Help to see what I am welding

[Migmac]

Reading glasses and extra light help me

 

[Hood]

I wear varifocals and have no issue seeing the pool on any type of welding or any material. I put that down to having a quality lid (Optrel ), my previous lid was the Phantom XL and it was good but with the previous few lids which included Esab Warrior and various cheap ones I was struggling to see anything as my eyesight was failing.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

The best and most clear low/mid price range lid I have had was a Weldability Phantom XL.
The view was crisp and clear, it had a nice blue tint to it and the size of the lens was big.

Yup I concur.
Serving me well now.

 

[fizzy]

What gas are you using?
I have found that Argon mix gives a better view than straight CO2 but that could just be me!

 

[pauliil1948]

Going by the 1948 in your username, do you wear bifocals or varifocals?

I struggled because I couldn't tilt my head back to look through the bottom of my glasses, if I did then I couldn't see the job. I now have a cheap single vision pair of glasses for close up work and can see much better as I can actually focus on the job

I started with this https://www.weldequip.com/siflite-helmet.htm (few years ago) and then got a better one secondhand and the only things I noticed are the bigger viewing area and the more even tint

edit: I also have lamps I use to illuminate the job if I am working somewhere a bit darker

1948 no meaning to me , (1966 ) yes , but don't need glasses yet cheers

 

[pauliil1948]

What gas are you using?
I have found that Argon mix gives a better view than straight CO2 but that could just be me!

I am using argon mix ,will get a new helmet ,

 

[pauliil1948]

Hi guys , I only weld now and then ,I got a auto darkening helmet £35 or so , din9/din13 to use with my mig , I am not seeing the weld very good at all is this the correct din 9 / din 13 ,I have left it in sun for a while before using it but still hard to see weld ,any help would be good ,thanks .

I've got a old hand held mask cheap nasty thing but can see the weld a lot better with that ,but want a auto one that works ,will get a better quality mask

 

[mdr]

I've got a old hand held mask cheap nasty thing but can see the weld a lot better with that ,but want a auto one that works ,will get a better quality mask

You may like to read the post I made the other day on this thread...
https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/helmet-question.86537/#post-1245032

I think a good glass lens can be a lot clearer but it's a compromise on technique.