Welding Helmet question

[Lucid Moments]

I am trying to learn how to weld and am running into a problem. I have a hard time seeing the weld puddle due to the glare from the arc. I am using a Chicago Electric Auto Darkening helmet with the adjustable lens set to full dark which according to the description is shade 13. From what I can find that is about as dark a shade as is readily available. I am wondering if my helmet doesn't really get as dark as it says it is. Any information or suggestions are welcome.

 

[rlitman]

Try wearing a pair of sunglasses under the helmet and see if that helps. Seriously.

 

[The Cobbler]

I had the same issue with a knock off helmet, I adjusted mine to about 7 and have much better visibility

 

[Beerhippie]

How clean is your filter? Is the cover plate scratched? Do you normally wear corrective lenses (readers, etc)? If so, are you wearing them while under the hood?

What kind of welding are you doing? Stick, torch, MIG, TIG?

 

[Lucid Moments]

Try wearing a pair of sunglasses under the helmet and see if that helps. Seriously.

I would try that, but I have to wear glasses to see in general and don't use prescription sunglasses. Interesting thought though.

 

[Lucid Moments]

I had the same issue with a knock off helmet, I adjusted mine to about 7 and have much better visibility

A little counter intuitive, but I will give it a try. It is free which I like.

 

[KwikFab]

Get a better hood.

There are tools out there that sometimes warrant a person being called a fanboy, but this isn't one of those moments.

A quality hood will allow much more adjustability in terms of shade adjustment, delay, and sensitivity.

You only have one pair of eyes, and a cheap welding hood is not the way you should protect them.

 

[Lucid Moments]

How clean is your filter? Is the cover plate scratched? Do you normally wear corrective lenses (readers, etc)? If so, are you wearing them while under the hood?

What kind of welding are you doing? Stick, torch, MIG, TIG?

I bought the helmet new and it has seen very little use so far so it is in pretty good shape. I am far sighted after my cataract surgery so glasses are required and I do wear them under the hood. I am starting with MIG welding.

 

[Lucid Moments]

Get a better hood.

There are tools out there that sometimes warrant a person being called a fanboy, but this isn't one of those moments.

A quality hood will allow much more adjustability in terms of shade adjustment, delay, and sensitivity.

You only have one pair of eyes, and a cheap welding hood is not the way you should protect them.

Any suggestions for a decent hood that won't break the bank? I've looked and seen hoods up to near $600 which is way out of line. Off the top of my head I could see going up to maybe $200.

 

[Cyclotronguy]

Go get a Huntsman / Lincoln " Sugar Scoop" and a number 10 or 11 lens at Home Depot. You'll learn real quick how to flip your hood down with a nod. Honestly I have those $500 auto dark hoods, and I weld just about as well (or as poorly) without as with. The only time my auto dark really makes a serious diffierece is if I'm in confined spaces and don't have room. If you are just learning, you shouldn't be in a tight space

 

[Lucid Moments]

Go get a Huntsman / Lincoln " Sugar Scoop" and a number 10 or 11 lens at Home Depot. You'll learn real quick how to flip your hood down with a nod. Honestly I have those $500 auto dark hoods, and I weld just about as well (or as poorly) without as with. The only time my auto dark really makes a serious diffierece is if I'm in confined spaces and don't have room. If you are just learning, you shouldn't be in a tight space

Is this the one you are talking about. And I am certainly not in an enclosed space, although I do kind of like the convenience of the auto darkening, but am willing to try anything reasonable.

 

[Old Man Roger]

I didn’t read all the post so forgive me if this is already been mentioned. Is it possible you’re getting a glare on the inside of your helmet from a reflection of a white wall behind you?

 

[whateg01]

Not sure about that hood but I've used other low priced welding hoods. They work fine. Light may be lighter on a more expensive lens and it might be clearer or more correct color, but you should be able to weld with it. Does that hood have two ranges? My Lincoln has like 4-8 and 9-13 or something.

 

[Beerhippie]

I bought the helmet new and it has seen very little use so far so it is in pretty good shape. I am far sighted after my cataract surgery so glasses are required and I do wear them under the hood. I am starting with MIG welding.

Any suggestions for a decent hood that won't break the bank? I've looked and seen hoods up to near $600 which is way out of line. Off the top of my head I could see going up to maybe $200.

For MIG welding, I usually set my filter to 8-9. I use a 3M Speedglas helm, which is a good, mid-price choice.

I've added one of these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CNND7LGW/?tag=atomicindus08-20 to my helm. It helps greatly with light entering from behind, which causes glare that can make welding extremely difficult. Kinda' hot in the summer.

I see some pretty inexpensive helms that are well reviewed online. Might start there.

 

[bb29510]

change your front clear sheild for a new one

 

[Lucid Moments]

I didn’t read all the post so forgive me if this is already been mentioned. Is it possible you’re getting a glare on the inside of your helmet from a reflection of a white wall behind you?

An interesting thought, but my shop walls are unpainted OSB. I don't think that would reflect enough.

 

[tarmy]

Ummm…you get one set of eyes OP. Setting the helmet too low for the amps you are running could cause serious harm. Buy a good to excellent helmet and follow the setting instructions….your eyes will thank you

 

[JeepYJ]

I have a couple of HF auto hood and some Hobart and Millers. The more expensive ones have better visibility but none of them have a glare inside the helmet. A $100-ish hood is an improvement over the HF model but not exponentially better.

 

[K13]

An interesting thought, but my shop walls are unpainted OSB. I don't think that would reflect enough.

Are you welding at a bench and leaning over? The lights from the ceiling will reflect inside the helmet making it difficult to see if you are. Throw a hand towel over the back of your hood and see if it makes a difference.

 

[Aaron_W]

Agree you may be too dark. MIG I also started dark 10-11 but now usually run 8-9.
My welding teacher pointed out the book settings are generic, every set of eyes and hood will require something different.

The cheaper hoods seem to run darker with less clear vision.

Too dark and you will have a hard time seeing the work.

Even at the lowest setting the UV is blocked, so only visible light comes through. If it isnt set dark enough it will be obvious.

I'd also look at cleaning and or replacing the inside and outside lens covers. That is cheap and can make a difference if scratched or dirty.

Stepping up to a stronger pair of reading glasses can help.

Last cheap fix is get more light on your work.


The Lincoln 3350 is a popular mid priced hood. They were in the low $200s when I got mine. Currently running around $300 on sale.

I had a generic $100 hood that I used for about a year. It seemed ok but when I got a 3350 it made a big improvement in how well I could see what I was doing.

 

[LopezBart]

I've found that welding outside or with a strong light source helps a lot. I've said this before, but don't try to wear progressive lenses under a hood; a cheap pair of readers is perfect and the alignment of eyes, glasses, hood and weld isn't so critical.

 

[KwikFab]

Any suggestions for a decent hood that won't break the bank? I've looked and seen hoods up to near $600 which is way out of line. Off the top of my head I could see going up to maybe $200.

1740 or 3350 would be my top two picks

Used both in the industry

 

[Copymutt]

Cheaters & a 6000 lumen LED spot improved my view of the puddle tremendously.

 

[Wrench97]

I run a 3m speedglas on the #8 setting for mig, most I've used is a 10 setting for a DC stick machine @200 amps and 3/16 6011 rod.

 

[Rusted Nut]

Thoroughly read and make sure you understand the helmet instructions. Make sure batteries are new, photo eye is clean, and you are using the correct settings for what you are welding; most helmets have a chart for this. As others have said, don’t go cheap on eye protection. I have a Miller Infinity, works well for MIG throughout the entire range. You can also get a magnifying lens for the Miller, helps me greatly to see what I’m doing.

 

[whateg01]

Ummm…you get one set of eyes OP. Setting the helmet too low for the amps you are running could cause serious harm. Buy a good to excellent helmet and follow the setting instructions….your eyes will thank you

Not really. The damaging uv is blocked regardless of the visible shade. It's like looking at the headlights of your car vs the turn signal.

ETA: that applies at AD lenses, not fixed shade.

 

[whateg01]

I've found that welding outside or with a strong light source helps a lot. I've said this before, but don't try to wear progressive lenses under a hood; a cheap pair of readers is perfect and the alignment of eyes, glasses, hood and weld isn't so critical.

I tried not wearing my progressives and it was such a pain putting them back in every time I took the hood off to inspect the work then switching again when going back to welding. A cheater lens lets me not have to do all that.

 

[MOS3522]

Get a better hood.

There are tools out there that sometimes warrant a person being called a fanboy, but this isn't one of those moments.

A quality hood will allow much more adjustability in terms of shade adjustment, delay, and sensitivity.

You only have one pair of eyes, and a cheap welding hood is not the way you should protect them.

Especially since a quality helmet can be found in the $100 range. I use this one mostly:

Amazon.com

 

[seber]

I would start with a cloth over the back of your head attached to the helmet. If you think the helmet is not working right, try another brand or get it exchanged. When my Jackson gave up I did a lot of research and wound up with a Yeswelder. I am thoroughly impressed with it. Especially at the low cost.

 

[dogdog]

Dependents on how you wear that helmet any helmets. Uv lights can come from under your chin and cause issues, the reason they invented the welding bibs

welding helmet bib at DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo. Privacy, Simplified.

duckduckgo.com

As far as hf their 13.15 sq inches welding helmet was popular about $130 when on sale. I got one but haven’t used it so can’t tell you yea or nay. Had the earlier Jackson Safety ones and it’s ok @$250 box not a super wow.

https://www.harborfreight.com/135-sq-in-premium-arcsafe-auto-darkening-welding-helmet-58201.html

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

UV is blocked regardless of setting. Use a lighter setting and darken as necessary. Use lights positioned around your work. I use 500 watt halogen, one on each side. Maybe one day ill go to LED.
I had progressives made with the prescription flipped so distance is on the bottom. Now I just use readers. Magnifiers mounted inside the hood work too.

 

[bb29510]

before you do anything

change your front clear shield for a new one

 

[tiredoldironworker]

I weld almost every day as an ironworker. I have also had progressive lenses for over a decade. I don't have any problems at all seeing my puddle? What is giving you guys issues?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I weld almost every day as an ironworker. I have also had progressive lenses for over a decade. I don't have any problems at all seeing my puddle? What is giving you guys issues?

Its been a long time since I used regular progressives, but I find I have to tilt my head back to see the puddle properly. Or push the glasses down and peek over the top. That gets old fast.

 

[Wamsutta]

The most important part of welding is being able to see. Make sure your prescription glasses are dead on perfect.

A welding helmet makes all the difference in the world. If you cheap out on a welding helmet, you're making it unnecessarily difficult for yourself.

 

[Lwel9226]

Set your shade at 9 or 10....
if your glasses are progressive or bifocals, get some drug store readers in a strength that suits your eyes and try that....

I have been welding in Fab shops and construction sites for 60+ years with a #9 lens with no problems....
Your setting of 13 is much too dark.... IMHO....

LynnW

 

[Old Man Roger]

I weld almost every day as an ironworker. I have also had progressive lenses for over a decade. I don't have any problems at all seeing my puddle? What is giving you guys issues?

My problem with progressive lenses under my welding helmet is I’m not welding at a desk. Most of the time I’m having to look out the wrong part of my glasses, or my head is tilted, so one eye is looking through a different prescription than the other.

Having a single prescription set of glasses means I can see where ever I’m looking.

 

[Notgrownup]

I just started welding a few years back after learning in shop class. I got a Hobart inventor I think and it works really good for me and didn’t break the bank

 

[American Locomotive]

When you say "glare" from the arc, do you mean you're seeing light reflect off your glasses back onto the back onto the back window/plastic of the shade? Or you're seeing the whole lens flare up like an old dirty windshield in the sun?

If it's the latter, you should replace the clear plastic on the front AND back of the mask. It makes a huge difference.

 

[cannuck]

I've found that welding outside or with a strong light source helps a lot. I've said this before, but don't try to wear progressive lenses under a hood; a cheap pair of readers is perfect and the alignment of eyes, glasses, hood and weld isn't so critical.

I have this problem MIG welding aluminum, so solution was to buy some very bright LED floodlights so I can see the workpiece to get in position and turn the lens much darker to be able to see when arc is struck.