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Need a new welding helmet - what`s decent?

torredcuda

torredcuda

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I have had the automatic helmets since they very first hit the market. When I first asked about them at my welding supplier they didn't have a clue what i was talking about.
After owning maybe 20? helmets over the decades, what i have learned, battery powered, solar powered, big view vs small view, adjustable brightness, US vs foreign, cheap crap vs expensive (my first auto helmet in the 80's was like $400?), the only thing that differentiates them, is how long they last, and not long is my answer, and I love them. Since a lot of welding I was doing was structural Alum TIG against a hard deadline, I later on found comfort of always having a backup helmet sitting on the shelf. While the automatic helmets were still being accepted, biggest concern mentioned was always about the protection of one's eyes. Obviously very important, but using over a dozen different brands for 4+ decades, and way past the age of collecting SS, my vision uncorrected is still 20/25.

Save your money, I would not buy anything expensive/fancy in this regard.
 
I bought my first auto-darkening helmet used off a co-worker for $50 probably 15 years ago. I forget the brand but it was not an expensive model, I just replaced the battery like a year ago. Of course I just use mine at home but I used to do a fair amount of side jobs so it has had a lot of use and abuse over that time and has held up well.
 
I have a Lincoln "Hobbyist", probably their least expensive auto-darkening. I've used it extensively for 15 years. I've never replaced the battery (don't know if it even has one !!). The biggest issue with any helmet is the headband. You want one that's more than just a couple of plastic straps. I upgraded that with one of the Lincoln's better ones. Fit and comfort is important.
 
I have two Miller brand auto dark helmets one set up for tig and one for mig that I am very pleased with. I ordered mine without the graphics. Like mentioned above fit is very important. If you have a welding shop nearby, try it on before buying. If you have reading glasses look for helmets like Miller that accept "cheater" lenses. My tig helmet has a little bit more powerful magnification than my mig helmet. I bought a few different magnification lenses to try out to get the view I was looking for.
 
I have had 5 or 6 over the last 30+ Years. All the cheapie type. Never any issues with comfort or usage.
I did have one that when I flipped up after running a bead that fell off the back of my head and landed on the ground.
After I picked it up and put it back on to run another bead I noticed the one corner had darkened and as I stared at it the larger the dark spot got. It eventually fully darkened the lense after several minutes and stayed dark. Never worked again.
Even though darkened full time now. I didn't trust it to be dark enough to protect my eyes, so I threw it out.
 
RiverRaider said:
I have two Miller brand auto dark helmets one set up for tig and one for mig that I am very pleased with. I ordered mine without the graphics. Like mentioned above fit is very important. If you have a welding shop nearby, try it on before buying. If you have reading glasses look for helmets like Miller that accept "cheater" lenses. My tig helmet has a little bit more powerful magnification than my mig helmet. I bought a few different magnification lenses to try out to get the view I was looking for.
Click to expand...
I do wear "cheaters" , sounds like the Miller will work for what I want.
 
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