Auto-darkening Welding Hoods
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Avoid looking at the weld with no mask on, it will give you flash burn on your eyes. 
oke:
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I have a speedglas one at work. The base model auto darkening one. It works fine for me. Sometimes it doesn't darken quick enough and I get a blast of light. But usually it is good. I think it cost around $80. The lenses can be replaced too if they get too cruddy.
You can also use a torch with it when it is off. If you grind with it on it will sometimes flash on and off.
You can also use a torch with it when it is off. If you grind with it on it will sometimes flash on and off.
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43 Posts
i currently have a harbor freight auto darkening mask and it does the job well, i haven't had any problems with mine thus far.
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And that is the beauty of the internet, I don't need to rely on information that is two and three years old. After reviewing those golden oldies I said to myself "self, start a thread asking about hoods and maybe someone more knowledgeable than you will respond with current infomation and new experiences".
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I have the cheap Hobart from Tractor Supply and it does fine. I do get flashed occasionally when I'm out of position, and I think it's because of the number of sensors. Looking at the helmets, the base helmet has 2 sensors and the uplevel helmets have 3 or more.
A friend has an uplevel Miller and with the extra sensor, doesn't have the issue.
A friend has an uplevel Miller and with the extra sensor, doesn't have the issue.
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31,413 Posts
I have a Harbor Freight one and it seems to work fine.
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My only complaint about the harbor freight hood is that is stays dark too long after you're done welding. We have Speedglas hoods at work and they dim right away which it nice if you stop for just a second and start back up again. Other then that the HB one has worked fine for me at home.
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2,055 Posts
I have the Tractor Supply one. It's worked great every time I've used it. Had it for a few years now.
No complaints.
No complaints.
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450 Posts
i work in a fab shop where i weld on a daily basis and either MIG or TIG welding i haven't had an issue with my hobart hood, i have the XVS middle of the road model and love its fit and function.
i have had harbor freight and cheaper models crap out and the first time you start to burn wire and it doesn't dim isn't very fun. lol
http://www.hobartwelders.com/products/welding-helmets/
i have had harbor freight and cheaper models crap out and the first time you start to burn wire and it doesn't dim isn't very fun. lol
http://www.hobartwelders.com/products/welding-helmets/
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7,864 Posts
I have the mid level HF adjustable dim level helmet and I recently bought an older speedglas model helmet. Even the old technology speedglas helmet is hands down better than the Adjustable HF helmet. I would notice white spots with the HF helmet after a long day of welding. I don't have that issue with the old school speedglas helmet. I've seen helmets like the old one I have on ebay go for $35. My $.02
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2,067 Posts
Keep your $20 helmet until you can afford a good, name brand auto helmet. You definitely get what you pay for. If a few hundred for a good quality one is out of your price range, you're better off with a good quality used one than a cheap new one.
I just sold a "like new" Lincoln helmet for 1/2 retail and a nicely used set of Speedglas 9002X helmets for about 1/3 retail. The deals are out there if you keep looking.
I run a Speedglas 9100XX, and its awesome. BY FAR the best helmet I've ever put on my head.
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I just sold a "like new" Lincoln helmet for 1/2 retail and a nicely used set of Speedglas 9002X helmets for about 1/3 retail. The deals are out there if you keep looking.
I run a Speedglas 9100XX, and its awesome. BY FAR the best helmet I've ever put on my head.
I use a Jackson hood. Nice big viewing area, 3 mods... grinding, torch, welding. Set delay time and darkness with the built in LCD screen.
I also have a harbor freight one... you can most defiantly tell the difference between a $300+ helmet from a $50. My eyes will hurt if I use the cheap one to long.
I also have a harbor freight one... you can most defiantly tell the difference between a $300+ helmet from a $50. My eyes will hurt if I use the cheap one to long.
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7,788 Posts
Well, I've been looking around for a week.
Color me stupid, but I'm going to go for a speedglas. Probably not cost effective for a hobbyist.
I may have to live off of top ramen and roadkill for a week or two, but what the hell.
It never occured to me that failure means the glass not darkening.
Having burnt my many eyes by being stupid years ago, I don't want lightning to strike twice (pun).
What is funny is I have accumulated no less than a half dozen fixed glass hoods over the years. WTF is that about?
Color me stupid, but I'm going to go for a speedglas. Probably not cost effective for a hobbyist.
I may have to live off of top ramen and roadkill for a week or two, but what the hell.
It never occured to me that failure means the glass not darkening.
Having burnt my many eyes by being stupid years ago, I don't want lightning to strike twice (pun).
What is funny is I have accumulated no less than a half dozen fixed glass hoods over the years. WTF is that about?
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13,806 Posts
I have a Snap On helmet I've been abusing for about 10 years now. I think I paid $200-$300 for it back then. I will say that it is very dependable and never have issues with not darkening in time as long as the battery is good. I think now days you can get alot more helmet for the money if you stay away from Snap On.
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2,365 Posts
Speed Glass SL
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