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> OT: HF welding helmets, Any good? Stay away? Recommendations?
seanpaulmc
post Nov 1 2017, 07:13 PM
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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
post Nov 1 2017, 07:34 PM
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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
post Nov 1 2017, 07:38 PM
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(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) I tend to spend big money on safety gear.
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HansJan
post Nov 1 2017, 07:48 PM
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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.
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mepstein
post Nov 1 2017, 07:49 PM
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Some things you want to buy the best you can afford and save money on something else.
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Elliot Cannon
post Nov 1 2017, 08:39 PM
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This one looks nice. http://www.eastwood.com/panoramic-view-welding-helmet.html
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mgp4591
post Nov 1 2017, 08:44 PM
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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
post Nov 1 2017, 09:21 PM
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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.
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mgp4591
post Nov 1 2017, 09:36 PM
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QUOTE(Mike Bellis @ Nov 1 2017, 09:21 PM) *

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.
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Andyrew
post Nov 1 2017, 10:38 PM
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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.
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falcor75
post Nov 2 2017, 12:58 AM
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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
post Nov 2 2017, 02:28 AM
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I use a 3M Speedglas 9100.
This must be the best.
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Spoke
post Nov 2 2017, 05:01 AM
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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
post Nov 2 2017, 05:50 AM
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QUOTE(Spoke @ Nov 2 2017, 07:01 AM) *

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.

Attached Image



PS: I still like a standard helmet.
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mb911
post Nov 2 2017, 06:13 AM
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Buy quality.. Speaking from experience..
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saigon71
post Nov 2 2017, 06:43 AM
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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
post Nov 2 2017, 07:18 AM
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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
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VaccaRabite
post Nov 2 2017, 07:21 AM
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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
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JOEPROPER
post Nov 2 2017, 07:51 AM
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The answer is "no" unless you ask...
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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
post Nov 2 2017, 07:52 AM
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The answer is "no" unless you ask...
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Also, (IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) Don't get the cheap one. It's like a motorcycle helmet.
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