1st time welder

I would recommend the harbor freight auto darkening helmet. We've had 1 at work for years and it always works perfectly. I bought one for home and haven't had a problem. You see them in the flyers all the time for $30-35. I learned with a fixed shade helmet and it is a little hard to use them on your back under a car. I know it is hard to believe a harbor freight tool can be good, but these don't have any moving parts just made in china electronics.