How to weld in a straight line?

[cqaigy2]

I may just have to give the lens in helmet a try too. Very far sighted now, and i find myself crowding the puddle and that just makes it worse for me so i have to remember to pull back, so my cheaters have a hope of bringing the puddle into focus.

 

[Cord]

I checked and my lens and it was set to 10. I backed off to 9.75.

 

[stuckmotor]

My vision is poor and I wear progressive lens. Putting more light on the weld helps me see the puddle.

 

[4570Man]

You might try welding beside a straight edge. An aluminum straight edge wouldn't end up welded to your work, but melting might be an issue. Or crooked lines won't hurt anyone.

 

[2458n]

You might try welding beside a straight edge. An aluminum straight edge wouldn't end up welded to your work, but melting might be an issue. Or crooked lines won't hurt anyone.

Along the same idea. Had oak lathe at the farm. Laid it on the trailer deck and just ran the rod. When it was burn on both edges grabbed another. If smoke bothers your eyes this will not work.

 

[4570Man]

Along the same idea. Had oak lathe at the farm. Laid it on the trailer deck and just ran the rod. When it was burn on both edges grabbed another. If smoke bothers your eyes this will not work.

My eyes would probably be alright, but I don't like smoking up the shop that bad.

 

[muddstopper]

I wear bifocals and take them off while welding. I get tired trying to keep my head tilted just right to be able to see what I am doing. I have a 2.0 cheater lens in my hood. I run a 9 or 10 setting most times. Lots of extra light seems to help. I weave my rod side to side when welding up a joint, trying to keep the joint or crack in the middle of the weave. Keeping the rod more upright with out a heavy lean helps keep the joint in view while running the bead.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I use a (lense) cheater but it hasn't helped much. Just curious. How can more light help? How can you have more light than created by the arc, or is the angle/location an issue? I could do some really nice welding if I could only see what I was doing.

I know a 60 year old guy who has welded all his life, every day (Sunday's included). He doesn't wear glasses but does need more and more light in his shop to see what he is doing, but not welding. He can see perfectly when welding. So is this issue all about bad eyesight?

 

[Ford850]

The problem I have is getting the light in the front of me. If there's too much light in the shop or when outside, I throw a towel or shirt or something over the back of the helmet to shade the inside. That helps a lot. But it works better to keep the brightest source of light in front of me then I don't have to worry about it. I wear cheater glasses to read, and so I use them when welding too.

 

[Big Barn]

If you can't see the puddle (or joint ) while welding, don't be afraid to reposition your head for a better view. In - out - up - down - left - right whatever it takes.