Welding Lenses for the visually impaired

[8ntsane]

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.

I talked to a friend tonight, and handed me a box full of the drugstore reading glasses, all different strengh,so Im going to be in the shop tomorrow, trying out everything I can, and hope somthing works.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.
Im hoping I can get the problem sorted out, but if not, such is life. As it goes, all good things must come to a end. If I have to sell both my welders, then maybe go shopping for other equipment :rofl:

 

[Tony Wells]

I wear bifocals normally, with zero correction in one eye on top and very little on the other. I have developed a habit of holding my head kind of down over the years of welding without buttoning my shirt all the way up, or wearing a tee shirt. I have been burned more than once on the vee shaped opening of a shirt that exposes the upper chest. So now, I tend to try to use the upper part of my glasses, which don't help at all at welding distance. A while back at the shop I worked in, we had a nice TIG, and I was using it and felt practically blind. I'm used to hearing the MIG enough to know what I am seeing, even if not too clear, but the TIG I need to see right, and I couldn't without tipping my head back. Felt really weird, and the welds didn't turn out as well as they should have. I was using an auto-darkening hood, but with plain glass. Later, the welding supervisor told me he kept a 4" square 2x cheater in the tool locker for himself because he had the same problem. I never tried it, so I don't know whether it would work or not. I don't own a TIG machine at the moment, but I would like to get one, so I'll have to check it out then, if not sooner. I'm sure it would help my MIG work as well. I'd probably try welding without the bifocals at all then.

As far as color filters go, why not ask your LWS? I'm sure they have heard of your issue before. or write Miller or Lincoln. They have excllent tech people.

 

[ranch23]

I'm facing this also, knew it might happen, just not so soon. This is a really big deal to those of us who have it. I am wearing the readers and may have to up the power. Not fun.

 

[macrnr]

It sucks getting old, but it sure beats the alternative................

 

[8ntsane]

I'm facing this also, knew it might happen, just not so soon. This is a really big deal to those of us who have it. I am wearing the readers and may have to up the power. Not fun.

I tried several things over the last few days, and no luck with anything. Im at the conclusion my welding days are done. After trying out several different power readers, with marginal improvment, and a few borrowed welding helmets, I guess one has to realize those days are gone.:nuts:

Im gonna miss not being able to just fire up the welder and Tig steel, aluminum, stainless when ever I want, but Im not going to fight it any longer.

The Tig welder went up for sale yesterday, and have a fellow coming out to see me in the morning to check it out. The mig welder I will keep around for those jobs were it doesnt have to look pretty.
:rofl:
When your eye sight starts failing, it is a big deal. Ive had a major change in vision over the last yr or so. The landscape has been forever changed.

No sense trying to fight it, just move on, and do things you still can do. At least I can still read the Mics with the bifocals. hew:

 

[macrnr]

Maybe you could find a young person and show him or her how to use the machines and impart some of your years of wisdom on him or her? Then what you had, might not be lost.

 

[xalky]

Oh brother... I just went to the eye doctor today! I have glaucoma setting in and a new prescription for bi-focals. Sucks getting old. My mind still feels like it's 24 yrs old, but smarter. My body feels like it's 24 yrs old, until i exert myself the wrong way...:lmao:

 

[8ntsane]

Maybe you could find a young person and show him or her how to use the machines and impart some of your years of wisdom on him or her? Then what you had, might not be lost.

I wish that was possible. I think to teach welding, the teachers eye sight would need to be better than mine. When I was taught back in the mid 80s, the guy was looking over my shoulder watching my every move. Coaching me all the way.

Kids these days dont have to much interest in learning a new skill. Im still teaching the wife to run my Sidney lathe, and she is slowly getting it.
At least I can show her how to run that machine, and can keep a watchfull eye on her moves. The big lathe doest seem to bother her, but the milling machine she wants no part of.:nono:

 

[12bolts]

but the milling machine she wants no part of

"hand waving wildly" Oooo, Oooo noises, pick me, pick me, please sir.............

but on a more serious side. Bad luck mate, dont lose hope, a (more) simple cure might be on the cards.
I had laser surgery for shortsightedness 20 years ago (after wearing glasses for 15 years), just getting fitted for short arms deficiency now. 1st time with spectacles in a looooong time.

Cheers Phil

 

[Rbeckett]

Paul,
Ouch man, selling your tig is a pretty drastic thing... That sucks all the way around. Have you been to an optician or optometrist? I mean a real live Dr, not the quacks in the mall at lens crafters. I would definately pursue correction even if you do sell your welders to insure that you dont have some insidious issue hiding like high blood pressure and glaucoma. The check up and scrip will be cheap compared to losing you abillity to enjoy life. Hate to see that happen to anybody.
Bob