stick welding with fixed lens

[Tractorrr]

I'm starting to learn stick welding and am interested in learning with a fixed lens welding helmet. Is there a trick or technique on to how to start an arc with a fixed lens? Once the hood is down I can't see much and I'm just guessing where to start. Do you just simply get the electrode close to the work, flip your hood down and then begin?

I also have a metalman auto darkening hood but I found my eyes were straining with it and I've also read it's just better to learn with a fixed lens in general anyways.

 

[Citydude]

With your rod next to the area you want to start and wearing welding gloves, take the hand that's not holding the stinger and hold the rod a couple of inches up the rod. This gives you better control. When it lights, remove your free hand because the electrode ( welding rod) will get freaking hot....

 

[RNeumann]

Just confirming you are flipping the hood down with your head and neck instead of one hand? What rod are you trying to use- some are hard to strike an arc. Striking an arc is a BIG part of learning to weld. My first welding class had us striking an arc and welding a dime sized puddle over and over and over again.

I would stay away from an old or cheap auto darkening helmet- as you found out it can cause eye problems.

 

[ruffdog]

I'm starting to learn stick welding and am interested in learning with a fixed lens welding helmet. Is there a trick or technique on to how to start an arc with a fixed lens? Once the hood is down I can't see much and I'm just guessing where to start. Do you just simply get the electrode close to the work, flip your hood down and then begin?

I also have a metalman auto darkening hood but I found my eyes were straining with it and I've also read it's just better to learn with a fixed lens in general anyways.

" Do you just simply get the electrode close to the work, flip your hood down and then begin?"......YES

I too have a issue with using the auto darkening helmets. My dad taught me to weld by using 1/4" plywood with a hole cut in it, then a lens was taped over the hole. I'm now retired but still use fixed lens helmets.

 

[4570Man]

I don’t like auto dark helmets. Sometimes I wear one if I have a lot to tack together but I can see much more clearly through a glass helmet. And yes I just move the rod close to the work and flip the helmet down. Another thing you can do is if you have a bright light in place you can see enough through the helmet to start where you want to.

 

[BHD]

really for the money one can get a auto darkening helmet starting at about $30,

and if you insist on the fixed lens, I find the hand held shield easier to manuliape than a flip down hood, lincoln makes them,

yes about 55 years ago I learned to weld with a flip down hood, but I use the auto darkening so much nicer, only need to learn one thing at a time, not two or three things,

just my two cents,

 

[4570Man]

I’ve used a few different ones and I’ve never been able to see the puddle as clearly as with a glass hood.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I got my first Speedglas auto darkening welding helmet in 1986 IIRC. They were very expensive at well over $100 which was a lot of money in 1986. I did not have a choice of how dark they got, it was preset at about a shade 10. I used it when teaching welding at a local college. It was great for that, I could walk around with my hood down and go up to a student welding without risking arc burn to my eyes.

Now they are adjustable from 8-12. If you were straining with an auto dark hood, then it was likely much too dark, just adjust the dial to #8 or 9 and you should be ok for stick rod welding. #10 is about right for MIG or TIG, anything darker than #10 will strain your eyes unless you are carbon rod/air arc gouging which I dont think any home owner will be doing.
I have had no issues with my Harbor Freight auto-dark hood for the 10 years that I have had in and it only cost me $30. I was in a HF yesterday and they were $39 on sale.

 

[3Ts]

+1 for BDH's post (#6)

 

[dragoneggs]

Boy, I sure like my auto darkening helmet. Never was a fan of having to nod to weld going back to my college class days or using a buddy's equipment. My first purchased helmet was a HF auto darkening (I think about $40). Just didn't seem right. Returned it and bought the cheapest I think ($99) Miller auto darkening and it seemed far better. Don't know if the HF was flawed but the Miller seemed easier on my eyes. I do wish I had a larger viewing area that comes with the more expensive models, but it is hard to justify for a hobbyist welder that doesn't sell much of anything I fab.

To each his own... but I just don't see why someone would want a fixed (not auto) and non adjustable darkening lens. :confused3:

 

[CADplans]

I have used a couple $30 helmets,, but, they are blurry compared to this helmet,,,

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HTMLSLQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I was Leary of spending the $$$,, but, now that I have the Jackson helmet,, I find it was well worth the purchase price.

 

[yomax4]

Part of what you pay for with AD hoods is Optics. Not so different than a rifle scope. If you spend a little more, You will see a little better.

 

[ruffdog]

... but I just don't see why someone would want a fixed (not auto) and non adjustable darkening lens. :confused3:

Auto darkening helmets hurt my eyes. I tried a variety of helmets from a couple of cheap ones to VERY expensive ones. Some of the weld jobs would last for weeks or months at a time and I would stick/MIG/TIG weld. I would love to be able to use an AD helmet....BUT.....I don't like it when my eyes hurt.

 

[radios1]

Auto darkening helmets hurt my eyes. I tried a variety of helmets from a couple of cheap ones to VERY expensive ones. Some of the weld jobs would last for weeks or months at a time and I would stick/MIG/TIG weld. I would love to be able to use an AD helmet....BUT.....I don't like it when my eyes hurt.

I have a feeling you just didn't set it right for your particular eyes. think about this, the AD helmet can adjust to the same shade as any fixed shade, and the response time is fast enough that your eyes can't react to the millisecond flash before the lens darkens.. it probably is something with the settings you set it at. a bright light aimed at the work makes it much better too..

 

[ruffdog]

I have a feeling you just didn't set it right for your particular eyes. think about this, the AD helmet can adjust to the same shade as any fixed shade, and the response time is fast enough that your eyes can't react to the millisecond flash before the lens darkens.. it probably is something with the settings you set it at. a bright light aimed at the work makes it much better too..

After having discussion with multiple welding suppliers to the company and using the helmets from two welding instructors at work, I have come to the conclusion that a small amount of people are affected by the flash. I'm fine with using a fixed lens as it is my only option. :dance1:

 

[PILOON]

Having 'played' with a few auto darkening helmets I did discover that they generally rely on a 3 volt lithium cell to operate.
Stands to reason that a low or dead cell will give poor performance.

Having learned that tidbit of info I always hang my helmet near the window so as to keep the cell fully charged.
Naturally if you do a lot of welding the ark keeps it fully charged.

And, yes, welding under a bright light source helps a lot.

 

[rangerfredbob]

Part of what's hard on the HFT helmets is in the sun they are constantly cycling which causes them to lose the charge. If you get the next step up with the grind setting to turn it off and leave it in the sun that way it charges... I have good eyesight so not much phases me, although I'm noticing a decline lately, apparently 37 is the start of the down turn?

I've welded with everything but a name brand auto darkening, learned in high school with a fixed lens, my first welder came with a hand held fixed shield, then found a fixed helmet at goodwill or something, then splurged for a auto helmet which works fine unless you are in an awkward situation and cover the solar panel trying to get your face in the right spot, which under a vehicle is hard to do.

 

[dragoneggs]

Part of what's hard on the HFT helmets is in the sun they are constantly cycling which causes them to lose the charge. If you get the next step up with the grind setting to turn it off and leave it in the sun that way it charges... I have good eyesight so not much phases me, although I'm noticing a decline lately, apparently 37 is the start of the down turn?

When I turned 40 I went in and had a comprehensive eye exam. The doc said you will start seeing a noticeable change at 45 and you will be back for progressive bifocals to help you driving at night and also low light reading. He was spot on.

 

[radios1]

Having 'played' with a few auto darkening helmets I did discover that they generally rely on a 3 volt lithium cell to operate.
Stands to reason that a low or dead cell will give poor performance.

Having learned that tidbit of info I always hang my helmet near the window so as to keep the cell fully charged.
Naturally if you do a lot of welding the ark keeps it fully charged.

And, yes, welding under a bright light source helps a lot.

those Lithium cells are not the rechargeable type, they would explode or go on fire if recharged. the best bet is to turn the helmet off when not used, that will extend the battery life.. btw, those that are knowledgeable about Electronics can modify the helmet to use replaceable batteries(2) in battery holders. they use the same batteries as most Desktop Computers, CR2032 batteries.. there is a Google topic about this, with info and pictures..

 

[jkh62]

The auto darkening helmet is next to toilet paper and sliced bread IMHO.
I have a Miller helmet and fully adjustable for shade , speed, etc. and I would NEVER go back to a fixed lens.