I don't work in the type of jobsites you're asking about, but I'll give you some general advice.

Nobody has ever said a word to me about using my NexGen on different jobsites and shops. But it's been beat around a few times and has obviously 'been there.'

I think what causes more issues in a potential employers' mind is a person who shows up with all of their clothing/tools being new. This implies inexperience more than the choice / brand of clothing or tools (as long as they're safe and relevant - 'relevant' being an even more important word on a pipeline).

Even if you know someone is fresh out of welding school, you're somewhat reassured by calluses on their hands and equipment/clothes looking like they've seen some use.

My Dad's policy on hiring people was to give them a handshake first thing. If their hands were soft like a baby's, he'd politely finish the interview and they wouldn't get a job offer regardless of what their resume said. He didn't work in the welding industry but the point is the same.

 

My die hard, union, buy union, buy American, ironworker buddy has about three or four Harbor Freight A/D hoods. When I seen one attached to his hard hat, I asked him if he uses that on the job, he said yep. And he said alot of them do. I wouldn't have believed him if I didn't see it on his hard hat.

I am still searching for the perfect hood. My main wants are light and GREAT headgear. So far I really like the good Jackson headgear. But I like the idea of a Pipeliner because the inner & outer cover lens' are cheap and one size. My Huntsman is nice, but I need two sizes and it makes it a pain.

How is the headgear on the Pipeliner? I see they offer a ratchet or a "rubber band"???:dizzy:

 

I don't think your choice of welding helmet has much to do with it. When the lid drops either you can weld, or you can't.

Perception wise, you are more likely to stand out and give the impression of being "Greener than green" if you show up with brand new clothing, boots, and gear as previously mentioned.

Personally, I wanna see a potential new hire clean and appropriately dressed for the job. Well worn clothing is more than fine. I expect to see some wear and tear on the welding leathers, scuff marks on the boots, and some burns and discoloration on the helmet. New gloves are irrelevant.

New tools that have never seen a second of use are kind of a warning sign to me as well.

Your choice of helmet to use is entirely up to you. I am an outspoken advocate of Speedglas products so I really should remain silent on that point. Mine have never let me down, but they do not make we weld any better than a $35 Special from Princess Auto.

I do the work, I maintain my standards. I am responsible for the quality of the finished product. Co-workers and customers comment on my ability to do my job, not what helmet I use.

Food for thought and Good Luck in your chosen career.

 

I work in a power plant. I've been using one ever since they first came out. Never had to buy one, though, as all my equipment is employer provided.

 

I'm still in school for it... but quite frankly unless I'm doing stick or am going to be doing lots of tack welding, I don't use my AD anymore. I use a fixed shade Jackson with an amber lense, helps me to see my work SO much better than the green of an AD helmet. Any time I'm doing MIG I use a fixed shade unless I have to tack. If I have to take then I use an AD helmet.

 

Im not a field worker, i work in shops, my advice will goes for a jackson Nexgen hoods only for (i think) the best reasons is this hoods works with a really good lens, its USA made, and if you are on the field and your AD lens stop working or break, you can carry with you a standard 4'' dark and clear lens and replace them in 2 minutes, what you can't do with those ugly toys miller hoods, and speedglass!

seriously i never really understand the ugly star strek shape of welding helmets like speedglass and miller, their clear lens are harder to find and more expensive, the jackson helmet is the best thing seriously if you work in a shop you have 4'' lens for free and fit in your helmet!

 

Nobody cares about your hood.

- Show up on time
- Work hard (stay out of the BS circles)
- Dont complain
- Inspect your welds and fix them before you give someone a chance to bitch about your workmanship


Launce - CWI

 

use what lets you see the puddle . any new tools should be first intentionally scuffed up as mentioned above..bottom line is let em see a good bead..

 

Yes. I like to see if the faceplate can be seen through. If it is ruined I usually assume laziness.

 

lol I love to get new equipment and protective clothing when I start a new job, then everybody just assumes I'm a noob

 

Nope but a good hand will keep a back up fixed shade in the truck should anything happen to the AD hood he don't turn into "that guy" with the fancy hood that ain't worth a crap that has to go home early.

 

So far I really like the good Jackson headgear.

 

I have used a few Ad hood speedglas,Miller,Hobart,Hb. The one I like best is a old school Fiber-metal with a Auto-lens because I can switch it to a fixed shade and keep right on welding with no down time. I have 2 one with about 2 inchs cut off with a leather flap and one stock. Plus most shops always have 2x4 glass on site where the auto tend to be a Pia to get from your employer. Like most people have said it more about how you act the the hood on your head. Be early, show up ready to work clean work cloths boots for the job welding hats ect. I shine my boots a starch my shirts old school yes but shows you have pride. Have copy's of any paper work you may need burning card. weld cert,OSHA,SWAC card,drivers license. Have all the tools you may need I bring a small bag with me fits my hood, spare lens, stick gloves,tig gloves,safety glasses my leathers blue pipe fitter book High lighter, space it tool, striker chipping hammer,pipeliners file,mirror,flashlight, rod holder. BE EARLY and Always have a piece of soap stone with you.

 

Thanks for the advice. I'm just gonna get a miller auto 2x4 lens to fit in my pipeliner.. Cut the bottom and snap on a piece of leather. I'll keep my speedglas for fancy stuff. I was on the ground with 5g limited and was banging it up so I rather beat up my cheapo hood instead. I've got most of the required tools but going to be buying a Rigid jobox and a list of other hand tools (6"grinder, more torpedo levels etc)

Does anyone use the Miller AD in there hood? I've looked at Arc-One but heard they flash out in the sun to much true?

 

Joe,
your questions been answered by now, but I gotta disagree with Stick-man regarding the ironworkers, at least in the NW, Denver, and Sacramento. I'm a union cement mason, 28yrs in the trade, and have never seen an ironworker with an AD hood. I've asked a few why not, and the hoods don't hold up was the general consensus.

 

im an ironworker and i have two miller AD hoods. One for the shop and one for the field.

But have Regular Gold fixed shade #10 hoods in the truck and in the shop as backups

 

The Arc-ones don't seem to lest I just got a miller and like it.

 

Pipeliners are VERY comfortable and light. A trick I learned from the pipe weldor who introduced me to them is to tilt your head forward until the helmet hits your adams apple, then trim the bottom edge to clear it. He also trims the top edge so it sits where he wants when tilted back.

I did both, and since I hate light coming from behind I glued a leather flat to the top with some 3M Marine adhesive from the boat store. (Great stuff.)

http://www.shop3m.com/60980045581.html

 

All you need is a helmet like this. No one will laugh at all. Really shows your a "top hand" and not a greenhorn. Its for sale on Craigslist too!

 

Funny... I take back what I said..

 

The bottom of my PL is already trimmed along with the top for my hardhat. Guy in shop will install a leather flap on the bottom for me.

How do you like the miller lens fitternyc?

 

I am also an Ironworker since the 70's,about 10 years ago bought a cheapy auto hood from a local farmer's store called Agri-Supply to try out,found out it was the same exact thing as HF's hoods...couldn't never see the puddle very well at all and the settings were WAY off...

I then bought a Jackson NexGen in a Halo-X hood..i was then "ruined" after that..never wanted to go back to the standard lens..lol

I had the speedglas 9002X for a short time only because someone hurtin for money was selling it cheap,it didn't take the beatings well that we do up on the iron and it started "flicking" back n forth alot while welding.

I still to this day use my Jackson NexGen and it's been abused everywhere and still working flawlessly..the lens clarity is unmatchable in my opinion and bein an old weldor of 30+ years with eye's that aint gettin any better it makes a HUGE difference in the lens clarity for me.

I also had a Miller Elite but only used it a few times,my son was an Apprentice at the time and was working a job learning TIG in a shop..he borrowed it and i never seen it again..lol...but it only lasted a few years in a clean shop just TIG welding and it quit on him..Miller didn;t stand by their warranty because he took a picture of it and the Miller Rep on the phone told him it was apparantly "abused" because the graphics were scratched up!....so i geuss if you want them to stand by the warranty you better NOT scratch your hood?....Otay Panky!

I also have a Speedglas 100V now too..great little hood for the price,especialy for stick welding..very lightwieght and clear lens...

And YES..most Ironworkers i see these days use auto lens but have standard lens as a backup so they don't have to leave the jobsite that day