auto darkening welding helmet

[dfkrug]

I got one of the cheap Chinese auto dark helmets when they first came
out, maybe 7-8 y ago. Battery powered, small window. That was before
they were avail ar Harbor Freight.

A yr and a half ago a bought HF's best helmet for $80 on sale. Very nice!
Solar power w/ battery, no on/off switch. Window is 2x the size of old.
Highly recommended.

I started stick welding with a hand-held shield. I still kinda miss those and
I never see them for sale anymore.

 

[arrow]

DKrug Heres one of a different type

IRON MASK HAND HELD WELDING MASK SHADE 10 LENS-*CLOSE OUT* Welding Supplies

I always thought they were neat myself but its time to move on and get into technology. which I always seem about ten years late on. While I'm at it, what do the fellas here at TBN think of the Longevity welder. Its awfully neat looking. Its only 140 amps dc but should weld anything I fix around here.

Longevity Global: Product Detail, Aluminum Welders, Multi, Combo , Stick, Welders, Spot Welders, Lincoln Welder, Arc :: WeldMate LArc-140

 

[kenmac]

I did like some others. Went with cheap HF brand. It works for me

 

[dfkrug]

DKrug Heres one of a different type

I like the ones with a handle on them. For short little welds, it is nice
to use just a hand-held, rather than putting the helmet on. I have a
small shield that mounts right on my MIG gun for those quicky little tack
welds with the MIG. I sold my last hand held shield with my old welder.

 

[escavader]

Ialso have the HF helmet it works good,but i sometimes in low light conditions have trouble seeing my puddle good.
Since Ibought the HOBART MIG MACHINE last winter,ive gone back to the conventional helmet.Since you can lay the wire right on the spot you want to start ,FLIP YOUR HELMET DOWN,AND PULL TRIGGER TO START,ifind not much advantage to the auto darkening helmet.When i use my lincoln ARC welder I still use the auto darkening.
ALAN