Kobalt (Lowes) brand helmet?

[callaway]

Has anyone had experience with this guy (http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=190724-47120-SGY-A2&detail=desc&lpage=none). I'm sure its not the best - just looking for something for off and on home use that I won't care if something happens to.

[whateg0]

I looked once, but don't remember who made the lens. It seems to me that most stuff that Lowes puts the Kobalt name on is decent. That same money will buy a Hobart hood (http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay_10551_10001_44150_______14151|14220 |14236|44150?listingPage=true) (or close), or even a Miller Pro Hobby hood (http://store.cyberweld.com/hobhoodblac.html), too, in case that matters. Lowes always seems to have a pretty good return policy if you have any trouble with it, and Lowes is open on Sunday. My LWS isn't.

If you're really after a cheap model that works, you can get the HF hood (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=91214) for $50, but it won't be as nice as any in this price range.

Just my 2.4¢.

Dave

[yorkiepap]

Hey callaway,
If you're looking for a reasonably priced helmet that works excellent, here's the one I have, or should say I have (3). I've been using mine for over 2 yrs and only had to change the front lens once on one of them after some wear. In addition, they have a faster reaction time at 1/25,000 sec. than the Kobalt unit. Here's the link:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=91214

Good luck in your selection...... Denny

[whateg0]

FWIW, I don't really give too much credence to specs like the reaction time of the lens. First, the human eye does not perceive that difference, and the time difference is insignificant anyway. Second, specs for tools are often inflated to make the tool look better than it is. I'm not saying the HF hood isn't a good value. I have one and have never had any complaints at all. But it's like looking at an air tool or compressor. The lack of standardization used in rating tools leads to a tool having the same performance as another, but not looking like it on paper, or vice versa.

The only spec I would really be concerned with on a hood like this is the shade. What's the range, and what is the light state?

Dave

[callaway]

I stopped by lowes on the way home from work and picked the helmet up mainly for being able to return it if things don't work out

the listing on the lowes site left a lot to be desired, so heres the specs from the booklet it came with...

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/3755/dscf9575ng1.jpg

I'll try it out tomorrow and see how it does :P

[Willy Victor]

Hey callaway,
If you're looking for a reasonably priced helmet that works excellent, here's the one I have, or should say I have (3). I've been using mine for over 2 yrs and only had to change the front lens once on one of them after some wear. In addition, they have a faster reaction time at 1/25,000 sec. than the Kobalt unit. Here's the link:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=91214

Good luck in your selection...... Denny

It's on sale now for $39 with coupon.

Willy

[callaway]

I've used the kobalt mask off and on indoors and out and am loving it. I use a fancy Miller auto darkening helmet at work and imo it seems like the kobalt has a better response time when the lens changes. It also is very light when not welding making it very easy to do a final check before the initial tack.

Great little helmet and with the return policy @ lowes ya cant go wrong :D

[smyrna5]

The one thing I don't like about my NT $50 hood is that it doesn't do a good job of keeping out sunlight from the back when I weld outside and there is too much light behind me. As soon as the helmet darkens there is so much sunlight inside that all I can see if the inside of the helmet. I remember someone here said that in welding class they put some velcro on theirs and put a black curtain on on the back to solve the problem. I mostly just try not weld with the sun or bright sky at my back. Does anyone make a cloth shield that goes on the back your helmet, or do good ones come with something like that?

[Cipher]

The one thing I don't like about my NT $50 hood is that it doesn't do a good job of keeping out sunlight from the back when I weld outside and there is too much light behind me. As soon as the helmet darkens there is so much sunlight inside that all I can see if the inside of the helmet. I remember someone here said that in welding class they put some velcro on theirs and put a black curtain on on the back to solve the problem. I mostly just try not weld with the sun or bright sky at my back. Does anyone make a cloth shield that goes on the back your helmet, or do good ones come with something like that?

I'm interested in this too. I must've looked like an idiot this last weekend, I had a shirt thrown over my head to block the back lighting. Sometimes you can't position yourself or your work to avoid the sun.