2023 Ultimate Welding Helmet/Hood Showdown. Do You Always Get What You Pay For? NO BS!
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 มิ.ย. 2024
- An honest, no bullshit review and breakdown of several welding hoods I've used in my welding career.
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Check me out on Instagram / angryasianfab
CHAPTERS:
0:00 Start
0:13 Introduction
1:17 My welding background
2:08 Miller Classic Series review
7:44 Miller Digital Performance review
13:24 Vulcan ArcSafe review
19:16 ESAB Sentinel A50 review
28:31 Wrap-up & conclusion
TOOLS OF THE TRADE:
Miller Classic Series
- Pros: Inexpensive, uses AAA batteries
- Cons: Small viewing area, less comfort and options
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Miller Digital Performance
- Pros: Easy to use controls, large spectrum of shades
- Cons: Too expensive, headgear sucks
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Vulcan ArcSafe (aka: Lincoln Viking Jr)
- Pros: Inexpensive, large viewing window, single battery
- Cons: Headgear padding, extra work to remove lenses, it's Harbor Freight
www.harborfreight.com/101-sq-...
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ESAB Sentinel A50
- Pros: Looks cool, comfortable, long battery life
- Cons: Too expensive, headgear sucks, lenses scratch too easily, expensive consumables
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Miller Half-Mask Respirator
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Here’s my experience with hoods so far. I bought the $50 Harbor Freight auto dark helmet, the red one. It did great for 5 years with no dead battery (thanks to the solar panel). Never blinded me. Was a bit narrow so it would hit my ears when it was down and bumped my earbuds out. I upgraded to the $340 Miller Digital Performance and thought it was great at first. That was about 7 months ago. I have never been blinded so many times as I’ve had with that damn miller. I’ve tried adjusting settings and nothing helps. If my hand is slightly in front of the welding action, it thinks the light isn’t bright enough to stay dark. AND it wouldn’t stay the F**k up when i want it to. I went back to Harbor Freight and got their $160 top of the line helmet (the bastard child) that boasts all digital, 1/1/1/1 visibility, comfy head gear, dual battery w/ solar. Grind button, and 4 sensors. So as far as im concerned HF has the better helmet between them and miller, no matter the cost. Miller was a big let down for me, so yeah.
Miller's headgear is garbage. One thing you can do is remove the side knobs, there should be a little black o-ring under both of them. Find another same size o-ring and double them up and reattach the knobs.
@@angryasianfab thanks. I’ll try that.
Yo pro tip to any welders to keeping your covers nice, meguiars plastx with a clean microfiber every once in a while will really help extending their lives and also retain better visibility throughout the cover's life span. Doesnt make all the spatter pits go away but it cuts down the haziness really well.
Just the right mix of information, humor, irreverence, and anger with no time wasted on narcissistic rambling or "channel" promotion. Thanks for the review.
Yeah, so I've has the Vulcan for about 2 years now. Many, many hrs on it. Sort of hard on batteries, but dang, it's tough. Dropped it from about 20 feet on the gravel, cracked the shell, but with some Gorilla tape, we are back in buisness. I highly recommend it. They have a newer one out now. I might give it a try.
I have the older Vulcan and the new one, I actually think I prefer the older one due to it being lighter
Thank you for that great, honest video. I'm a novice welder, and after not using my Kobalt welding hood for 5 years, I found that the batteries were dead. Non replaceable. Need one in a hurry and found your video. You convinced me, gonna go to Harbor Freight tomorrow and get me a Vulcan!
Do it, you'll be happy with it! I forgot to mention that the Vulcan has that "blue arc" technology so it's just as clear as the Sentinel. My last job there were 3 dudes running Vulcans at one point, it's a very underrated helmet because of the HF tag.
I think people forget where we came from in terms of performance these days, vs where we were 5, 10, or even 20 years ago. The same way you feel about helmets here is also how I feel about a lot of budget rifle optics.
Go back 20 years and look at the mid and top-shelf stuff, and dudes were getting it fucking DONE with that shit, and some of the bottom of the barrel (yet still half-decent) stuff is on average BETTER.
Go back even further and look at what the soviet snipers were doing in WW2 with 4 power shitbox PU scopes on mosins, and people over here like "I nEeD mUh $7500 Schmidt and Bender", Bitch please, a $7500 scope ain't going to make you a better shooter!
I'm not paying $400+ for a plastic welding helmet that uses the technology from a dollar store calculator.
The only parts I've spent a decent amount of coin on is my 3M PAPR and my custom pipeliner from Outlaw Leather. Expensive hoods for the most part just eat up $ because the plastics are very expensive.
try an Optrel Crystal 2.0 and tell me again how you're not willing to spend $400 - as a professional welder for 30 years I call anything under $300 entry level junk
@@jasonb787 "professional welder"
cool, GTFO, this comment isn't for you. You can take your "professional" snobbery and fuck right off because no one gives 2 flying fucks about you or your opinion.
FACT: there's dudes out there that have probably done 10 times the amount of work you have with passive fixed glass.
@@jasonb787have you tried the 2 Vulcan hoods? Not saying you’re wrong by any means, simply curious what you thought of them in comparison to other sub $300 hoods.
@@DeezNuttz_BoffaDemis that a harbor freight helmet? If so, I have no interest in it... The Optrel crystal 2.0 is like (or lighter than) wearing sun glasses in it's light state, where as most helmets are a #4 shade in light state, When I'm doing production work I can go a very long time without ever lifting it up because you can see so well (I also have a 2.5 Vega view) - I used to preach Speed glass helmets, but they haven't really changed in many years - I have both Speed glass and Optrel helmets that are 30+ years old and still working fine
Thank you. So much crap on welding on TH-cam. You were a great help. I chose the Vulcan.
Miller makes that Classic Hood in true color now. I have the older green one all flashed out with band stickers.
Seriously, thank you for your insights on the Esab. I was looking at another hemispherical lid by "Tekware" and I didn't think about the issues that could occur with that big-ass lens... this vid is exactly what I was looking for!
The big lenses look cool but really are more of a pain in the ass to deal with. And they cost too much.
I just bought the Lincoln 3350 a few months ago. A lot better than my old Speedglas, especially the viewing area. Thanks for your service by the way.👌
I would say that the Jackson safety welding helmet is the quintessential entry level helmet. I'm just now about to replace mine after 8 yrs of full time use
Great video man! It would be nice if you mention their darkening reaction capability. For example A50 have 1/25000 , and 3m 100v have 1/10000.
I have 2 3M 9100 series hoods that I use for heavy industrial with a PAPR Adflow 2. I have 2 Optrel hoods that are perfect for GTAW as they're light with large viewing areas. For outdoor stuff I run a chopped Fibermetal from Outlaw Leather with either Blue Demon or TruArc auto inserts. Sometimes in low light stuff I run passive inserts because getting flashed is lame unless it's a hot chick. Great videos. Burn and earn dude.
I've head good things about the Speedglass and Optrels. If I ever go back to welding fulltime I might be looking at the 3M headgear.
@@angryasianfab the main thing about the 3M Speedglas 9100 series lids is that they're really tough and can take a beating and the sensors are very good. The optrel lids are super light but the plastics are expensive so I don't use them much. I mostly run my chopped pipeliner as the plastics are cheap and easy to get.
I love my speedglas too!
"really tough" it's just ABS plastic, not magic. They were trying too hard when they designed the headband on the 9100. And you better have a long neck otherwise you'll have a hard time tilting your head forward enough to see around corners.
God I felt every word you said in this video. Wish I had gone with a miller digital
Read my comment on the feed about my issues with the miller digital performance. Mine blinded me so many times.
Thanks for the video, it’s good to know about the spherical lenses getting scratched. I’m a big fan of miller hoods. I love my classic, and elite. I primarily tig weld aluminum and stainless. I am very curious about miller’s 2.0 clear view upgrade. Try cleaning your lenses with pledge, it helps a lot with the scratches. Go hawks
I've noticed that some people buy the more affordable morning helmet but I have a quick tip for your DIY welders sometimes you get a clear visor with the helmet that you've purchased or what I did was I took the clear visor can you purchase on perspex took the production clear visor and just got other sizes after of the production clear visas dimensions on the perspex and I did about 20 of them space and it really saves a lot a lot of moolah
Great video. I’m now subscribed
Thanks for no bs
Great review, agree, period
It's a great video of you putting up the comparison of the helmets I currently have a yes welder helmet and it's really pissing me off cuz it flashes on low amperage with TIG welding and I don't understand why it would work with stainless steel aluminum and some steal anything under 70 amps it starts going Goofy and starts fucking flashing me!! I'm really considering getting the sentinel helmet....
I been using a $50 Hobart Auto darkening hood for my arc welding. Think I'm gonna try the Vulcan and see if it'll help make me a better welder.
I think you'll be very happy with it!
@@angryasianfab just picked it up. Gonna test it today. Can't be any worse.
@@angryasianfab bad news is it won't auto darken for some damn reason and now I'm seeing spots. Test button works fine and all the settings are high sensitivity and darkest shade possible. Not in grind mode. Battery in place properly too. Guess it was too good to be true. Taking it back tomorrow.
@@cfreezy45 i would exchange it for another. If the 2nd one has the same issue something else is going on.
I bought a denko try it a few times and it wouldn't darken when striking a weld test button showed it worked fine - almost gave up on it and then feeling like an idiot i noticed a micro switch inside grind- weld it works great now🤣🤣
I use to be a miller elite guy. But miller changed there head band design. I have had Hobart hoods and performers. I got tired of that junk over time. I bought a passive lens Jackson hood. Jackson is so good I won’t wear anything else. I made a Video on it.
I'll check it out!
Ever think about the Miller Digital Elite? It's got "x mode" which may help with your low amp tig welding.also, a jackson insight for $150
I've heard good things about the Digital Elite. May be purchasing another hood in the near future, but haven't decided which one...
am i the only one that hates the stupid little adjustment knobs. give me push buttons like speedglas
I like both, but I like analog controls.
Thanks for the reviews on these, I’ve started off with the HF brands but I am looking for the Lincoln Miller or Optrel now. My Vulcan hood doesn’t work with TIG. Are you a ranger or just wearing the sweatshirt?
I was a Ranger but been out for over a decade now. I use my Vulcan for TIG all the time, what issues are you having?
@@angryasianfab I keep getting flashed to hell and back. I’ve cleaned the outer layer and the light sensors look clean, I commented before you mentioned cleaning them, I have to try it out and see what happens. But for now it drops the shade every couple of seconds and like you I put in a new battery but it still keeps happening. It doesn’t do it when I am MIG, stick or flux core welding. I’ve been out for a decade now too, I was in the Navy but worked exclusively with Marine Corps Infantry.
@@Justforfun-ek7et Yeah maybe your shits toast. I would try cleaning the little square sensors with a q-tip and popping in some fresh batteries. Sucks because the Vulcan "blue light" is great for TIG.
Had the same problem with flashing. Worked for mig flashed on tig. Tried everything and nothing worked, out of desperation changed the outer cover lens and works just fine for tig. The outer cover was dirty blocking some of the sensors. Give it a try. Worked for me.@@Justforfun-ek7et
Wait… first time viewing. I was in 1st Battalion 04-09 as a medic. RLTW BROTHER!!!
Sua Sponte brother, ATW!
I would still go with with esab A50...you just need to clean your face shield after used...it'll help by a mile !
Most overpriced, worst hood I've ever owned. If I spend 5x the price for lens covers they should last 5x as long.
I’m disappointed that the essab isn’t better, I was hoping for something in tight spaces that you could see out the side of your view, but I will say I’ve stayed away because of price point, I’ve rocked kobalt , Hobart and latest is Lincoln because it has western print. Oh and I run shade 8/9 because I’m old and the eyes are failing me, probably from years of weilding , construction dust etc.
It's great with a brand new lens and for table top MIG/TIG, but it is a large/wide helmet. All that extra glass is just for show, I stand by the viewing window should be larger for what you pay. I know guys who work in structural and seem to like them...but I was pretty disappointed.
thanks for telling about cleaning the sensor--have a $40 hood that has been flashing.
Digital controls suck.
Cleaning didn’t work nor did new batteries. Helmet marked for grinding only
Bummer.
Where can I find the Master Chief helmet wrap??? Looks sweet!
I think I got it off a dude on eBay years ago.
Hey! You can polish that plastic... Make it like new
Oh snap kids. 3 easy payments you can get our box welder hood!
So what did you use to clean the sensitivity zone? Rubbing Alcohol?
Q-tips and water
Oh and sometimes the paddle is all you can use, 😂🤷♂️
Tough to beat a clean shaded glass lens.
Yep, Sentinel is compete shit. Grind button snapes off after 1 year. The headset tightening knob at the back fell off after 18 months. The plastic pad at the back has a soft material stuck on with Velcro, which deteriorated quickly and wouldn't stay on, so i used it without it and the velcro plastic pad unglued and fell off. Using it all day , every day , i found the batteries don't last 5 minutes.
Mutton dressed as lamb. Don't buy it. I expected better from ESAB.
PS. Totaly agree with the rest of the comments you made about it.
Touchscreen has no business being in a welding helmet, another strike against Esab.
Agreed!
How are you Asian?
I'm half Korean.
@@angryasianfab You don't look half Asian? Thanks, for the 📹; It was very informative, and helpful👍🏿
@@harbertmoore2663 I got a weird mix of my parents genes haha. I get confused for being Latino more than anything else.
Naw fam you look aisian ish
What about Optrel ?
And why doesn't someone invent a helmet that has
an internal OLED screen to watch the welding, instead of a filtered view?
The helmet should be a virtual reality viewscreen.
Where's the proof a Lincoln 3350 actually stops 100% of harmful rays?
You can buy a $100,000.00 car/truck, but when a loose wheel hits the windscreen
someone gets dented.
As usual, there is really high tech ( moral ) and there's the mainstream american
junk.
I've heard good things about the Optrel's but I've never used one personally. Kind of wish I would of got one of those instead of the ESAB at the time.
Interesting idea you have, I imagine right now things like that are more about cost, and tech limitations. Maybe 10 years from now a tech like that will be standard? It'll be interesting to see how VR and AR change industries in the future.
Can you curse some more please
Sure fucking thing
F’k Harbor Freight. I don’t like their junk. No serious welder is buying his hood from Harbor Freight. Their machines, hoods, and tools are for hobbyists not the professionals. There is a big difference.
Oh damn someone let AWS know that I'm not a serious welder! Maybe you could've spent 10 minutes watching the video and realized the Vulcan hood is 99% the same as the Lincoln. Do you think Miller and Lincoln products are still made in the good ole USA?
Wouldn’t be surprised if Lincoln makes the vulcan
Do you not know how to spell 'SPONSORS"? Do you not know how to proofread? How dumb is it to have a major typographical error splashed over the top of the thumbnail advertising your video? Or are you only trying to attract the crowd who doesn't recognize spelling errors, the Zoolander and Hansel types who have to move their lips while reading? You know, the sorts that have to use a welding hammer to get the video "out" of the computer?
Guess I'm just a dumb welder, but at least I don't obsess over other people's spelling mistakes.
@@angryasianfab No, you are clearly proud of your spelling mistakes and chisel them in granite for all eternity. You had a over full year to notice it and fix it.... I hope you aren't as careless with numbers and decimal points when welding, or maybe you tend to work on those jobsites where the supervisor whacks the measurements on the plate with a tape and soapstone, and the two of you point and grunt at the workpiece until you think you've figured it out. BTW, how are the benefits at Boeing? 😁
@@andresebastianmoreno no one cares nerd
I've been welding for a living since 1993, and while I appreciate your outlook on these helmets, you really need to try some better options - I'd bet if you tried the top tier Optrel, Speedglass, Lincoln, Essab, etc, you would call your top choice junk...
I was a Speedglass guy for many years, but they just haven't done anything new in years, so I looked into others, Optrel is on the cutting edge with their super bright "light" state I have a Vega view 2.5 and a crystal 2.0 - the crystal 2.0 is brighter than some sunglasses in it's "off" state.
I also have a 30 year old Optrel, a 27 year old Speedglass, and a 35 year old speedglass, all function like they should, which says a lot about spending a few more bucks for quality.
I've heard good things about 3M and Optrel hoods, but I'm at the point now where I'm not welding as much as I use to and definitely not doing as much TIG work so I really don't want to spend $400+ on a hood when I already got 4 of them. You've heard my thoughts about the ESAB, overpriced and overengineered to look cool at the expense of performance.