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Welding Helmet

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by Slaghammer, Mar 14, 2007.

  1. Mar 14, 2007
    Slaghammer

    Slaghammer Member

    Antioch, Ca.
    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2006
    Messages:
    83
    The solar powered auto darkening lens on my helmet died the other day. Cost to replace the lens is $135 :shock: Decided to give one of Harbor Freights auto helmets a try ( was on sale for $49 ) and found its a good helmet ! Adjustable shades from 9-13 etc. If your looking for an auto darkening helmet for occasional projects, this one is pretty cost effective. Just thought Id pass on what I found. Model number is 91214.
     
    Last edited: Mar 14, 2007
    Slaghammer, Mar 14, 2007
    #1
  2. Mar 14, 2007
    Rondog

    Rondog just hangin' out

    Parker, CO
    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2005
    Messages:
    2,918
    Thanks for the opinion! Been wonderin' about those....
     
    Rondog, Mar 14, 2007
    #2
  3. Mar 14, 2007
    Daryl

    Daryl Sponsor

    Bonney Lake, WA
    Joined:
    May 25, 2006
    Messages:
    2,882
    Harbor freight had one for $130 acouple of months ago that had the same part number as the miller hood for $340. Qiute a large coincidence?
     
    Daryl, Mar 14, 2007
    #3
  4. Mar 14, 2007
    Slaghammer

    Slaghammer Member

    Antioch, Ca.
    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2006
    Messages:
    83
    This one is made by Chicago Electric. Could be they are re-badged and sold to Miller and others. Prices seem all over the dart board. Lens on mine is ANSI approved so I figured I give it a shot.
     
    Slaghammer, Mar 14, 2007
    #4
  5. Mar 14, 2007
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    4,585
    I have the harbor freight helmet. Works good for me. Only issue is every so often you will start and arc and the lens wont darken. I reach up and turn the knob a touch and it works just fine. It isnt like you go blind for that moment, the lens does have a bit of shading built in, it just lets you know it isnt dimming enough. I got my money out of it. I still have the old one, so that is for those who want to see what i am doing. but I can say i love teh auto dark feature, no more holding the rod try to aim it, while flipping the mask up and down to make sure youwill be in the correct palce when doing teh weld. Makes it much easier.
     
    DanStew, Mar 14, 2007
    #5
  6. Mar 14, 2007
    Slaghammer

    Slaghammer Member

    Antioch, Ca.
    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2006
    Messages:
    83
    On this one, I'm going to try to place it in direct sunlight from time to time in the hopes that the solar battery might benefit from it. ( I know nothing about this solar stuff! ) :D :D
     
    Slaghammer, Mar 14, 2007
    #6
  7. Mar 14, 2007
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    4,585
    actually from what a welding buddy told me, it gets its "charge" from the actual welding UV. Which makes sense, since there is no "warning" to use the helmet only in the sun
     
    DanStew, Mar 14, 2007
    #7
  8. Mar 14, 2007
    Chris Insull

    Chris Insull All roads lead me back to the beach... 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Chesapeake, VA.
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    805
    Both my son and I have one and they have worked great for over a year. The only parts I've replaced is the protective cover for the lens, when it will no longer clean up good enough to weld.
     
    Chris Insull, Mar 14, 2007
    #8
  9. Mar 15, 2007
    Harvard

    Harvard Formerly know as Hellcat

    Steubenville Ohio
    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2007
    Messages:
    6
    Tell you guys what, I have never liked these auto darking helmets. But, at work the welding supply salesman stopped by and had some, so i gave them a shot, and well bought one. Its a jasckson nexgen It has 9-13 shades a grinding shade and a torch shade as well. Hasnt failed me yet, 10 hours a day 6 days a week and outside, no problem.
    Chris
     
    Harvard, Mar 15, 2007
    #9
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