Auto Darkening Welding Helmet?

[papromike]

Guys, Harbor Freight has an auto darkening helmet on sale for

$59, it says it is adjustable from #9-#13 Shade...

Is this an o.k. helmet for occasional use, or should I just pony up

and Spend the $100 or so for a HORNELL SPEEDGLASS helmet?

[Art Welch]

A friend bought one of the harbor freight helmets a month or so ago and said that his eyes were VERY sore the morning after he used it. He bought a higher quality one and hasn't had any problems since. I don't know that you would have the same results but...

[Mark Hinkley]

Mike,

Buy a better one, your eyes are worth more. I used one for just a short time and it was terrible. I use an arc one and really like it. It charges itself so no need for batteries. However it's $$$$.

mark
orgs mfg

[William]

My brother does a lot of welding. He related a story that you should be aware of with the Autodarkening. Spend the money on a good one: it's your eyesight. Figure out how much it's worth to you to see, and then spend more.

Also, to double/triple check you keep the sensors for the autodarkening sensor clean. If impared, they don't do the autodarkening thing as well... And you could wake up with a whole bunch of eye boogers and pain.

[papromike]

Thanks guys, for the response...yeah my eyes are definitely work another $100 or so..

Hey Mark, what do you think abou this helmet?

ARC ONE ELECTRONIC WELDING HELMET - 4 1/2 x 5 1/4 auto darkening lens, one of the largest quick change


is this the same helmet you have?...or at least the same brand..

I am deciding between this and one of the HORNELL Speedglass helmets....

Both are about the same price ($179-$199)

[Mark Hinkley]

Yes Arc One is the brand.

I have the adjustable one. The lens size sounds about right.

mark
orgs mfg

[mrblaine]

Originally posted by Mark Hinkley
Yes Arc One is the brand.

I have the adjustable one. The lens size sounds about right.

mark
orgs mfg

Where is that hood available?

[cbassett]

A friend of mine has a Hornell 9000. That is a sweet rig. Very light, almost too light if you're used to the clunky oldschool ones. Takes a bit to get used to the autodarkening feature, but once you do it's butter.

[Mark Hinkley]

Originally posted by mrblaine
Where is that hood available?

I get my stuff from Praxair in SA.

Here's the web page.

http://www.aceintl.com/autodarkeninghelmets.htm

Mine is the extreme eagle one.

mark
orgs mfg

[mrblaine]

Originally posted by Mark Hinkley
I get my stuff from Praxair in SA.

Here's the web page.

http://www.aceintl.com/autodarkeninghelmets.htm

Mine is the extreme eagle one.

mark
orgs mfg

I'm familiar.

[utahjeepr]

I have a Speedglass, I highly recommend it. Mine has the variable shade, extra large lens and the dual sensors.

[Hyperman]

Originally posted by utahjeepr
I have a Speedglass, I highly recommend it. Mine has the variable shade, extra large lens and the dual sensors.

After trying Tom's, I bought the same model (they are about $190 at Praxair). Other's have talked about the concern of the single sensor being blocked by something and not darkening in the designed time. With two sensors, that should help to minimize that concern. It is really nice for me, because I have a heck of a time seeing when I strike the arc. With an autodarkening lens, I can at least see where I am starting. Doesn't make me weld any better tho. Time will tell.

[TJRON]

Seeing how's I got to spend someone else's money I got a NexGen by Jackson. It does everything but weld. Is it worth it? How would I know, it's the only one I've used.

[Richie]

Those big lenses are really nice... Thats the only thing I dislike about my old Jackson, that small lens. I actually have gone back to an old Tig helmet with a 4X5 gold lens for most of my welding. The gold is nice because it reflects light back on your work.