Need a new hood

[RoMad]

My youngest son (21) is home from school for the summer and said he would like for me to teach him to weld. I went to tractor supply to get some new lenses for an old hood I have and was suprized to find that not many people use plain old hoods with the 2 x 4 lenses any more. They didn't have much of a supply so I went to my toolroom at work and asked what they had. They don't even carry anything in the small size.
I guess I might as well give up and just buy a big lense hood for him. So my question is, where is the best place to get a good hood for him at a reasonable price. I suppose a self darkening lense is also needed.
When he is not watching me I will probably use the new hood myself. Do they all go up to #11 lenses.
I made my living as a welder for about 15 years but now pretty only much make stuff for my tractor and a few things around the house. I have been welding a lot more since I got my tractor. Also, I just had surgery on my neck so it needs to be light weight too. What about these http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00520EDTC...e=asn&creative=395105&creativeASIN=B00520EDTC

 

[Shield Arc]

I'll stay with the old tried and true welding hood! But I switched to an Auto lens. I have the Miller, and Arc One auto lenses, I think the Arc One is just a touch better.

I always wonder what the clear plastic cover lens cost for those big window hoods.

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002EX8UXA/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B004HM7S48&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=005KGJ3YX9YNKBDQTNVG]Amazon.com: Fibre Metal Pipeliner Superglas Welding Helmet: Home Improvement[/ame]

 

[Domush]

I have the cheapo HF blue flame auto-lens shield and love it. It words great for TIG and MIG, has a decent adjuster for darkness and responds very well. It is sometimes a little too touchy on the auto side (tends to darken when a light reflection happens), but is otherwise a great helmet. I've never finished a welding session with light burns in my vision using this helmet. Cheap, never broken on me, lens protectors are cheap, though I wish I could fine a glass one instead of the plastic ones which come with it, as they scratch pretty easily.

Cost is about $50, $30 if you can find a coupon in the back of a magazine.

 

[monckywrench]

There are PLENTY of small lenses, and Fibre-Metal Pipeliners are VERY comfortable.

Shop online.

 

[undercut]

I have the cheapo HF blue flame auto-lens shield and love it. It words great for TIG and MIG, has a decent adjuster for darkness and responds very well. It is sometimes a little too touchy on the auto side (tends to darken when a light reflection happens), but is otherwise a great helmet. I've never finished a welding session with light burns in my vision using this helmet. Cheap, never broken on me, lens protectors are cheap, though I wish I could fine a glass one instead of the plastic ones which come with it, as they scratch pretty easily.

Cost is about $50, $30 if you can find a coupon in the back of a magazine.

Have you ever used it for plasma cutting? I hear auto helmets might have a problem detecting a plasma cut.

 

[kf4uda]

I bought this one and so far have really liked it.

http://www.weldinghelmetsdirect.com/product.php?id_product=87

 

[RoMad]

Thank you all for your help. I decided to go with a big lense for the first time ever because of my neck surgery. My Dr. said I will probably lose up to 20% of my ability to look up so I thought the bigger lense might help. I ordered a light weight one from Amazon. I will let you know how I like it when it gets here.
All of the years I was a welder I used Huntsman gas welding hoods with a piece of leather taped to the bottom of it to keep my neck from getting burned. They didn't even have flip up lenses but they were very light and were great for getting in tight places in boilers and welding tubes.

 

[Domush]

Have you ever used it for plasma cutting? I hear auto helmets might have a problem detecting a plasma cut.

It activates from plasma cutting, but I've found it to be too dark for that. I just use a pair of "old man style" (over the glasses type) dark sunglasses for plasma cutting.

 

[undercut]

It activates from plasma cutting, but I've found it to be too dark for that. I just use a pair of "old man style" (over the glasses type) dark sunglasses for plasma cutting.

Make sure they will protect you from UV. They made for plasma cutting? Never heard of them before. Picture or source would be great!