Auto-dark welding helmets
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 43
From: San Antonio TX
I have one. Bought it when they were nearly $300. Don't use it any more. The batteries eventually leaked and killed the electronics (warning to you guys who have one. Take the batteries out when you aren't using it for a while). I prefer the regular helmet with the large glass. No bid deal to flip the helmet.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
big_G,
You didn't say what brand helmet you bought. I have a Miller, and it works great. Specs say it darkens in 1/20,000 of a second. I don't think I could tell the difference between that and the 1/12,000th of the cheaper model.
My Miller helmet has adjustments for darkness, sensitivity, and delay. It took me a little while to find the groove for the type of welding I was doing (flux core .035 wire), but it worked perfectly after that. I will probably have to re-adjust it when I switch to MIG next week because solid wire has less fire and spatter. (I just bought a tank.)
The only problem I had was from user ignorance. The helmet has an auto-off feature to extend life of the 2 batteries. I left the helment on and down while chipping slag, clamping the next piece, etc. The lense flashed dark once, and I didn't know that meant it was shutting off. I got an eye full when I started welding again.
You didn't say what brand helmet you bought. I have a Miller, and it works great. Specs say it darkens in 1/20,000 of a second. I don't think I could tell the difference between that and the 1/12,000th of the cheaper model.
My Miller helmet has adjustments for darkness, sensitivity, and delay. It took me a little while to find the groove for the type of welding I was doing (flux core .035 wire), but it worked perfectly after that. I will probably have to re-adjust it when I switch to MIG next week because solid wire has less fire and spatter. (I just bought a tank.)
The only problem I had was from user ignorance. The helmet has an auto-off feature to extend life of the 2 batteries. I left the helment on and down while chipping slag, clamping the next piece, etc. The lense flashed dark once, and I didn't know that meant it was shutting off. I got an eye full when I started welding again.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 156
From: Mid West
Cruise-In III Veteran
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 853
Likes: 0
From: Foxfield, Co
I still prefer my old fiber Huntsman, I find myself doing the "head nod" to flip the helmet down even when using an auto helmet 
.
The only time I use my auto darkening helmet is when there is not enough room to flip my helmet.
Greg
.The only time I use my auto darkening helmet is when there is not enough room to flip my helmet.
Greg
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Used a Miller with the fastest response time for four years, as a maintainence welder in a major factory, it's a major factor for not having to flip the hat hundreds a time in an 8-10 hr day. Lots of guys with bad necks!Also I notice my eyes are not as tired at the end of the day. Worth the money in my opinion.
