Welding Helmets

[0xDEADBEEF]

Related to the current welder thread, what say ye on helmets? I've had my eye on this https://www.eastwood.com/panoramic-view-welding-helmet.html

My biggest challenge when welding is being able to see WTF I'm doing.

 

[kennythewelder]

I have 2 welding helmets are work. A $100 helmet, and a $450 helmet. There is a huge difference in the 2 helmets. The $100 firepower is a passable helmet. If you don't know any better, it will do. When I started at the machine shop about 5 1/2 years ago, I bought the firepower because I had an old school flip lens helmet for offshore work, and since I was a new hire at the machine shop, I didn't want to shell out big bucks for a helmet. After a few months, when I knew I was going to stay there and be there welder, the only other welder we have, bought a Jackson true sight III. He was bragging on how good it is. So he let me use it for a little while. I had to have one. The clarity in the Jackson is unbelievable compared to any other helmet I have used, but you get what you pay for. Also the next thing to address is, do you ware glasses? How old are you? If you ware reading glasses, then you need a cheater lens. 125 readers, you need 125 cheaters. 250 readers, you need 250 cheaters. ECT. As for the side view thing, that is unnessary, unless you are welding in very tight conditions where you have to look to the side to see what you are welding.

 

[0xDEADBEEF]

I have entered my 5th decade on the planet and use readers. I wear them under the helmet, which works but probably not optimal. I have a $50 Lincoln helmet at the moment. All I can easily see is the arc and the pool. I mostly stitch weld I think you call it so I don't go all over the place.

 

[kennythewelder]

I have entered my 5th decade on the planet and use readers. I wear them under the helmet, which works but probably not optimal. I have a $50 Lincoln helmet at the moment. All I can easily see is the arc and the pool. I mostly stitch weld I think you call it so I don't go all over the place.

A cheater lens will definitely help you a bunch.

 

[Frank Enstein]

I'm fortunate because I have to take my glasses off to weld. Mostly because I can focus better without them and bonus they don't fog up!

I have a flip helmet for visitors and a $50 ish auto dark for me. That kind is a good start for a hobbyist.

 

[RichLo]

Slight overkill for what I do but I have a 3M speedglass helmet with the g5-01 lense.

I have cheap ones also but there's no comparison.

 

[RedneckWithPaychecks]

I’m not as fortunate as Frank to have more than 1 helmet; visitors get either blinded or . I have a $150? one from tractor supply. Has “paint” work on it, it could be worse but definitely can ne better.
I’ve thought of modding an auto-dim function on it, but modding a welding helmet might “mod” my vision slightly.

 

[Erik the Awful]

I have an ArcOne Python IDF-48 and my wife has a Jackson W40 Insight. I paid a little over $100 for each. The Jackson is significantly better - I use it more than mine.

Welding gloves also matter, and I'm a fan of Black Stallion gloves. Not too pricey and they hold up a lot better than Harbor Freight gloves.

 

[stutaeng]

I've got a Hobart orange helmet that I bought over 12 years ago when I was learning how to weld (still learning, LOL.) They've come a long way since then. I don't weld enough to justify a new welding hood, unfortunately, as long as this one works.

I will add that getting into position and doing a "dry run" pays off. Watch videos from Jody at Welding trips and tricks and Weld.com on YT. Heck, Jody still uses the old fashioned flip down hood, LOL.

Pipe welding videos are also good to watch because they are always welding out-of-position.

 

[termite]

I broke down and bought a viking 2450 while at my last job, could justify it then and loved it in comparison to a cheap auto- darkening shop helmet. Didn't break the bank and was crisp and clear for welding. Have used it maybe 5 times in the 4 years since changing jobs, all of which have been hobby stuff at home.