Welder's Auto-Dark Helmets

[wushaw]

Something cheap to try...put light on the subject, a halogen light on a tripod will work.

 

[WilliamBos]

Speedglass,Lincon,Miller all have good helmets. Stay away from cheapos. In my experience the higher the amps the darker the shade I run.Any of the settings 9-13 are safe. Try to focus your vision on the puddle and not the arc. As I have gotten older I have to wear glasses when welding close . If you can't see good you can't weld good.They make magnifiers for the hoods if this is the case.
Bill

Do the magnifiers go on the helmet??

 

[wushaw]

Yes, here is one place that sells them.
MIG Welders, TIG Welding Gloves, Hobart Welders, Miller Welders, Welding Jackets

 

[Scotty370]

Wayno- Just funnin' with ya . Interesting concept, Never knew they existed!
Wushaw-I thought with that arc lighting up, it would provide more illumination than any aux light I might use, but.........!!!! ~Scotty

 

[GIJOE]

I bought this one from Northern Tool about three years ago. It works perfect and have never had a problem with it.

Northern Industrial Solar-Powered Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet | Welding Helmets | Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[KubotainNH]

I have both auto and flip lid. The auto rocks for what I do. It's a HF unit made by Hobart I think. It's hard to find anything like this not made in China.

 

[bowhunter543]

I have a hf also for almost 5 years. When not in use it is stored in a dark cabinet. When I take it out, I hold it up to a fluorescent light and it darkens every time. They may be cheap but it works for me.

 

[bobodu]

I finally ran over my first HF helmet after four years. So I bought one of the "skull" ones ( for some reason I really can't explain..) and then found out that had batteries and needed to be turned on every time,plus it simply didn't fit my head. Now matter how hard I tried,I could never see through the window. Bought another $40 helmet.

 

[Scooby074]

Ive been very happy with my miller BWE. No complaints in 2 years of frequent use. One thing youll notice is the headgear is alot better on a good helmet. Also, I dont trust the Chinese optics in cheap helmets. Ive used a cheap Princess auto (canada's harbour freight) helmet and it messed my eyes.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Interesting, as I have the same problem with my three year old Optiva welding helmet. Even on the lightest setting, I can't see a blessed thing........ even welding outdoors in bright sunlight. Before I strike an arc, its no problem....... but when it darkens, it is waaaay too dark. I hate to spend another couple hundred on a second shield........ but too often my welds go off track due to the fact that I can't see what the heck I'm doing.

Bright sunlight at your back will "blind" you due to reflection from inside the helmet. Its best if the only light getting to your eyes is coming thru the lens.
larry