Auto-Dark Welding Helmet.......

[Willl]

Thanks Scotty, I could use a new one.

 

[have_blue]

I really like mine. Fits and works great. Not as lightweight as the expensive ones, but it's very rugged. I'm sure the glass has been tested by ASTM or equivalent body for protection. I wouldn't be surprised if "USA brands" use the same glass, or are made in the same factory as the HF helmet.

About "welder's eyes".

If you're welding a few minutes, no problem. If you will be welding for hours, be careful with reflected light. When welding for hours, it doesn't take much light reflecting off a jacket, zippers, buttons, or something behind you to give your eyes a high dose of UV.

The best solution? A $10 pair of wrap-around UV safety glasses worn under the helmet. They're also great for grinding, hammering, and abrasive sawing.

 

[MESSMAKER]

I have alway heard that all of the auto darkening helments come from the same plant in China and are more or less the same.

 

[Sunkistdds]

I have alway heard that all of the auto darkening helments come from the same plant in China and are more or less the same.

Exactly. HF just takes overruns from plants, same lines. I do some wood working and I have a 4" HF port sander. It IS a Makita... exactly the same cept the difference is 79 v 239. For the same tool. I also have a MIlwaukee (from my days of buying the 'best') hole hawg drill and I paid 300 for that years ago. HF sells the same with orange plastic for 100.

MY HF helmet is great, better than my Lincoln. There is no problem with using it for some heavy welding. You do need to take some breaks and the poeple talking about reflecting UV are correct. Eye damage here comes from leaks.

 

[Scooby074]

I have alway heard that all of the auto darkening helments come from the same plant in China and are more or less the same.

Not mine. Miller BWE's are made in Korea. The HF stuff is Chicom though.

 

[bobodu]

Not mine. Miller BWE's are made in Korea. The HF stuff is Chicom though.

I'm sure glad to know that the Koreans wouldn't use Chinese parts.....just like Harley won't use Japanese front ends.

 

[Scotty370]

My apologies to the group! I just went to HF to pick up that Helmet. The flyer distributed in the store, is exactly like the one mailed to me except the pricing! That helmet is $38.99(MF-my flyer), $49.99(SF-Store flyer). It's the outside 'jacket-sheet' that has the same-items, different prices! Some are quite a difference. IE 10" tile saw MF$189.99 SF$229.99, 10" miter saw MF$89.99 SF 109.99 etc. Sorry, guess it's worth it to sign up, love'em, or hate'em. ~Scotty

 

[Scooby074]

I'm sure glad to know that the Koreans wouldn't use Chinese parts.....just like Harley won't use Japanese front ends.

Shhhh... Nobody supposed to know about the harleys

My understanding is that the plant that manufacturers the LCD's is in South Korea. The LCD in my helmet is stamped Made In Korea.Is there a chinese capacitor or 2 in there, probably, but what can you do?

For what its worth, another good brand,Optrels are made in Switzerland

Id rather buy an American brand and unknowingly support the chinese through the south koreans, than directly support the chinese by buying harbour freight.

 

[have_blue]

Id rather buy an American brand and unknowingly support the chinese through the south koreans, than directly support the chinese by buying harbour freight.

Sounds funny, but makes a lot of sense.

In 5 years, we won't have to worry. China's Capitalism is becoming so strong they will repudiate Communism without a shot being fired.

 

[RobertBrown]

That helmet is $38.99

That's about what I paid for my helmet and it's not auto anything. It's a hobart and i got it at Tractor supply. My eyes don't burn.....