whats your favorite welding helmet

[JD955SC]

have a speedglass auto-dark, its good but why dont they make it so the cover comes under your chin, like all the old hoods, and keeps some of the smoke away

One of the issues with the hoods that go under your chin like that is they are awkward in tight places and when you're looking down for some people. Hence the smaller profile of the newer style helmets. You can take one of the older style hoods and buy an autodarkening lens for it too if you want to try that.

Now the respirator setup is a very good idea to have, really saves your lungs no matter what you are welding. Unfortunately they aren't cheap but they are worth the money and will save you big $$$ on doctor bills...

 

[gusbratz]

I would love to have one with the respirator but they are out of my price range. When I was in the navy I had to do lot of tig welding. With only a navy stock system issued helmet. It weighed a ton and looked straight out of the 1940’s. I had trouble with arc flash coming up under my chin and burning my neck. I would wear a bandana around my neck. I just bought a Hobart hood. Cheap. The head gear is junk. Wouldn’t stay up right off the bat. Kept tightening the screws. After about 3 hours of welding they stripped. They were about 1/2 as big in diameter as all my other hoods. I drilled it all out and heated up 10-32 brass screws and melted them right into the stubs, then melted brass nuts into the knobs. Added a friction washer into it and It’s actually pretty nice now.

 

[his1911]

I've used a lot of different hoods, but my go to hood is a Jackson "big plate" with a gold filter.
I don't see why anyone would want to use anything other than a gold lense, that's how much I like mine.
As for head bands, mine has the adapters to attach it to a hard hat.
Nathan

 

[kiall1987]

optrel e680 is what I like

 

[dppmfg]

Boss jackson

 

[Rob Gunn]

I have tried 3 different auto darkening helmets and have had bad results with all 3. Battery's go dead to often and the auto shade doesn't always work. Had lots of eye burn over the years and don't like it. The biggest issue that I find with the auto shade units is cold weather. A lot of my work is outside or inside but with no heated shop in the winter. The auto shades just don't like cold. I will stick with my "old school" flip helmet with gold lens. if anyone does know of a auto shade that will work in could weather then i sure would like to try one.

 

[Joseph Marasco]

I have a Jackson with a gold lens is my go to. I bought a Weldcote ultraview auto darkening. Beautiful helmet, beautiful view, light weight, but after 3 months it wouldn't darken all the time. occasionally it would flutter on and off while i was welding. I haven't had a chance to change the battery, but I know it has a 3 year manufacturer warranty in the event the battery isn't the issue. It's a solar lens and I think the battery is mostly for the memory settings, but the troubleshooting in the manual suggests changing the battery.

In any event, I paid like 40 bucks for the tribal designed Jackson over 10 years ago and it is still my favorite.

 

[Joseph Marasco]

read more reviews at https://weldingjudge.com/

2 guys I used to work with swear by these, they are both welder/fabricators full time. I can't justify the expense for occasional welding and repair jobs.

 

[check]

I use old school flip helmets only, with cheap generic reading glasses underneath. Mostly I stick weld, sometimes flux core. When I fabricate, it seems that anything that isn't rugged gets destroyed one way or another. I don't want anything fancy.

 

[Snow Farmer]

Miller Elite. Got the magnifier lens, and I like that the lens is a bit bigger that the old 2 x 4 style of which I have too many.Nice lid, but not enough room for a respirator.

 

[Welder Dave]

Miller has some respirators that fit under helmets.

https://www.millerwelds.com/safety/respiratory/half-mask-respirators-m00469

https://www.millerwelds.com/-/media/miller-electric/imported-mam-assets/spec-sheets/f/0/b/ay4-5.pdf

 

[HarrisMorry]

I have a solar auto-darkening welding helmet, the UV protection is 16 levels, the shade range is DIN 4 / 9-13. It works well.

 

[Tinkerer]

Welcome to HEF, Harris !
What is the brand name of the helmet ?

 

[komatsukid]

Esab sential a50. The headgear is comfortable lense is clear and front shield changes out fast.

 

[hosspuller]

Miller digital elite... Beside optical light sensors, it has an electronic sensor that detects the arc. Using tig or obstructed stick I wasn't always getting the dark switch. The electronic sensor nails it every time. Downside, besides the $$$ ... the thing is HEAVY.

 

[bigrich954rr]

I have some of the older high end miller’s And one Jackson I love the Jackson it’s all I’ve been using lately

 

[Welder Dave]

The Lincolns are generally less money than Millers. There are several other good helmets that aren't household names that are reasonably priced. Arc One is one of them. Looking at new lens technology what you want is 4 arc sensors and 1,1,1,1 clarity for the lens. The biggest viewing area is also very beneficial. Also check on the cost of replacement inner and outer lenses and make sure the batteries for the auto lens are easily replaceable. Optrel makes a very good helmet but their earlier models were sealed and you couldn't replace the battery(s). A new replacement lens was the only option but only about $50 to $60 less than a complete new helmet. Lastly try helmets on and get one that is comfortable for you. Not every helmet suits every welder. I think some helmets have an accessory to make them fit extra large heads.

 

[Muffler Bearing]

I've found the autodarkers that only have solar charging start cutting out if you do a full day of welding. Now I make sure I have battery backup. I'm having good luck with SnapOn's fancy hood

 

[Welder Dave]

Some solar helmets say to place them in the sun for several hours to charge the solar cell.