Any body have or used this helmet. $53.99 for an auto-darkening helmet. I know it has the smaller lens but the reviews are really good. Mostly hobbyists but good reviews from professionals as well. Keep in mind I won't use it very often so $200 is just not justified.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200311850_200311850

Sorry,

Haven't used that one, I'll add my $.02 if you don't mind.

I recently bought this one and have been happy with it. I'm not a welder by trade just beginning (building rotisserie)... I have this one

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=91214

and am quite happy with it, haven't flashed myself yet.

I bought mine from harbour freight also. I use it alot, haven't had any problems with it.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=46092

Both of those seem to be very similar to the Northern Tool one but $5 cheaper. The one Bob listed has a battery the other doesn't and the Northern Tool doesn't either. But the two solar ones actually have a faster reaction time. Anyway I'm glad to hear they're not a waste of money. Thanks for the input.

How about around a $160. If so this is a good one! -MATT CLICK (http://cgi.ebay.com/JACKSON-PROFESSIONAL-EQC-AUTO-WELDING-HELMET_W0QQitemZ350156408724QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBI_ Work_Saftey_Apparel?hash=item350156408724&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50)

Look at these helmets. I have one and it's the best one I've had.
http://www.weldinghelmetstore.com/index/sp_weldinghelmets.asp

I have one and the matter of fact used it for about 3 hours last Sat. Mine is auto witha fast or slow switch. Runs off 2 AA batteries. It is great for home shop use. I have burnt my eyes many years ago so I know what that feels like and this one so far has been great. I think I paid around 45 bucks at Harbor Freight

I had a "solar powered" welding helmet.

I HATED it.

If the arc is interrupted for a moment, the shade goes light just in time to catch the arc flash as the weld re-starts.

The replacement has a battery and variable delay; the shade doesn't go light instantly--and my eyes are much happier.

The northern tools and harbor freight look to be the same thing, i have an extra helmet around and it is the harbor freight one, when not welding it still seems to be to dark, the helemt i use is the miller pro hobby helmet there about 120$ and are 100x better than the harbor freight one, i highly recommend this one http://cgi.ebay.com/MILLER-PRO-HOBBY-SERIES-BLACK-WELDING-HELMET-231404_W0QQitemZ390042309987QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBI_ Work_Saftey_Apparel?hash=item390042309987&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A13 18|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

I thought about going that route but just didn't want to chance it.... Remember, these are your EYES we're talking about, not a great place to save money IMHO....

I got myself a Speedglass unit from cyberweld.com, nice unit for the money..

http://store.cyberweld.com/horspeed.html

I had a "solar powered" welding helmet.

I HATED it.

If the arc is interrupted for a moment, the shade goes light just in time to catch the arc flash as the weld re-starts.

The replacement has a battery and variable delay; the shade doesn't go light instantly--and my eyes are much happier.

X2, I hate the Solar powered ones as well. Everytime I get into a strange position to weld and my arm (or something) might be just in front of the light source from the arc and it doesn't fire off the shield in time. I hated it. I ended up getting a battery powered unit and I am much happier.

I thought about going that route but just didn't want to chance it.... Remember, these are your EYES we're talking about, not a great place to save money IMHO....

I got myself a Speedglass unit from cyberweld.com, nice unit for the money..

http://store.cyberweld.com/horspeed.html

My thoughts exactly. You can't replace your eyes. What is your eye sight worth?!?! (This coming from a guy who grew up with two blind parents...)

like they said... can't replace your eyes. definitely not a place to save $$$ bought a couple of these with your tax $$$$

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/weldinghelmets/digital-elite.php


not cheap, but we do this for a living and weld some critical stuff (aircraft, titanium parts etc.) it potentially could cost life or at least a lot of $$$ if a weld fails.

plus it is nice to be able to see what you are doing. the cool color schemes are a nice touch too.

I have the northern helmet (free with mig purchase from them) and it works great for me. Havent done a ton of welding yet but never had a delay issue that wasnt fixed with adjusting sensitivity and the delay speed on the helmet.

Thanks for all the input. Now I just have to re-read all the replys and look at the different helmets available. Thanks again.

some of the solar powered helmets have a delay setting so that you can adjust how long it stays dark after the arc is gone. I bought mine from Lowes its a Kobalt helmet. Was
~$120. It has a fast reaction time, sensitivity adjustment for tig welding, delay, and it also has a variable shade from 9-13. When its off is a shade 4 so you can adjust the sensitivy to very low and plasma cut with it. Its also light weight and has a quick click head band and dual tensioners for flipping it down. They dont have a link for it online but they are on stock at every lowes around me (4 of em lol). Look into it, much better quality than the lame ass harbor frieght ones. I dont trust anything from them unless I plan on using it ONCE cause after that itll break and you have to return it.

some of the solar powered helmets have a delay setting so that you can adjust how long it stays dark after the arc is gone. I bought mine from Lowes its a Kobalt helmet. Was
~$120. It has a fast reaction time, sensitivity adjustment for tig welding, delay, and it also has a variable shade from 9-13. When its off is a shade 4 so you can adjust the sensitivy to very low and plasma cut with it. Its also light weight and has a quick click head band and dual tensioners for flipping it down. They dont have a link for it online but they are on stock at every lowes around me (4 of em lol). Look into it, much better quality than the lame ass harbor frieght ones. I dont trust anything from them unless I plan on using it ONCE cause after that itll break and you have to return it.


Sounds about the same as the northern tool one im using. All the same features.

like they said... can't replace your eyes. definitely not a place to save $$$ bought a couple of these with your tax $$$$

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/weldinghelmets/digital-elite.php


not cheap, but we do this for a living and weld some critical stuff (aircraft, titanium parts etc.) it potentially could cost life or at least a lot of $$$ if a weld fails.

plus it is nice to be able to see what you are doing. the cool color schemes are a nice touch too.

Sean,
How do you like the Miller Digital Elite? I've got the Miller Elite and love it. But, I do alot of welding outside in the bright sunshine which makes it hard to keep the sensitivity properly adjusted. The Digital Elite has the X-mode, which darkens the lens off of the electromagnetic radiation from the arc, not from the visible light spectrum. This means the helmet will darken properly and consistently no matter what the ambient light conditions. Also, this helmet supposedly darkens properly even though the sensors may be obscured (how cool).
Do you TIG with it? I just got a Dynasty 200dx and a Coolmate 3 and was wondering how the Digital Elite works with TIG.
Thanks Sean,
Mike

I also have a Miller Digital Elite. Bought it at the same time I bought my welder (Millermatic 212). Got a great deal on the welder so it freed up some cash to purchase the best helmet they had. Got 100 bucks off that too. I have only used it once so far and have no complaints. Mine is the inferno.

Sean,
How do you like the Miller Digital Elite? I've got the Miller Elite and love it. But, I do alot of welding outside in the bright sunshine which makes it hard to keep the sensitivity properly adjusted. The Digital Elite has the X-mode, which darkens the lens off of the electromagnetic radiation from the arc, not from the visible light spectrum. This means the helmet will darken properly and consistently no matter what the ambient light conditions. Also, this helmet supposedly darkens properly even though the sensors may be obscured (how cool).
Do you TIG with it? I just got a Dynasty 200dx and a Coolmate 3 and was wondering how the Digital Elite works with TIG.
Thanks Sean,
Mike

yeah, mostly TIG, some MIG and stick as well. even plasma cutting... never used it outside though. i might have to set something up to play with the cool features you are mentioning just to play with it. got any particular experiments in mind? i could report back to ya if you wanted any specific performance feedback.

I had to justify the purchase price of these. basically, the warranty, and the fact that they were a better product and less likely to allow injury to my workers was what sold my boss (commander) on them. I basically told them that you can't buy new eyeballs and that the expense would be offset in the long run when we didn't have to replace them as often as the cheaper helmets we get. the fellas were all grins the day they showed up!

For a cheaper auto darkening, I have been happy with this one for the mig welding I have been doing.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=310125702815

yeah, mostly TIG, some MIG and stick as well. even plasma cutting... never used it outside though. i might have to set something up to play with the cool features you are mentioning just to play with it. got any particular experiments in mind? i could report back to ya if you wanted any specific performance feedback.

I had to justify the purchase price of these. basically, the warranty, and the fact that they were a better product and less likely to allow injury to my workers was what sold my boss (commander) on them. I basically told them that you can't buy new eyeballs and that the expense would be offset in the long run when we didn't have to replace them as often as the cheaper helmets we get. the fellas were all grins the day they showed up!

Thanks Sean for responding to my question.
Yes!! :) If you ever do work outside I would really be interested to know how well it actually works on x-mode in the bright sunshine. I suspect that it'll work great but maybe it's one of those things that I'll just have to buy it before I know.
Thanks again Sean,
Mike

My first auto darkening helmet was solar powere. I found that sometimes welding at night it helped a lot to shine a bright light at the solar collector for 20-30 seconds. Helmets have UV protection whether they are dark or not. But the momentary bright light is probably still not good for your eyes. I used my first one for years, I still have and use it occaisionally, however it was a dark shade only as is hard to see fine lines.

I bought a miller pro hobby(black) and am very happy with it, I have flashed myself but it was due to forgetting that it auto turns itself off after a length of non use, so watch for that on any helmet. I have bought another pro hobby for use at work as well but I got the camo one so it looks different that all the others at work.

Tim

I ended up ordering this one from Harbor Freight. I ordered the one Beaux has then found out it was back-ordered and wouldn't arrive until June. The one I ordered seems to have all the features people mentioned here. Adjustable delay, adjustable shade and adjustable sensitivity. Solar powered with lithium battery plus a larger viewing lens.


http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94336

Got mine from harbor freight. The box got wet $50.00 auto darkening sensitivity adjustment ect. like above! and Kool Flame stickers. l:)

Got mine from harbor freight. The box got wet $50.00 auto darkening sensitivity adjustment ect. like above! and Kool Flame stickers. l:)

Well mine has an eagle on it so I bet it will work better than one with flames. :D

EDIT: Just arrived, extra lens cover and the piece that snaps in and holds it in place. Two sensors, one on each side. Oh, and the eagle is either painted on or they cleared over it. Can't feel an edge like a sticker so it must be a good one!

Thread is a little old, but I am having a hard time convincing myself not to buy this auto helmet:

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200416894_200416894
It's fast, and has a big viewing area.


Compared to Miller's (for example) cheapest auto helmet, the Northern Tool is still faster, which I feel is the most important function of the helmet. Or is there some other safety feature that non of these companies are advertising, like the amount of UV light making it's way to your eyeballs???

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/welding_protection/head_face/helmets/pro-hobby/


I mean we are talking about companies selling products to the public to protect their eyesight. I am definately a firm beleiver that you get what you pay for, but is N. Tool and Harbor Freight ($60.00 auto) really selling an inferior product? Again, these cheapies are faster.....and I just need one for hobby use.
By the way, I am so glad I joined this forum, because I started my first welding project this week end, and I would not have had the guts to do it without your tips and tricks! Welding is so cool, Thanx!

-Brian

I bought mine from Lowes its a Kobalt helmet. Was
~$120.I dont trust anything from them unless I plan on using it ONCE cause after that itll break and you have to return it.


The Kobalt welding hoods are also cheap China made garbage, but cost more because they are sold through Lowes with the Kobalt name on them. The lens is what you pay for, and they are mostly all made in the same place in the low end helmets. With that being said they are still good for the hobbyist as well as the cheaper Harbor Freight and Northern tool units.

I purchased a battery-powered one from Harbor Freight about four years ago. It has a setting for sensitivity, but overall, no flames or nothing fancy. They had one similar to what BEAUX has, but at that time, it was about $120.


I used it once when I watched a friend of mine weld something and it worked very well. I don't and cannot weld due to lack of knowledge and the equipment, but since it wasn't that expensive, I bought it anyway. :rolleyes:

I thought about going that route but just didn't want to chance it.... Remember, these are your EYES we're talking about, not a great place to save money IMHO....

I got myself a Speedglass unit from cyberweld.com, nice unit for the money..

http://store.cyberweld.com/horspeed.html

I weld everyday for a living I wouldn't use anything else

I weld everyday for a living I wouldn't use anything else

Thanks, I think I will be going for Speedglas as well :thumbsup:

Speedglas units look nice.
Im on the hunt for a helmet also.
I like this one because of the adjustable dark shade.
http://store.cyberweld.com/spwehebl10au1.html

Speedglas units look nice.
Im on the hunt for a helmet also.
I like this one because of the adjustable dark shade.
http://store.cyberweld.com/spwehebl10au1.html

Yea, ordered today, but some how I ended up getting a painted one, when I knew I was on a budget. Why even have a damn budget......

I got the harbor freight on without flames.:(...It was $10 cheaper though.:)....I love the thing its way better than having to constantly lift the glass to see.

I just bought one at Harbor Freight for $49.99 with an extra lens, works great!

Sorry for bringing an older thread back.:(

I bought the Miller Digital Elite helmet and absolutely love it. It is the Lucky's Speed Shop and works great. Yes, a little pricey, but as other's have said, you only have your eyes once. It has a nice large viewing area as well!:thumbsup: