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Welding Helmet Recommendations

IowaOffRoad

IowaOffRoad

Imperator Donvaldus Ioannes
Joined
Feb 19, 2021
Member Number
3513
Messages
1,037
Loc
Under the apple tree
I'm looking to replace my 22-year-old auto-darkening Lincoln that came with the first wire welder we ever got in the shop when I was a teenager (that I inherited for my own shop). It seems there are Hazard Fraud cheap (and more expensive, like $60-120, ones that still seem like HF quality) and $200+ ones that are probably nice, but without welding with them, I don't feel I can justify the expense without using one for a while. Since I left the factory, everyone I know that could loan me one to try has the HF-style ones.
I don't weld every day, but when I do it is out of position, or overhead in a tight spot under a vehicle,. Sometimes I get to weld on my feet in a well-lit area (yay!). This is for home use, but I may buy one for work too as I'm currently using a fixed-shade Jackson there. Which I like as I usually get to weld in a decent position there, but there are times when the auto-darkening helmet would be nice. I also have a big head (like, hat size it about the biggest you'll see on the shelf) and I find that the super cheap helmets I've been around will hardly adjust out far enough to be comfortable. I also like a helmet that will wrap around to somewhat shield the ear so shit doesn't fall in them when I'm under stuff welding overhead.
So here's what I'm really asking:
1) Are all the sub $100 helmets basically the same chicom junk?
2) Even if they are junk, have they become acceptable junk? Do they offer decent protection when welding overhead?
3) What $$$ helmets meet the above criteria?
4) If they meet the above criteria, do they have decent parts availability? Don't want to spend the $ if I'm just going to throw it away like a cheap one.

Got some rec's based on experience?
 
miller classic here...had a save phace (snap on rebrands and sells them aswell) their auto darkening view range was a little small. But as a interchangeable helmet it was neat.

store.cyberweld.com

Miller Welding Helmet - Black Classic ClearLight Lens 287803

Miller® Welding Helmet - Black Classic VS ClearLight™ Variable Shade 8-13 Auto Darkening Lens 287803Genuine Miller® Black Classic welding helmet features ClearLight™ four color lens technology at a surprisingly economical price. ClearLight™ offers a bright, crisp, clear view of the weld puddle...
store.cyberweld.com store.cyberweld.com
 
I've been buying these. $116 is a deal. They're $225 on Zoro right now. Swiss made and I like the headgear. Optrel always had the best headgear imo.



Back in the day I had an Optrel Satellite which was "the ultimate" but I don't see the need in a $400+ helmet anymore.
 
i started welding after out of college. bs in industrial engineering.
now weld and fab is all i do

there is no right hood, and spending more money doesn't mean you wont go blind or are somehow safer.


i've used almost all. owned almost all. i spent years in a harbor freight hood. now i only by 3m hoods... its comfort. they fit my head. the top of the line miller and lincolns i've givent to helpers. and when i'm ready for a new hood now i give the old one to anyone who wants to learn.


nobody can tell you whats right for you, but i can tell you the cheaper hoods aren't any less safe. i had never been to an eye doctor in my life, but the 'safe eyes' comment always stuck with me after getting into welding. so i went to the local place (after 3years learning/ and using the harbor freight hood) i told him i was concerned about welding and there are now floaters in my eyes... floater are dead cells they come from age. and nmore importantly if a hood isn't operating correctly it will hurt your eyes... but you may as well be full on tarded if you cant see that the hood isn't working right. getting flashed, gravel eyes etc.

the best hood is the one that fits your comfort and price point. no hood magically protects your eyes better. and for those that think so wearing safety glasses while welding will do more for your eye safety than miller vs lincoln vs speedglass vs harborfreight.

if your new my best advise is to get a hood with cheap lenses. and replace often until you know what your seeing. there are a couple hoods that you can hardly sdet on the bench without scratching the lens
 
Been a legit welder for 27 years

the basic hood
no auto dark
no fancy flip gizmo
no batteries
no wifi
no gps
no facebook app

just a big lens Jackson,
not the one with the skull graphics either

they work, and people don't want to steal them.
when they get knocked off the work bench, you replace the 7.00 lens and continue
and they always work
 
SomeGuyFromOlympia said:
Been a legit welder for 27 years

the basic hood
no auto dark
no fancy flip gizmo
no batteries
no wifi
no gps
no facebook app

just a big lens Jackson,
not the one with the skull graphics either

they work, and people don't want to steal them.
when they get knocked off the work bench, you replace the 7.00 lens and continue
and they always work
Click to expand...
This is the exact helmet I use for any welding task that I'm in a decent position for. I prefer it, but when working under trucks that aren't on a lift (which I don't yet own) I'd like a decent auto-darkening helmet. Of all the passive fixed shade helmets I've been around, I like the Jackson the best as the band/hinge setup stays adjusted and works great to drop it hands-free (like a welder should). When I use an auto dark, I still find myself nodding my head to get the damn shade to turn on:emb:. The Jacksons also seem to take the inevitable drop of your noggin when you bang your head against obstructions better than most.
 
Buddy does all his welding with the new ESAB helmet, he likes it.

I like my Optrel and will probably upgrade to theri newer version soon. Still way better then my skills but I'm okay with that.
 
SLOWPOKE693 said:
Got any proof that a less expensive auto darkening helmet causes blindness or are you trying to justify spending a bunch of money on a helmet?
Click to expand...
He's 100% bullshitting.

People have reviewed them and measured what gets through with fancy sensors. Videos are all over youtube. All auto-darkening helmets cheap and expensive block all UV. You pay more for a higher quality lens that is both bigger and lets more light through when "off" and faster electronics that turn the polarization off ASAP after you stop welding.
 
I have a Jackson auto darken with the big lense. Happy with it. I buy inner and outer lenses by the 10 pack and swap as they get scuffed. Had it for getting on 5 years and no regrets.

I started with a fixed lens when I bought my first welder. Then picked up an auto dark Hobart from tractor supply and uses that for years.

I did find the Jackson to be clearer than the Hobart and with more sensors I get fewer flashes than the Hobart did when welding out of position. It’s quite rare that I get flashes with the Jackson.

I think my lense is true sight 2 or something like that.
 
SLOWPOKE693 said:
Got any proof that a less expensive auto darkening helmet causes blindness or are you trying to justify spending a bunch of money on a helmet?
Click to expand...
I learned to just blink when I start the gun and I havent gone blind yet.

On my Northern cheapie I have to weld on the lowest setting anyway, so it gets plenty dark.
 
arse_sidewards said:
He's 100% bullshitting.

People have reviewed them and measured what gets through with fancy sensors. Videos are all over youtube. All auto-darkening helmets cheap and expensive block all UV. You pay more for a higher quality lens that is both bigger and lets more light through when "off" and faster electronics that turn the polarization off ASAP after you stop welding.
Click to expand...
Maybe not fully. Yes all helmets have UV and IR protection when off but I do think the intensity of the bright light from the arc could cause damage to your eyes.
 
Get a 3m speedglas they are the best.

Everything else is garbage and anyone that says different is stupid.
 
Gravy said:
Get a 3m speedglas they are the best.

Everything else is garbage and anyone that says different is stupid.
Click to expand...
Wow dude. You're calling most of the welding and fabrication industry stupid. I'm certified to weld on everything from nuclear to aircraft in multiple disciplines in all positions. From thinwall to XXH unlimited. I've run all the brands. They all work about the same.

I have a cheap large lens Eastwood China hood that I use almost extensively at home for mig and tig work. It's fine. Bought a second one as a throwaway hood for tig at work. Works fine. 60 bucks a piece.

Have a nice speedglas with hardhat and papr unit I never use because it's too heavy. If I'm running pipeline or out in the sun I run a pancake left flip with a balsa box and a Miller colts fixed auto 10 shade and it's great for that. Light, breathes and keeps all the sun and back glare out of your vision and let's you kill it in full sunlight in all positions.

You spent too much money on your hood and you're justifying it to yourself. I've run snap on, Jackson fixed shades, gold lenses, big lenses, small lenses, autos of all shades, adjustable, speedglas, Lincoln, and Miller and I've been welding for 24 years.... not all brands are the same, but they will all protect you, and get the job done. Just because it's expensive doesn't necessarily mean it's the best either.
 
I was recent told the helmet doesn’t matter. It’s the lens that makes a difference. I weld in the $100 Lincoln in my garage when I want to weld. I ca see more than enough and I put it on a shade 11 or 12 most of the time. Sometimes I wish the helmet was physically smaller just so I could position my head differently and not smack the helmet on anything. If you have to wear it all day long buy what you want and what you like. Just make sure the lens is what you want.
 
I used to keep a Jackson and some weird Harley Davidson hood at work. Both passive.

At home I used Miller elite and a passive Jackson. Those Jackson hoods were only about $40. I like an auto darkening hood but exclusively used a passive at work. I've had the elite for about 6 years.

I can justify $300+ for a good welding helmet all day but I like fancy gizmos and fabrication is back to hobby status.

I can't recommend a brand but I sure like auto darkening helmets.

If you're into the fabrication life long enough you'll eventually have a decent variety, including stray lenses for the really tight spots. I've had people hold a lense (no hood) into an area while I welded. I'm sure some of you guys can relate.
 
Best thing you can do is go to a welding supply store and stick every one they have on your head. Get whatever is most comfortable.

I have a Optrel Vegaview. I love it.
 
I replaced my 20 year old speedglass with a Lincon 3350 about 5 years ago and it was a big improvement. It was getting that I could not see what I was welding with my old helmet because of my aging eyes. The newer stuff is much clearer when not welding. I got a miller digital with a new welder and like it better than the Lincoln except it is a bit sensitive when using pulse TIG. I have to adjust it or get flashed with every pulse and when it is adjusted bright sunlight light will set it off. It kinda is annoying when welding a cage or other things that are in muliple positions.
 
1Sinner said:
Wow dude. You're calling most of the welding and fabrication industry stupid.
Click to expand...

I was being an ass and you took the bait.

Ask this question in a room full of welders and you'll get a different answer from everyone. Like purses for women. Run what you got, buy whatever you can afford.


Speedglas fresh air hood is awesome.
 
A_G said:
miller classic here...had a save phace (snap on rebrands and sells them aswell) their auto darkening view range was a little small. But as a interchangeable helmet it was neat.

store.cyberweld.com

Miller Welding Helmet - Black Classic ClearLight Lens 287803

Miller® Welding Helmet - Black Classic VS ClearLight™ Variable Shade 8-13 Auto Darkening Lens 287803Genuine Miller® Black Classic welding helmet features ClearLight™ four color lens technology at a surprisingly economical price. ClearLight™ offers a bright, crisp, clear view of the weld puddle...
store.cyberweld.com store.cyberweld.com
Click to expand...
Same here. Zero complaints and I trust my eyes to a miller over HF any day. I have a ton of HF tools because I am cheap. But I only have 1 set of eyes and they do t heal up like the rest of me does, or used to...
 
I bought the Ex wife a Antra welding helmet off ebay many years ago and have used it myself countless times. I personally have a Jackson Truesight II Helmet and it works awesome BUT the outer replaceable lens is specific BUT there is enough room to run a standard cheap replacement lens infront of that to save money.

 
Also my Jackson truesight I found on ebay many years ago for the cost of just the lens and it came with a free helmet to install it in like below.

www.jacksonsafety.com

14975 HSL 100 Welding Helmet - Black | Jackson Safety

Narrow shell design is perfect for work in tight spaces Extended front increases neck protection from sparks, slag, and other hazards Lightweight design is made for comfort Hard hat adaptable using 187-S (15968) Comes complete with cover plate and shade 10 polycarbonate filter plate...
www.jacksonsafety.com www.jacksonsafety.com
 
Looking for a new lid, been getting flashed with my old hf unit with tig. Eyes itching for a few days after the last few months whenever I tig but doesn't feel like I'm getting flashed while welding.

Looking to spend a few hundred on it, any recommendations besides try them all on?
 
It's cheap, but I have loved this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZWT6KBW/
Huge viewing area, 4 sensors and it works well (it replaced a HF MetalMan and seems comparable to my neighbor's Miller hood).
Only downside is the headgear has a bunch of moving parts and it doesn't hold it up as well as I would like.
Keep meaning to switch the headgear from an older fixed lens one with a broken "window frame"

Aaron Z
 
I've had the older speedglas, newer speedglas, Jackson trusight, Jackson fixed shade, and now just picked up a lincoln Viking 3250d fgs papr set up.

Speedglas were decent, but small window. Never any problems and long battery life. Ok headgear.

Jackson trusight was good window size, headgear and optics, but I had sent it in for repair because it would turn off frequently or not darken. Then the new one did the same thing. My though was the hf from the tig was messing with it, because it only occurred when tig welding. Also eats batteries like crazy.

Testing the Lincoln, from here on I'll only use a papr hood. Got real sick and put some things in perspective. Window is a good size, optics seem good even through two lenses. (It's a flip down over face shield) Head gear seems janky so well see how it lasts. Fresh air sure is nice.

Jackson fixed, just simply a great hood. Cheap, durable, big window, good headgear.
 
Pocahontas said:
Looking for a new lid, been getting flashed with my old hf unit with tig. Eyes itching for a few days after the last few months whenever I tig but doesn't feel like I'm getting flashed while welding.

Looking to spend a few hundred on it, any recommendations besides try them all on?
Click to expand...
Are you wearing safety glasses while welding?
 
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