Welding mask

warrior24

warrior24

Joined
May 3, 2006
Messages
673
Hi guys, do you guys had any suggestions for welding masks under 100 bucks. All I have is the one that you hold and it dose not to a good job I get a lot of reflected light inside the mask while welding. And I went to the optometrist today because I see allot of floaters and it turned out that there is nothing wrong, but I still want a better mask so I don't get the reflected light. Any help is greatly appreciated.
 
If you can find one in that price range an auto darkening one is very handy. I love mine since it frees up a hand to hold your steel. HF has had them for around $60 on sale.
 
Skip harbor freight. Hobart makes a real nice auto darkening adjustable hood that generally runs between $100 and $150. Spend the money, its your eye sight and its worth it.
The lense can be adjusted for shade, which is a nice feature, and I think its also adjustable for sensitivity and delay which helps alot if you're going to be welding outdoors or in different set ups that affect the lighting around you.
The hood/mask is lightweight and offers good coverage. Its not rated for overhead or out of position welding, but thats not a huge deal for most folks.

Personally, I use a hunstman adjustable lense in a jackson hood/mask. Its a good set up, but costs quite a bit if you're not going to be using it alot or welding in odd postions where you need the heavier hood.

Jackson makes a nice hood with an adjustable lense also, and I think they may have some cheaper hoods that are fixed shade, but electronic lenses so you don't have to flip them up and down. You might consider one of these if you only stick or mig weld. A #10 lense is good for general use.

I'd really pass on any of the cheapo import stuff in this case. And be sure that whatever you buy uses stanard sized parts so you can buy new cover plates for the lense. Using one thats scratched up all the time sucks.

EDIT
I'd recommend one like this http://www.migweld.com/Black-XTV-Welding-Hood-p/770424.htm
Look at how much faster the reaction time is for that lense compared to the cheaper ones. And you have the other adjustments to fine tune it as well.
I really like having an adjustable shade lense. I generally run it around a #11 for mig or stick welding. If I'm welding outside and have a lot of sun coming in the back of my hood the glare can get annoying. So I'll switch to tinted safety glasses to take care of the glare and then bump the lense back to around #10.
 
I will look in the stores around town here to see how much money they are..

It's been a long time from when I got mine.
I have the auto darkening as well, and it really is nice to be able to see what you are doing before you start the work,,,
 
Like Matt said get a good one. I welding for a living for quite a few years.Used a Jackson with a 4" polarized #10.I coudn't get used to the auto-darkening when they first came out.The only thing I did like them for was tacking up a bunch of stuff.Dave:)
 
:) An auto darkening hood is excellent advice. I use a Jackson NexGen, more expensive then you are wanting to spend but well worth the money. One trick to reduce reflected light with any hood is to lay a dark cloth over the back of your head across the hood while welding. This keeps the light from shining into the back of the hood. Really works well outside in bright sunlight.
 
I drilled some holes on the back edge of my welding hood and attached a cloth to it with wire (mig wire actually since it was handy), it works great even though people might make fun of you.
 
If all you're doing is putzing around in the garage, buy a cheap flip front lid. If it's something you're gonna use everyday, spend the money and get an auto-darkening. I've got a speedglas 9200x that I absolutely fricking love. I actually spent the money because my chiropracter told me that my neck wouldn't get so sore if I wasn't flipping my welding helmet down all the time (snapping head forward because hands are full) and I would never go back now. I don't know how it is in the US, but up here in alberta you can actually buy an auto-darkening lens that fits into a regular helmet for about $35-50 CDN (the ones I've seen were ESAB).

By the way, pay attention to the "floaters" you're seeing. If you're seeing black spots, you're experiencing eye strain and should switch to a lighter shade lens. If you're seeing white spots, you're letting in too much light and should go darker. Eye damage from welding can be cumulative so play it safe. You've only got two eyes, and you need both of them to weld (depth perception sure helps).
 
Flea markets and garage sales
I picked up a decent flip-front for $5.00 at a local garage sale. It is all I need for my quarterly welding escapade
 
thanks guys for the input as always am very great full for your suggestions. I think I am gonna get the one that Matt shade recommended. It does look better than others I have seen.
 
It's money well spent IMO! A good welding sheild will pay for it self in aggrevation saved .For safety measures I always wear safety glasses under my sheild to protect from stray arc rays.From what I was taught even clear glasses are better than the naked eye when it comes to arc ray exposure.(getting a "flash burn" on the 'ol peepers hurts :grumpy:
 
Warrior,
I used to weld and teach welding for a living and have nearly a briefcase full of certs to prove it. I am a supervisor now, but still spend plenty of time under the hood. How much welding are you really going to do? I have welding hoods that range in price to over $1500.00 Trust me, you don't need it! Chances are if you don't already have a welding hood you aren't going to be doing that much welding!!! Buy a good lightweight jackson full faced flip up welding shield and forget about throwing away money on something you don't need! Spend some money on a nice greenbriar #10 or #11 lens and plenty of clears, and most of all, as Joe said, BUY A GOOD PAIR OF SAFETY GLASSES!!! Not a p.o.s. pair that are not comfortable and do not fit your face. I have been flashed several times but NEVER when wearing my safety glasses. They are not an option they are a must. Actually just send me your address and I'll send you a pair. I have boxes.
Don't waste your money,
Matt Doyle
 
I have an auto darkening mask, I will never go back. I got sick and tired of flipping my old helmet and catching an arc flash in the eye. Down side is they start at around $ 275 but well worth the money.
 
Well thank you very much Mdoyle but I already have a really comfortable pair of safety glasses, that wrap around my eyes like they were custom fit to my face. However do you have a particular model of jackson full face flip up that you would recommend, or even a web site that you have dealt with because there are about a million different web sites that sell welding equipment thanks to google. I really appreciate your offer.
 
I don't plan on welding all day long but I would like to buy the best that I can afford . So far the only welding I have done is start welding some doors on my forge. But I am deciding to wait till I get a actual welding helmet not a pos you have to hold. Ohh and I always wear my safety glasses when welding.
 
OK,,,,I went into town tonight and pulled into TSC, (Tractor Supply Center) and asked to see the cheapest welder mask that they sell.

$12.00 bucks.....It a full face thing like a reg one, just made cheap
 
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