I am a fair welder, but the problem I have most, is not technique, but
in being able to see what I am doing. I use a MIG welder and a #10
base shade self-darkening lens. I also usually shine two 500 watt
halogen lights on the area I am working.

The problem seems to be that the exact area of the weld is too bright
to see anything clearly and the area outside of that is too dark to
see clearly.

Any suggestions for things to try to diagnose and correct the problem?

thanks,
dion
--
Dion Hollenbeck Email:
Home Page: http://www.woodsprite.com
Brewing Page: http://hbd.org/hollen

Dion Hollenbeck wrote:
I am a fair welder, but the problem I have most, is not technique, but
in being able to see what I am doing. I use a MIG welder and a #10
base shade self-darkening lens. I also usually shine two 500 watt
halogen lights on the area I am working.

The problem seems to be that the exact area of the weld is too bright
to see anything clearly and the area outside of that is too dark to
see clearly.

Any suggestions for things to try to diagnose and correct the problem?

thanks,
dion

Hi Dion:
I can't help with your welding question (I have problems seeing to weld
myself) but I enjoyed your website. My wife was raised in Cortez and
I've visited there several times. I've even driven down McElmo Canyon
for a short distance. The pictures and places were fun to hear of
again. I'll be spending a week or so in Creede this August. Looking
forward to escaping the heat. Good luck with your welding and your
homestead.

Gary Brady
Austin, TX

Could the lights be making the situation worse? Your eyes would adjust to
the bright lights when not welding and make it more difficult to see with
the hood down.

"Dion Hollenbeck" wrote in message
...

I am a fair welder, but the problem I have most, is not technique, but
in being able to see what I am doing. I use a MIG welder and a #10
base shade self-darkening lens. I also usually shine two 500 watt
halogen lights on the area I am working.

The problem seems to be that the exact area of the weld is too bright
to see anything clearly and the area outside of that is too dark to
see clearly.

Any suggestions for things to try to diagnose and correct the problem?

thanks,
dion
--
Dion Hollenbeck Email:
Home Page: http://www.woodsprite.com
Brewing Page: http://hbd.org/hollen

Sometimes I can see more if I weld in direct sunlight, which is much
brighter than a halogen bulb, I believe. I guess one would need an
incident light meter (pro photographer instrument) to be sure. The
problem with bright light, in my experience, is that I tend to get glare
on my lens. If you could have a setup where the work was in direct
sunlight, but your head and helmet were in the shade, that might be a
slight improvement. But really, I never figure to see anything more
than one inch from the arc, and don't really need to.

One problem for those of us old enough to use bifocals is that the
bifocals are set low, so if you use a standard helmet with a small
window you cannot use the reading side of the bifocals for welding, you
look at the weld (close) with the distance lens, which works poorly. I
have a helmet with an oversized vision area, and always take it with me,
since I usually cannot see anything out of borrowed helmets.

Richard


Dion Hollenbeck wrote:

I am a fair welder, but the problem I have most, is not technique, but
in being able to see what I am doing. I use a MIG welder and a #10
base shade self-darkening lens. I also usually shine two 500 watt
halogen lights on the area I am working.

The problem seems to be that the exact area of the weld is too bright
to see anything clearly and the area outside of that is too dark to
see clearly.

Any suggestions for things to try to diagnose and correct the problem?

thanks,
dion

On Sun, 19 Jun 2005 00:35:52 GMT, Dion Hollenbeck
wrote:


I am a fair welder, but the problem I have most, is not technique, but
in being able to see what I am doing. I use a MIG welder and a #10
base shade self-darkening lens. I also usually shine two 500 watt
halogen lights on the area I am working.

The problem seems to be that the exact area of the weld is too bright
to see anything clearly and the area outside of that is too dark to
see clearly.

Any suggestions for things to try to diagnose and correct the problem?

I think to some extent that's something one must just learn to deal
with, part of the art and skill of welding. I set my filter so I can
see the puddle well. I can then see enough of the immediate
surroundings to put the weld where I want it most of the time.

On Sun, 19 Jun 2005 03:59:29 GMT, Richard Ferguson
wrote:

Sometimes I can see more if I weld in direct sunlight, which is much
brighter than a halogen bulb, I believe. I guess one would need an
incident light meter (pro photographer instrument) to be sure. The
problem with bright light, in my experience, is that I tend to get glare
on my lens. If you could have a setup where the work was in direct
sunlight, but your head and helmet were in the shade, that might be a
slight improvement. But really, I never figure to see anything more
than one inch from the arc, and don't really need to.

One problem for those of us old enough to use bifocals is that the
bifocals are set low, so if you use a standard helmet with a small
window you cannot use the reading side of the bifocals for welding, you
look at the weld (close) with the distance lens, which works poorly. I
have a helmet with an oversized vision area, and always take it with me,
since I usually cannot see anything out of borrowed helmets.

Richard


Dion Hollenbeck wrote:

I am a fair welder, but the problem I have most, is not technique, but
in being able to see what I am doing. I use a MIG welder and a #10
base shade self-darkening lens. I also usually shine two 500 watt
halogen lights on the area I am working.

The problem seems to be that the exact area of the weld is too bright
to see anything clearly and the area outside of that is too dark to
see clearly.

Any suggestions for things to try to diagnose and correct the problem?

thanks,
dion

I'm using a mig wire welder and having much the same problem as Dion.
I find that if I position the handle just right I can make most of the
arc disappear under the gas nozzle, and that helps, but it's hard to
maintain the position.

With regard to the bifocals problem mentioned by Richard: I was
recently given some magnifying lenses which fit inside the helmet.
The ones I have are in standard bifocal values of 1.25, 1.5, 1.75 and
2.0 magnification levels. These help quite a bit as it allows me to
dispense with my glasses entirely when I have the helmet on(my
distance vision is still fairly good).

The ones I have are not a perfect fit in the helmet but a couple small
pieces of duct tape hold them in well enough.

If anyone's interested I'll see if I can get the manufacturer info off
the packaging to help in locating a sales point.

LP wrote:


With regard to the bifocals problem mentioned by Richard: I was
recently given some magnifying lenses which fit inside the helmet.
The ones I have are in standard bifocal values of 1.25, 1.5, 1.75 and
2.0 magnification levels. These help quite a bit as it allows me to
dispense with my glasses entirely when I have the helmet on(my
distance vision is still fairly good).

The ones I have are not a perfect fit in the helmet but a couple small
pieces of duct tape hold them in well enough.

If anyone's interested I'll see if I can get the manufacturer info off
the packaging to help in locating a sales point.


Most welding glasses will accommodate glasses; lately I've taken to wearing
safety reading glasses in my shop (and yes, under my welding hood). I don't do
much MIG (yet) so I can't comment. To me, it's always tricky seeing beyond the
puddle, but somehow I muddle. For a weld where I really care where it stops, I
sometimes tack a little piece nearby so I will see it and know precisely where I
am, but that's just a small thing.

Dion, you have had a recent eye exam, right?

GWE

Don Foreman wrote in
:


I think to some extent that's something one must just learn to deal
with, part of the art and skill of welding. I set my filter so I can
see the puddle well. I can then see enough of the immediate
surroundings to put the weld where I want it most of the time.


I find that dim/darkness is actually better for me than bright areas when
welding. The light from outside the arc seems to interfere too much. Using
just the light from the arc just works better for me.


--
Anthony

You can't 'idiot proof' anything....every time you try, they just make
better idiots.

Remove sp to reply via email

http://www.machines-cnc.net:81/

Dion Hollenbeck wrote:
I am a fair welder, but the problem I have most, is not technique, but
in being able to see what I am doing. I use a MIG welder and a #10
base shade self-darkening lens. I also usually shine two 500 watt
halogen lights on the area I am working.

The problem seems to be that the exact area of the weld is too bright
to see anything clearly and the area outside of that is too dark to
see clearly.

Any suggestions for things to try to diagnose and correct the problem?

thanks,
dion

If you've got light coming in the back of the mask it's going to be hard
to see.. it also could be that you've got so much light before striking
an arc that your eyes don't have time to adjust before you reach the end
of the weld.

I can't speak for the auto-lenses but a modern gold lens in any shade
will block virtually 100% of the offensive light, you just chose a shade
to suit what pleases you. This may be an option..

Mig welding produces considerable smoke which will condense on your
cover lens, it doesn't take much accumulation of this to produce exactly
what you're describing. Don't hesitate to change cover lenses regularly.

Don't bother watching the arc, it won't tell you much. Watch the puddle
and just ahead of it, ignoce the arc.

John

Make sure that the cover glasses, filter and any diopter correction are
CLEAN. This will sneak up on you. Every air-glass interface reflects light
and, if dirty, scatters light. I wear tri-focals, and they are a REAL
problem, because you have to look at the weld at a certain angle to be able
to focus. I now keep a pair of dime-store reading glasses in my pocket, and
switch to they before putting the helmet on (when I remember.) Also, treat
your helmet with respect. Put it in a box, out of the way when you're going
to grind, so you don't scratch the cover glasses, or accumulate dust on all
the look-through surfaces.

Position your work in relation to the light, or your light in relation to
the work so you can clearly see the path you are about to weld. It helps if
the side of a freshly ground V-groove is reflecting bright light toward you

In article ,
Dion Hollenbeck wrote:

I am a fair welder, but the problem I have most, is not technique, but
in being able to see what I am doing. I use a MIG welder and a #10
base shade self-darkening lens. I also usually shine two 500 watt
halogen lights on the area I am working.

The problem seems to be that the exact area of the weld is too bright
to see anything clearly and the area outside of that is too dark to
see clearly.

Any suggestions for things to try to diagnose and correct the problem?

thanks,
dion

I found when I started that too light a lens caused my eyes to wash
out a bit, making it harder to see anything around my weld. So,
somewhat counterintuitively, a darker lens made the "not weld" parts
easier to see. I began with a #10 and went to a #11. Might be worth it
to borrow someone's #11 lens and try that. Or, if you helmet is
settable, turn it up and try using it for a while.
I've developed a pretty strong dislike of the auto-darkening hoods as
I tend to get a headache after using them for 20 minutes. Perhaps yours
is also causing you a bit of eyestrain, which can make it difficult to
see.

--
B.B. --I am not a goat! thegoat4 at airmail dot net
http://web2.airmail.net/thegoat4/

I too wear bifocals. I bought a magnifying lense at the welding supply
that goes in behind the filter. With it I can look thru the top part
of my glasses while I am welding..


Dan

I have not done this, but keep planning on doing it. And that is to
paint or put tape on my welding hood so it reflects light from the arc
back to the area around the weld puddle. I think this is one of the
reasons a gold filter works better than the dark green filters. It
reflects light back .
Kind of like those mirrors with the hole in them that doctors use when
looking in your mouth or ear.


Dan

On Sat, 18 Jun 2005 22:36:13 -0700, Grant Erwin
wrote:


If anyone's interested I'll see if I can get the manufacturer info off
the packaging to help in locating a sales point.


Most welding glasses will accommodate glasses; lately I've taken to wearing
safety reading glasses in my shop (and yes, under my welding hood). I don't do
much MIG (yet) so I can't comment. To me, it's always tricky seeing beyond the
puddle, but somehow I muddle. For a weld where I really care where it stops, I
sometimes tack a little piece nearby so I will see it and know precisely where I
am, but that's just a small thing.

I now have to wear reading glasses under my hood when tigging small
stuff. I buy em from the 99c store. Works well enough and you can get
em up to 3,0 diopter.

I often also have to place a towel over my head and over the top of my
mask as I often get a light reflection on the INSIDE of my lens,
particularly since I put a 500watt halogen over the side area I do my
dig work. Really really helps.

Gunner

"Considering the events of recent years,
the world has a long way to go to regain
its credibility and reputation with the US."
unknown

Richard Ferguson writes:

RF problem with bright light, in my experience, is that I tend to get
RF glare on my lens. If you could have a setup where the work was in
RF direct sunlight, but your head and helmet were in the shade, that
RF might be a slight improvement.

This part, I *have* solved. I put three snaps on my helmet, one on
the top at the back, and one by each ear. I use these snaps to attach
a dark cloth at the back of the helmet, similar to old photographers
used to do. This removes *all* the glare from the inside of the helmet.

RF One problem for those of us old enough to use bifocals is that the
RF bifocals are set low, so if you use a standard helmet with a small
RF window you cannot use the reading side of the bifocals for welding,
RF you look at the weld (close) with the distance lens, which works
RF poorly. I have a helmet with an oversized vision area, and always
RF take it with me, since I usually cannot see anything out of borrowed
RF helmets.

I have solved this one too. Instead of using my bifocals, I use my
distance glasses. I have a 2 power magnifier lens in the helmet
itself, so no matter where in the lens I look, it as always the same
as my bifocal close up view, These are standard from most good
welding supply stores.

regards,
dion
--
Dion Hollenbeck Email:
Home Page: http://www.woodsprite.com
Brewing Page: http://hbd.org/hollen

Grant Erwin writes:

GE Dion, you have had a recent eye exam, right?

Thanks for thinking of this, but unfortunately, yes, I have.

dion

Don Foreman writes:

DF On Sun, 19 Jun 2005 00:35:52 GMT, Dion Hollenbeck

DF I think to some extent that's something one must just learn to deal
DF with, part of the art and skill of welding. I set my filter so I can
DF see the puddle well. I can then see enough of the immediate
DF surroundings to put the weld where I want it most of the time.

This is the most frustrating part for me. I get these beautifully
formed welds that wander off the intended path out where I don't want
any welds. B-{

dion
--
Dion Hollenbeck Email:
Home Page: http://www.woodsprite.com
Brewing Page: http://hbd.org/hollen
'98 4runner '86 4x4 PU

Gunner wrote:
On Sat, 18 Jun 2005 22:36:13 -0700, Grant Erwin
wrote:


If anyone's interested I'll see if I can get the manufacturer info off
the packaging to help in locating a sales point.


Most welding glasses will accommodate glasses; lately I've taken to wearing
safety reading glasses in my shop (and yes, under my welding hood). I don't do
much MIG (yet) so I can't comment. To me, it's always tricky seeing beyond the
puddle, but somehow I muddle. For a weld where I really care where it stops, I
sometimes tack a little piece nearby so I will see it and know precisely where I
am, but that's just a small thing.


I now have to wear reading glasses under my hood when tigging small
stuff. I buy em from the 99c store. Works well enough and you can get
em up to 3,0 diopter.



This is the first thing I though of, I recently have started wearing
reading glasses, and the first symptom of my needing them was difficulty
with dim lighting, menus in dim restaurants etc. I have the weakest
kind and it was a revelation.

In article ,
Dion Hollenbeck wrote:

Don Foreman writes:

DF On Sun, 19 Jun 2005 00:35:52 GMT, Dion Hollenbeck

DF I think to some extent that's something one must just learn to deal
DF with, part of the art and skill of welding. I set my filter so I can
DF see the puddle well. I can then see enough of the immediate
DF surroundings to put the weld where I want it most of the time.

This is the most frustrating part for me. I get these beautifully
formed welds that wander off the intended path out where I don't want
any welds. B-{

dion

You could try using soapstone and drawing a reference line parallel
to where you want your weld, just outside of where the bead goes.

--
B.B. --I am not a goat! thegoat4 at airmail dot net
http://web2.airmail.net/thegoat4/

On Mon, 20 Jun 2005 13:53:17 GMT, the opaque Dion Hollenbeck
spake:

Don Foreman writes:

DF On Sun, 19 Jun 2005 00:35:52 GMT, Dion Hollenbeck

DF I think to some extent that's something one must just learn to deal
DF with, part of the art and skill of welding. I set my filter so I can
DF see the puddle well. I can then see enough of the immediate
DF surroundings to put the weld where I want it most of the time.

This is the most frustrating part for me. I get these beautifully
formed welds that wander off the intended path out where I don't want
any welds. B-{

Dion, Gunner wrote that he put a towel over the back of his head
when welding due to outside glare from behind. Perhaps that's part
of your problem, too.

Background glare was my worst problem with the hand-held welding mask.
The auto-darkening mask I have now takes care of most of that as well,
but I may rig up a towel, too, for outside work, etc.


--------------------------------------------
-- I'm in touch with my Inner Curmudgeon. --
http://diversify.com Comprehensive Website Development
================================================== ==========

Ignoramus16736 wrote:
On Mon, 20 Jun 2005 14:44:14 GMT, yourname wrote:


This is the first thing I though of, I recently have started wearing
reading glasses, and the first symptom of my needing them was
difficulty with dim lighting, menus in dim restaurants etc. I have
the weakest kind and it was a revelation.


My first symptom of needing glasses was a collision with a train. I
failed to notice the train. (it was an unlit unmarked intersection).

i

Stupid train

On 20 Jun 2005 20:32:26 GMT, the opaque Ignoramus16736
spake:

On Mon, 20 Jun 2005 14:44:14 GMT, yourname wrote:

This is the first thing I though of, I recently have started wearing
reading glasses, and the first symptom of my needing them was
difficulty with dim lighting, menus in dim restaurants etc. I have
the weakest kind and it was a revelation.

My first symptom of needing glasses was a collision with a train. I
failed to notice the train. (it was an unlit unmarked intersection).

Man, your guardian angels were working overtime on that one.
Not too many people can say they've been in an accident with
a train and walked away (or merely lived.)


--------------------------------------------
-- I'm in touch with my Inner Curmudgeon. --
http://diversify.com Comprehensive Website Development
================================================== ==========

Been following this thread as it applies to me. I mostly do 4130 airframe
welding with TIG. I have been experiencing a decline in both near and far
vision as a function of aging. It really stinks. But to compensate I had
my opthalmologist make me a pair of "welding glasses" They are bifocals
with the line. The lower lens is for in close low amperage TIG work and the
upper is set up for close to arms length. I use an autodarkening hood with
the larger window and get by very well with this set up. The idea of a
drape over the back of the hood is a good one as now that I am aware of it I
can see the reflections. I held my hand back of my head an it made a real
improvement in the contrast. The glasses cost me a little over a $100
because I used a frame from an old pair of glasses that was still in good
shape. I do have to change glasses once I come out from under the hood.

--
John "Ebby" Ebensperger
Hatz Classic s/n37
Camden, NY

"Ebby" ( clip) The glasses cost me a little over a $100 because I used a
frame from an old pair of glasses that was still in good shape.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
That's about what I paid. And then I misplaced them. Now I use cheap
reading glasses, and they work almost as well (despite my astigmatism.)

Ignoramus16736 wrote:
On Mon, 20 Jun 2005 16:12:18 -0700, Larry Jaques novalidaddress@di wrote:

On 20 Jun 2005 20:32:26 GMT, the opaque Ignoramus16736
spake:


On Mon, 20 Jun 2005 14:44:14 GMT, yourname wrote:


This is the first thing I though of, I recently have started wearing
reading glasses, and the first symptom of my needing them was
difficulty with dim lighting, menus in dim restaurants etc. I have
the weakest kind and it was a revelation.

My first symptom of needing glasses was a collision with a train. I
failed to notice the train. (it was an unlit unmarked intersection).

Man, your guardian angels were working overtime on that one.
Not too many people can say they've been in an accident with
a train and walked away (or merely lived.)


Yep. I walked away with just a few minor bruises, and a shattered
ego. Thanks for seatbelts. The car was totaled. I was lucky to have
hit a train's carriage (I hit the middle of the train) and my car was
thrown away from the railroad.

i

Yeow, bet that was a hideous experience.

On Tue, 21 Jun 2005 02:10:33 GMT, the opaque Ignoramus16736
spake:

My first symptom of needing glasses was a collision with a train. I
failed to notice the train. (it was an unlit unmarked intersection).

Man, your guardian angels were working overtime on that one.
Not too many people can say they've been in an accident with
a train and walked away (or merely lived.)

Yep. I walked away with just a few minor bruises, and a shattered
ego. Thanks for seatbelts. The car was totaled. I was lucky to have
hit a train's carriage (I hit the middle of the train) and my car was
thrown away from the railroad.

Oh, you hit the train. It's usually the other way around and the car
is run over by the train after being shoved along for awhile or batted
a block away. Yeah, you really lucked out.

Hey, you missing seeing an entire _train_? You really DID need
glasses, didn't you?


--------------------------------------------
-- I'm in touch with my Inner Curmudgeon. --
http://diversify.com Comprehensive Website Development
================================================== ==========

On Tue, 21 Jun 2005 13:35:57 GMT, the opaque Ignoramus30369
spake:

On Tue, 21 Jun 2005 03:12:15 -0400, JohnM wrote:
Yeow, bet that was a hideous experience.

Not really, there was not enough time to feel the misery of my
impending death. And then I was instantly safe after having been
thrown off the tracks, with my car (Ford Taurus).

Try selling the car used or taking it to the -junkyard- next time.
That's a much safer form of recycling.


--------------------------------------------
-- I'm in touch with my Inner Curmudgeon. --
http://diversify.com Comprehensive Website Development
================================================== ==========

Ignoramus30369 wrote:


Yeow, bet that was a hideous experience.


Not really, there was not enough time to feel the misery of my
impending death. And then I was instantly safe after having been
thrown off the tracks, with my car (Ford Taurus).

i


Sounds like some serious luck though.. need to not use any luck for a
while, let it accumulate again.

Good that you came out of it ok though..

John

On Tue, 21 Jun 2005 13:35:57 GMT, Ignoramus30369
wrote:


Yeow, bet that was a hideous experience.

Not really, there was not enough time to feel the misery of my
impending death. And then I was instantly safe after having been
thrown off the tracks, with my car (Ford Taurus).

i
"I wonder if I am going to hit that mailbox (on the left side of the
road) with my RF wheel?- still upright, but the windshield is over
there and this beetle is somewhat distorted!" Apparently destroying
the mailbox flipped the car and turned it end for end before it jumped
the ditch and hit the back slope causing it to go end over and land
on three flat tires caused by the tires peeling off the rims in the
original slide. I was a bit stiff after that one.
Gerry :-)}
London, Canada

Dion Hollenbeck wrote:
Richard Ferguson writes:


RF One problem for those of us old enough to use bifocals is that the
RF bifocals are set low, so if you use a standard helmet with a small
RF window you cannot use the reading side of the bifocals for welding,
RF you look at the weld (close) with the distance lens, which works
RF poorly. I have a helmet with an oversized vision area, and always
RF take it with me, since I usually cannot see anything out of borrowed
RF helmets.

I have solved this one too. Instead of using my bifocals, I use my
distance glasses. I have a 2 power magnifier lens in the helmet
itself, so no matter where in the lens I look, it as always the same
as my bifocal close up view, These are standard from most good
welding supply stores.

regards,
dion
--
This was my solution for shop work, too. For most work, I can use my
prescription distance glasses, sometimes with a magnifier hood, and it
works out OK. The optical outfit I bought my bifocals from had a
fitter that asked where I wanted the closeup portion of the lens
located, they didn't just stick it where they thought it would be best.
The location I picked turned out to be pretty good for really closeup
work and also working on computers where I have to look up frequently.
I also picked the largest lens opening and heaviest frames they had,
I've had too many disintegrate with bumps and knocks. Not fashionable,
but with a hood or googles on, who cares? So I have to haul one
additional pair of glasses around for the close work, but I'd have to
have readers anyway with contacts(which I also use, sometimes, just not
in the shop).

Stan