Just can't see where I'm going

[KubotaCrossing]

Finishing pulling 8 gauge wire for a couple of 240 outlets in my shop. Haven't done any welding in years. Fired up my old Lincoln buzzbox stick welder. Then moved over to Lincoln Mig welder. It's fun getting back into this hobby.

I'm struggling tho to see where I'm going. I tried two different hoods, different shade setting, magnification cheaters, etc. I've even tried using a soap stone pencil. No luck,

I can see the puddle fine and I can lay out a nice bead but couldn't strike a straight line for anything. I know that someday soon I'm due for cataract surgery but eye doc wants to wait a bit longer.

Anybody else experiencing the same problem?

 

[Peter 315]

Not that bad yet........:laughing:

 

[LouNY]

Do you wear bi focals?
I do and I have some problems when I'm welding along and my eyes shift from the close up to the distance lenses,
and if I'm standing so that only one eye shifts lenses it gets really squirrelly.

 

[KubotaCrossing]

Everyday tri-focals actually. But for working in the shop I have a pair of single vision safety glasses made, you know with the wire screens on the sides. I use those for welding, grinding, etc.

 

[KennyG]

And I thought I was the only one. I'm 71, have had cataract surgery and have lots of trouble welding a straight line. I was never that great of a welder, but now can't seem to get the helmet adjusted so I can see the puddle and where it's going at the same time. I just don't think i have the same range of brightness vision I used to. Now I work around it by doing shorter stitch welds.

 

[cmyoung2]

Try putting a bright light on the work. Seems to help me, and I have had the tri- focals, now using progressives. Even though I have had glasses for 55 years I still don't like them, but they are much better than not seeing. More light helps.

 

[KubotaCrossing]

Try putting a bright light on the work. Seems to help me, and I have had the tri- focals, now using progressives. Even though I have had glasses for 55 years I still don't like them, but they are much better than not seeing. More light helps.

That's a good idea. You know even those little handheld LEDs are crazy bright. I'll try that. Thanks!

 

[BravoXray]

Anybody else experiencing the same problem?

That's exactly the problem I am having too. I tried all the things you have tried, but nothing helps.
Some of my welds look like I weld while drunk.

 

[KubotaCrossing]

And I thought I was the only one. I'm 71, have had cataract surgery and have lots of trouble welding a straight line. I was never that great of a welder, but now can't seem to get the helmet adjusted so I can see the puddle and where it's going at the same time. I just don't think i have the same range of brightness vision I used to. Now I work around it by doing shorter stitch welds.

I used to do body panels / sheet metal that way, a lot of widely spaced MIG tack welds that I later filled in. Finding myself using your method now with the stick welder too.

 

[radios1]

plenty of lighting will do the trick.. else, it's like welding in the dark, no good!..