I would not trust anything from Harbor Freight or eBay for this purpose. But they are your eyes.

 

I agree on the above post. I'm not sure about items on ebay but I have received several things from Horbor Freight that really don't compare. Are they fair with the items that they sell for the price that they sell them at? I would have to say yes. But, if you compare it to something that you have seen at a store locally, I think that you will not find an equal comparison. You get what you pay for. Not apples for apples. My 2 cents. Jake.

 

I mentioned eBay also because how would you know if that item had a defect. An intermittant problem in a welding helmet could cost you your eyes. Something as basic as a welding helmet from a local supplier at least carries a warranty and some liability insurance should it be defective. It won't bring your eyes back but the chance you are taking would seem to be less.

 

summit sells 2 different kind of auto darkening helmets that are made by lincoln electric pg 279 in current catalog.

 

Your're right... having the helmet fail to darken would be a Bad Thing.

The industrial distributor, Acklands-Grainger, http://www.acklandsgrainger.com lists several automatic helmets. There's a non-adjustable helmet from Esab ("Eye-tech", model 15F22) for only $230 Canadian, or for $60 more an adjustable 15F20. http://www.esabna.com (you have to dig to find the spec sheets, but they're there)

And another non-adjustable automatic helmet from Uvex, model K530, for $274.55. http://www.uvex.com/optrel.html (no detailed specs)

These don't look as bad-a$$ as the ones on Monster Garage, but I could paint it or glue horns on or something.

 

I've been using a mig for 10 years and finally this last summer I purchased an auto darkening helmet. I agonized over the decision but finally went with the Hobart Hood (http://fostertool.com/hood.html) which is adjustable for shade and solar/arc powered.
I was reluctant to believe all the numbers that are advertised for the cheap units out on EBAY and other websites. Somehow I felt more comfortable with a name brand that is carried in the local welding shops. It also has a bit larger of a viewing screen than most others.

Well, having said all that, after using it the first time I was amazed and pleased with its performance. I love it and would recommendit to all. Mine was $160 delivered to my door. By the way I have no affiliation with Hobart or Fostertool.
JMHO!
Gordon

 

I came across this msg board while cruising some welding info. I recently bought an auto-darkening helmet from Harbor Freight and couldn't be happier. It's a Western Safety (a Harbor Freight brandname) and surprisingly it came with a one year warranty on the headgear and I believe three years on the lens cartridge. Currently the helmet is on sale for $69.99 and will ship for free at that price (the free shipping is sloooooooowwwwww, but still free). I have had nothing but success with the helmet whether laying under trucks welding or finish-welding frames. Granted I would have liked to purchase an ESAB Autorama or Miller XLix, but my budget did not permit that. Hopefully this will help out the person looking for a high quality auto-dark helmet without spending over $100.

 

Let me first say that I am not trying to flame anybody neither am I proud of this next statement. But I am deaf in one ear and have lost the periferial vision in one eye due to poor safety practices when I turned wrenches and welded professionally. I can not use a hearing aide due to the type of hearing injury I sustained, and you CAN NOT get your vision back once its gone. Believe me I'd give my left *** to get even one of them back. There is no such thing as over paying on hearing and vision protection. Get a second quote on the $ of a helmet to be shure your not being gouged on the $. Can you afford a auto helmet is another issue that you might not like the answer to. I still use my manual tilt melmets for special situations. Buy the best quality helmet you can afford. After sale service is another issue to consider. As far as whats used on a TV show, that brand/type of product is being used based on one criteria only. Thats how much money that company paid to the TV show to have their product shown on TV in the hopes of increased sales.

 

Monster garage may have cool helmets but welding in a T-shirt? Not very smart and the guys on American chopper tack weld without using the helmet, VERY not smart. Make sure you get a comfrtable helmet. Those heavier bulky ones have a negative effect on your disposition. I used to have one helmet for doing work where you used the torch a lot too. I had a #5 lens in the helmet and another #5 in the flip up. I could flip it up for cutting and down for welding and you can still see through the #5 good enough to chip slag ect. If you are welding all day you may want a little darker total like a 5 and a 6.

 

I know there were some bad comments posted earlier in this thread about Harbor Freight Helmets, but many here may be surprised to learn that the same company that makes the top of the line Miller XLix also makes a welding helmet for Harbor Freight. That company by the way is Otos Protective Eyewear and they are based in Korea. So when you buy a Miller Helmet, you're buying a Korean made product that's also sold at Harbor Freight. I'm happy with my Harbor Freight helmet

Here's a picture of the Miller XLix.
http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...pop_stars.html

Now compare that to the picture of the Otos Mach 1
http://www.otos.co.kr/eng/g_detail.h...&gods_id=MachI

This ChameleonI from Otos will surely look familiar to people who have looked at Harbor Freight welding helmets.
http://www.otos.co.kr/eng/g_detail.h..._id=ChameleonI

Here's the Chameleon1 for sale at Harbor Freight.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=39310

I don't know who makes the Western Safety welding helmet for Harbor Freight, but chances are its from a big name company in another country who also makes name brand products we might be very familiar with.

I also don't have a problem buying products like this on Ebay because there's several dealers selling name brand helmets such as the Hornell Speedglass, Jackson/MorSafe/Hunstman & Optrel products at significantly discounted prices and they come with full factory warranties.

 

I prefer to use shade#12 (minimum) for all arc welding to prevent "eye spots", at up to approx. 100- 120 amps with stick. The gold coated lenses are supposed to cut UV rays, but you can have your prescription safety glasses made with a UV 400 overcoat to make sure. I like the auto darkening hoods, but even when I crank them up to full darkness, I sometimes get spots and have to replace the batteries for the next guy. My advice is to buy a good hood with a tilting lens that you can operate with your free hand and keep that hand free while you weld.(Even though you are wearing gloves to insulate yourself from heat AND electricity) If you ever use a high freq. AC stick welder (true buzz-box) you will find my advice to be good. Enjoy your welding! It's fun.