2015 POTD Thread Archive

catskinner said:
My problem is I don't have a magnifying lens in my helmet and can't seem to see as well as I used to.
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Sing me a song about eyesight! I've been known to start a bead at one end of a butt joint, continue on, and when I stop and tip the helmet up, the bead is off at a 15 degree angle from the joint line. Don't want to jeopardize what vision I still have by getting a lighter lens, so I usually try putting a bright spotlight on the work. Durn!!!!!!
 
hman said:
Sing me a song about eyesight! I've been known to start a bead at one end of a butt joint, continue on, and when I stop and tip the helmet up, the bead is off at a 15 degree angle from the joint line. Don't want to jeopardize what vision I still have by getting a lighter lens, so I usually try putting a bright spotlight on the work. Durn!!!!!!
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I have done all of the above and then some, high intensity HF lights help a lot maybe I should attach one of those LED cap lamps to the front of my helmet.
 
catskinner said:
I always say it may not be a pretty weld but it is a strong weld. My problem is I don't have a magnifying lens in my helmet and can't seem to see as well as I used to.
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Mr skinner, get the magnifying lens insert for your helmet, you'll love it. And if you don't have an auto darkening hood already get that too. You won't believe how much those two items will help your welding. You can't weld what you can't see.

$4.23 from Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/3M-Speedglas-...r=8-1&keywords=welding+helmet+magnifying+lens
 
Auto darkening helmets have a delay, so you get a tiny bit of arc flash, bad on the eyes over long periods of use (yrs) that's why most pipe weldors don't use em

I however have a speedglass hood, no cheaters as I was blessed with 20/15 vision, I always used to pull the cheaters from my dad's hood so I could weld
 
Mark in Indiana said:
Built a Port-A-Vise.
Cut, machined & welded a plate to an old trailer hitch insert. Mounted a vise on the plate. I'll use this vise for welding & the occasional field job.
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I like that! I've been thinking about embedding a trailer hitch in my shop floor for my metal bender, tire changer, and a pipe vise.
I should figure out a way to have both a vertical and horizontal mount......hmmm....

Thanks for posting!
-brino
 
I'm a big fan of cheaters in my hood. I use a 2X. It beats leaning my head back so I can look through my bifocals.

My friendly neighborhood welder told me that he only uses an auto-shade helmet to tack weld. He said that you can see the bead and joint better with a standard helmet with a glass filter lens. He also advised to keep the protector over the lens clean and frequently replaced. Just a few spatter marks will cause flaring. He hasn't steered me wrong yet.
 
brino said:
I like that! I've been thinking about embedding a trailer hitch in my shop floor for my metal bender, tire changer, and a pipe vise.
I should figure out a way to have both a vertical and horizontal mount......hmmm.... Thanks for posting!
-brino
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That's a good idea, Brino. I may have to think about that.
 
Maybe I'm old school, but I don't trust auto darkening helmets. I tried one while using a MIG welder, and the shop lighting messed with the auto darkening delay. I'll be the first to admit that it was likely an operator problem on my part.
I cut my teeth on the old style helmets. Mine is set up so when it's up, I can nod my head to make it come down after the rod is in position.
 
chevydyl said:
I however have a speedglass hood, no cheaters as I was blessed with 20/15 vision, I always used to pull the cheaters from my dad's hood so I could weld
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+1 on a Speedglas hood. It has been a huge help in my welding.


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