OT: HF welding helmets, Any good? Stay away? Recommendations? |
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OT: HF welding helmets, Any good? Stay away? Recommendations? |
seanpaulmc |
Nov 1 2017, 07:13 PM
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#1
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Member Group: Members Posts: 303 Joined: 6-December 16 From: Orlando, FL Member No.: 20,649 Region Association: South East States |
I need to learn to weld. And, I want to learn. Was in HF the other day and saw the welding helmets out for sale, what's the opinion on these? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif) Now I know to stay away from their welders but what about the welding helmets? Thanks!
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jd74914 |
Nov 1 2017, 07:34 PM
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#2
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Its alive Group: Members Posts: 4,780 Joined: 16-February 04 From: CT Member No.: 1,659 Region Association: North East States |
Well, their response times are reported to be very good. But they are Harbor Frieght helmets. I couldn't bring myself to use one given the fact that brand name helmets are not terribly expensive and the fact that your eyes are priceless.
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914forme |
Nov 1 2017, 07:38 PM
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#3
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Times a wastin', get wrenchin'! Group: Members Posts: 3,896 Joined: 24-July 04 From: Dayton, Ohio Member No.: 2,388 Region Association: None |
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) I tend to spend big money on safety gear.
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HansJan |
Nov 1 2017, 07:48 PM
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#4
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Member Group: Members Posts: 395 Joined: 5-April 16 From: Sugar Land TX Member No.: 19,860 Region Association: Southwest Region |
Its only a few times per year that I weld. But when I do, I use the HB helmet.
Reaction time is sufficient. Works for me. |
mepstein |
Nov 1 2017, 07:49 PM
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#5
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914-6 GT in waiting Group: Members Posts: 19,305 Joined: 19-September 09 From: Landenberg, PA/Wilmington, DE Member No.: 10,825 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
Some things you want to buy the best you can afford and save money on something else.
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Elliot Cannon |
Nov 1 2017, 08:39 PM
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#6
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914 Guru Group: Retired Members Posts: 8,487 Joined: 29-December 06 From: Paso Robles Ca. (Central coast) Member No.: 7,407 Region Association: None |
This one looks nice. http://www.eastwood.com/panoramic-view-welding-helmet.html
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mgp4591 |
Nov 1 2017, 08:44 PM
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#7
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914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 5,379 Joined: 1-August 12 From: Salt Lake City Ut Member No.: 14,748 Region Association: Intermountain Region |
The only issue I had with response time and it cutting out at times was remedied by charging the solar battery storage by leaving it in the sun for about 30 minutes and then it worked fine. There's nothing wrong with buying the best you can afford in a welding helmet but my experience has been good with the HF unit I bought, on sale no less. But isn't everything on sale at HF?
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Mike Bellis |
Nov 1 2017, 09:21 PM
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#8
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Resident Electrician Group: Members Posts: 8,345 Joined: 22-June 09 From: Midlothian TX Member No.: 10,496 Region Association: None |
I had one as a backup for my Lincoln helmet. Every time I spent hours welding with it my eyes burned and felt like there was grit in them.
As I have said before... What are your eyes worth? If it's less than a $39 helmet, buy one. |
mgp4591 |
Nov 1 2017, 09:36 PM
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#9
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914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 5,379 Joined: 1-August 12 From: Salt Lake City Ut Member No.: 14,748 Region Association: Intermountain Region |
I had one as a backup for my Lincoln helmet. Every time I spent hours welding with it my eyes burned and felt like there was grit in them. As I have said before... What are your eyes worth? If it's less than a $39 helmet, buy one. I've got an additional lens that I supplement with my helmet because it seemed like it wasn't as dark as I'd like it even with the darkness turned all the way up. It makes a difference without me losing my seeing the target. I agree that there are better helmets - my solution worked for me but I've got the experience to know how dark it should be while others may not. Get what you need to protect your eyes. |
Andyrew |
Nov 1 2017, 10:38 PM
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#10
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Spooling.... Please wait Group: Members Posts: 13,376 Joined: 20-January 03 From: Riverbank, Ca Member No.: 172 Region Association: Northern California |
I have had good luck with the HF helmets. We used them for work occasionally as well welding for 1+ hours straight a day. Never had any issue with welder burn. In fact I had more issues with the $300 Procore helmet. The response time seemed to be much faster with the HF Helmet and I was able to see the work much better.
My only issue with the HF helmet is that it is really easy to block the light sensor. |
falcor75 |
Nov 2 2017, 12:58 AM
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#11
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,579 Joined: 22-November 12 From: Sweden Member No.: 15,176 Region Association: Scandinavia |
I picked up a new Esab welding helmet at my local retailer for less than $100, works great for what little welding I do.
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Niklas |
Nov 2 2017, 02:28 AM
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#12
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Porsche 914 Sweden Group: Members Posts: 366 Joined: 20-June 09 From: Sweden - Skivarp Member No.: 10,488 Region Association: Scandinavia |
I use a 3M Speedglas 9100.
This must be the best. |
Spoke |
Nov 2 2017, 05:01 AM
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#13
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Jerry Group: Members Posts: 6,986 Joined: 29-October 04 From: Allentown, PA Member No.: 3,031 Region Association: None |
I've had 2 HF helmets and seem to work fine. The first one lasted 10 years before the batteries gave out.
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sithot |
Nov 2 2017, 05:50 AM
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#14
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Member Group: Members Posts: 446 Joined: 25-October 06 From: Virginia Member No.: 7,090 Region Association: None |
I've had 2 HF helmets and seem to work fine. The first one lasted 10 years before the batteries gave out. Some stuff is ok but I’d be more careful when it comes to eyes. I have an Optrel and a Miller self-darkening helmet. Both offer all the adjustability one could want in the way of the self darkening feature. Quality over price. Beware of cheap box store hardware. PS: I still like a standard helmet. |
mb911 |
Nov 2 2017, 06:13 AM
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#15
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914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 6,871 Joined: 2-January 09 From: Burlington wi Member No.: 9,892 Region Association: Upper MidWest |
Buy quality.. Speaking from experience..
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saigon71 |
Nov 2 2017, 06:43 AM
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#16
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,000 Joined: 1-June 09 From: Dillsburg, PA Member No.: 10,428 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
I'm a big fan of the HF auto darkening helmet. It saw heavy use for 4 years during my restoration and still works as it should for occasional small welding jobs.
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LowBridge |
Nov 2 2017, 07:18 AM
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#17
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Member Group: Members Posts: 370 Joined: 10-August 15 From: Lunenburg, MA Member No.: 19,045 Region Association: North East States |
something to think about is most of the HF helmets are not approved for Tig.. if you read the supporting documents included with the helmets is states this in the safety info.
now knowing this I have a backup HF that I use in a pinch but I will not use it to Tig |
VaccaRabite |
Nov 2 2017, 07:21 AM
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#18
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En Garde! Group: Admin Posts: 13,456 Joined: 15-December 03 From: Dallastown, PA Member No.: 1,435 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
I used a HF helmet for several years.
Then I bought a mid-grade Miller helmet for myself for Christmas last year. I will tell you right now, you can see SO MUCH MORE through the better helmet. And my eyes don't itch at all after a welding session. My welds improved becasue I could see the puddle and what it was doing. I used it to watch the Eclipse too, over the summer. That was cool! Zach |
JOEPROPER |
Nov 2 2017, 07:51 AM
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#19
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The answer is "no" unless you ask... Group: Members Posts: 1,184 Joined: 21-November 15 From: White Plains New York Member No.: 19,387 Region Association: North East States |
I have an auto-darkening from Snap-on Tools. Not sure who makes it for them, but it works great for what I need.
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JOEPROPER |
Nov 2 2017, 07:52 AM
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#20
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The answer is "no" unless you ask... Group: Members Posts: 1,184 Joined: 21-November 15 From: White Plains New York Member No.: 19,387 Region Association: North East States |
Also, (IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) Don't get the cheap one. It's like a motorcycle helmet.
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