Removing the lower steering head bearing race

[Capn Ron]

I'm in the same boat as George...been welding with the old helmet I bought with my MIG rig when the auto-darkening helmets were $250!!   

I had no idea they have come down so much!  Placing an order today!

Cap'n Ron. . .

[fj11.5]

I had one of the cheaper auto darkening helmets when they were first under$100 , was ok but couldn't see much unless the shed lights were on, or welding outside, , bought another recently , $30 brilliant helmet, screen has a yellow lens ,and  can see perfectly before even striking an arc in most  light conditions ,

[RichBaker]

No, my helmet is old fashion... I know, the auto darkening ones work great I just never have bothered to get one. When my current helmet breaks I will get in this century  .

George

George, I can't believe this. The only possible reason I can think of is you have never used one. I now understand your fear of welding the race to the frame! I spent 20 years welding everything within a 6" radius of the job until I got one. I got it when they were fairly new and it cost $240. They are now very affordable.

Go and buy one tomorrow and you will wonder why you didn't do it years ago. Waiting for the current one to break is too long.

This will improve your welding more than going from stick to mig.

The difference is night and day.

Noel

OK, you got me looking ....  
This one is on sale for 39.99  http://www.harborfreight.com/blue-flame-design-auto-darkening-welding-helmet-91214.html?ccdenc=eyJjb2RlIjoiMzI0NDMyNjMiLCJza3UiOiI5MTIxNCIsImlzIjoiMzkuOTkiLCJwcm9kdWN0X2lk%0D%0AIjoiMjI5NiJ9%0D%0A

George

I have the UNflamed version, works pretty good, and the price was right.....

[movenon]

No, my helmet is old fashion... I know, the auto darkening ones work great I just never have bothered to get one. When my current helmet breaks I will get in this century  .

George

George, I can't believe this. The only possible reason I can think of is you have never used one. I now understand your fear of welding the race to the frame! I spent 20 years welding everything within a 6" radius of the job until I got one. I got it when they were fairly new and it cost $240. They are now very affordable.

Go and buy one tomorrow and you will wonder why you didn't do it years ago. Waiting for the current one to break is too long.

This will improve your welding more than going from stick to mig.

The difference is night and day.

Noel

OK Noel, I am in this century now. I bought a new auto darkening welding hood form H.F. for 39.99. Tomorrow I will test her out. It has good visibility. In my garage just day light conditions with the hood down I can read the instructions so I guess it's pretty clear.
Looks like it is a pretty good unit for home use. The plastic isn't as thick or solid as my old hood but it will last me a long time as I do not do all the welding that I use to do. No more cab clips , front end clips etc's.. Just my own small stuff and bailing the neighbors out occasionally.
George

[ribbert]

OK Noel, I am in this century now. I bought a new auto darkening welding hood form H.F. for 39.99. Tomorrow I will test her out. It has good visibility. In my garage just day light conditions with the hood down I can read the instructions so I guess it's pretty clear.
Looks like it is a pretty good unit for home use. The plastic isn't as thick or solid as my old hood but it will last me a long time as I do not do all the welding that I use to do. No more cab clips , front end clips etc's.. Just my own small stuff and bailing the neighbors out occasionally.
George

Whoopee George, You're gonna love it. You will find yourself looking for things to weld now. Let us know how you like it.
Noel

[Dan Filetti]

OK Noel, I am in this century now. I bought a new auto darkening welding hood form H.F. for 39.99. Tomorrow I will test her out. It has good visibility. In my garage just day light conditions with the hood down I can read the instructions so I guess it's pretty clear.
Looks like it is a pretty good unit for home use. The plastic isn't as thick or solid as my old hood but it will last me a long time as I do not do all the welding that I use to do. No more cab clips , front end clips etc's.. Just my own small stuff and bailing the neighbors out occasionally.
George

Whoopee George, You're gonna love it. You will find yourself looking for things to weld now. Let us know how you like it.
Noel

Yup, you're going to wonder why the hell you did not spend that $39.00 before this....

Dan

[Capn Ron]

Thanks for all the prodding to get an auto-darkening helmet!  This just showed up today!!   :



The headband on this one is very comfortable, is adjustable for fit in four ways and the clicker/tensioner actually stays where you put it!  I'm wearing it as I type this!    

WHY did I not get this sooner?  I've got a welding project coming up in a week or two...I can't wait to try it out!

Cap'n Ron. . .

[movenon]

I used mine the other day and I am still trying to break myself of automatically flipping up the hood after each weld  Old habits.... The hood seems to work fine. Especially for 40 dollars !
George

[Capn Ron]

I used mine the other day and I am still trying to break myself of automatically flipping up the hood after each weld  Old habits.... The hood seems to work fine. Especially for 40 dollars !
George

I read your comment about breaking old habits (flipping up) in another thread.  When this helmet showed up, I got it all adjusted and wore it around the house.  I even shot a game of pool with it on!!!

How are your weld starts compared to using your old helmet?

Cap'n Ron. . .

[movenon]

I used mine the other day and I am still trying to break myself of automatically flipping up the hood after each weld  Old habits.... The hood seems to work fine. Especially for 40 dollars !
George

I read your comment about breaking old habits (flipping up) in another thread.  When this helmet showed up, I got it all adjusted and wore it around the house.  I even shot a game of pool with it on!!!

How are your weld starts compared to using your old helmet?

Cap'n Ron. . .

Starts are more accurate, I am going to turn up the darkening a bit. It is at mid range right now. Also going to shorten up the "back to normal" time a little.
I can read with mine on in the garage with just normal daylight. Pretty impressed considering the low price. Wish I would have had one years ago when I was doing a lot of welding.
George 

[ribbert]

Thanks for all the prodding to get an auto-darkening helmet!  This just showed up today!!   :



The headband on this one is very comfortable, is adjustable for fit in four ways and the clicker/tensioner actually stays where you put it!  I'm wearing it as I type this!    

WHY did I not get this sooner?  I've got a welding project coming up in a week or two...I can't wait to try it out!

Cap'n Ron. . .

You know Cap'n, that is the EXACT "Speedglas" helmet I paid $240 for about 10 years ago.

[Capn Ron]

You know Cap'n, that is the EXACT "Speedglas" helmet I paid $240 for about 10 years ago.

How is it holding up?

This was right around $140...so not too bad.  I also got a pack of 10 replacement lenses for the outside and 5 for the inside.  I think this should last many years!

Cap'n Ron. . .

[ribbert]

You know Cap'n, that is the EXACT "Speedglas" helmet I paid $240 for about 10 years ago.

How is it holding up?

This was right around $140...so not too bad.  I also got a pack of 10 replacement lenses for the outside and 5 for the inside.  I think this should last many years!

Cap'n Ron. . .

It's not only holding up, I have never even changed the battery!  I keep making notes to remind myself and keep forgetting. I only think of as I'm about to use it. It's VERY fast. They were the best you could get at the time.

Noel