Welding Helmet
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Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,730
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From: Waynesville, OH
Welding Helmet
A friend of mine won a Hobart 770413 Professional Auto-Darkening welding helmet in a raffle. He has no interest in ever welding anything and gave me the helmet (good friend). The helmet has 9-13 shade, lens sensitivity, and delay adjustments. It is solar powered with a replaceable battery. It is supposed to darken in 1/16,000 second.
Before I use it, I wanted to hear if the auto-darkening helmets are safe for your eyes. I've read a bit about them, but wanted to get some opinions from folks who've actually used one. My eyesight isn't so good anymore, and I don't want to do anything to damage it. I have to admit I've flashed myself once or twice by accident using by flip-down helmet.
Before I use it, I wanted to hear if the auto-darkening helmets are safe for your eyes. I've read a bit about them, but wanted to get some opinions from folks who've actually used one. My eyesight isn't so good anymore, and I don't want to do anything to damage it. I have to admit I've flashed myself once or twice by accident using by flip-down helmet.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,190
Likes: 2
From: Riverside, So Cal
George -
I use an auto-darkening helmet that has the same features and like it very much. I started with the hand shield that came with my welder. Then went to a flip-down. Then the auto-darkening. And yes, I have flashed myself too. Can't see squat for a while after that, can you?
I guess they are safe. I could read your post.
I use an auto-darkening helmet that has the same features and like it very much. I started with the hand shield that came with my welder. Then went to a flip-down. Then the auto-darkening. And yes, I have flashed myself too. Can't see squat for a while after that, can you?
I guess they are safe. I could read your post.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,495
Likes: 2
From: Northwest Fl
George,
I use a much cheaper helmet that is also solar/battery powered and have been very pleased with it. I had always been a little skeptical of auto darkening helmets and worried about it working properly but it has helped me considerably.
A tip for some of us "older" welders is to add a magnifier (I use a 2X) to the lense area, it brings the work a lot closer and makes MIG welding easier to see and you don't have to wear your bi-focals under the hood.
I use a much cheaper helmet that is also solar/battery powered and have been very pleased with it. I had always been a little skeptical of auto darkening helmets and worried about it working properly but it has helped me considerably.
A tip for some of us "older" welders is to add a magnifier (I use a 2X) to the lense area, it brings the work a lot closer and makes MIG welding easier to see and you don't have to wear your bi-focals under the hood.
Last edited by Huntsman; Mar 2, 2005 at 01:06 PM.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
I use a much cheeper auto darking helmet also and love it. The only problem I have is when I try to weld upside down, the lights in my shop make it darken and you have to use it as a flip down anyway. My two cents anyway.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
I love my auto-darkening helmet. I got an el cheapo on Ebay but it works great. I'll never go back to flip-down. It is a pain wearing reading glasses under it to be able to see the weld though. 
Vern
Vern
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Tucson AZ
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: ishpeming usa
Earl
Just be sure when you store your new hood (Iput mine in a bag to keep dust out) you set in in a sunny spot for a few minutes before welding. I recieved a dandy arc flash last spring after the hood was in the bag all winter
I believe you'll find welding sheetmetal a lot easier with this hood.
Later...Randy
Just be sure when you store your new hood (Iput mine in a bag to keep dust out) you set in in a sunny spot for a few minutes before welding. I recieved a dandy arc flash last spring after the hood was in the bag all winter
I believe you'll find welding sheetmetal a lot easier with this hood.
Later...Randy
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 992
Likes: 0
the only thing with the auto darkening helements is that you have to be in line with what you are welding (like this T ) if you are trying to weld looking at your part at an angle they have a can not darken when it is suposed to.
thats all i buy is the auto darken helemts i give them two thumbs up or should that be two electrodes up hmmmm good thing to ponder
thats all i buy is the auto darken helemts i give them two thumbs up or should that be two electrodes up hmmmm good thing to ponder
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 992
Likes: 0
oh yeah one other quick tip test it with a cigarette ligther
pull the hood down and flick the lighter
i use my zippo to test my helements (safety to help if you might encounter a problem)
then weld your heart out
pull the hood down and flick the lighter
i use my zippo to test my helements (safety to help if you might encounter a problem)
then weld your heart out
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 785
Likes: 6
From: Columbus, Ohio
Auto darkening helmets are really good these days. My poor **** had to settle for one from Harbor Freight, and it works like a charm! It's even solar-powered.
Now I can see where I'm going to blow a hole through the metal before actually doing it!
Now I can see where I'm going to blow a hole through the metal before actually doing it!
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
From: Auburndale, Florida
Auto Darkening - safe and they will really spoil you...when you learn to trust it you'll never want to go back to a flip top helmet. Like Sixoh says, it's really neat to be able to see precisely where you're gonna blow a hole.
I have a cheap helmet from HTP and then went and bought a solar powered replacement lens for my old hard shell (we used to call them "turtle back" - welding shield fits onto a fiberglass hard hat) helmet because I'm used to it and it does give some "noggin" bump protection when under the vehicle.
Reading glasses under the helmet are truly a pain but necessary evil for old eyes - may have to try the 2X magnifier lens bit.
I have a cheap helmet from HTP and then went and bought a solar powered replacement lens for my old hard shell (we used to call them "turtle back" - welding shield fits onto a fiberglass hard hat) helmet because I'm used to it and it does give some "noggin" bump protection when under the vehicle.
Reading glasses under the helmet are truly a pain but necessary evil for old eyes - may have to try the 2X magnifier lens bit.
You guys must have gone to the same welding school I did. 
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,908
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From: Seattle WA.
Over the years I have always used a Huntsman fixed lens for arc welding. After purchasing my Mig I had a lot of trouble establishing an arc with the fixed lens. I figured if all those guys on the TV shows can weld with no helmet that the Auto Darkening unit would be better that just closing my eyes. I purchased one off Ebay and I don't think I could have welded in the cab patch panels without it. I still perfer the fixed lens for stick welding due to the splatter pitting the lens. But I just love that auto unit for Tig, and Mig welding.