Warning: That $80 auto-darkening hood off Amazon nearly cost me my eyesight

I picked up one of those cheap welding hoods from an online seller about 3 months ago for $80. Seemed fine at first for small jobs around the shop. Then last Tuesday I'm running a bead on some 3/8 plate and the lens flickered mid-weld. Flash hit me right in the eyes before I could drop my head. Spent the next 6 hours with that sand-in-the-eyes feeling and had to borrow a buddy's real Miller hood to finish the job. Anyone else get burned by those bargain bin hoods or am I just the unlucky guy?

2 comments

2 Comments

cameron_palmer7d ago

Yeah man I had the same thing happen with a cheap hood off eBay, the sensor lag is brutal. Stick with name brands for anything that protects your eyes, it's not worth the gamble.

carter.hugo7d ago

That cheap hood saved me a hundred bucks and worked fine for three years before I upgraded.