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[coonbottom]

I have a coupon for this:
http://www.harborfreight.com/adjustable-shade-auto-darkening-welding-helmet-46092.html
for $34.99
Is that a good deal ...or will it end up causing me to go blind and suffer horrible, burning eye pain?

[Tippy]

i cannot speak for this particular helmet. But, the one i bought from napa only has a solar panel to recharge the internal battery, when the battery isn't charged it doesn't darken at all or it will flicker in and out and really screw ur eyes up....since then i bought a Miller prohobby auto darkening helmet and it works great, and it has a replaceable battery, and when the battery goes dead, the lens defaults to the dark setting so the helmet can still be used or if it goes dead while using it, it won't switch back to the lighter lens but just stay dark. If it has a battery that can be replaced, and it defaults to the dark lens when it goes dead, then it will be fine. if its solar powered, beware.  There, thats what i know. :0)

the napa helmet was right at 100 bucks....the miller helmet was only 150...its worth the extra money, plus my miller helmet is realtree camo...so it looks cool, but sometimes hard to find..lol

[Justafordguy]

I have one of the HF auto darkening helmets and like Tippy says, it's solar/internal battery so you need to leave it near a window so it will stay charged up. I would get the Miller if you weld a lot but if not or you can't afford the extra $100+ the HF is way better than a manual helmet. I could never go back to a manual helmet now that I have welded with an auto.

[lonesouth]

I've got one of the HF sitting in my garage for the last three years.  Yours for $15.  money back if you don't like it.

[Natural One]

I'll take that deal if Coon passes it up!

[strokinblueboggs]

I have the HF one too. well...had. I used it all the time and never had much trouble. Maybe it stayed charged cause I used it regular? I think it should charge itself from the arc of the weld. Anyway I used mine until I broke the plastic of the adjuster. The lense still works but it wont stay on your head.
id be all over that $15 deal. heck if you dont want it ill take it!

[coonbottom]

the miller helmet was only 150...its worth the extra money

I would get the Miller if you weld a lot

That is the thing. I don't weld a lot.  Any of my real fab work I get done at BAM BAMs. (place connected to Iron Images). I just have a few small welding projects to do to my trailers. I can't justify coughing up $150 for something I use three ..maybe four times a year.

I've got one of the HF sitting in my garage for the last three years.  Yours for $15.  money back if you don't like it.

Done.
I can meet you at lunch time tomorrow (or whenever). Let me know where.

I used mine until I broke the plastic of the adjuster. The lense still works but it wont stay on your head.

My strap broke on my old school helmet. I think they sold a replacement for it at Connie Lilles. Not sure if it would work for a newer style?

[Natural One]

I've got one of the HF sitting in my garage for the last three years.  Yours for $15.  money back if you don't like it.

Done.
I can meet you at lunch time tomorrow (or whenever). Let me know where.


Parker, I'll give you $20 for it and I will drive to your house and pick it up.










HAHAHA, J/K Dave!

[Area51]

When it comes to welding safety... go with the LOWEST BIDDER!!








J/K of course...

[coonbottom]

Parker, I'll give you $20 for it and I will drive to your house and pick it up.


HAHAHA, J/K Dave!

...I see how it is. See if I leave any more random, free beer in your driveway!

When it comes to welding safety... go with the LOWEST BIDDER!!

All kidding aside. That is why I asked about it. Is there a difference in "reaction time" for welding helmets?

[lonesouth]

first one to my house after 530 tonight gets it.

But really, I can meet tomorrow at lunch or after work.  Work is at Innovation park, house is up near Target on Bannerman.  Let me know what you want to do Dave.

[Domenico]

Coon, I've been using that exact helmet for two years with my mig...
Havnt gon blin yut, but dam i cant sea the dam kees...

But really, it works great. My only complaint, sometimes I wish it was maybe a little bit darker.
But it is great for the price.

[coonbottom]

But really, I can meet tomorrow at lunch or after work.  Work is at Innovation park, house is up near Target on Bannerman.  Let me know what you want to do Dave.

...damn. Neither are even remotely near me.

What time do you get off from work? Also, how long does it take you to get to work? Isn't that kind of a long drive?

[Tippy]

if you weld all day or weld for several hours, then the reaction time is very key, a slower responding lens will cause your eyes to feel more tired after welding(and can cause some damage). So it really goes back to how much welding you will be doing. Id just get that 15 buck one and see how you like it, you can always upgrade later if you find yourself doing a lot of welding. Most professional welders use a fixed lens helmet or either a higher quality speedglass unit in the 4 to 5oo dollar range. But its their job and they need that stuff, for us diy guys, we can get away with a little less quality of a product. Happy welding!

i do a fair amount of welding, and i took welding classes where i work, so i bought my helmet with book money, so mine was almost free.

[lonesouth]

Yea, it is a haul.  Takes me 40 minutes in the morning, including dropping the kid off at daycare.  25 minutes in the afternoon.  It is about as far away as I can get and still be in town.  I did recently turn down a better job, but that was in southern Taylor county, commute would have been close to 1.5 hours one way.

How often do you see scooter?  I can drop it off with him.