Welding Hoods...

[Yellowhand]

If you get a chance, ask a professional welder if you can try out his high-dollar hood...

We're probably all familiar with the commercial-grade welding hoods costing around $200...they come with an ADL (Auto-Darkening Lens) that lightens to shade #4, and darkens to a variable 9-12 shade during arc sensing...

But, there are also industrial or 'production' grade hoods, intended for sale to people who make a living by welding, with an ADF (Auto-Darkening Filter) that significantly reduces arc glare through polarization...

These models are pricey, but if you weld fairly often, they might be for you...

You might be amazed how much better your welds are when you can actually see what you're doing...

[Hent]

I could never get used to those auto darkening helmets. I learned with the flip style, so whenever I used a ADL I'd end up flipping it up and down anyway.

Probably is a good idea to use one though, reduces the risk of flash and such...

[rudedog]

I need to check the specs on it, but I bought an AD-helmet from Northern Tool. About $60 I believe. Works great for the amount of welding I do.

[steven Durham]

I have an old AD-Jackson helmet and it is a fixed #10 lense but last year I saw an add in Northern Tools for a new hood that was with the adjustable type from 12 to 9 and fully adjustable head gear with a sweat removable sweat band . And the main feature is that the hood has a built in rechargeable LED light system that has 3 green LED lights that switch off when the arc starts and the lense darkens. Northern tools had it for $329.00 OUCH but of course I had to have one so I went to my Local Air Gas Co. Store and they had only 5 spread out among all the North West stores so I had them send one to my local store and got a price of $275.00 . This Optrel helmet is lightweight and made in Switzerland . I just love the hood and when you are welding in a pocket or an inside corner it gives just enough light for these old eyes to see better before and after the arc. Steve

[Oldsalt]

When my youngest son was in his early teens I decided he had to learn to weld [wire, tig, stick and gas] like the rest of the pack. So I dropped the loot for that Swiss Optrel helmet so that he would not need to learn how to "drop" a standard helmet at the instant required. It did in fact help him quickly learn the basics. Guess I'm stuck in my ways, it has been hanging, unused, on the wall for a few years now. I like my 30 year old Huntsman.

[kbs8ball]

I still hold the helmet in one hand and weld with the other. Bad habit I guess.

[ogygopsis]

Where do you put the filler rod when you're TIG welding, 8ball?? LOL!!

[jeep2003]

Just wondering. I use a cheapo helmet with a plastic lens that gets coverd with a glass lens to keep it from melting. Do the high dollar lenses have a replaceable glass piece or do they use some fancy glass that doesnt get spatterd?

[Austin T]

my welding hellmet is the plain AD one from harbor freight, and it is all plastic and i never had any problem with it melting, even when welding 1/8" rod at 200 amps!

[jeep2003]

Well it doesnt melt from the heat or light i mean when i have it sitting on the bench and i fling sparks from the grinder at it or slag from welding. I guess i should just be more careful :)