[TheForge] Cheap Autodarkening Welding Helmet.

[theforge@mailman.qth.net]

I  don't take your comments as insulting.   I don't disagree, my normal 
helmet is an american brand.  I say brand, since god knows where 
anything is really made anymore.  Too many "made in america" products 
seem to be more snapped together in america, by illegal labor.     I 
wouldn't suggest anyone here entertain these for daily welding or if 
they are using high amperages.   I bought mine as a spare, since I don't 
want to have a lot of money tied up in an extra helmet I hope to not 
have to use.  Also, there was some mention a while back about using an 
autodarkening rig for forge welding, where these units may be 
appropriate as well, considering that so many people use nothing other 
than ordinary safety glasses for forge welding now (if that).   I bought 
didium glasses years ago when that seemed the best thing to do.  I 
typically wear them under a gas welding goggle( the boxy kind that take 
shields of the same size as helmets).   I started this when gas welding 
aluminum, and have used it for any major forge welding as well, since. 

 I debated posting on the Harbor Freight helmets in the first place, but 
decided it might be of value to some.  There was no ringing endorsement 
in my post for this very reason, simply that I had previously bought the 
$69 version and after a brief tryout it seemed to work ok.   After an 
hour or so using the helmet, I did not have any noticable eye strain, 
the helmet kicked in appropriately, and the shade level (adjustable) was 
consistent.  That being said, I understand and support your cautionary 
statements since the ability to reason is the only thing I value more 
highly that the ability to see.

Charles 


A. Vida wrote:

>xlch58@swbell.net wrote:
>  
>
>>I just noticed that Harbor Freight has a couple of their autodarkening
>>hemets on clearance pretty cheap:
>>
>>	I'm not trying to insult anyone here, but just
>>	pointing out that eyesight is, at least for me, a precious
>>	thing and if the best helmet cost me $1000, I would pay it
>>	in a heartbeat if I felt it better preserved my vision.
>>
>>	Some things are NOT worth saving a dollar on.  Not to me,
>>	anyway.
>>    
>>