Auto Darkening Welding Hood

[CPIII]

Not sure this is the right place for this but just wanted to let everyone know of a good deal on an auto darkening welding hood. I bought one last Friday at Harbor Freight for $39. I was sceptical at firts...read all the reviews and they were very good. I have used it for the last few days and it has worked great! It has a grinding setting and 5 different levels of darkening. The link below shows $59 dollars but when i went into the store they had another coupon that reduced it to $39. I have had flimsy hoods before and thought that this would be another but I was pleasantly surprised at the quality and features of this helmet.

http://www.harborfreight.com/auto-darke ... 67854.html

[grumpy]

I use mine from Harbor freight all the time. Works great. Grump

[Winfield Dave]

I use mine from Harbor freight all the time. Works great. Grump

[Stanton]

[Don McCombs]

It says that it is solar powered. Does it also have a battery for indoor use?

[Winfield Dave]

It says that it is solar powered. Does it also have a battery for indoor use?

Don....maybe the welding flash is considered solar?

[ScottyD'sdad]

I use mine, outside, mostly, so I don't know about a battery. its about 3 years old.and still works. Ed

[Peter Person]

According to my son Aron (Senior in the VoTech Welding & Fabricating program) the biggest problem with these is the quality of the sensor(s) versus the Miller or other brand name helmet. A couple of the students have had the sensor fail at start-up or while welding...not a pleasant experience. He is using the same Miller Digital Pro-Hobby Series Helmet we got him at the start of his sophomore year. He has had to replace the outer lense because he does not take good care of the helmet when not in use, no problems otherwise.
He can use the Miller for TIG as well, whereas the Harbor Freight helmet has a disclaimer that states it should not be used for TIG.

Peter

[CPIII]

Solar cell works off the arc flash also.....photons are photons... ...mine worked straight out of the box....welding in my shop...there is no requirement to let it sit in sunlight or anything like that.

As far as the sensor going out I accidentally left it in "Grind and struck an arc and the green tint when off was enough to where I didn't get any spots before my eyes.....


IF this thing lasts me 3 years ....I will just get another....might buy a couple....one on standby.

[RaymondDurban]

Use caution when using the cheap helmets. Moisture from your sweat will cause problems like delayed darkening, not darkening enough and flickering. You will flash burn your eyes before you know it, and if you've ever had, you know you don't ever want it again!!

[Boss Hog]

a Hobart auto darkening is only 100 bucks, cheaper than your eyes.

Boss

[Rudi]

Charles:

Those auto darkening helmets are awesome. I love mine. This is the one that I have:


Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet SKU: 8078172

I bought mine when it was on sale a couple years ago just before I took my welding course. I have been extremely satisfied with it. My BiL Ray has a rather expensive professional quality helmet, but he likes mine as it is quite a bit faster than his. Imagine that Course his is a few years older than mine.

Princess also has the racing ones, but those really are not me bag....

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

About 3 months ago I upgraded from a cheap auto darkening to that one when it was on sale then. Great improvement, though it is a little slower to darken the first time you use it each day than I like, after that it is great. Not sure what the reason is for that. Sure makes my welding easier. Unfortunately it did not make it any better.

[Boss Hog]

I bet you dont stick the rod as much John, I know I dont. I have saved enough it rods to pay for the helmet