Recommend a welding helmet

Like the title says.  I've had a WelBilt (I think an older HF brand) helmet for a very long time.  It's a solar-powered unit and looks 200% identical to my co-worker's Lincoln, so it's probably a ripoff copy. 

Long story short, it has apparently died.  Striking an arc will cause it to go dark for about 10 seconds and then very blindingly stops shielding. There is an old helmet at work that I've been using and it's battery powered, and I've only replaced the battery once.  I like the fact that it defaults to dark when the battery dies.

I am not a pro welder.  I weld something for work maybe a couple times a month.  I want something good with a large view glass, but no need to have the absolute best.  I just need it to work regardless of whether or not I use it weekly or let it sit for a few months.

Suggestions?  Off-brand (Amazon) is on the table, if it has been proven a good bet.

I just got this one a couple of days ago. I really like to so far.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MP16RT2?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Previously I had been using Harbor Freight auto shields for quite a few years. Using this new one, I am taken by how much higher quality the head straps and adjustments are than the old cheapies. It makes the whole process more enjoyable.

Best I've found is Northern Tools auto hood. It is more reliable than my last HF hood. 

IIRC it was about $70. 

You might also try setting your hood in the sun for a day or so. That may bring it back to life. 

Now that I'm at a computer, it looks like the Northern Tool version is down to $39. 

https://www.northerntool.com/products/ironton-auto-darkening-welding-helmet-with-grind-mode-matte-black-large-113643

Had an older Jackson auto dark that my Dad gave me, and it died last year, in the same fashion you described. Putting it out in the sun didn't bring it back that time.

I have this one now and I really like it. I know it's pricier than the others mentioned, but I like the fact that replacement lenses are easy to get, and it has a built in face shield, so I don't have to do the whole switch my hood for a face shield and back routine when I want to grab my angle grinder and buzz something real quick. Just flip up the auto dark lense and grind away.

https://store.cyberweld.com/products/miller-welding-helmet-black-classic-vsi-clearlight-lens-287794

I've been wary of auto-darkening hoods for just the reason you mention- getting blinded unexpectedly.  I learned how to weld in 1997, and have only used manual flip-up helmets for the last 25 years.  

C'mon, Curtis!  Squint and squirt.  You need to work on your tan anyways.

j/k.  I've been through a couple of the H-F ones.  My wife recently gifted me a Hobart branded one, but I've yet to use it.

I always test my auto-darkening helmet before I trust it to protect my eyes.  Usually pointing it at the sun and rapidly uncovering the sensor will cause it to darken at least momentarily.

I'm digging the expensive one from Harbor freight, except the watch battery in it likes to die from not being used and that's always a wake up

I was going to recommend 3M speedglas, but it looks like they've become significantly more expensive since I bought mine

Toyman! said:

Best I've found is Northern Tools auto hood. It is more reliable than my last HF hood. 

IIRC it was about $70. 

You might also try setting your hood in the sun for a day or so. That may bring it back to life. 

Now that I'm at a computer, it looks like the Northern Tool version is down to $39. 

https://www.northerntool.com/products/ironton-auto-darkening-welding-helmet-with-grind-mode-matte-black-large-113643

Thanks for the link.

I tried leaving it on the roof of my patio for a sunny weekend and no change.  It was a gift from 20 years ago, so I'm not stressed about chucking it.

volvoclearinghouse said:

I've been wary of auto-darkening hoods for just the reason you mention- getting blinded unexpectedly.  I learned how to weld in 1997, and have only used manual flip-up helmets for the last 25 years.  

Many of them (like the crusty Lincoln I found at the shop to use) fail to dark mode.  If the battery dies, the lens defaults to full black.  No chance of blinding.  It almost seems like many of the solar ones default to non-dark when they fail, which seems counter-intuitive given how LCDs work.

As long as it's a helmet that defaults to dark, I really like the auto-dim.

Also should add, I don't mind spending $150-200 if it's a quality piece.  My shopping style is to research the crap out of everything and find the product that is 90% as good as the best at 50% the cost.

Kinda like tires.  If I were rich, I would just put Michelins on everything.  Instead I find Kumhos, Continentals, or Bridgestones that are almost as good for half the price.

I use an ESAB Globe Arc helmet. The current iteration is the G30. They're very comfortable, and I utilize the inner visor for grinding, brazing, and other low-shade endeavors. Flip down the outer visor, and weld away. Probably my favorite part is the huge viewing area they have. I know they're not auto lenses, but it's not slowed me down at all.

G30 & G30 Air (esab.com)

Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) said:

volvoclearinghouse said:

I've been wary of auto-darkening hoods for just the reason you mention- getting blinded unexpectedly.  I learned how to weld in 1997, and have only used manual flip-up helmets for the last 25 years.  

Many of them (like the crusty Lincoln I found at the shop to use) fail to dark mode.  If the battery dies, the lens defaults to full black.  No chance of blinding.  It almost seems like many of the solar ones default to non-dark when they fail, which seems counter-intuitive given how LCDs work.

As long as it's a helmet that defaults to dark, I really like the auto-dim.

I feel like that ought to be a fairly prominent feature advertised, then. I would dig an auto helmet if it defaulted to dark mode. 

Since I do not know, 

do these all use the same lens for Tig , MiG or stick  Arc welding  ?

and is there something for gas welding steel ?

and lastly for gas welding aluminum with flux ,  Blue glass ?

When I ordered my YesWelder magical tig machine I included the helmet with it.  Part Number LYG-Q800D for about $100

Thing is great.  Viewing area of like 4" square.  Splatter shield over the glass.  All kinds of features

Watching with interest.

Do any of these helmets offer magnification glass?  That is one thing that GRM peeps have recommended in the past.

Asking for a friend.  

I've had this one apparently since dec of 2020.  It's fine.  It does auto dark things.  The only issue I've had is  I broke one of the suspension pins so it flops down on my face.  I haven't been mad enough at it to figure out how to fix it.  

I do like that it has a grinder setting that is about half shield that I use for plasma cutting.  

Noddaz said:

Watching with interest.

Do any of these helmets offer magnification glass?  That is one thing that GRM peeps have recommended in the past.

Asking for a friend.  

 

I don't think that any of them have them built in. If you take your hood to a local welding supply store, and ask for a cheater lens, they can probably find something that'll fit in your hood. They're like reading glasses for welding, and they pop in and out as needed.

californiamilleghia said:

Since I do not know, 

do these all use the same lens for Tig , MiG or stick  Arc welding  ?

and is there something for gas welding steel ?

and lastly for gas welding aluminum with flux ,  Blue glass ?

Some offer a range of settings that'll cover most of that, but a #10 shade will do most anything, except the oxyacetylene stuff.

TheRyGuy said:

Noddaz said:

Watching with interest.

Do any of these helmets offer magnification glass?  That is one thing that GRM peeps have recommended in the past.

Asking for a friend.  

 

I don't think that any of them have them built in. If you take your hood to a local welding supply store, and ask for a cheater lens, they can probably find something that'll fit in your hood. They're like reading glasses for welding, and they pop in and out as needed.

Thank you!

In reply to californiamilleghia :

Most current auto-darkening lenses work in one of two ways: a single fixed shade OR a variable shade that the user can set.

The lens shade is set based on two things: generally how much amperage you are welding with (more amperage=more/darker shade) and the process you are welding with (Mig/stick/gas tend to need a lower shade than Tig purely based on how much smoke the process generates - smoke is proving some shielding).

Curtis, when researching watch for activation time from clear to dark. Faster is better, even if you cant physically tell the difference. Cumulative exposure can hurt.

I use a Miller auto-darkening helmet that includes several settings for grinding/welding as well as variable shade, variable sensitivity for the sensors (helps when welding in bring sunlight), variable time to switch out of dark mode (in case I am doing quick short tacks). It was a about $200 and has a decent viewing area. I am not a huge fan of the tint when deactivated (bluish). Others seem to have greenish tint, but recent tried one that did not have any perceptible tint (don't recall the brand). It may be worth heading to the local welding shop and checking out different brands, if they will let you.

On magnification: The standard is cheater lenses. They are spec'd just like reading glasses in diopter (1.0 is no magnification i think). I use 1.75 and can really get some good views of what I am working on. I keep buying more powerful cheaters as I get older. They make a huge difference.

As backup I have a cheap Lincoln single shade auto-darkening and a fixed shade (big window) helmet.

In reply to stafford1500 :

I totally hear you about reaction time.  Is there a benchmark I should shoot for?  1/10000?  1/30000?

I have a 3M Speedglas 9100 I got on a super sweet deal.  Its awesome and way overkill for a hobbyist but using it is an absolute joy.   I would recommend spending the bucks on at least a name-brand welding helment (Lincoln, Miller, 3M, etc) since you only get one set of eyes and who knows how the Chinabay ones are made or tested or certified.  In this arena I am a very firm believer in "buy once, cry once"

I like my Weldcote. Seems to have good features for the money, like 4 flash sensors. Granted this is 10 years ago...

https://optrel.us/product/ready-helmet/

Optrel is Swiss made, lens covers are available, and headgear is great.

The above is the cheapest one, but we have similar in my shop and they're great.

Don't buy a helmet unless the lens covers are common to others or  are readily available. (we buy packs from zoro I think.)

Here is the one I buy:

https://www.zoro.com/optrel-welding-helmet-shade-4-9-to-13-black-1007000/i/G4657983/