Helmet "Cheaters"

moored4 · Apr 30, 2011

Shield Arc said:
Where you want to be extremely careful is when welding stainless steel with SMAW process. That slag will sometimes pop off before you finish the weld, and hit your helmet. Can't tell you how many times it's happened to me, even the split second after you get the helmet up the slag will pop off and hit you in the face.

Thats what I was trying to elude to, is the lenth of time that you lift your hood to the time it takes to get your SAFETY glasses on.

Thats another point, if we are working in "our Shop" (shop, barn, garage, or where ever) as welders and mechanics we need safety glasses, not off the eye DRs. shelf stuff, but REAL safety glasses. they don't cost that much more.

Who knows when that bearing we are putting on/off will explode, drill bit shatter, or welding slag will decide to hit you . As an old millwright I use to know would say "son you got ten fingers but only two eyes"

Oh! by the way he only had one eye!! Yes he lost it cause he didn't have his safety glasses on! It was his own little soap box. :thumbsup:

Haywire · Apr 30, 2011

Safety glasses worn under helmet...

Window Geek · May 1, 2011

Haywire said:
Safety glasses worn under helmet...

:thumbsup:
Me too. A friend says people think safety glasses are a pain in the butt. He says the pain in your eye is way worse! So wear 'em!

dstig1 · May 2, 2011

Shield Arc said:
Where you want to be extremely careful is when welding stainless steel with SMAW process. That slag will sometimes pop off before you finish the weld, and hit your helmet. Can't tell you how many times it's happened to me, even the split second after you get the helmet up the slag will pop off and hit you in the face.

I quickly learned to chip slag with the helmet down. The burn on my lip from flying slag was all the warning I needed... I at least get the bulk of it off with the helmet down, and then lift it up for a closer look as needed.

The SS warning is another good to know too!

IslandTractor · May 2, 2011

dstig1 said:
I quickly learned to chip slag with the helmet down. The burn on my lip from flying slag was all the warning I needed... I at least get the bulk of it off with the helmet down, and then lift it up for a closer look as needed.

The SS warning is another good to know too!

I am not an experienced welder but have found using a wire steel wheel on a grinder to be a lot faster and easier than chipping and brushing. Is there any reason other than lack of that tool or ability to reach a given weld with it that someone would need to chip and brush?

moored4 · May 2, 2011

IslandTractor said:
I am not an experienced welder but have found using a wire steel wheel on a grinder to be a lot faster and easier than chipping and brushing. Is there any reason other than lack of that tool or ability to reach a given weld with it that someone would need to chip and brush?

With this you really, I mean really need to wear EYE PROTECTION!:thumbsup:

IslandTractor · May 2, 2011

moored4 said:
With this you really, I mean really need to wear EYE PROTECTION!:thumbsup:

Yep. Dewalt wrap arounds always in place while in the shop.

crash325 · May 2, 2011

Almost 50 years ago I got my eyes flashed. On a structural steel job the governor went out. Well over 75 feet away I was playing governor, way to close to watch a welder. It is also possible to get your eyes flashed working in the same room as a welder. The reflected light can get you.

It felt like both eyes were full of sand. To get some relief a potato was grated up, put in a clean white rag. Kept the packs on my eyes for several hours. It does work and sure gave some relief.

A little off topic. Do you ever get use to sparks going into your shoes? Was cutting 1/8" sheet metal today using an angle grinder and skill saw. No matter where I put my feet, sparks were finding my shoes.

Need a new pair of tall boots. :thumbsup:

IslandTractor · May 2, 2011

crash325 said:
A little off topic. Do you ever get use to sparks going into your shoes? Was cutting 1/8" sheet metal today using an angle grinder and skill saw. No matter where I put my feet, sparks were finding my shoes. Need a new pair of tall boots. :thumbsup:

My instructor was very strict about personal protective equipment. Glasses, welders hat to keep sparks going down your neck, cotton clothing with full coverage as well as welding jacket. Tall boots and no synthetic socks. As a newbie you wonder exactly why but watching someone dancing around with an ember down his shoe drives the point home real quick.

dcyrilc · May 3, 2011

crash325 said:
It is also possible to get your eyes flashed working in the same room as a welder. The reflected light can get you.

It felt like both eyes were full of sand. To get some relief a potato was grated up, put in a clean white rag. Kept the packs on my eyes for several hours. It does work and sure gave some relief.

BTDT. No fun. I learned a hard leson that day. You don't have to be able to see the arc to get flashed. IIRC it was a couple of days before it didn't feel like I had sand in my eyes any more. Never heard of the potato trick. I'll have to remember that.