Welding and age

[pmsmechanic]

I have done a lot of welding through the years and am finding as I get older that it's harder to see what I'm doing in order to lay a steady good quality bead. Just wondering what others have done to counter act the effects of age on eyesight and steady hands as I can't do the same quality of job that I used to and it's frustrating at times. I already use two hands when I can and an auto darkening helmet, both of which help quite a bit.

 

[FTG-05]

Have the same problem, can't see worth a crap and my handwriting has always sucked.

I counter it with things I can control: good fitup, clean surfaces, beveled edges, high as possible heat, use a 240 VAC machine (Oops,now I've done it!) and try to really burn the weld in for good penetration.

Even then, I usually end up with a parkinson's-looking welds.

 

[rmully]

Even then, I usually end up with a parkinson's-looking weld.

At 68 i am glad they make grinders!

 

[Baby Grand]

The type of glasses/contacts you wear can make a huge difference.
My bifocals force me to tip my head up to see the puddle as I weld.
This allows lots of the fumes flow between my nose and the mask.
After getting gassed a few times I decided things had to change.
So I've started using "cheaters" and that seems to work a lot better for seeing the puddle.
Problem is it makes finding anything beyond arm's reach in the shop a challenge.
So having everything organized & at hand before commencing to spark off becomes key to being able to get anything done in a reasonable time.

Let's hope some of the guys who "weld for money" will chime in with how they deal with this problem.
I suspect it's more common than you might think.

 

[woodlandfarms]

Light. Lots of light.

I also bought cheaters for the inside of my welding helmet. Love it.

 

[bumperm]

I wear progressive lens glasses so the top portion of the lens, which is what's used when wearing a hood, is only good for long distance vision. The fix is to add an inside magnifying lens that many mfg's of helmets offer. That, along with my glasses, gives me very good close up vision with the autodarkening hood. Add a good strong light above the welding table and you are in business . . . well, except for the shaky hand thing.

bumper

 

[k0ua]

I try to get as much light on the weld area as possible. Out in the sun if possible, or I have a powerful shoplight what little I do inside (mostly TIG). I have to try to look thru my bifocals. Practice practice..

 

[square1]

What excuse would I have for the appearance of my welds if I found a fix for poor eyesight & shaky hands

 

[bumperm]

What excuse would I have for the appearance of my welds if I found a fix for poor eyesight & shaky hands

Good point.

bumper

 

[jaotguy]

light light and more light 100 watt bulbs ... go one shade lighter on the lens ...

as for the shaky hands .... they make mall sticks ( hand steadier for painters ) why not use a similar wooden stick ... or use both hands

 

[tym233me]

Buy a cheater for your hood . works for me 1,5 1.75 2.0 and on just like reading glasses also keeps other from using your hood .

 

[Reverser]

Buy a cheater for your hood . works for me 1,5 1.75 2.0 and on just like reading glasses also keeps other from using your hood .

:laughing::laughing: You sure got that right. One time at work a younger guy borrowed my hood right after I put a cheater lens in it. He struck an arc, handed it back, and never asked to borrow it again.

 

[nc redneck]

I have the same issues, getting old sucks. I replaced a lot of light ballast in my shop area. Also a additional 8 foot HO light directly above my work bench. For things that cant be put on bench I spend a lot more prep time and set up. I also sometimes remove more parts or obstructions than I would have 5 or 10 years ago. Next step is try one of these cheater lenses.

 

[mjcountrybumpkin]

Why not every time you strike an arc take a shot of your favorite adult beverage. By the time you get done you may be shaking still but it would be hard to focus enough on the welds to tell if they looked good or not. Jk

 

[SHORT KID]

I just thought it was my drinking, at 70 I don't really care. after all the welds might out last me.

 

[ruffdog]

I have flipped my bifocals up side down in a pinch.

 

[Whatswrong]

I wear trifocal glasses and welding with a poor helmet was near impossible ,my son and his family bought me an auto darkening helmet for my birthday and father's day about 3 years ago and it became like day and night difference ,the focus and seeing issue is near gone.

 

[Arc weld]

"the focus and seeing issue is near gone."

I worked in a shop where they did the same thing to a new guy. After about 5 minutes of not being able to see, we kind of hinted that he might check his lens. He did but couldn't see anything wrong with it. The second time he noticed something was up. One of the guys in the shop spray painted his lens black. :laughing:

 

[bumperm]

I just thought it was my drinking, at 70 I don't really care. after all the welds might out last me.

Dang . . . 70 sounds really old!

bumper (69 . . . no, really)

 

[xtn]

I'm no welder, but I've got a question.

pmsmechanic asks, "Just wondering what others have done to counter act the effects of age on eyesight and steady hands...?"

Why isn't the answer, "Hire a younger guy?"

xtn