[AT] Welding again

[Jack]

I had a late 70s era US made auto darkening helmet. At about 10 years old the darkening did start to slow down. I quit using it.

-----Original Message-----
From: AT <at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com> On Behalf Of Jim Becker
Sent: Wednesday, November 14, 2018 9:42 PM
To: Antique Tractor Email Discussion Group <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Subject: Re: [AT] Welding again

I have a "consumer grade" auto-darkening helmet that I have had for a long time and don't use very often.  It has always worked but due to it being cheap and the fact that it sits for long periods, I don't totally trust it. 
Whenever I do use it, I put it on and strike an arc while looking away.  I turn my head enough that I can't actually see the arc but can see that the gizmo darkened like it is supposed to.  After that ritual, I start welding (or whatever you should call what I do).

Jim Becker

-----Original Message-----
From: Spencer Yost
Sent: Wednesday, November 14, 2018 8:19 PM
To: at at lists.antique-tractor.com
Subject: [AT] Welding again

One of the casualties of welding this weekend was my auto darkening welding helmet. I’ve had it for many years, so I guess it’s no surprise. It no longer darkens.  I am typing this with little white dots in front of my eyes is I speak :-) (OK not really but i did have them for a minute.). 
Thankfully, I still have my really old non-auto darkening helmet so we were able to weld.

Even though it is a Hobart, it was a cheap enough grade that the battery is placed on the circuitboard with some sort of dielectric glue and there’s no getting it out and replacing it.

While I was never completely dissatisfied with the helmet there were several things I didn’t like(bands wouldn’t stay tight enough, darkness adjustment was coarse and unpredictable, etc), so not being able to replace the battery was the last straw.  I am no longer going to buy a $60 consumer grade auto darkening helmet again.

While I am not looking to spend 400+ dollars on a helmet, I am looking for something a little better than the consumer grade.

So I would appreciate recommendations of a good auto darkening welding 
helmet.   Everything I found locally is just consumer grade or $450 3Ms. 
Research on the Internet provides many options, but I know nothing about them and would prefer someone with real life experience.

Thanks in advance!

Spencer Yost

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