Tig welding question

[Paul Seaman]

RWG: The speedglas 9000x is my first choice, I have 3 e-hoods a jackson-journeyman, a Miller-XLix, and the Speedglas 9000x. The 9000x is my favorite but each has a place in my welding. The jackson stays at the race garage the 9000x stays for long term welding and for school and I keep the miller for a helper and as a safety net.

If I had it to do over with current knowledge I would buy the next speedglas up with the grinding setting, but I still love the 9000x and wouldn't give it up for love or money. Hawk likes the Optrel and I recently got to use one and I still like the 9000x better. It is a solidly built item but it is slightly heavier and more rigid than the 9000x also the controls are on the outside which scares me especially under a racecar.weld well- let us know which you choose.

[richwrenchguy]

Hawk's new helmet

Ok, Andy get that helmet over to Hawk pronto, I would like to hear some feedback on the Miller big window. A friend of mine tells me that I will just love an e-helmet, and that I will wonder why I didn't buy one sooner. So, I am anxious to get one, but would like to hear Hawk's comments.
What about the Speedglas 9000x? No one offered much comment on it. It is about $30.00 more than the Miller. Is it worth it? I don't like wild graphics on a helmet, however, I don't like black either, as I have found they get quite warm in the summer sun. No one seems to make a high end e-helmet in just plain colors like medium blue for example. I will probably just spray bomb a black one, I guess.

RWG

[ASKANDY]

10-4 on the Hypertherm. Same problem here. Switched to Spectrum 2050 3yrs ago. After Hypertherm I tried the old style Spectrum 650 which was a remake of a POWCON unit. Anyway, I'm up and running now and am looking for another 2050 to place on a CNC plasma unit.

RWG,
I'm sure everyone who has placed an electronic hood on their head will have an opinion. In most general fab cases, anyones helmet probably performs well. It's the odd case, low weld amps, tight corners, inverter TIGs, high ambient light, etc...that will play havoc with the hood. You and only YOU will need to make that determination of needs and what you are willing to spend. If I only did MIG, I personally would opt for a cheaper hood. If you have the opportunity to test various helmets at a distributor, take it.

Good luck and let us know.


A-

[SoCalTA]

I couldn't agree more with you Andy. In my short time on here, I can't think of anyones opinion and advise who is most closely listened to and followed than Hawks. He deserves anything Miller can send him without question. I don't want to lessen the importance of the advice and help of others to whom I am very appreciative. Everyone on here has been a great help to me. In Hawks case he really makes this board. Not only with technical information but life experiences. Someone like me who is starting out finds the life experiences just as valuable as the technical stuff. I still have no clue about 97.34% of what is said on here but his willingness to explain in great detail helps me figure things out. I don't think I would have so willingly purchased my MM210 and the helmet without his help and the help of others.

[HAWK]

rwg,

All I can say from my personal experience with Jackson is don't waste your money. I have owned 2 of their e hoods. Perhaps the NexGen is a real improvement. My other 2 units failed at the first sign of cooler weather. When they did work I had "flash" problems and lost-they went bad within 4 months- 2 electronic displays that they were less than happy about having to warranty. It was like pulling hen's teeth to get warranty!

[HAWK]

rwg,

I understand your concerns with the Optrel. If you have a little time, I let you know what I think of the Miller Big Window Elite. If it is what Andy says it is, then I don't think the 6 months warranty difference will be a big issue. I wiil let you know soon.

[richwrenchguy]

e helmets

I would really like to know which is the best e-helmet out there. I have ruled out the optrel satellite, as there are too many knobs sticking out. In my job, they are going to get broken or damaged, as I have to crawl into tight spots periodically. The one I buy has to have internal controls.
So the Speedglas 9000x, Jackson Nexgen, or the Miller Elite, are the only ones I would consider. I have an inverter welder and do tig but not below 20 amps. I am leaning towards either of the first 2 I mentioned as the warranty is 24 months as opposed to 18 for the Elite. Some opinions would be great, please.

RWG

[arcdawg]

hey andy

i would be more than happy to try out ANY EQUIPMENT that you want ot send out to me. i do sheet metal work and teach apart time welding course one night a week, let me know.... brian

[HAWK]

ANDY,

Thank You Very Much! I will be glad to give you my honest opinion. I hope to say it is a better helmet. As for plasmas I used to be really high on Hypertherm until I could not get the Powermax 600 to work on my TB301G. Now I own (1) plasma: The Miller Spectrum 2050 and can cut beyond the rated limits speced for the 2050 running from the TB! I have lost your email address and unable to contact you through the forum mail. Send me an email to [email protected] I will reply with my shipping address. If this mail address does not work, please email me through the forum. It is not blocked.

Thanks again in advance for the helmet and the thumbs up on the forum responses.

[ASKANDY]

HAWK,
I wish I could send you one of the new MILLER helmets to try. I have the same Optrel hood you have and like it just fine. I have NO problem with competitive equipment and I use what works best and actually until about 4-5 years ago used a competitors plasma. I am like all of you...an independant owner who also works for MILLER.
I have used my Optrel religously until the new Elite came out and I find it's new technology great. When I weld around light ga header tubes with the inverter, my hood stays dark where sometimes (not always) my other hoods with the inverter would flash when I got around the side of the tube or in the middle of two tubes.

Why don't you e-mail me with your address and I'll send you one to give your opinion. You are a valued resource here and many people have come to rely on you for your knowledge. The helmet is yours to keep as a thank you from all of us. Plus I would really like your true opinion as you seem to have a similar shop format as myself.

Thanks again.

Andy

[Smactek]

Wow! That would be quite a helmet. Hmmm.......I wonder if it would put itself away too? Very Informative post. Thanks for the info on the different brands. I was just starting to shop for an electronic model.

[orgalmeister]

I have ordered the Optrelle Satellite. Should be here tommorrow. My Jackson EQC would flash me when tigging no matter how I played with the settings. Even to the point where the helmet was dark BEFORE striking an arc the go bright after 3/4 of bead. And no, I was not blocking the sensors.

I read or heard that the inverter arc is "flatter" causing the older e-hoods to to become "confused". It was long and hard decision as to which hood to buy. If they would only put together one with adustablility(Optrelle)super low amp(Speedglas) big view(Jackson next gen,Miller Elite) and head gear(Optrelle)that would be one heck of a hood. I'd hate to think of the price though

Steve

[HAWK]

Well guys, we all have jumped the e hood bandwagon. BRANDON, WHAT WELDING HELMET ARE YOU USING? ELECTRONIC OR PLAIN JANE?

[HAWK]

Andy,

I know your job is not to advertise for competitive brands. I thoroughly enjoy all my Miller equipment. I still believe, and will have to be shown otherwise, that the Optrel Satellite is the best E-hood available for low light tig or any welding situation. I have been using mine for about 5 months and have yet to be flashed under any lighting conditons. As a mobile welder I see all kinds of wierd lighting: backlighting, rising sun, setting sun, near dark, welding in pitch black except for a flashlight, sun overhead, reflections off the water, arcs from other operators, etc. I have not been flashed with this helmet. I have a Kemper E-hood and seem to get flashed frequently unless indoors with just the optimal lighting overhead. I had a Jackson EQC that I finally gave away because of the grief it unknowingly gave me. Well there'e where our differences stop.

I agree the problem may well lie with the hood. I have experienced it many times with other brands as mentioned above. Do you have a complete spec sheet on this new Miller hood? Also have you had any experience with the Optrel Satellite on a regular basis?

[Paul Seaman]

I have had similar experiences with mig under a race car getting my hands close to my hood. Then I read the book and found it had a pulse setting and sensativity for the return from pulse. I turn it all the way when I am working in tight quarters so I dont get flashed. Speedglas 9000x fantastic, Miller XLix very nice, Jackson journeyman not so good, but each has its place.