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Metalworking (rec.crafts.metalworking) Discuss various aspects of working with metal, such as machining, welding, metal joining, screwing, casting, hardening/tempering, blacksmithing/forging, spinning and hammer work, sheet metal work. |
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#1
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Having a problem seeing the weld pool with very low currents
I'm currently TIGing some thin stainless (0.55mm) sheet and this
requires very low currents. The problem I'm having is that my auto-helmet only goes down to DIN 9 and it seems way too dark. I don't really want to go back to a fixed filter (and even if I did, none of the local welding stores have anything lighter than a DIN 9 anyway) so I've tried using a spotlight to illuminate the work -- which means the auto-helmet simple goes dark anyway (damn!) Is DIN 7 or DIN 8 an uncommon shade or something? I tried using a pair of sunglasses but they seem to be only about a 5 (I estimate) and don't shade enough and my oxy goggles seem to filter out the wrong part of the spectrum because it's still very bright - but also very green :-) Any ideas folks -- or do I just hunt down a DIN 7 or 8 from somewhere? And yes -- it's a pig of a job doing a good fitment for a long butt or lap weld with metal this thin. I'm using a chill-bar behind the seam but trying to do a fusion weld on a 2mm lap still causes problems now and then when the two sheets aren't quite touching. I also have to do a lot more practice on filling holes (how did they get there? :-) |
#2
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Having a problem seeing the weld pool with very low currents
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#3
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Having a problem seeing the weld pool with very low currents
"Randy" wrote in message ... On Tue, 15 Jul 2008 01:13:51 -0700 (PDT), wrote: I'm currently TIGing some thin stainless (0.55mm) sheet and this requires very low currents. The problem I'm having is that my auto-helmet only goes down to DIN 9 and it seems way too dark. Make sure there is no light behind you, turn out the lights in the shop if needed. Just a little light coming in the back of the helmet can really hurt what you see in from of you on low amp jobs. I got same problem and it gets worse every year older i get. Best solution is make "the Kid" do the welding. I can hardly see more than just the arc anymore. If i have to weld, my 500 watt portable quartz light right near the work, no other light in the room, helps me see a bit away from the weld arc. Gettin' old ain't for pussies. Karl |
#4
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Having a problem seeing the weld pool with very low currents
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#5
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Having a problem seeing the weld pool with very low currents
Randy wrote:
On Tue, 15 Jul 2008 01:13:51 -0700 (PDT), wrote: I'm currently TIGing some thin stainless (0.55mm) sheet and this requires very low currents. The problem I'm having is that my auto-helmet only goes down to DIN 9 and it seems way too dark. Make sure there is no light behind you, turn out the lights in the shop if needed. Just a little light coming in the back of the helmet can really hurt what you see in from of you on low amp jobs. Oh, I fix that by throwing a towel over my head and the top of the helmet. It helps a lot, and lets me still see what I'm doing while setting up. Turning the lights out in MY shop is a dangerous thing to do! Jon |
#7
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Having a problem seeing the weld pool with very low currents
Bruce,
You have (I think) one of the cheap autodark helmets, made famous by Harbor Freight etal. When I was doing my ME in the Uni lab in Christchurch, we had a Speedglass helmet there. You had to remember to turn it on, but it was noticeably clearer than my cheapie one I got from HF via a friend. It was also 5x the price, but if I was welding all day, it would be the go. Are you using the pulser? makes thin stuff easier,but can upset some cheap helmets. Geoff ** Posted from http://www.teranews.com ** |
#8
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Having a problem seeing the weld pool with very low currents
On Jul 16, 7:12 pm, Geoffm
wrote: Bruce, You have (I think) one of the cheap autodark helmets, made famous by Harbor Freight etal. When I was doing my ME in the Uni lab in Christchurch, we had a Speedglass helmet there. You had to remember to turn it on, but it was noticeably clearer than my cheapie one I got from HF via a friend. It was also 5x the price, but if I was welding all day, it would be the go. Are you using the pulser? makes thin stuff easier,but can upset some cheap helmets. Geoff ** Posted fromhttp://www.teranews.com** Hi Geoff, Yeah, my helmet is an ultra-budget type :-( I'm going to play with the pulse a little more -- I'm just working the pedal right now instead. |
#9
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Having a problem seeing the weld pool with very low currents
On Jul 15, 8:43 am, "Karl Townsend"
wrote: "Randy" wrote in message ... On Tue, 15 Jul 2008 01:13:51 -0700 (PDT), wrote: I'm currently TIGing some thin stainless (0.55mm) sheet and this requires very low currents. The problem I'm having is that my auto-helmet only goes down to DIN 9 and it seems way too dark. Make sure there is no light behind you, turn out the lights in the shop if needed. Just a little light coming in the back of the helmet can really hurt what you see in from of you on low amp jobs. I got same problem and it gets worse every year older i get. Best solution is make "the Kid" do the welding. I can hardly see more than just the arc anymore. If i have to weld, my 500 watt portable quartz light right near the work, no other light in the room, helps me see a bit away from the weld arc. Gettin' old ain't for pussies. Karl I have the same problem, it's frustrating cause I can't see exactly what I'm doing unless the room is very dark. |
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