Welding Tips and Tricks

Most hoods in the $120- $200 range are good quality hoods that will last you for years. Then you just need to pick based off of the features you want.

TWS Student Darek wrote: Budget really isn't an issue, I'm just thrifty. I don't need a wide lense $500 hood when you are only looking at an area no bigger than an inch or 2. I just want a pipeliners hood with a clear auto lens. I like the customization that can be done with a tiger hood or something like it.

Nothing wrong with being thrifty, and there is a reason a lot of hoods have a larger viewing area, I would recommend the Striker Supreme hood by USA Weld, it's lens is a little bigger then the 2 x 4, yet smaller then many "wide" lens out there. It has an optical clarity rating of 1/1/1/1, which is the highest possible, and at a reasonable cost. Also includes the adjustable sensitivity and delay, very useful features.

I know I am late, too late probably but maybe someone else may find it useful.

two guys I work with have arc one carreras with 2 different lenses, one cost 86 bucks the other 113 and both are good hoods w/ variable shade. oddly enough the 86 dollar one is much clearer.

I just reviewed the Vulcan hood and would recommend it as well if you want to spend around 130.