Best Auto Darkening Welding Helmet?

[NJT5047]

I got question for the welding "inclined" among us.   The older I get, the the blinder I get, so I'm looking for one of those auto-darkening MIG welding helmets. 
Never used one, so don't have a clue to what may be good, and what isn't neccessary. 
Looking at a Miller/Hobart "Elite" item.  Is this a good choice?
Any opinions on these things would be welcomed.  Good or bad.  What to avoid?
I'm gonna stick a big magnefying lense on the thing so I can see what I'm doing.   These auto darkening hats look like a better idea? 
The bus is running great, I'm bored, so I've started an electric car project (screw OPEC  ), and there's a right good bit of thin-stuff welding here.  I need hep! 
Thanks in advance, JR 

[Jerry Liebler]

JR,
    I'm on my third one, the first 2 were cheapos from harbor freight.  They weren't very good and died.  The new one is much better and has held up a couple of years, it's an ARC-ONE Vision, really sensitive, works real well with a small TIG arc.
Regards
Jerry 4107 1120

[luvrbus]

JR, that welding hood has so many variations and prices when i was looking at them i got so confused on the type  i needed the welding supply saleman let me try some hoods for a day and like you i need a magnifier to see and never found one i liked so check them out to make sure it works for you.

[JohnEd]

JR,

I got lucky with mine from Harbor Freight.  I had a lot of trouble with it cause it has the small lens opening and I have tri-focals.  Couldn't get everything lined up at the same time.  I went down to the "real" welding shop and they had these insert lens' that made my longrange lens focus at 3 feet.  Perfect!  I then went down to the drug store and got a cheapy pair of reading glasses that match my long range portion of my tri's.  Works for me and was not very expensive.  If I had a "reasonable" amt of disposable cash I would go for the Miller auto with the large lens and use my tri's as God intended.

Good luck,

John

[pvcces]

The reason I bought one of these hoods was because I couldn't flip the conventional hood down and keep my bifocals lined up, so I couldn't see the work.

Switching to autodarkening made it possible for me to see the work in ordinary light so I could strike an arc. We bought a cheap one off eBay for around $35, including shipping, that works in 1/10,000 of a second, which is not real fast.

The biggest problem I have is if I miss on striking an arc, the recovery time for the lens is enough for me to lose my place. So, I wait about one second and I take another try at it.

If it had a faster recovery, I think that it would be easier to get an arc started. I saw specs on a number of these that showed 1/25,000 of a second for darkening. Maybe the recovery would be quicker, too.

For what it's worth.

Tom Caffrey

[Jerry32]

I bought one from Harbor frieght 12 years ago and like you I still couldn't focus . I did go to the local drug store and buy som large lens reading type glasses that worked well as my bifocals never were in the right place . Jerry

[FloridaCliff]

JR,

I also purchased one from Harbor Freight with NO problem.

I did get a magnifying lense for it from a regular welding shop..

I think Jerry L. had a problem from trying to put those split a/c's in his....   LOL 

Jerry, now you know your one of my hero's...Just kidding   

Cliff

[Kristinsgrandpa]

I bought one from Harbor Freight, called Western Safety, adjustable shades from 9 to 13. I've had it for about 4 or 5 years now and love it. No problems, no complaints.
Still on the original batteries.



Ed.

[FloridaCliff]

Ed,

I just looked at mine and its the same one.

Good buy for the money.

Cliff

[NJT5047]

Had not thought about HF....I'll bet I could go down there and play with one of those helmets.  We have a HF in Charlotte.
The Matco man came by today and thinks he has a customer with a Stars n Stripes Miller auto helmet.  Not sure of the model.  They make cheapos too.
My problem is as has been described...I'm half blind, and cannot get everything working...bifocals and old style helmet just don't work together..and I need double the light to see what's going on.   
These contact tips are getting expensive. 
Anyone use the gel for your mig welder?  Saw that too.  Wonder if it works? 
Thanks for the ideas!  JR

[DavidInWilmNC]

Hi JR,

I bought one of the H.F. ones about two years ago.  It's worked fine for me and is SO much better than the standard type.  If I'm not outside in the daylight, I'll generally turn on a work light go help see.  I believe those helmets are about $50 when on sale.

David

[rayshound]

Had 2 HF helmets worked good for awhile but sometimes does not darken. Purchased a Hobart helmet from Tractor Supply & a big difference. Great helmet.
          Never tried the jel with my mig but use the splatter spray all the time. Its a must for mig.  Ray

[rayshound]

P.S. the spray will help prevent the contact tip from welding to the wire. It also keeps the splatter from sticking inside the cone. After practice the contact tip problems will almost go away. I had went through many many tips before getting it right. Now hardly ever change tips except for changing wire size and once in a great while oops!   Ray

[JackConrad]

JR,
   I started using the gel a couple years ago, when the  welding supply company I use gave me a sample. My tips are lasting much longer and splatter does not stick in the nozzle nears as much. Jack

[DavidInWilmNC]

I read somewhere to use Pam, or some other non-stick cooking spray, on the nozzle to prevent spatter sticking.  It works really well.  I use a popsicle stick to clean out the nozzle when I'm finished and the spatter just falls off.  Then I push a paper towel through the nozzle to clean up the mess.  It's worked well, except for one spot where the wire bent back and welded itself to the nozzle which was touching the grounded part I was welding.

David