Can't see when welding

[GPintheMitten]

Pilgrim, will you please let us know how the new helmet works out for you? As you can see, a lot of people are interested in your thread.

Yes, we are. I thought I was the only one having a hard time seeing.

 

[bironacad]

I have the same problem. If I can I bring it out in the sun to weld or point a halogen light on it. Helps somewhat.

lol
yup

 

[oldpilgrim]

Pilgrim, will you please let us know how the new helmet works out for you? As you can see, a lot of people are interested in your thread.

Will do.

I read all I could find on the subject, and compared specs on several dozen different helmets.

I really like how this one has such a range of shades. The overwhelming majority of the reviews were great.

I opted for the extra cost larger lens model, although according to specs, it's not that huge of a difference in size. We'll see. The black version was also considerably less costly, but I figured this one would be easier to find in my 'cluttered' shop.

Will keep you all informed.

 

[npalen]

After reading all these posts with the comments on the dial setting of the auto-dark helmets, I checked to see what mine was set at and realized it was at the HIGHEST setting. Adjusted to a lower setting and can suddenly see the puddle as well as the joint! I do have a cheater lens inside so that helps also. And here I thought I was going blind because I'm turning 70 this Sunday.:laughing:

 

[oldpilgrim]

And here I thought I was going blind because I'm turning 70 this Sunday

You probably still are !

Happy Birthday

 

[jim44]

Yep. 70 is when the wheels really start coming off.

Actually, the problem I have with seeing when welding is striking an arc and beginning a weld. My old (72 year old) eyes just seem to focus and adjust to the flash too slowly. By the time I can see at all, I usually have a nice weld started, but no telling where. I switched to a self darkening helmet, and it helped a lot. Still kind of tricky sometimes.

Ain't life grand..........

 

[npalen]

Cmon guys. You're just trying to make me feel good.

 

[Jorville]

Oldpilgram, My eyes are as old or just about as old as yours. I started welding back is 1965 aboard a large grey ship. I know I will get beat up on this but I feel you need to see good about an inch around the weld puddle. If you can't use a lighter lens. When I was working I used a #10 lens for everything. Then I started having problems seeing doing Mig stainless. I went to a #9. A lot of the stainless was 18 gauge some 16 gauge.With low amps and the lighter gauge stainless I went down to a #8 so I could see the weld. Even for Low amp stainless tig I used a #8 lens. If you can't see, you can't weld. You need to see the puddle, if you can't, use a lighter lens. All aluminum tig was done with a #10 lens, low amps or high amps. If I remember correctly all mild steel mig was done with a #10. The low amp stainless gave me the problem. If you can't see go a shade lighter. Another poster on here said never go below a shade #9. Why is a #8 made if there was not a demand for it and if it was not safe to use if conditions required a lighter shade. I still stick weld with a #10 and if I can't see when doing something else I will go to a lighter shade until I can see. You are the man looking through the lens, you will be able to see if it is too light. That is my experience and two cents worth. Don't ruin your eyes. I have not seen any weldors working with a seeing eye dog.

 

[oldpilgrim]

Oldpilgram, My eyes are as old or just about as old as yours. I started welding back is 1965 aboard a large grey ship. I know I will get beat up on this but I feel you need to see good about an inch around the weld puddle. If you can't use a lighter lens. When I was working I used a #10 lens for everything. Then I started having problems seeing doing Mig stainless. I went to a #9. A lot of the stainless was 18 gauge some 16 gauge.With low amps and the lighter gauge stainless I went down to a #8 so I could see the weld. Even for Low amp stainless tig I used a #8 lens. If you can't see, you can't weld. You need to see the puddle, if you can't, use a lighter lens. All aluminum tig was done with a #10 lens, low amps or high amps. If I remember correctly all mild steel mig was done with a #10. The low amp stainless gave me the problem. If you can't see go a shade lighter. Another poster on here said never go below a shade #9. Why is a #8 made if there was not a demand for it and if it was not safe to use if conditions required a lighter shade. I still stick weld with a #10 and if I can't see when doing something else I will go to a lighter shade until I can see. You are the man looking through the lens, you will be able to see if it is too light. That is my experience and two cents worth. Don't ruin your eyes. I have not seen any weldors working with a seeing eye dog.

thanks, that's the plan. I'll let you know how it works when the new stuff gets here.

 

[handirifle]

Ha ha after reading this thread (I was having trouble too) I wondered if it was my eyes or my helmet. I am 62, so I HOPED I had some years left. Went out and looked at my helmet, and lo and behold, it was at 10.5 setting, and the lens was filthy. So I set it to 9 and brought the helmet in the house and took it apart and cleaned all my lenses. Had to do some minor work yesterday, and WOW what a difference.

Glad this forum exists. Nice to know when I have some sort of problem, most likely someone else has too, and better still some of you guys have the cure.