[Kevin45]

The travelling tool shows have been selling these auto darkening helmets. Looks just like the one I paid $139.00 for at Lowes awhile back. For $39.00 you can't go wrong. For those of you interested http://www.homier.com/default.asp?pa...ies.asp?dept=1

Kevin

[EBlack36]

I guess I had better not let the wife see that, she bought my auto darkening flamed helment for Christmas a couple of years ago and it was around 150.00 at Tractor Supply.

[oldred]

Eblack- Don't feel bad since you are no doubt talking about the Hobart helmet called the "hood" which is far better quality than the discount places like harbour freight and especially the traveling tool shows. Remember you get what you pay for and I for one value my eyes more than 40 bucks! Cheap copies may be ok for some things but do yourself a favor and use the best hood you can afford.

[EBlack36]

It is a hobart and I love it. If a person has ever had a flash burn they would appreciate it even more.

[scott011422]

I payed around 300 for mine a year ago........

[DragTour69XL]

That is a good price for sure. Even as a spare...

[senor_limpio]

Hey guys, while we're on the topic... I just got one of these on ebay. My question is, is it a safe helmet? I don't know what Ultraviolet and Infrared transmittance rates are considered "good?"

Oh yeah, are different helmets rated for different welding methods? (Mig, Tig etc...) Because I see on some helmets they make a point to list Mig and others.

Does this seem like a good helmet or did I waste my money?

Click here to see if I wasted my ca$h

Thanks,

Señor

[oldred]

senor- I don't think you wasted your money at that price but I really don't know much about that model. The UV and infrared ratings have to meet minimum requirements so that is not much of a concern. what I have a problem with on the off-brand models is a reliability problem as it seems that the darn things always seem to have something broken. A couple of employees at my shop tried the cheap ones and it seems like they spent about as much time working on them as with them! It is not so much the auto dark feature as it is the head gear and such, just as a cheap conventional helmet is more trouble than it is worth. Another thing to be concerned about is replacement parts such as cover plates as some cheapo models use nonstandard parts that may be nearly impossible to find. I have seen several "bargain" hoods in the past and everyone I know in the business will tell you to spend the extra money and get a good one in the first place as this is one tool you do not want to scrimp on. My advice to anyone looking at a cheap hood is to think twice because in the long run a good name brand model will not only work much better but if you take care of it you will still have it long after the "bargain" is gone and forgotten.