i need to get my mom's significant other a welding helmet for xmas. i'd like to get him one with an auto-darkening lens. what little bit of welding i have done was done without an auto-darkening lens, so i don't know much about them. can a decent one be had for under $100? he runs an asphalt company and will mainly be using it for occasional repairs to equipment at the shop.

[Edited on December 4, 2011 at 10:51 PM. Reason : if the answer is no, that's cool. i'd rather get a decent non-auto than a trash auto lens]

12/4/2011 10:50:38 PM

I have this one from tractor supply that is in that price range

http://www.tractorsupply.com/autoarc-burnback-trade-variable-shade-auto-darkening-welding-helmet-1004371

Pros:
-Always on. I have got flashed by some really expensive helmets that you have to remember to turn on every time you use it or if you go more than X amount of minutes idle.... very annoying.
-Made by Hobart, good quality. You wont see this anywhere on the packaging, but the internals are labeled as such, and if you compare to the more expensive hobart helmets, the lens, buttons, everything is 100% identical, just at a lower cost.

cons:
the flames....... I planned to peel the decals, but once i got it home, i realized they shot a clearcoat over the decals after applying them...... if i peeled them off it woudl leave an outline.

12/4/2011 11:10:15 PM

dammit. i think they had that one on sale for $80 on black friday. i told the old lady to hold off so i could do a little research. figured it was probably junk.

12/4/2011 11:17:48 PM

I have this exact helmet. It's retardo cheap, and has worked well for me over the last year. You can adjust the darkness and the sensitivity of it. I've gone through 5lbs of mig wire over the last year and I'm not blind yet haha. I suppose it's doing it's job.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AUTO-DARKENING-WELDING-HELMET-MASK-HOOD-SOLAR-POWERED-/190610220621?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c6141264d

I'm sure I'd go with a more expensive one if I had to use it everyday for my job or something, but for the occasional welder, this has more than done its job.

[Edited on December 4, 2011 at 11:40 PM. Reason : .]

12/4/2011 11:29:10 PM

having one that was purchased from harbor freight i'd say pick one that is made by a good name. my eyes hurt after doing some welding with my helmet. if what adam says is true about his recommendation being made by hobart i don't think you could go wrong.

12/6/2011 10:42:01 AM

it has a "Made by Hobart" sticker inside, lol.

12/6/2011 11:51:29 AM

^awesome. that's a hell of a buy. good job. i need to pick one up for myself.

12/6/2011 8:02:56 PM

thanks guys

12/11/2011 5:35:21 PM