Welding Lenses for the visually impaired

[8ntsane]

Hey Guys

I have had alot of stuff over the last yr with my eyes, and havnt touched my welders in over a yr. For the first time in over a yr, I decided to fire up my trusty Hobart TR250HF to weld a small project I was working on. To my surprize,I found I couldnt see the weld puddle. It was like looking at a LED light.

Im no stranger to TIG welding. Have been doing it since the mid 80s. But this was a shocker for me. I have 2- auto darkening helmets, and tryed both at various settings, thinking we have a problem with the first helmet. With this white Im seeing, it makes it impossible to see what your doing, and quality,,what quality?, is out the window.

I had a friend stop over to the house, and test out the welder, just to verify its me, and not the equipment. Yup, its me all right. The 2- helmets have served me well, and still work fine, but have no idea as to the lenses they have. Ive allways just changed the clear outer shield when they get scratched up.

On a google search,,Im seeing blue/ gold lenses, and wondering if a change in lense would help with this problem? I have the TIG as mentioned, and allso a mig welder too. But if I can get a lense to sort this out, it would be nice. I guess other wise, my welding days are over, and time to sell off these machines.

Any idea,s?

 

[7HC]

Hey Guys

I have had alot of stuff over the last yr with my eyes, and havnt touched my welders in over a yr. For the first time in over a yr, I decided to fire up my trusty Hobart TR250HF to weld a small project I was working on. To my surprize,I found I couldnt see the weld puddle. It was like looking at a LED light.

Assuming you're using a regular helmet, you could experiment with progressively stacking several filters to see if a much higher opacity helps you to see the pool more clearly.
Sounds like your eyes are much more sensitive than they used to be, so cutting down on the incoming light has to worth trying.

A discussion with your optometrist might be worthwhile too.


M

 

[swatson144]

Paul I suspect it is more about the birth date on your ID card. I had the same problem last project I fired up (finished a week ago). Seems me arms aren't as long as they were last project. Put my reading glasses on and I was healed, except for them fogging and the usual.

Steve (a year younger than you Nanana A booboo)

 

[macrnr]

You might try a cheater (magnifying) lens. They made a world of difference for me as I got older.

 

[irishwoodsman]

i went to a blue lense yrs back it made a world of diffrence or you can put a brighter light on your work:thinking::thinking:

 

[8ntsane]

Assuming you're using a regular helmet, you could experiment with progressively stacking several filters to see if a much higher opacity helps you to see the pool more clearly.
Sounds like your eyes are much more sensitive than they used to be, so cutting down on the incoming light has to worth trying.

A discussion with your optometrist might be worthwhile too.


M

Both the helmets are auto darkening, with ajustment dial from I think 9-13.

Stacking filters sounds like a plan, Ill have give that a try tomorrow. It would be worth a shot at this point.

The eye specialist say they have no explanation for the sensitivity to light. Im in to the hospital every 4-6 weeks for either lazer, or injections. Yes, injections, a needle in your eyeball.

A year ago they had no explanation for my left eye pupil being wide open all the time, and said it may allways be like that, but it did go back to allmost normal after all the work they have done on them.

I really dont want to stop welding, and seel off the equipment, so Im looking to try what ever it takes before it comes to that.

 

[8ntsane]

i went to a blue lense yrs back it made a world of diffrence or you can put a brighter light on your work:thinking::thinking:

Irish

I have the ajustable auto darkening helmets, are these lenses meant to be added to the existing by stacking, or replace the original in a standard helmet?

I didnt try adding a brighter light over the work piece, so thats another thing to try out.

 

[8ntsane]

Paul I suspect it is more about the birth date on your ID card. I had the same problem last project I fired up (finished a week ago). Seems me arms aren't as long as they were last project. Put my reading glasses on and I was healed, except for them fogging and the usual.

Steve (a year younger than you Nanana A booboo)

Steve

Your arms are too short
I dont have that problem, though I know many folks do. Im allways bringing things up closer, and not farther away. I have bi focals working in the shop. The top brings things in focus at arms lengh for working at the lathe or mill, and the bottom brings things in focus close up, like when reading a mic.

So as it stands, my arms are short enough.
I dont need arms anymore, just attach my hands to the side of my head would work fine. :rofl:

I just gotta get rid of this white out deal

 

[Rbeckett]

I wear a shade 5 pair of sagety glasses form american optics that is a 2x bifocal. I have pretty good luck seeing the puddle still. My eyes on these computer screens are failing, but with my Digital Elite big window and 4 sensors I am still foing OK with a little magnification. Might give that a try too. I dont know if it is cumulative or po;arizing but it definately seemed to help last time I fired up on stainless or alli which are my two worst materials to weld because of poor hand eye coorcination since I got sick. Glad your still working and trying different things too.
Bob

 

[Charley Davidson]

I too have been frustrated by my poor eye sight in the past couple years. I tried cheaters and they helped some but I found that a good pair of reading glasses by themselves have worked the best. Clean the inside of your lense with proper glass cleaner & keep your clear cover changed out regularly & it will help a ton.