AutoDarkening Helmets

[Wooders]

Just looking to upgrade my welding mask......thinking one of those fancy Auto darkening unit - preferably with some silly face mask like a clown etc......

But my questions are:
Any recommended outlets?
Anything to watch out for?
Any features that are good to have? (Dont' the homer welding masks come with Beer holders )
etc....

[LEXX]

Well I've got a Hobart Hood, which is great. It's solar powered so the welding flash recharges it as well. I'm pretty sure most of the "face painted" helments are a Hobart Hood or various ranges.

I had one of the "cheaper" versions and I found that the darkening was too much even on the lowest settings, couldn't see the work properly. Make sure you get one that you can easily replace the perspex lense covering, becuase you will fine they get dirty pretty quick, especially if your using gal pipe or welding upside down

Also look for a nice big lense, other wise you may feel a bit like Ned kelly.


http://www.hobartwelders.com/weldit/safety/
http://hoodlum-welding.com/hoods.htm

[Wooders]

Is there a measure for how dark they go??
Hobart was one brand I was looking at...

[LEXX]

Yer there is a grade the higher the number the darker it goes. The hobart is good as it is between 9-10, so it good for the MIG and also suited for TIG. Maybe a bit light on for ARC though, you may need to look at 11-12 for ARC.

Speedglas is also another good brand to look at but don't come in funny faces etc, these are for serious welders http://www.hornell.com/

[Wooders]

Is there one helmet (or replacement lenses) that could allow for use with Mig & Arc...heck even Oxy ....sadly no TiG in the garage yet

[LEXX]

Look at a hobart with an adjustable darkening m8, these go from 9-13 ( I think)

[H.G]

COOL IDEA LEXX a NED KELLY MASK..