Welding issues now with older eyes

[jabberwoki]

So any old blokes got any good tips for welding with older eyes?
I used to do pretty good but now using glasses behind the welding hood it's hard to see what i'm doing.
I`ve tried illuminating the work area more which helps abit.

Just looking for useful tips.

 

[The Cobbler]

I found a cheater lens in the helmet helps ( sometimes) and I turned down on the darkness some too . still have a hard time in dark areas or outside in sun

 

[TurnipTruck]

Nearsighted?
My optometrist is a car guy. When I told him I am having trouble seeing while welding, he prescribed two different pair of glasses. One for normal distances and one he called computer glasses with the focus from nose to five feet distance. (I have had to take my glasses off to read for the last decade).

 

[jsaw]

I find that bifocals are a challenge . Sometimes it is difficult to look through the reading part of the lens while at the same time looking 5hrough the lens of the helmet. When I was younger. Before needing bifocals I did not have much problem. My eyes were sensitive. I used a #13 shade. Now I use a # 10 or 11. Part of My problem is that I have a sentimental attachment to My helmet. My step father bought if for Me 37 years ago after I did some work for Him . I should really buy a helmet with a larger filter lens.

 

[danielbuck]

setup your area with more lights. lots of light

 

[whateg01]

Both of these are already mentioned, but...

With my bifocals,a cheater lens let's me look through the normal post of the lens. Before the cheaters I would take my glasses off to see the welds by getting up close to the work but then had to put my glasses back on to inspect my work. Adding a bright light helps immensely too. You might not think a lot would help since you have a really bright light at the end of the stinger or wire or tungsten, but it really does help being able to see "where you are going".

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I've tried bifocals with the readers flipped to the top. That helped. So did using magnifiers on my helmet. Next I got glasses with the focal set specifically for welding. That's best.
Also lots of light on the subject.

 

[Rusted Nut]

Magnifying lens for your helmet, they’re awesome for old blind welders. You can get them in different powers. I have some from Miller, but I’m sure other companies make them. Game changer.

 

[thunderalley3]

I have the Miller magnifier lens as well and it is a game changer.

I also found that having a helmet with adjustable darkness helped after playing around with the settings. Just make sure to not go to light where eye damage will occur.

 

[kaymccampbell]

Anyone so nearsighted that they need a negative number lens to see more than 6 inches? If so, where do you get them?

 

[nadogail]

More light and magnification are my suggestions. If you have Cataracts get them fixed. Make sure that you are not getting too much light reflecting inside of your Welding Head.

 

[whateg01]

I have the Miller magnifier lens as well and it is a game changer.

I also found that having a helmet with adjustable darkness helped after playing around with the settings. Just make sure to not go to light where eye damage will occur.

What eye damage are you suggesting will occur?

 

[thunderalley3]

What eye damage are you suggesting will occur?

I was referring to UV burns from using a setting that is too light for the type of welding being performed. My helmet has settings from very dark to grind which offers no UV protection at all, it only utilizes the face shield and lens as protection during grinding.

I probably run mine lighter than I should so that I can see better but from past experience if the project turns into more welding time than expected and I do not darken my lens I will have eye discomfort the following day.

I am not an optometrist, just putting out there that too light a shade "could possibly" result in UV damage. If you have ever experienced a flash burn in your eyes you try to avoid it any way possible.

 

[cannuck]

I have paid top dollar for brand name, large screen autodarkening helmets for the last 25 or so years and have no regrets. Near sighted, but not able to go without corrective lenses at welding distances, but seem to get by OK...on steel. Buying a pulsed arc push/pull machine to do aluminum was my undoing. The contrast is so great the flash blinds me so I have a LED tower with 2x VERY bright panels that I try to floodlight work site with. I also bought a rotary positioner as I seem to do a lot of pipe and tube to flange welds in aluminum (thus the fancy Mig). This getting old thing ***** big time - but beats the hell out of the alternative.

 

[Zebedeewesty]

I've now got two pairs of glasses (the joys of getting older).
One pair allows me to use my laptop with the screen at around arms length from my face and the other pair for reading magazines or using my phone closer up.
Unfortunately i've found neither pair to be totally useful under my welding helmet. Using either pair still requires a bit of squinting to completely focus so i'm interested to see what others have done to solve the problem.

 

[lilredex]

More light and magnification are my suggestions. If you have Cataracts get them fixed. Make sure that you are not getting too much light reflecting inside of your Welding Head.

Just did that and I can see again like I could at sixteen (without glasses). But, now I need reading glasses, hopefully, they are the right focal length for welding......we shall see.

 

[welder4956]

I use a 2.0 magnifying lens (cheater) in my hood without glasses. Sometimes i find the need to also use a worklamp on the weld area when using low amperage settings.

https://bakersgas.com/products/esabmagnifyinglens-diopter2-0-0367951003?gQT=1

I have one of these DeWalt LED lights that works great for welding. I can set it on the workbench or it has a hook for hanging.

https://www.dewalt.com/product/dcl050/20v-max-led-hand-held-area-light-tool-only?tid=577766

 

[TxSteve]

I wear progressive lenses. I've found that if I take off my glasses under the hood I can see better. That, and plenty of light.
I've also found that my eyes adjust to bright/dark slower then they used to so the longer I'm under the mask, the better I can see the puddle.

 

[fitter30]

Like other stated wear bi or tri focals a prescription cheater. I'm 73 can't hardly see the puddle also just found out need cat surgery.

 

[whateg01]

I was referring to UV burns from using a setting that is too light for the type of welding being performed. My helmet has settings from very dark to grind which offers no UV protection at all, it only utilizes the face shield and lens as protection during grinding.

I probably run mine lighter than I should so that I can see better but from past experience if the project turns into more welding time than expected and I do not darken my lens I will have eye discomfort the following day.

I am not an optometrist, just putting out there that too light a shade "could possibly" result in UV damage. If you have ever experienced a flash burn in your eyes you try to avoid it any way possible.

I don't know of any auto darkening lenses that don't provide UV protection at all settings. The shade selected, whether at 14 or grind, does not affect the ability to block UV.

 

[tominboise]

I wear progressive lenses and put a 1.5X cheater clip on over them when welding. It works pretty good.
Link to clip on cheaters

 

[danski0224]

Progressive lenses are no good under the welding hood, at least not for me.

Really difficult to look down through the reading portion.

Single vision glasses set for your eye to welding distance is the way to go.

I've tried "double D" lenses* for overhead close work (not welding), and those sucked too. Have to tilt my head back way far to use the progressive lenses. Single vision lenses were the ticket.

*- those have bifocals at the top and bottom of the lenses. I found them to be quite difficult to get used to.

 

[rvieceli]

I had a decent Jackson hood but when I upgraded to a higher end Lincoln, I found that I could see the puddle a lot better.

These Harbor Freight flashlights are also good for lighting up the welding site. I have two of them. The magnetic base keeps them where you stick them. They used to go on sale for around $20.

500 Lumen LED Rechargeable Magnetic Handheld Foldable Slim Bar Work Light

Amazing deals on this 500 Lumen Slim Bar Folding Work Light at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Ron

 

[tworley]

The magnifying lens makes a huge difference. I have great vision, but wore a buddies hood who had the magnifying lens. Took a second to get used too, but after that I started looking for a magnifying lens for my own hood.

 

[MichaelP]

I installed a bright LED flood light on the top of my helmet and it works wonders. I also use my glasses and a cheater lens in the hood.

Here is my old post on PM: https://www.practicalmachinist.com/forum/threads/led-lights-for-my-welding-helmets.301559/

 

[Chris_Hamilton]

These lights are my favorite. Ullman Devices. Come in a variety of configurations. Don't get the battery powered ones as they will go through batteries fast, only rechargeable ones. Magnetic swivel base. Puts out a lot of light. I've got like five or six of them now.

Example

Ullman RT-3SMD 3SMD Rotating Magnetic Work Light (1 Light)

Shop our line of Ullman RT-3SMD 3SMD Rotating Magnetic Work Light (1 Light) . Call WeldingOutfitter.com at @ 641-201-1352.

www.weldingoutfitter.com

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

I'm definitely in the more bright light ahead of the arc camp. I see my line really well in bright sunlight but on a cloudy day or inside the shop without an additional spot light I get lost and have to lift. I do cut back on the Lense a shade or two as well if I can't get more light. Ed.

 

[lolaetype]

I don't weld often, but when I do (sounds like a beer commercial, sorry) I weld outside in full sunlight or if inside with all the lights on and a task light focused on what I'm welding. I had cataract surgery in both eyes in my late 40's, so 28 years ago, and see 20/20 without glasses. I can also read normal sized text without reading glasses but cheaters make it easier and I wear them when I weld with an auto-darkening helmet

 

[Bodj Built]

+1 for cheater lenses. I'd also recommend checking your posture when welding. I know you may feel the need to have your face right next to the weld, but being a bit further away will let the arc illuminate the surrounding area, giving you better visibility.

 

[Beerhippie]

As above, 2 diopter cheater lens in the helm PLUS my regular readers.

More light = More better! No such thing as too much light for welding.

Replace the cover plate (lens) on your helm more often--seriously! I have been guilty of using one too long and finally replaced it. My coworkers thought I'd completely lost it when I danced through the brewery wearing my helm and crying "I CAN SEE AGAIN!"

I'm going to change it out again right now.

Get one of these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CNND7LGW/?tag=atomicindus08-20 or similar. You'll be amazed how much cutting out all the light coming from behind the helm helps. It also means you don't need to wear a welder's cap or suffer spatter down the back of the shirt.

You can have mine when you pry it off my cold, dead helm.

I keep my auto lens set to Shade 10 for MIG and 8 for TIG.

BTW: The auto lens of your hood blocks 100% of UV even if not active--as do any good quality sunglasses. It's the visible light that can blind you if your lens is not dark enough. It doesn't hurt like UV burns to the eyes, but we've all been flashed so we know what that's like.

 

[jabberwoki]

K .. great replies, thanks.
I'm going to take my welding hood down to the welding store and get some new cover lenses , look at magnifying lenses and find a good magnetic led bright white light.
I`m rapidly coming to the conclusion that getting old sux.

 

[Beerhippie]

.....
I`m rapidly coming to the conclusion that getting old sux.

I hear it beats the alternative.

Do look into the back cover for the helmet. It makes a huge difference. It's not too hot in the summer, which surprised me, but takes a minute to install/remove.

 

[txvwnut]

I hear it beats the alternative.

Do look into the back cover for the helmet. It makes a huge difference. It's not too hot in the summer, which surprised me, but takes a minute to install/remove.

I ordered a cover for my helmet as I too am having issues seeing the puddle. I tried a lot of what has been suggested above and have come to the conclusion that I’m getting glare off the shop lighting. I ordered a cover for the back of my helmet and it ever shows up I’ll try to remember to report back.

 

[Firebrick43]

My dad is 75 and more and more i found welding projects waiting for me when i showed up to visit. I finally bought him a set of cheaters and he went crazy with the welding and even bought himself a new mig welder that he loves.

 

[Beerhippie]

I ordered a cover for my helmet as I too am having issues seeing the puddle. I tried a lot of what has been suggested above and have come to the conclusion that I’m getting glare off the shop lighting. I ordered a cover for the back of my helmet and it ever shows up I’ll try to remember to report back.

If it's like mine--clips onto the back of the helm with what looks like car window trim--measure and mark the top center of the rim of your helm and the trim/clip piece on the cover. Makes it a hell of a lot easier to install the first try.

Now will someone invent a little blower to keep the lenses from fogging in the cold? I've tried every anti-fog substance known to man and still get fogging, especially between the lenses. There have been ski goggles with a tiny fan since at least the '90s, so why not a welding helm?

Maybe I'll have to buy a pair of those ski goggles and figure out how to hack the fan into my helm... if only I could recall what they're called....

 

[Beerhippie]

Whoah! There are now dozens of brands offering ski goggles with fans! For ridiculous ski accessory prices!

But I did find this:
https://us.amazon.com/Let-Me-Be-AirDefog-Anti-Fog/dp/B0DPB9MDNF/?tag=atomicindus08-20

That is interesting and seems like it could be pretty easily incorporated into a welding helm with little modification--maybe just some tape.

I may have to order one....

 

[csp]

Anyone so nearsighted that they need a negative number lens to see more than 6 inches? If so, where do you get them?

If you're that nearsighted aren't you in need of corrective lenses all the time? My right eye is a -7.75 and my left is -7.50 and I use contact lenses 100% of the time with readers when I need anything up close in focus now that I'm in my late 50s.

 

[kaymccampbell]

If you're that nearsighted aren't you in need of corrective lenses all the time? My right eye is a -7.75 and my left is -7.50 and I use contact lenses 100% of the time with readers when I need anything up close in focus now that I'm in my late 50s.

Yup. Since I turned 50 I don't tolerate contacts anymore, so it's progressive glasses. They get in the way, or are wrongly positioned when I'm welding. I really wish I could get just a -2 or 3 lens.

 

[Chris_Hamilton]

Yup. Since I turned 50 I don't tolerate contacts anymore, so it's progressive glasses. They get in the way, or are wrongly positioned when I'm welding. I really wish I could get just a -2 or 3 lens.

I worked with a guy who was really nearsighted. He ended up having a set of glasses made so he could weld. He went to the eye doctor and got a prescription for the distance he was welding at and then used a mail in (this was some time ago) prescription glasses service. Think he got two pairs so he always had a pair in his box. Got rid of the progressive lens (for welding) and said he was finally able to weld comfortably again. Might work for you, or be worth checking into.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I worked with a guy who was really nearsighted. He ended up having a set of glasses made so he could weld. He went to the eye doctor and got a prescription for the distance he was welding at and then used a mail in (this was some time ago) prescription glasses service. Think he got two pairs so he always had a pair in his box. Got rid of the progressive lens (for welding) and said he was finally able to weld comfortably again. Might work for you, or be worth checking into.

This is what I did.