[Hayman1]

I stick weld on my farm stuff. Just finishing sides for my new trailer and making a sturdy chicken tractor for my wife. need to replace my old school helmet with an auto change glass. How much do I need to spend? What model do you recommend? Thanks

 

[broadriverhay]

I have a Nexgen. Very nice shield.

 

[broadriverhay]

Off subject but how do you like your 5075M ?

 

[Gearclash]

I’ve owned 4 auto darkening helmets. 3 Hobart Hood helmets and now a Century branded helmet. The Hobarts were nice fitting helmets, but of the 3, the first had the auto darkening lease crap out way too soon, the second was stolen, and the 3rd had the auto darken crap out sooner than I thought it should have. The Century works good so far but I despise the lack of hood space around my mouth.

 

[mstuck21]

I bought a Miller digital elite last yr and really like it.. it has auto darkening and can switch the mode for something like grinding if needed.. I don’t do a lot of welding so take it for what’s it’s worth.. we had an old junk helmet and wanted something better for a project.. very comfortable too .. when I need it I have it and am very happy with it

 

[Hayjosh]

Honestly? I just use a Harbor Freight auto darkening helmet. My first one went about 10 years before the battery finally crapped out. I do quite a lot of welding on my restorations.

 

[Hayman1]

Off subject but how do you like your 5075M ?

I love it. If I could I would love to be able to switch to an older style fuel filter as the system want’s really clean fuel. I change filters twice as often as specified and stopped using the local off-road in it. With that protocol I haven’t had any issues. Open station, loader. Very convenient to use. One thing that would have been really nice would have been power adjust wheels. For most functions I prefer wheels spread to the max for stability but with a chore tractor sometimes the more narrow settings are better. if you are using something that is 72” wide (like the seeder I used to have) then you need more narrow. The 2013 I have is pre interim tier 4. Handles dry 4 x 5s no problem, does all the tedding, raking, and 10’ bushogging, and pulls the GP nut 10’ drill. Moderate slopes here, up to 12%. 2wd, 15-38 loaded rears. Bought new, 3k hours. Hth

 

[Ox76]

Harbor Freight or cheap Amazon equivalent auto darkening for me works just fine. A game changer when arc welding.

 

[HardnoseCattleCo]

I got mine off the tool truck for half price. Still expensive but by far the best welding helmet I've ever used. I have always used auto darkening ones from tractor supply and this one is so much better I highly recommend spending the money

 

[broadriverhay]

Thanks for the tractor information. The Nexgen helmet is a 3 in 1. Weld, torch and grind. It’s the same thing the welders at the nuclear plant here use. I have had this one for probably 8 years. I don’t use it every day but I have had no issues with it. I have not heard of any here failing.

 

[Aaroncboo]

My wife bought me the $50 ones from Menards probably 5 years ago. Auto darkening and it has the grind cut and weld settings. Works perfect for me.

 

[Hayjosh]

My grinding helmet is closing my eyes when the sparks start getting too close

 

[8350HiTech]

My grinding helmet is closing my eyes when the sparks start getting too close

Mine too, but all of my trips to the Ophthalmologist say maybe there are better ways.

I’m only on my second cheap helmet, and I think they both came from TSC. Just had to replace the coin battery in the current one a few weeks ago (and thoroughly cleaned it inside and out while I was at it) and it’s like a new helmet again! I mostly weld for repair work but I do have four (or maybe five) wagon beds in the works currently so I do spend some days in the winter with it on my head quite a bit. Current Hobart has a grinding feature, probably should try that on occasion…

 

[Slippery Slopes]

I had a Harbor Freight helmet for several years and thought is was a good helmet and that I was just a mediocre welder. Then it crapped out. I was at the local welding supply getting gas, and I was offered a Miller Digital Elite return item for a good discount. I bought it despite it was more money than I expected to pay for a helmet. The first time I used it I realized that the HF helmet was mediocre, and that I could actually be a good welder. I could actually see what I was doing! There is no comparison. Drop the dough on a good helmet and you won't regret it.

 

[8350HiTech]

I had a Harbor Freight helmet for several years and thought is was a good helmet and that I was just a mediocre welder. Then it crapped out. I was at the local welding supply getting gas, and I was offered a Miller Digital Elite return item for a good discount. I bought it despite it was more money than I expected to pay for a helmet. The first time I used it I realized that the HF helmet was mediocre, and that I could actually be a good welder. I could actually see what I was doing! There is no comparison. Drop the dough on a good helmet and you won't regret it.

That’s funny, I felt that way even going to an ordinary auto darkening from an extremely old and crappy manual hood. Who knows what I’m capable of then?!

 

[Hay diddle diddle]

Got a miller. it's average. Had a few cheapies thrown in when I bought a plasma cutter. (Tech weld) Honestly they are just shìť, welding flashes all the time. Spent the coin and got a Speedglas 9100 fx. BEST money I ever spent. Not a single flash even in out of position sensor covering welds. All depends how much you value your eyesight... And the older you get the more important it is to look after it.

 

[Hayman1]

Mine too, but all of my trips to the Ophthalmologist say maybe there are better ways.

I’m only on my second cheap helmet, and I think they both came from TSC. Just had to replace the coin battery in the current one a few weeks ago (and thoroughly cleaned it inside and out while I was at it) and it’s like a new helmet again! I mostly weld for repair work but I do have four (or maybe five) wagon beds in the works currently so I do spend some days in the winter with it on my head quite a bit. Current Hobart has a grinding feature, probably should try that on occasion…

I wear cheap goggles when grinding so no issues there

 

[dieselmike]

I bought a cheap one from NAPA and I am quite happy with it. Forney Easy Weld.. Under $50.00. Used for past year with no issues. Super buy.

 

[560Dennis]

At my age ,I like to see the weld puddle , that means I need cheaters . So being able use cheaters is a must have With the helmit.

 

[KurtS1]

I spent the longer dollar for a Snap-On, it was ok at first, but...... Now I have one made by Save Phace. It is fairly inexpensive, but I really like it. Is narrower, so I can see better/fit my head, in tight spaces. It is auto darkening in the center vision area and then around that it has a conventional shade portion. Another handy feature in tight areas! It also wraps around my head/face a little more than any other hood that I have worn, so I don't breath in as many fumes!
This one is on Amazon and under $100 bucks!
Save Phace Auto Darkening Welding Helmet Spiderman Gen Y - Ear to Ear vision Welder Hood with 2nd Largest Viewing Mask for SMAC/MIG/TIG/SPOT - 2 ARC Sensors Solar Powered and Grind Mode (3012336)
Brand: SAVE PHACE
4.7 out of 5 stars 92 ratings