Bill, The helmet has all of the needed shades. The better "autoshade" helmets can be set to specific shades in graduated settings("clicks"), or digitally. I would recommend a 220volt "mig" welder, capable of running gas with GMAW process. If you haven't done much welding, I'd recommend that you have an experienced welder do any frame, or other heavy welding, until you become adept at the process. I weld, for a living, in the shipyards in Vancouver, Canada. Though I use FCAW & SMAW processes at work, the best process for vehicle work is GTAW("TIG"), followed by GMAW. Running wire is easier to learn than tig. It is much faster, as well, but puts out more heat. The final choice in welding machines must also be a machine that has a decent duty cycle. Not so important for tacking, but for running a bead, you'll find great frustration with a machine of less than 60% duty cycle. Most of the low-end welders, especially the 110V units, only offer 10-20%. Duty cycle is the percentage of time over a period of ten minutes that the welder will operate. Hope this helps. Mike --- Bill <Y1TopBanana73@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: > Anyone have experience w/ Clarke Welders? Or any > other brand that has > good bang for the buck? I found a package deal w/ a > 110V Clarke MIG w/ > auto darkening shield, gauges, and cart for $415 > +shipping... > > http://store.weldingdepot.com/cgi/weldingdepot/WE6523P-7.html > > The helmet is: > Auto Darkening Helmet Powerweld SS2-0801 > View 1.58" x 3.54" Solar Variable > > Technical Information: > UV/IR Protection: Up To Shade 13 > Sensitivity Adjustment Control > Delay Control > Switching Speed: <2 Milliseconds > Viewing Area: 1.58" x 3.54" > Sensors: 2 > Light State Shade 3 > Dark State 9 - 13 > Automatic Shut Off 15 min. > Battery Power w/ Solar > Operating Temp: 23 -131 Degrees F > 1 Year Warranty > > Don't know if that's a good shade range or not, or > darkening speed. If > it is, it seems like a decent deal provided Clarke > makes a decent > welder. > > Any opinions? I'll say upfront that I know NOTHING > about welders other > than how to spell them, so ANY input is appreciated. > > Thanks > > Bill M > 65 Coronet 500 'vert > Connect with friends from any web browser - no download required. Try the new Yahoo! Canada Messenger for the Web BETA at http://ca.messenger.yahoo.com/webmessengerpromo.php ---- Please address private mail -- mail of interest to only one person -- directly to that person. I.e., send parts/car transactions and negotiations as well as other personal messages only to the intended recipient, not to the Clubhouse public address. This practice will protect your privacy, reduce the total volume of mail and fine tune the content signal to Mopar topic. Thanks! '62 to '65 Mopar Clubhouse Discussion Guidelines: http://www.1962to1965mopar.ornocar.org/mletiq.html.