opportunity to try one give it a shot.

Her is where I found the best price on replacement parts, head gear, and rubber bands. Keep the link for future reference.

http://stumpfweldingsupplies.com/Fibre-Metal.html

[jamming]

Used a cheap Northern tool 50 dollar helmet for years, Just bought a speed glass 9100X what sold me was the head band system and the side windows. Cant believe i used a cheapo for so many years the speedglas is fantastic.

[seabee78]

I use s $36 Miller Titanium series helmet with a passive shade 11 for dual shield and a shade 9 for TIG. For what i do, this is the best helmet i have ever had.


seabee78

[joelwelder]

Lincoln pipeliner, with an "old Lincoln #10"supervisibilty lens, and a pancake shield with a #10 quickchange lens.

[Rottguinness]

Jackson True Sight! Love it! Way nicer than the HF helmet I had!


RG