Beginner having problems seeing work while welding

[Wany]

Errr - I may have something to confess here...
Not only have I neglected to use the 'shade' control, I had also left the protective film on the inside of the lens.

I did wonder why everything looked blurry, but just thought it was normal.

D'oh...

It made a world of difference to me, sorry, my friend...

 

[addjunkie]

So as your getting on a bit, dont read instructions and are obviously starting with agezimers, do you wear glasses for reading?

Ive been welding 40 yearish, but was really struggling when I bought my first tig. Pond shop readers were the solution. Use a cheater lens now.

For gas if your going to be a low user, BOC hobby deal, SGS no rental, or hobby weld no rental is another option.

 

[mangocrazy]

So as your getting on a bit, dont read instructions and are obviously starting with agezimers, do you wear glasses for reading?

a) Can't deny it, b) some times i don't, most times I do, c) patronising much? d) I've worn glasses since I was 7 and have distance and reading glasses.

Ive been welding 40 yearish, but was really struggling when I bought my first tig. Pond shop readers were the solution. Use a cheater lens now.

For gas if your going to be a low user, BOC hobby deal, SGS no rental, or hobby weld no rental is another option.

When lockdown ends I'm planning to use J&R in Penistone for welding gas. There's no cylinder rental, you just pay a five year usage fee plus a fill fee. For a 24 litre cylinder that's £75 for five years , plus fills at £40 a time for Argon/CO2. I did look at the BOC hobby deal but it wasn't as good as J&R.
http://www.jrgases.co.uk/welding-gases/

 

[Morrisman]

Couple of LED spotlights sounds like a good idea. But for the moment I'll do some tests outside in sunlight.

That comes with its own complications, reflections over your shoulder into the helmet, or your eyes getting half blinded between welds by sunlight.

Few years ago I read a some articles about fastening an LED strip to the front of the helmet, battery powered, bright as hell, Small switch etc, then you get the light exactly where you want it.

Or maybe a small mirror stuck on the front of the helmet. Mirror tape?

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

I did the same with the plastic film too

Bought a few of these to try out too.

Am I right in thinking that the shade setting is purely for user comfort and not safety. Basically the glass screens out the harmful UV regardless.

I've wondered about this...I think its right but maybe someone could confirm?

 

[tom2207]

Fronius do a mig torch with an led built into the front , like a lot of cordless drills have , got to be a good idea ,, now granted , it wont come on till you pull the trigger not such a great idea ,,,, but where one goes , the rest will follow ,and it will be great for those tight little corners you get jammed in .

Just checked , its now on the tig torch too ,,, its on its way to us all soon then.

Although in that picture it looks like it would create more problems than it solves ,,, oh dear. Hope the mk2 will be better

 

[tom2207]

I did the same with the plastic film too

Bought a few of these to try out too.

Am I right in thinking that the shade setting is purely for user comfort and not safety. Basically the glass screens out the harmful UV regardless.

I've wondered about this...I think its right but maybe someone could confirm?

yep , thats how it is , the uv protection is added to the clear layer , shade is after that .

 

[James1979]

That comes with its own complications, reflections over your shoulder into the helmet, or your eyes getting half blinded between welds by sunlight.

this is an issue I’ve had. Keep toying with making a pancake helmet like the American pipe liners use but not sure you’d get away with it over here

if you’re working near anyone and you’ve mirror or silver tape on the front of your screen they will get grumpy quickly! People used to do it on sites to annoy other trades apparently

 

[Morrisman]

if you’re working near anyone and you’ve mirror or silver tape on the front of your screen they will get grumpy quickly! People used to do it on sites to annoy other trades apparently

And I thought I had just invented a revolutionary new idea.

 

[Morrisman]

Fronius do a mig torch with an led built into the front , like a lot of cordless drills have , got to be a good idea ,, now granted , it wont come on till you pull the trigger not such a great idea ,,,, but where one goes , the rest will follow ,and it will be great for those tight little corners you get jammed in .

Just checked , its now on the tig torch too ,,, its on its way to us all soon then.

Although in that picture it looks like it would create more problems than it solves ,,, oh dear. Hope the mk2 will be better

Yes, that looks like it will have dark shadow exactly where you really want bright light, much like most cordless drills do.

 

[tom2207]

this is an issue I’ve had. Keep toying with making a pancake helmet like the American pipe liners use but not sure you’d get away with it over here

if you’re working near anyone and you’ve mirror or silver tape on the front of your screen they will get grumpy quickly! People used to do it on sites to annoy other trades apparently

sort of like Noddy Holders Xmas top hat ,,, epic

Happy Xmas everybody ,,, Just thought Id get in early ..
If your under 40 you may have to google Noddy Holder ,

 

[DAPPH]

As well as illuminating the workpiece, i get troubled from light behind creating glare on the inside of the helmet. Especially outside or if theres a light fitting directly behind. When this happens i either put on a hoodie, or tuck a dish towel over/into the helmet behind.

I have fashioned a piece of industrial DPC to make a hood over the top of the mask & cover my neck to stop strip light reflections or sunlight messing up things . It works well but today I discovered that I could not see the 10 amp tig on .75 mm steel . This was with bright sunlight on the piece . I pulled the roller shutter down to get to a darker level but it was just as bad . Altering the sensitivity or the delay didn't make things any better. The helmet is five years old do the sensors degrade as they are switched on24/7 in stand by mode when not welding ?
I take on board what you've said about macular degeneration as I'm 70 in a couple of months .