What? Another welding question? Yup!

[Diggin It]

I have what a lot of y'all call a toy, the 90Amp HF Flux Wire thing. Does what I have needed so far which is just tacking stuff together, ain't none of which is purdy.

But here's my issue ... I can't see what I'm doing! Once I get the hood on and start arcing, all I see is the arc and the bright orange goop. I can't see the joint to know if the goop is where I want it or not. I have to take the hood off and wait for the goop to cool to see if I'm in the right spot.

Is this typical?

 

[RNeumann]

Helmets have a lens that has a darkness or shade raging. Typical is a 10. I’d try different shades to see what works best for you. Sounds like your shade is a little light-maybe an 8 or something.

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Get an adjustable auto dark, if you don't have one already. You need to lighten yours up if you do have one. Shade 9 is enough.

 

[Big Barn]

Also try tilting your head to get a different viewing angle. Sometimes that helps.

 

[Gary Fowler]

All the years of my welding professionally, I never used anything darker than a 10 for welding. I preferred using a 9 for stick (SMAW) and a 10 for TIG or MIG. I don't suppose homeowner welders would ever be doing any electric arc gouging with 350 amps or higher, but if you do, you might need a 12 shade for that.

If you cant see the weld bevel, lighten up to even an 8 if needed. Shade 8 will prevent arc burning your eyes just as well as a 10 or 12. Your eyes should feel comfortable looking at the arc, if too bright and you have to squint, then darker lens is needed. You should never get so dark that you cant see the weld puddle and the spot that you want to weld or weld bevel

 

[Diggin It]

It's a $35 HF Auto darkening. I don't know if it can be adjusted or not. I've used a flashlight a few times to help.

 

[yomax4]

Get a Mag Lens too (cheater lens). You may not need one to see but it will make everything larger and easier to focus on. 1.5 or 2 depending on how close you can get to your work.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I might have started a thread on this a long time ago. I can't see bugger all! I welded quite a bit today at a friends shop. I did install a cheater lense and that helped but basically I did it just by feel.

My eyesight is terrible, can't see far away and now, not close either, plus I need tons of light to see much of anything. Meanwhile, my friend, maybe sixty, has made a billion welds since he was five and has perfect eyesight, although he does complain he needs light to see, but has no issue at all seeing while welding.

It perplexes and frustrates me. Except for the sunburn risk, I could have done much of my welding (and I did) just by closing my eyes.

 

[sd455dan]

I have what a lot of y'all call a toy, the 90Amp HF Flux Wire thing. Does what I have needed so far which is just tacking stuff together, ain't none of which is purdy.

But here's my issue ... I can't see what I'm doing! Once I get the hood on and start arcing, all I see is the arc and the bright orange goop. I can't see the joint to know if the goop is where I want it or not. I have to take the hood off and wait for the goop to cool to see if I'm in the right spot.

Is this typical?

I had a an HF hood for years and trying to mig weld got as bad as what you are relating - dark joint and could not adjust it to work, bought an Antra off of amazon and now at 2 years still very happy with it. No comparison to my old hf. couple threads
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/welding/350688-cheap-wedling-helmet-scam-3.html


I CAN see while welding !!!!!!! Try this helmet !!!!
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/welding/352658-i-can-see-while-welding.html

amazon has them for $45.95 4.5 stars with 963 reviews still their #1 seller

 

[dragoneggs]

Get a Mag Lens too (cheater lens). You may not need one to see but it will make everything larger and easier to focus on. 1.5 or 2 depending on how close you can get to your work.

This made a world of difference to me. Thanks again to Shield Arc!