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Another welder and helmet thread

71PA_Highboy

An Unknown but Engorged Member
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May 20, 2020
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442
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Near the Triad, Lookin' at the freeway
Looks like my 22+ YO Hobart handler is about to bite the bullet. When I tun the power switch off, the fan stops, but the transformer is still humming.... I heard it when I was shutting up the shop today,

So, it is too small for all of the projects I do, but I have been making it work.

What is the next logical step up.

I don't think tig is in the near future, but something to think about.

Doesn't have to be new as this will be a fixed unit for me to play with not a production unit.

Oh... I need a new auto darkening helmet.

Helmet Reviews:
 
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I've been happy with my Hobart Inventor helmet from TSC. Can't help with the welder. I like the blue machines, but they are $$$. If I had to buy a 220V MIG machine today I'd probably get a Hobart Handler 190.
 
Anyone have experience with the Hobart Multi-handler 200 ($1445) ? The aluminum option with the 120/240 is very appealing.

It doesn't look like Red has a competitor and Blue is Millermatic 211 MIG Welder ($1879)?

Thoughts?
 
only red or blue on my shop
but that is me


logical step one would to be if maybe it is a easy fix before shopping for new stuff
but again that is just me
 
Get a Vulcan welder. Whichever fits your budget.

Lincoln 3350 hood is a great one for a reasonable price tag.
 
I bought a $100 Lincoln hood from Home Depot/Lowes. It’s 9-13 shade with auto darkening. Harbor Freight has something similar for $60. I’ve used it and it’s good enough for me not being a pro. I can’t say it is any worse or better than what I own.
 
I bought a $100 Lincoln hood from Home Depot/Lowes. It’s 9-13 shade with auto darkening. Harbor Freight has something similar for $60. I’ve used it and it’s good enough for me not being a pro. I can’t say it is any worse or better than what I own.
I've had the same HF auto darkening helmet for years. It's always on the 9 setting and all I can see is the puddle. I recently got an expensive ($300-400) Lincoln helmet with a blue shaded lens and I can't believe how much better it is. I can actually see what I'm welding. The HF helmet isn't even worth keeping as a spare after trying this new helmet. I have no idea how this Lincoln compares to a nice Miller or anything else, but it's no comparison to the HF.
 
Anyone have experience with the Hobart Multi-handler 200 ($1445) ? The aluminum option with the 120/240 is very appealing.

It doesn't look like Red has a competitor and Blue is Millermatic 211 MIG Welder ($1879)?

Thoughts?
I have the Multi Handler. Haven’t used it for aluminum yet but built the bumper for my Landcruiser with it using Mig, Flux and Stick and it worked good. The only issue I had was a bad regulator out of the box and one of the connectors inside the case wasn’t secured. After buying and a real regulator and reconnecting the connector it welded like a champ
 
I've had the same HF auto darkening helmet for years. It's always on the 9 setting and all I can see is the puddle. I recently got an expensive ($300-400) Lincoln helmet with a blue shaded lens and I can't believe how much better it is. I can actually see what I'm welding. The HF helmet isn't even worth keeping as a spare after trying this new helmet. I have no idea how this Lincoln compares to a nice Miller or anything else, but it's no comparison to the HF.
I'm not surprised a newer more expensive welding lens is better than what you had.
Is it the Lincoln 3350? I thought about buying one when I had money.

$300 Lincoln 3350 helmet
 
I'm not surprised a newer more expensive welding lens is better than what you had.
Is it the Lincoln 3350? I thought about buying one when I had money.

$300 Lincoln 3350 helmet
I'll have to look when I get home tonight, but that's probably the one.

I guess my point was that I thought my HF helmet was good enough for me as well, until I got something better. You really do get what you pay for.
 
I've had the same HF auto darkening helmet for years. It's always on the 9 setting and all I can see is the puddle. I recently got an expensive ($300-400) Lincoln helmet with a blue shaded lens and I can't believe how much better it is. I can actually see what I'm welding. The HF helmet isn't even worth keeping as a spare after trying this new helmet. I have no idea how this Lincoln compares to a nice Miller or anything else, but it's no comparison to the HF.
I’ve got a Lincoln 3350 and a MILLER digital elite. They both work from low amp tig, down to 35amps was the lowest I used, all the way up to high amp tig aluminum and 350 amps carbon arcing. I bought the Lincoln with my own money, old job bought me the MILLER. I continue using the Lincoln in my current job, the MILLER is at a friends house. The MILLER is lighter, that’s about my only preference.
 
best bang for the buck hands down
I have one that has been on the job since the 90's
and that isn't hobbyist on the job, that is my job on the job
Got one of those too. Was the hood I used for a long time until I got a good paycheck and bought a milller. Still have the Jackson in my locker in case my auto hood dies
 
Anyone have experience with the Hobart Multi-handler 200 ($1445) ? The aluminum option with the 120/240 is very appealing.

It doesn't look like Red has a competitor and Blue is Millermatic 211 MIG Welder ($1879)?

Thoughts?
The Tig on these small multi process machines is DC only which means no Aluminum. I also don't see where it says it has High frequency start which means scratch start. If you see yourself needing to do some stainless now and then or you just want to practice a bit with Tig on mild steel it will be OK.

Just like their other wire feed welders you can get a spool gun that works with the machine If you want to mess with aluminum.

Honestly you can get a Handler 210 MVP that will do what you need and a spool gun for less than the MH-200 so unless you really want the tig torch...
 
I've got a Miller Digital Elite that I like a lot. I've told this before; I was looking at cheaper options, but Jewels pointed out to me that I only have 2 eyes, and I shouldn't cheap out on welding helmets.

I spent a day welding at my folks' place with my dad's HF auto dark hood and hated it, couldn't see crap. The next day I brought my Digital Elite to finish up the job.

For Christmas that year dad got his own Digital Elite, and next thing you know he's got a dozen new welding projects, and welding all the time, now that he can actually see what he's doing.
 
So I picked up the Viking 3550.

Wow.

And I haven't welded yet.

Just unboxed it and started playing with it in the living room. The head gear feels ridiculously comfortable... I am wearing it, typing this in a dark room, watching TV and can see everything clearly...

I realize I am gonna have to actually read the manual on this one to make sure I understand how to set it up and then find a source for consumables.

Since I am a cheap bastard, it is black, so no comments on the custom paint offerings.

I will provide an amateur's review once I get a chance to use it while welding and not watching TV.

Thanks for the input... I probably would have cheaped out and just got another HF ...

That said, the 'humming' I was hearing was the gas valve staying open... which is weird since the power switch was off. Gonna trouble shoot that this weekend... now to find a schematic.

More on the welder later....
 
I've had the same HF auto darkening helmet for years. It's always on the 9 setting and all I can see is the puddle. I recently got an expensive ($300-400) Lincoln helmet with a blue shaded lens and I can't believe how much better it is. I can actually see what I'm welding. The HF helmet isn't even worth keeping as a spare after trying this new helmet. I have no idea how this Lincoln compares to a nice Miller or anything else, but it's no comparison to the HF.
Same. I had kobalt autos and was always setting LEDs around to see. Got a $300 Lincoln and not only is it comfortable as fuck, I can see without extra light now!
 
Just rounding out this thread for future searches. I bought the Miller Digital Elite. I haven’t 100% figured out the headgear. There is a detent you can hit and it will stay locked in the up position but it feels like you are going to break something.

X-Mode is incredible in the sun
 
I have been using a Hobart 210 MVP for years and consider it to be the best hobbyist/enthusiast welder out there for the money. It's pretty old tech at this point, but it has been rock solid dependable.

I have a couple of helmets. The Miller Digital Elite and the Hobart auto-darkening helmet sold at Tractor Supply.

Let me just say the Miller helmet is horrible and not worth the price. Yes it has the X-mode, which is the best thing about it, but the head gear is beyond trash level.

I'm also not sure what is going on the lens, but I just can't see shit out of it no matter what I set it to. It could just be my eyes, but I have better results using cheaper helmets. My buddy has used the helmet multiple times and says he likes it.

I am really interested in trying one of these helmets that have the "true color" type lenses.
 
I'm in the hunt for a new helmet too, although I'll probably just grab the $70 TSC one.

Have a cheap Metal Man I bought at TSC years ago and it shit the bed at the tail end of my large big project.
 
I used Harbor Freight auto dark helmets for years but the last one kept flashing on me which I think was due to the batteries being dead and they are not replaceable. I bought a YesWelder LYG-M800H helmet a year ago and it has been great so far. It is cheap-ish at around $60-70 on Amazon but I wouldn't hesitate to buy it again especially over a Harbor Freight hood. The main complaint with them is the headgear but I havent had a single issue with mine. I have also used a basic Hobart auto-dark hood and I didn't like it, I prefered the Harbor Freight hood over that one as I could see better with it. I go through a 33lb spool every 10-12 months to give you an idea of how much I weld with it.
 
When my Esab helmet shit the bed I didn't want to spend a fortune, but didn't want junk either.

Ended up with a Sellstrom Premium Series and I have been thrilled with it. Big window, great clarity, lots of adjustment and good head gear.

Made by the same company that owns Jackson helmets (SureWerx), so it's not some fly by night chingchong junk.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CRJFJ8D/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

51jtE-V-ykL._SL600_.jpg
 
I’ve had the Miller digital infinity elite for about six months now. I really like it. X mode for use outdoors is fantastic. It even makes a big difference when sun is shining through the windows brightly. I’m generally a cheapskate, and this is probably the most expensive welding item I’ve ever purchased have no regrets.
 
I'm using a Miller Digital Infinity Elite. I'm not sure what issue people are having with the headgear. Mine works well for me.

At first, I had a lot of trouble with mine, it seemed it would not stay in the up position at all. Finally realize you had to raise it until it made a clunk. Then it stays up pretty solidly from there.
 
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