welding helmets?

1980CJ7

1980CJ7

If it don't go, chrome it
Joined
Dec 10, 2006
Location
Leesville, NC
Hey Yall,
I have this Hobart auto-darkening welding helmet that I got with my MIG about a year ago ....problem is, I can't see dick with this thing, and I'm ready to throw it in the trash.
It darkens OK, but it's very hard to see the puddle and the parts are pretty much blacked out to the point that it's hard to see the joint where the weld location is .
I've adjusted the helmet to no avail.
Anyone have some advice, recommendations, etc.

thanks in advance
Steve
 
Get a better auto darkening hood like a Speedglas 9002x. They have a bigger viewing angle and some models have side view windows to help a little more, plus they are very adjustable.
 
Like mentioned, try an adjustable shade lens.

I have a fixed shade lens and yes, sometimes it's hard to see what you're doing. Get used to it, it's part of it.
 
It IS adjustable.
...what I was really wanting to know is whether that's a big difference in the optical performance of a $70 auto darkening helmet versus a $170 auto darkening ...contrast, clarity, etc.
I've never had a problem seeing through a fixed glass lens...and I'm almost ready to go back to old school.
 
1980CJ7 said:
It IS adjustable.
...what I was really wanting to know is whether that's a big difference in the optical performance of a $70 auto darkening helmet versus a $170 auto darkening ...contrast, clarity, etc.
I've never had a problem seeing through a fixed glass lens...and I'm almost ready to go back to old school.
Click to expand...
after 3 auto dark's thats what i did. if i were standing at a table welding in a production shop then yea an auto dark would be fine but welding under rigs and dropping,banging on frames and whetever else the real world does to them i will never use on again. at this time i am using a fixed glass hobart that was less than $30 and i love it. jackson also makes a good helmet.
 
I use a Jackson fixed glass. The auto darks never seem to work right with my contact lenses. If I take out my contacts they work fine but I'm almost too blind to see what I'm doing without them in.
 
I use the large lense Fibre Metal. Its light, cheap, and very easy to use. I run a #9 lense but thats just preference.

I switched to the traditional helmet after 3 auto-darken helmets. The auto darken are a PITA as they sometimes don't work right and blind you. I lost 7 days of work due to this (burned eyes) so I got rid of them. Haven't lost any days since switching back to traditional helmet
 
1980CJ7 said:
It IS adjustable.
...what I was really wanting to know is whether that's a big difference in the optical performance of a $70 auto darkening helmet versus a $170 auto darkening ...contrast, clarity, etc.
I've never had a problem seeing through a fixed glass lens...and I'm almost ready to go back to old school.
Click to expand...

http://nc4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29824
 
I use a Miller Elite auto. No problems There is a big difference in different brands from what I have used through the years
 
braxton357 said:
Clean the front of the lens...
Click to expand...
It sounds like a joke but this makes a world of difference. When I replace the protective cover in front and behind the viewing area I'm instantly upgraded to being a better welder. It sounds like the original poster is too experienced to benefit from this but if guys are just starting out don't overlook the benefit of swapping in clean lens covers.
 
el cheapo

After owning and using very high dollar helmets.. I actually like my cheap auto darkening helmet from Northern just as good.. Try one bet you will like it.....and def. on the cheap.
 
mpistolpj said:
After owning and using very high dollar helmets.. I actually like my cheap auto darkening helmet from Northern just as good.. Try one bet you will like it.....and def. on the cheap.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I really can't tell much of a difference between my old $50 hf auto dark and the jackson autodark that I use now.
And, that being said...I can see where if you were doing production/industrial work you might want a fixed shade lens...but for what we do, there's not a chance in hell I'll ever switch back.
 
marvilusone said:
I use a Jackson fixed glass. The auto darks never seem to work right with my contact lenses. If I take out my contacts they work fine but I'm almost too blind to see what I'm doing without them in.
Click to expand...
Just curious what does contacts have to do w/ the performance of the shield? I have contacts and love my auto dark shield. Don't remember what kind it is but I bought it at Home Depot.
 
lockedup5 said:
Just curious what does contacts have to do w/ the performance of the shield? I have contacts and love my auto dark shield. Don't remember what kind it is but I bought it at Home Depot.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure but I just know it never seemed to work right with my contacts in. It worked fine with my glasses but I never wear them.
 
I bought an auto darkening one from Northern Tool. It burned my eyes a couple of times. The second time, I felt like I had sand in my eyes for over a week. After that, I went back to my old Jackson fixed shade, and like Vanguard said, I got a new clear cover lens, and a new #11 fixed shade lens and was a better welder instantly. I still suck though.
 
just as a followup ....I was at Northern Tool the other day and picked up one of those#10 4" x5" fixed shade helmets by Hobart.
The quality of my welds are much better just because I can actually see the parts I'm welding and the puddle i'm working.
Huge difference.
Steve
 
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