Mig Welding Helmet

[johnny340]

Alright, do you get what you pay for with welding helmets? Is it most important only for Tig? I'm Mig welding and don't want to fry my eyes so do I get a auto dimming helmet and trust it? They are anywhere from $350 dollars to $25. Does anyone have experience with the $50 Chinese one from Princess Auto?

[cope]

I think you do get what you pay for. I have a Jackson NexGen 3n1. Many people here like the Miller Elite line. Good auto dark hoods cost good money.

[bluesparks]

The $50 ones work just great, but the more expensive ones will have larger viewing lenses and a clearer view. Also, the head gear on the cheap ones is, well, cheap. They do work, though. I use a $49 Harbor Freight one myself. No issues.

[Skwerly]

I use the same HF auto-darkening helmet, have never had an issue. However, I have never worn a really good NexGen or Miller helmet. Why? I'm scared that I will hate my current one then, and have to spend 300 bucks!



PS - My HF helmet is the black one, not the blue one with skulls or flames or whatever. I think the classic looking black helmets are cooler.

[johnny340]

Well I bought it and it feels alright on. I just hope I haven't gambled my vision on trusting the 1/25000 of a second 'switch to dark' claim on the box.
And it's probably a given that it's done up in lead paint...

[Willy Victor]

I have the blue flame one. I think it was $39, I'm strictly an amateur, seems to work all right.


Willy

[bluesparks]

The 1/25000 is just the time it takes to darken. The lens itself protects against UV whether it darkens or not. So other than seeing light spots for a bit, no other harm should come to you if it doesn't darken.

[johnny340]

So I gather it's the UV that's the dangerous part. How can I tell if this lens actually protects against that? (I can still see!)

[bluesparks]

That's a good indicator.

Basically, if you weld for a while and your eyes don't burn like heck later that day/night, it works.

[slag_ch]

i bought the $47 auto darkening helmet from grizzly, works fine for home shop. if i were doing day in day out welding, i'd buy a hobart or otherlike that.

[superscubadude]

I have the 49.00 Northern tool one.
it comes in any color you want as long as it's black.

so, I peeled off the flames, painted it with Krylon plactic paint (blue) and reapplied the flames. Then I added a computer fan on top to keep my head cool.

Works great, used daily and I still have 20/20

BUT, I always carry as old fashioned tryed and true non-AD helmet just in case the electronic one fails..

[mrandrei]

I bought my helmet from Amazon under 100$. It's made by Neiko Tools. It fit well, the auto-darkening worked quickly, and made it easy to focus on welding.

[Thurman]

"Then I added a computer fan on top to keep my head cool." And I thought I had heard it all! Where do you get the power for the cooling fan from? I like the idea, but I picture you moving around with some type of power cord hanging/dragging along with you. Picture please. David

[pauly]

I have a helmet from Princess Auto. For the little bit of welding that I have done, it works fine. Be careful with the way the the ceiling light effects the light sensors. Sometimes it goes dark before you strike an arc. Keep the light behind you or turn your head a bit. I figure it was a good starter helmet.