Hey guys -

I just picked up a Lincoln Weld-pak 3200 on ebay (hasn't arrived yet) for $425 shipped. This is the same welder as the Lincoln 135 if I am not mistaken. I am really excited!

Anyway, I would like to get an auto-darkening full-protection welding helmet. It seems that in this arena, you really pay for quality. Most of the helmets I like are $150+.

I have used an auto-darkening solor-powered helmet from Harbor-Freight before with a little wire-feeder, but the arc kind of hurt my eyes (which I want to avoid obviously).

Can someone direct me to a nice quality auto-darkening welding helmet around $50 or so? Am I dreaming?

Thanks guys!

 

You are dreaming.

I use a good old flipper...lenses are $0.50 and always work.

 

auto darking is nice but only if you have an expensive one.

else go with a flipper.

 

Can you guys recommend a good flipper?

 

i really like my neighbor's gold faced one for his tig.... but its expensive and overkill for a little mig.

 

Go to your local welding supply and pick up one. Support your local economy and get to know the local supplier. It will benefit you in the long run IMO. I'm talking about the whole helmet flipping, not just the lens spot. Not expensive and the one I've got (Jackson)...had it for 20+years and I'd still rather weld in it than anything.
http://store.cyberweld.com/jahswehe.html

I work at an industrial fab shop and with the hundreds of fitters and welders we have, you'll never see an auto darkening helmet...that to me speaks volumes.

 

Cheap auto dark = flash.

Should be able to find a regular helmet for $50 or so.

Here's a choice for $44.25:

http://store.cyberweld.com/jahshwehe.html

I have two Jackson helmets - they work really nice.

 

Uh Cebby :pat: I can just see Christian welding in a "hellraiser" welding helmet.

 

Did you adjust your HF helmet to make it darker or faster? The auto darkening one I have from HF is great. Probably their only good product imo... *cough* broken vise *cough*

But if you order anything online I recomend cyberweld, I got my hobart 140 from them nice and fast.

 

Not to sound like a parrot but autodarkening is not a good idea. Why risk your eyes? Learning to use a flipper is part of learning how to weld. Once you get used to it, you won't even think about it. If you do decide to go with an auto, buy the best damn one you can. My 2 cents.

 

Well, you never know. Thanks for letting me know about the whole flip helmet thing though guys.

Now, about the auto-darkening thing. I have read some articles on the net that say over and over again that flash will not be an issue if the auto-darkening lens is rated at or below a certain threshold. Here's one article:

While I am not one to believe everything I read on the net, this does appear to be legit since other welding sites mention the same thing. But I guess it is something not worth chancing. Getting flashed sucks (I had it happen once).

Do you guys use breathing masks? I hear welding vapors can cause cancer. Again, that is stuff I read on the net. Seems logical to me.

 

I thought the same thing, but the price was right and it's a good lid.

He can always repaint it with some pearly gates or sumthin'

 

You guys are funny!

You might want to forget the Auto darkening lid, i'm not some master welder by any means, i learning from my pops who is. We had this discution earlier.

The thought was a good auto lid is pretty expensive, and what happens when you get all good @ welding and decide to drop some coin on a onboard welder like i am doing( or go over to a buddies house to help out). Thing is you will have to have a 2nd auto lid which is exepensive, or haul around your shop lid which could get tossed around and broke leaving you with no lid (remember expensive). Chances are you will opt for an old flip lid but the problem is you are use to the auto..... so now its a little hard to get into that rythem.
If you went with a lid like Cebby showed you could get a few for the price of a lower end auto and have no problem welding anywhere.

Besides why not be a little rebelious... give em something to talk about during sunday brunch huh.

 

Wait, I found one!

http://store.cyberweld.com/jaweheghshe.html



$48.50 w/free shipping. Now we're talkin!

 

You can't go wrong w/ a Jackson...great helmets.

 

Cool. I just ordered that "Old Glory" Jackson Flip helmet.

Thanks again everyone.

 

Let me know how you like it...I could always use another.

 

Will do. Thanks Brian.

I am sure I will have some welding questions for you guys as well. I bet you can't wait.

 

I use a Jackson Nexgen auto helmet and a friend of mine uses a cheapo $50 HF auto helmet. You can certainly tell a difference but is it $300 difference I dunno?

 

i have the HF cheap auto dark and it works fine for me.