Miller BWE Hood anyone?? Signed by Andy..

[Paul Cataldo]

Fellas,
I've just received the new BWE hood from Andy yesterday. It's in the stars and stripes pattern, and Andy was kind enough to sign the hood right on the top, with a Sharpie marker.
I've thought it over, and I'm really attached to my Speedglas hood. Guess I've just never really taken "change" very well!
Anyhow, I thought of selling the hood, and using the funds to go toward the new Trailblazer 302 I'm just dying to buy.
OR, I might go with a Dynasty TIG setup. We'll see.
Either way, I don't feel right selling the hood and not using the proceeds for anything other than another Miller purchase. Miller was kind enough to run the contest, so I will definitely send the $$ right back to Miller for a new welder setup. I will also take $100 of the proceeds to send to the hurricane relief efforts in New Orleans. After all, the whole Miller contest was designed to help out with the relief efforts. I usually send my tithes to what is called the "Samaritans Purse" relief fund, which helps the needy people, all over the world.
I was thinking of asking $275 plus shipping for the hood, OBO. I was thinking of ebay, but I wanted to let you boys have first dibs, before I did that. I know you guys will appreciate it better than anyone will.
I guess I just thought I'd ask if anyone here might be interested in the hood, and I hope you don't mind me doing this Andy. If you DO mind, then I'll gladly cancel this listing, and keep the hood. I figure if it was a personal gift, then I would definitely keep it, but since it is a contest prize, then why not turn it into TB 302 funds? I just have to be honest when I say that I've grown accustomed to wearing my Speedglas hood, and I can't let it go! Oh, and I want a new TB 302!!
Thanks fellas..

[MAC702]

Did I miss it when you posted pictures of the new hood with Andy's signature?

Oh, and LAST NIGHT I finally bought my new BWE from BRWelder.com. I would have bought yours, instead...

[cope]

Did I miss it when you posted pictures of the new hood with Andy's signature?

Oh, and LAST NIGHT I finally bought my new BWE from BRWelder.com. I would have bought yours, instead...

Mac, you can buy Paul's for Amy. :)

[Paul Cataldo]

Mac,
No, you didn't miss the pics, cause I haven't posted them yet! I just got the hood on Monday, and my digital camera is at my girlfriends house, so I haven't had a chance to post pics.
I really hate to get rid of this hood you guys, but I'm kind of happy with my existing hood, and I would love to have some extra cash for a TB 302 or a Dynasty TIG setup. I'm just dying to have mobile welding capabilities, as well as TIG capabilities... I've got a lot to learn, and I only know one guy who is a professional welder that can help me learn.
He only has welders that his company owns, and he has to return his work truck each night, along with the welders, so it's up to me to bring a welder to his shop, so he can teach me.
I can't do this without an engine driven setup! Hence, the TB302 I want to buy! Hehe...

[Coalsmoke]

I really hate to get rid of this hood you guys, but I'm kind of happy with my existing hood, and I would love to have some extra cash for a TB 302

If you don't want the hood that's one thing, but selling it to put $175 towards a $4000 machine is like using a dixie cup of water on a house fire. If you love the hood, keep it as a back-up, if you don't like it then that's another issue and I commend you for passing it along to another MMS member.

[Paul Cataldo]

Coalsmoke,
This is true, however, for a guy like myself, a whole lot of dixie cups are the only chance I've got to owning a TB 302, a nice metal lathe, a nice milling machine, or any of the other machines I've dreamed of owning my whole life.
If I ever want to own a TB 302, then I've got to use every last resource available to me.
For that matter, it may not ever be possible for me to own one, but I'll die trying bud...
Every little bit counts....

And BTW,
I DO like the hood, I just like my Speedglas better...

[Coalsmoke]

Paul, what speedglas do you ahve and could you pleae elaborate more on what is better with the speedglas. I have the utility and find its clarity is phenomenal, but I was wondering how it stacks up against the BWE, and Hawk was mentioning that the big window speedglas didn't give him very good clarity.

Also, if you really want an engine drive but the funds are short, there are plenty of decent used machines out there for half price. While they mostly are not the new 302s, there are some unbelievably good deals to be had.

[Paul Cataldo]

Coalsmoke,
Well, I can only tell you that my Speedglas 9002X has excellent clarity, IMO.
I have used it quite a bit, to MIG, and I have just grown to like it's size and shape. I am in no way saying that the Speedglas is a "better" hood than the BWE, as both are nice hoods. I would also be an Optrel fan, IF it were not for the controls located on the OUTSIDE of the hood. I'm the type of guy that likes them safely hidden inside the hood, out of harms way, but that's just my opinion!
I made some special cut leather bands to completely cover the entire headgear, so only leather touches my head, and no plastic. The Miller hood has a nice foam pad supplied, that does this for you, and so I would really consider the two to be equal in comfort.
I cannot comment on the Miller BWE's clarity, as I have never actually welded with one.
Actually, I think a while back, I used a guys' XLiX? hood, which is one step below the BWE, but it's been so long, and I was totally new to welding, so I do not recall much about its' performance.
I may consider a used engine driven welder, (maybe a Bobcat), but I guess I just usually TRY to hold out for a new machine. I guess beggars can't be choosers...

[Paul Seaman]

Coalsmoke:
I am also a speedglas man, I have a bad neck and the speedglas is lighter in weight hence less neck strain. Also the Model I have is the 9000x which does 9-13 and 9,11,13 in pulse with a sensativity setting for the pulse. Mine is over 3 years old and it is still the best I've used for my purpose. The bigwindow has 4 sensors which is a plus in wierd places where a sensor might get obscured{like a automotive chassis**

Each has benefits but I still prefer the Speedglas.

Peace,

[Coalsmoke]

PJ, that's an interesting point about the speedglas only having two sensors, although I don't know about you, I haven't been flashed yet. I also enjoy the lighter side of it, as it is about 1/2 the weight of the auto hood my dad has. This thing is like wearing a paper party hat. also, would you mind posting a larger photo of the one in your avatar? Looks neat, but I can't really see it.

Paul, putting some leather over the head gear sounds like a good idea. I'll be doing that real quick. Why don't you strike an arc for a minute with that new BWE and let us know how you like the optics as compared to the speedglas?

[Paul Cataldo]

Well, I don't have time this evening to strike an arc, but here's some pics guys, for those interested. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7568255561
Went ahead and listed it, to see what happens on ebay. If nothing happens, then I'll keep her.

[lgjhn]

Well, I don't have time this evening to strike an arc, but here's some pics guys, for those interested. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7568255561
Went ahead and listed it, to see what happens on ebay. If nothing happens, then I'll keep her.


Paul, just wanted to let you know that I was one that won the bid on the hood on the Ebay auction. I've wanted and needed a new helmet for quite awhile now and was really hoping to win that Miller contest. I had spent my entire yearly budget on welding machines and had nothing left. I had to "beg" mama to let me bid on this for a Christmas present!! :) :) :)

[lgjhn]

Paul, just wanted to let you know that I was one that won the bid on the hood on the Ebay auction. I've wanted and needed a new helmet for quite awhile now and was really hoping to win that Miller contest. I had spent my entire yearly budget on welding machines and had nothing left. I had to "beg" mama to let me bid on this for a Christmas present!! :) :) :)

Hood arrived today and I LIKE it!!!! :p
It fits and feels so much better than the generic one I have.
I didn't have a chance to make any arcs tonight, but first chance I get, I want to try her out......Thanks Paul. :D

[cope]

guys need t oget the feedback thing done and lgjhn needs to try it out, unless Mama already wrapped it and it's under the tree.

[lgjhn]

guys need t oget the feedback thing done and lgjhn needs to try it out, unless Mama already wrapped it and it's under the tree.

Hi Cope....
Paul sent it just the way he had received it from Andy....original box, parts, packaging etc.....
I just came up from the shop....Yeah, it is only about 100 times better than my old one....really, really nice. I do need to order me some "cheater" lenses though.... :p :p No wonder my welds were so bad....I couldn't see anything..... :D
Seriously, its really a nice lid and should serve me well for a long time. Like all of Miller's stuff, it reeks of high quality.
Sent positive feedback for Paul as well.
I think Mama might be happy too.....she can now use the old one to watch me weld....and maybe strike an arc or two herself...got my fingers crossed... ;)