need advice on welding shield

[hardtime]

I'm still using a shield I bought about 25 years ago. I have been just replacing headgear as it broke.

Most of the silver color is gone from the lower part and the rest is pretty well shot.

What I have been leaning toward is the newer style auto darkening styles but I have questions.

I really like the narrow compact design of my present shield and question weather the new type will give me issues getting into tight places. Also there is much more viewing area w/ the newer rigs but will there be issues w/ overhead droppings falling directly on the viewing area.

The prices start out decent enough but You can tie up some serious money with the bells and whistles. What have you folks been using that you like, and just as important what did you not like. Tell me what you thinks,Thanks Leonard

 

[Reyer Farms]

I have used the fibre-metal's pipeline style for years. I upgraded to an auto dark lens three years ago. I love the older slim style with firm headgear that does not flop when your in tight spots in very uncomfortable positions. I have two set up the same way. The auto glass is an arc one singles shade 11 solar powered no batteries. Simple tuff and it works. I would not really want another style but once I like it I rarely change unless it fails me. The auto lens ran about $120 two years ago. Hope it helps. Keep the hood down and keep lights burning!

 

[mjncad]

I have a Jackson auto-darkening helmet with the biggest window available when I bought it. I need all the visibility I can get. The ability to change shades is quite helpful. I run mine on shade 10.

I just wish it had a red flashing LED when it was within 1-minute of auto-shutoff. I had it shutoff just before striking an arc one time, which was an eye closer. But that is a wish list bell/whistle I am mentioning.

 

[mrmikey]

I've got a Miller Digital Elite Miller - Welding Helmets & Welder Safety Equipment and Clothing - Digital Elite™ Series at wotk and I use a Princess Auto "Flames" Solar Powered Auto Darkening Welding Helmet | Princess Auto auto at home. When I got the Miller it was almost $500, the Princess Auto was $50 or so on sale, I had to get another Miller under warranty as the lense started to get wavy light and dark areas thru it.
I prefer the PA helmet, it's auto on, rechargeable, lighter and you can adjust the shade from outside when you're welding if you get into a bad spot, The only downfall is the control sometimes gets in the way.....Mike

 

[Shield Arc]

I have used the fibre-metal's pipeline style for years. I upgraded to an auto dark lens three years ago. I love the older slim style with firm headgear that does not flop when your in tight spots in very uncomfortable positions. I have two set up the same way. The auto glass is an arc one singles shade 11 solar powered no batteries. Simple tuff and it works. I would not really want another style but once I like it I rarely change unless it fails me. The auto lens ran about $120 two years ago. Hope it helps. Keep the hood down and keep lights burning!

You know, you're beginning to scare me. We think too much alike!:thumbsup:
I just switched to the ArcOne little over a year ago, love it.:cool2:

 

[Reyer Farms]

You know, you're beginning to scare me. We think too much alike!:thumbsup:
I just switched to the ArcOne little over a year ago, love it.:cool2:

I must tell my wife I'm not the only one! She will never believe me.

 

[undercut]

I've heard some really good things about the Jackson helmets with the amber / gold viewport. Much different view of the puddle over helmets with the green tint.

 

[joshuabardwell]

I just wish it had a red flashing LED when it was within 1-minute of auto-shutoff. I had it shutoff just before striking an arc one time, which was an eye closer. But that is a wish list bell/whistle I am mentioning.

I'm surprised to hear of any that have an auto-off like that. Mine has an on/off switch. When it's on, it's on. I'm not sure what kind of battery life they're trying to save by turning off the sensors, since the battery should only be drawing down when the hood is darkened. Maybe I'm missing something.

 

[undercut]

Yeah. Dubious "feature" at best.

I should mention that the Jackson helmets I've heard the most good things about is the truesight model. Cheers everyone.

 

[kcender]

I have a Jackson auto-darkening helmet with the biggest window available when I bought it. I need all the visibility I can get. The ability to change shades is quite helpful. I run mine on shade 10.

I just wish it had a red flashing LED when it was within 1-minute of auto-shutoff. I had it shutoff just before striking an arc one time, which was an eye closer. But that is a wish list bell/whistle I am mentioning.

The Miller Elite helmet I use at work is always ready.There is no on/off button,you just strike the arc and it will darken.

 

[undercut]

Personally, knowing what I know now, I'd like to get a helmet that has replaceable batteries instead of the solar assisted ones that are out there with the lithium batteries soldered into place. Always on and fresh batteries in MY control.

 

[hardtime]

Thanks for the reply's everyone. The ARCONE is carried by my local nexair shop. Looks like it will be just the ticket.

 

[Reyer Farms]

Good deal! Egg shells to spiderwebs, crack of dawn to a broken heart...

 

[Shield Arc]

Egg shells to spiderwebs,

That's a new one on me. :laughing:

 

[Gary Fowler]

A co-worker gave me one of the harbor freight auto-dark hoods which is how I got my first one. It does everything that an auto-dark helmet is supposed to do and at $49 I now have a spare. My first one crapped out after about a year from getting wet with sweat and quit working. My first AD was a Speedglas and this elcheapo works just as well for 10% of the price.

 

[BIG DOOLEY]

I have a Jackson Nexgen.
it has solar recharge cells and 2 batteries.
cut/weld/gring mode
adjustable shade and delay.
batteries last a long time.
it has auto power off when not it in direct light after a time interval.
an inportant feature to have in an auto darkening helmet especiall for out of positing or confined areas is multiple sensors.
many only have 2 sensors.
the nexgen has a wide and tall view with 4 sensors. objects in front of your sensor will not let it auto darken.
buy a 4 sensor helmet.
jackson also has a new head gear that is very......... comfortable.
worth heading into a shop that sells them for fit.
comfort is also inportant.
i have had mine around 10 years and still works great .
Jackson Nexgen EQC Auto-Darkening Welding Helmets
shop around and prices vary from store to store
tom

 

[k0ua]

Good deal! Egg shells to spiderwebs, crack of dawn to a broken heart...

I have welded long arc, short arc heliarc and in the dark.
If you don't like the way I do it, I'll let you try it

 

[cowski]

jackson nexgen +1

 

[mjncad]

I have a Jackson Nexgen.
it has solar recharge cells and 2 batteries.
cut/weld/gring mode
adjustable shade and delay.
batteries last a long time.
it has auto power off when not it in direct light after a time interval.
an inportant feature to have in an auto darkening helmet especiall for out of positing or confined areas is multiple sensors.
many only have 2 sensors.
the nexgen has a wide and tall view with 4 sensors. objects in front of your sensor will not let it auto darken.
buy a 4 sensor helmet.
jackson also has a new head gear that is very......... comfortable.
worth heading into a shop that sells them for fit.
comfort is also inportant.
i have had mine around 10 years and still works great .
Jackson Nexgen EQC Auto-Darkening Welding Helmets
shop around and prices vary from store to store
tom

That sounds very much like mine.

 

[Reyer Farms]

I have welded long arc, short arc heliarc and in the dark.
If you don't like the way I do it, I'll let you try it

... All work garun-teed is strictly cash, no tax no tracks!