What's a Good welding helmet?

**IamPhil** · 07-13-2015, 08:17 PM

I'm looking to purchase a good helmet ie not harbor fright lol. I've used a miller elite in the past they are expensive but I really liked it. My parameters are auto darkening and a fullface not just a small slit to look through. Miller elite was around $400 last I looked. I'm told snap on has a really nice hood as well but I've never used one. Any thoughts??
IAP

**Patriot76** · 07-13-2015, 09:30 PM

My best helmet/hood is a Miller. Not sure of the model, but it is self darkening, full vision, and comfortable. The shop is filled with at least six more, but when doing a major job I always turn to the Miller. I have to admit some of the time I do not use anything more than cutting glasses and depend on the feel of the weld. Sometimes they do not look pretty, but they get the job done. When a perfect bead is required I use the Miller. Invest in the best you can afford.

**bcrepurposing** · 07-13-2015, 11:53 PM

This is what I have and works great for a cheaper helmet.

New Pro Solar Welder Mask Auto Darkening Welding Helmet Arc TIG MIG Grinding | eBay

Cost means nothing. fuctionality and filling the need does. Pay more if you like but my cheapo works fine for me. My $0.02 on the subject.

Edit:
not sure how to post link. Copy and paste middle paragraph.

**bigburtchino** · 07-14-2015, 12:41 AM

I'm not a welder, but I know about it because I hire welders. A good welder puts his/her safety first. Eye safety should be first priority followed by fire safety (including setting self on fire). General rule: spending more on a welding helmet will increase comfort, improve your welding ability, result in higher quality welds and ensure your safety. You only have one set of eyes, take care of them and they will enable you to work and provide for yourself and your families!

Auto-darkening (ADF) helmets help you do better work in more situations (eliminating the need to "flip" helmet"). Weld in a trench before? very limited space.

**IamPhil** · 07-14-2015, 01:08 AM

I used to bridge weld so no trenches but inside box beams with 450 degree preheat..... All stick no wire feed... Yuck. I only set my self on fire 2 or 3 times lol. Id rather have an old school dark helmet with a "gold" glass than a low quality auto. In fact I thought all autos were a joke till I used a high end miller. Unfning believable lol. Night and day.!!! Granted pretty Spendy. However I fully expect to pay 400+ for a good one. But I like reviews from real ppl. I'm not hardcore enough to join a welder forum tho haha. Mostly I barter welding for truck repairs... So I want good looking welds. If you can't see it can't be good.

**bcrepurposing** · 07-14-2015, 08:51 PM

I dont weld enough to justify a uber expensive welding helmet. while tje bands could be better on the one I posted I have had no issues and can turn production quality welds out with it.

are there better ones? yes. but for an average person you cant justify it. not really.

I had a welder with 23 years experiance tell me function wise its as good as the $250 helmet he bought for welding 12 hours a day at work.

it could have a better head net / band for more comfort was his only complaint. his did have a few extra settings for fine tuning the darkening of the auto shade but he did not miss these as he did not use them anyways.

as someone whos eyes are extremely sensitive and having been flash burned and having metal picked out of eye in past I cant agree more. protect them.

**IamPhil** · 07-19-2015, 05:44 PM

As luck would have it I found a miller digital elite on crags for $250. Lightly used with a hood fan too. Emailed him... Hope he still has it.
IAP

What's a Good welding helmet?

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