OP
Lucid Moments
Well-known member
It isn't reflection. It is just the arc is so bright that I can't see anything right around it.
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Welding Helmet question
- Thread starter Lucid Moments
- Start date
GaryM909
Well-known member
If you see spots when you lift your shield the lense isn't working properly.
My .02. I can't see how you wear progressives and weld. I need to be looking straight on to the work with a good amount of focus to get quality welds. If you need distance and reading, then get cheater lenses for the welding helmet and wear regular glasses.
DGersic
Well-known member
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.
Are you getting glare through the lens? Or around the edges of the hood?
OP
Lucid Moments
Well-known member
Glare through the lens.Are you getting glare through the lens? Or around the edges of the hood?
DGersic
Well-known member
Glare through the lens.
I'm thinking defective helmet, then. On full-dark, you shouldn’t be able to see anything at all with a basic MIG weld and should probably be complaining that you can’t see what you’re doing.
Maybe recheck, make sure the helmet is actually set to 13. Or get a different one to have something to compare this one to. Got a friend you can borrow one from?
DGersic
Well-known member
My .02. I can't see how you wear progressives and weld. I need to be looking straight on to the work with a good amount of focus to get quality welds. If you need distance and reading, then get cheater lenses for the welding helmet and wear regular glasses.
Progressive lenses and welding = *****. I have no other reasonable choice, with a -12 diopter prescription and glasses that run close to a grand. I envy you guys that can buy a set of $10 reading glasses and go to town on it.
Progressive lenses and welding = *****. I have no other reasonable choice, with a -12 diopter prescription and glasses that run close to a grand. I envy you guys that can buy a set of $10 reading glasses and go to town on it.
I get that you need the glasses, what I was trying to say was can you wear a pair of corrective lenses for your -12 that are just glasses (not progressive) and then use those in conjunction with a cheater lens on the helmet?
DGersic
Well-known member
I get that you need the glasses, what I was trying to say was can you wear a pair of corrective lenses for your -12 that are just glasses (not progressive) and then use those in conjunction with a cheater lens on the helmet?
I can, but that’s a $1K set of glasses for me. Kind of a lot for occasional hobby welding.
Old Man Roger
Well-known member
Layering cheater lenses increase the magnification.
rlitman
Well-known member
And the distortion and glare.Layering cheater lenses increase the magnification.
Aaron_W
Well-known member
My .02. I can't see how you wear progressives and weld. I need to be looking straight on to the work with a good amount of focus to get quality welds. If you need distance and reading, then get cheater lenses for the welding helmet and wear regular glasses.
Not all eyes and glasses are equal. I only started to need reading glasses 10 years ago, and just stepped up to progressives this year.
The range on my progressives only varies by about +1 from close to far. I imagine some have a much greater split making where you look far more critical.
I will still use readers for the most part in the shop, but that is mostly due to cost difference rather than any issue with the progressives. I'd much prefer to ruin a $10 pair of readers than $500+ progressives.
It doesn't sound right, but I've found that I need more light, even if it seems that glare is the problem. Setting at 9 or 10 when MIG welding, and a good light source focused on the weld area, may be two so that there are no shadows. Works for me.
Just so you know, I use an even cheaper helmet that HF. I saw it on eBay a few years back being sold for less that 20 bucks. So I bought one just to see if that cheap **** worked. It Does! Wish I'd bought more than one. Now, I wouldn't recommend it for pro use, but for my maybe weekly and only for a few minutes, it's fine.
I've also had cataract surgery and normally wear progressives but when welding I often sub some Walmart readers, 1.5 diopter I think. I just don't like to use the expensive pair in the shop, even though they work fine.
Just so you know, I use an even cheaper helmet that HF. I saw it on eBay a few years back being sold for less that 20 bucks. So I bought one just to see if that cheap **** worked. It Does! Wish I'd bought more than one. Now, I wouldn't recommend it for pro use, but for my maybe weekly and only for a few minutes, it's fine.
I've also had cataract surgery and normally wear progressives but when welding I often sub some Walmart readers, 1.5 diopter I think. I just don't like to use the expensive pair in the shop, even though they work fine.
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The OP said the helmet is almost newthe glare coming off a dirty front clear shield, change your clear out, they are dirt cheap, about a dollar, you need to do that almost weekly
I have similar issues with the welding or using a plasma cutter
Imo might be a problem with contrast Are the arc is bright and everything else is dark It’s not like I don’t have that problem with literally everything else I work on.
Maybe try to put a bright light on the work area which is I’m going to do next time
Imo might be a problem with contrast Are the arc is bright and everything else is dark It’s not like I don’t have that problem with literally everything else I work on.
Maybe try to put a bright light on the work area which is I’m going to do next time
OP
Lucid Moments
Well-known member
Last night I played around with the settings on the helmet. Turned the darkness down or up or I made it so that the lens wasn't as dark and that actually helped. Doesn't make sense why, but I will settle for it does. I am going to try getting a really bright light and see if that helps more.
I have a ~20 yr old HF auto darkening helmet; I use it on the lowest setting, 8?, and I don't have issues either seeing the weld puddle or my eyes hurting after. If I used it 40 hrs a week at this setting I might not say this. But give a lower setting a try.
I really think you should consider a better helmet. Like others have said, you don't need a top of the line but you only get one set of eyes so take care of them. Heck if you want to stick with HF go with the Vulcan helmet. Mine has done well for me.Last night I played around with the settings on the helmet. Turned the darkness down or up or I made it so that the lens wasn't as dark and that actually helped. Doesn't make sense why, but I will settle for it does. I am going to try getting a really bright light and see if that helps more.
Bakersgas.com usually has some good deals on protective gear
whateg01
Well-known member
What is with all of you thinking that the less expensive lenses don't protect your eyes? I guess you do you.
Higher price = higher qualityWhat is with all of you thinking that the less expensive lenses don't protect your eyes? I guess you do you.
State law.
OP
Lucid Moments
Well-known member
Not always and even on the occasions that it is true it doesn't always matter.Higher price = higher quality
State law.
It was a joke.Not always and even on the occasions that it is true it doesn't always matter.
I used the less expensive HF helmet worked like it should. Upgraded to this one just for the hell of it.
Agree, Functionally, it probably doesn't matter.
I have bifocals.... when trying to weld with them I am looking right at the divide line most of the time .... single vision lenses cures that...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?
LynnW
If your helmet is at 13 and the arc is still too bright, I would say it's a helmet issue
Ok
Ok
whateg01
Well-known member
Not a fanboy.i just recognize that a variable shade AD lens makes welding much more enjoyable. I can tig thin aluminum and then adjust for 1/8 7018 and then go back to thin stuff. I don't see why that's such a bad thing.Lots of auto dark fanboys here. Get a large window FIXED shade helmet. They are pretty cheep. Go to your lws or McMaster and get a GOLD #11 shade. The gold shade makes a huge difference.
speed bump
Well-known member
You don't have it in grind mode do you? That will limit you to like a 4-6 shade if I remember right. I do it occasionally with my helmet and it's about what you are describing.
He is just learning to mig. I appreciate the adjustable for more advanced welders. I think a fixed shade is best for beginners.Not a fanboy.i just recognize that a variable shade AD lens makes welding much more enjoyable. I can tig thin aluminum and then adjust for 1/8 7018 and then go back to thin stuff. I don't see why that's such a bad thing.
whateg01
Well-known member
I would be more concerned with whether he's getting penetration or not than what welding hood he's using. So many new welder are more interested in having stacked dimes than a weld that will hold.He is just learning to mig. I appreciate the adjustable for more advanced welders. I think a fixed shade is best for beginners.
I can agree with that. It’s a difficult thing to learn. Really the best thing is to have a mentor. But we don’t all get that option. He is trying to learn on his own. I’m just trying to suggest what has worked best for me seeing mig welding. To try and take that one variable out of his equation. It’s hard enough to get a good burn going with out worrying about the head gear.I would be more concerned with whether he's getting penetration or not. So many new welder are more interested in having stacked dimes than a weld that will hold
joshmodelskidoo
Well-known member
Is the clear protective plastic sticker still on the inside or outside? Reflection for a light source behind you. I run the HF titanium helmet myself and I like it alot. I'm no professional by any means but as I get older it's harder to see and the titanium has a way bigger lens then my previous auto dimming helmet. I have shined lights onto my projects while welding and that helps tons. I just started wearing readers but have not tried them under my helmet but I think I will have to give it a go.
rockinacummins
Well-known member
As many have already stated, try turning the shade down to 9 or 10 and see how that works. I also recommend a slightly better hood, something in the $100-$200 range. We’ve had guys get really bad flash burn from “bargain” hoods. I’ve been a certified welder for 12 years and my preferred hood is an $80 fibre metal with a #10 “gold” lens. The “gold” really cuts down on glare. I do prefer an auto darkening hood for confined spaces (like welding exhaust under a vehicle)