Welding Helmets

[txdon]

Let's spend some money! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

If someone wanted to give me the best welding helmet, which one would it be?

1. Jackson Nex Gen Auto Dark lens w/HSL100
2. Miller Big window Elite Auto Dark
3. ???

School starts in January!!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Henro]

I have a NexGen EQC (not sure I got those three letters right) and think it is great.

But really, I am not sure how you can really decide without trying them out with your own eyes.

Which was not possible for me in the beginning, as I had never struck an arc.

Actually I have two helmets. The first is made by ArcOne I think...cost around $150 and is not that great. But a good backup I guess. The Jackson cost more but I needed to get something right away and had no time to think. Bought the ArcOne local in a rush. Stuff happens that way I guess.

SpeedGlas (or something like that) also makes a hood that is well liked by many.

My advice is to spend the bucks to get a good one the first time. Cheaper that way. I like my Jackson NexGen but there are others out there just as good.

 

[theonlybull]

we've got a few optral's ( sp) their nice workin helmets, but they seem to up and die in 2-2 1/2 years

 

[wroughtn_harv]

I use the Jackson "master" if I'm remembering right. At the time it was the best one available. It was on sale and I bought it as a backup. It quickly became my first choice.

It is like the microwave, radio in the truck, cell phone, and my puter. It has more features than I'll ever use. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif All I ever use anymore is the off/on button. And occasionally I'll use the "torch" or the "grind" features. However, there's always one or two of those features that become so important, even if the radio stays on the same station and the "E" is the most used button on the screen. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

When you get your hood your next stop should be the box store for a good sturdy toolbox that will carry it and the accessories like gloves, rod holder, etc.

Speaking of rod holders........a little late now.........but birthday time a good gift for a good welder is a custom rod holder.

I get one made about every ten years. There's a saddle maker here locally that makes and repairs mine.

One of my personal quirks on the job is I don't like rod ends laying everywhere. So unless I'm in the shop my rod ends go back in my rod holder to be put into the scrap bucket or into a fence post at the end of the day.

It's a good habit to have. They are potential flats, hardware disease for livestock, and in my book, show shoddiness in work when they're left for someone else to pick up.

The ones you can buy at the welder's supply lasted me a month or so. The one I've got now is six or so years old and has had the bottom repaired once. Hot rod ends will burn the threads if not the leather over time.

BTW Don if you need some ideas to supplement the kagillion you already have for welding projects, give me a call. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[GoodGuy]

Harv...
Sometime, I'd like to see a pic of your welding rod holder. No panic, sometime you've got your camera handy. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[have_blue]

My son-in-law had a Miller. It lasted about 4 months. It looked awfully flimsy, and started cracking and generally coming apart. I took a good look at it, and it appeared to be made of un-reinforced polyethylene or similar. That's the worst plastic possible for durability. For over $200, seems like you would get the best fiber reinforced plastic. At least nylon or glass, and maybe even Kevlar reinforcing fiber. Oh well, it was pretty with a nice American flag and all.

 

[MARKV33598]

I AM A WELDER BY TRADE AND THE JACKSON IS BY FAR THE BEST ON THE MARKET. I HAVE JOURNEYMAN EQC AND IT IS TOUGH. I HAVE DROPPED I 4 FLOORS, PINCHED IT OFF IN A DUCT DAMPER, USED AND ABUSED IT FOR NEARLY 5 YEARS. THE ONE TIME I BROKE IT JACKSON MAILED ME A NEW LENS AND I PUT THE BROKE ONE IN THE SAME PACKAGE AND SHIPPED IT BACK FOR FREE. I CAN WELD ANYTHING FROM CARBON STEEL TO INCONEL, HASTALLOY AND THE ADJUSTMENTS ON IT MAKE IT IDEAL FOR EVERYTHING, MIG, STICK,OR TIG BUT IT IS SUGGESTED NOT TO USE IT FOR CARBON ARC GOUGING.

 

[Rch]

TXDon, I took up welding about 2 years ago and and have several considerations when buying a self-darkening helmut;

1) Correction lenses; make sure whatever brand you get can accomodate diopter lenses AND the array of lenses to custimize the helmut are all available to test out. Since the corrective lenses fit into a holder in the helmut they are farther from your eyes than with glasses and so the diopter correction is different than what your glasses are. For example, your reading glasses may take + 3 but a + 2 may be just right because it's further from your eye when in a helmut. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
2) Some model have a setting that allow you to grind without the sparks setting off the self-darking Go to Jackson 3N 1

3) The dial for darkening is handier if on the outside of the helmut

4) The outer most lens gets scratched, burned etc and replacements should be readily available and reasonable.

5) Multiple sensor help prevent flashes when your in some screwball position that something is blocking a sensor.

6)Try to get one that takes readily available batteries or even uses the radiation from the arc to power itself /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

7) A heavy helmut is hard on the neck /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[txdon]

Thanks everyone, looks like Jackson Nex-Gen is the favorite.

Sometimes I wonder If we need a section just for welding?
Seems like if you have a tractor sooner or latter you or someone will be doing some welding on the tractor or the attachments.

But, until then I guess we will have to adopt the projects section. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[bindian]

Don,
Did you buy a Jackson Nex Gen and how did it work for you?
hugs, Brandi

 

[BukitCase]

Hey Brandi, I'm not Don but I bought the Jackson Nexgen about a year ago - love the large lens, it's pretty lightweight, and does NOT use wierd batteries - just standard AA (or maybe AAA, it's still on the first ones)

Shoulda done it a long time ago, but then that model wasn't available 20 years ago :=) Steve

 

[troutsqueezer]

I suppose it depends on what "best" really means. To me, it means something that gets the job done, time after time, and comes in at the lowest cost. So I submit to you: the best helmet out there is the $39 Harbor Freight auto-darkening helmet. If it breaks, which mine hasn't in two year's use, throw it away and buy another one. You'd have to run thru quite a few before you hit the cost of some of these brands already mentioned.

 

[cowski]

i got one of them nexgens and a harbor freight .if i had only one it would be the nexgen so to me the nexgen is the best.

 

[bindian]

I suppose it depends on what "best" really means. To me, it means something that gets the job done, time after time, and comes in at the lowest cost. So I submit to you: the best helmet out there is the $39 Harbor Freight auto-darkening helmet. If it breaks, which mine hasn't in two year's use, throw it away and buy another one. You'd have to run thru quite a few before you hit the cost of some of these brands already mentioned.

Uh....how about best for my eyes.
hugs, Brandi

 

[troutsqueezer]

Uh....how about best for my eyes.
hugs, Brandi

Is there research data somewhere that states HF helmets are bad for your eyes? Guessed I missed it...

 

[Gary Fowler]

Speaking of rod holders........a little late now.........but birthday time a good gift for a good welder is a custom rod holder.

I get one made about every ten years. There's a saddle maker here locally that makes and repairs mine.

One of my personal quirks on the job is I don't like rod ends laying everywhere. So unless I'm in the shop my rod ends go back in my rod holder to be put into the scrap bucket or into a fence post at the end of the day.

It's a good habit to have. They are potential flats, hardware disease for livestock, and in my book, show shoddiness in work when they're left for someone else to pick up.

The ones you can buy at the welder's supply lasted me a month or so. The one I've got now is six or so years old and has had the bottom repaired once. Hot rod ends will burn the threads if not the leather over time.

[/img]

I guess the old rod stub bucket is too much trouble for you. In my shop I use an old coffee can to dump my rod stubs in. It fireproof and large enough that it is pretty easy to hit when you drop the stub. On the jobs, I have used empty rod cans, cut a hand hold and fold over the edges on one side then cut the rest in a 45 degree slope. That works out very well and if in the air like in a pipe rack, I would use a welding rod to make a hook to hook it over a pipe or some other convenient item so it was close at hand.

 

[joshuabardwell]

Sometimes I wonder If we need a section just for welding?

But, until then I guess we will have to adopt the projects section.

Uhh... There is a welding section. This post appears to be in it.

 

[CNC Dan]

Uhh... There is a welding section. This post appears to be in it.

check the date on that post.

 

[joshuabardwell]

check the date on that post.

LOL. :ashamed: :duh:

 

[ATP]

LOL. :ashamed: :duh:

:laughing::laughing: