I know this will sound a bit odd but....

[sgtpontiac]

I am having a heck of a time using the auto darking welding helmet due to my bifocals..... DON'T LAUGH!!!! THIS IS SERIOUS.... I've tried reading glasses close to the prescription but can't them close enough..... anyone have any good ideas?!! Gettin old sucks....

 

[TiredIronGRB]

Catarac surgery.

 

[Wrinkles]

I picked up a magnifing lens for my helmet, works great, also went to progressive lens glasses and put the bifocals away. now I get a near perfect weld[sometime real close to joint]lol

 

[sgtpontiac]

Tired Iron..... u so funny!!!!

Catarac surgery.

Bustin chops again!!???

 

[sgtpontiac]

got the progressive....

I picked up a magnifing lens for my helmet, works great, also went to progressive lens glasses and put the bifocals away. now I get a near perfect weld[sometime real close to joint]lol

problem is with progressive my lens are to small to get a good transition.... has to be almost all or nothing.... I guess I could go back to wearing aviator style....NOT!!!

I'll try the mag lens thing, maybe that will help....

 

[chuckles]

I had the optometrist make my lens years ago for my diving mask. So, I went and had one made for my helmet. Now after I have become older, my eye sight has changed again. So I take my glasses off when I weld. I do have to get alittle closer to the welds to see clearly. I also found using alittle lighter lens helps.( or adjustment for auto.darkening) Jm2C

 

[earthman]

Putting a good light on the subject helps me. I don't weld for long periods so the lens is not on the darkest setting.

 

[VonHyde]

Have you tried a cheat lens in there?? my dad has one in his welding hood and only have of it is magnified. they have different strenghts also

 

[TiredIronGRB]

Bustin chops again!!???

Again??? Not at all, you would not believe the difference the surgery makes...it's like getting new eyes.

 

[sgtpontiac]

Appreciate all the input.....

I had the optometrist make my lens years ago for my diving mask. So, I went and had one made for my helmet. Now after I have become older, my eye sight has changed again. So I take my glasses off when I weld. I do have to get alittle closer to the welds to see clearly. I also found using alittle lighter lens helps.( or adjustment for auto.darkening) Jm2C

I will check into the custom lens thing.... I do use the darkest setting on the shield so will try dialing that back and adding some extra light on the area.... auto darking helmet is new and I can't say it's easy to get used too.... used to flipping it up every weld... not used to waiting for it to lighten up..... thanks for the suggestions.....

 

[sgtpontiac]

Didn't mean to bust your chops!!

Catarac surgery.

That was a very broad "Again".... no offense meant.... Last eye check up they said I was clear of Catarac's..... did you mean the RK stuff? Scares the heck out of me to have my eyes worked on.... I have a hard time putting eye drops in.... In any event, I apologize if I was a wee bit terse...... We Cool???

 

[donsrods]

I have exactly the same problem. I am welding the seams on the front rails of my new frame and can't see the puddle anymore to know where I am. I put a floodlight on the area but that only makes it worse because the light from it makes the helmet darken before I start welding.

I saw one of those magnifying lenses at the Miller booth in Tampa and I am going to pick one up tomorrow. It is my last resort, because even with glasses on I just can't see where the weld is going anymore. Getting old is a b****.

Don

 

[sgtpontiac]

Golden Years..... yeah right....

I have exactly the same problem. I am welding the seams on the front rails of my new frame and can't see the puddle anymore to know where I am. I put a floodlight on the area but that only makes it worse because the light from it makes the helmet darken before I start welding.

I saw one of those magnifying lenses at the Miller booth in Tampa and I am going to pick one up tomorrow. It is my last resort, because even with glasses on I just can't see where the weld is going anymore. Getting old is a b****.

Don

I'm going to check with the local welding supply and see what they have.... never thought of the light causing the helmet to darken... thanks again to all for the advise..... good people, good stuff.....

 

[earthman]

I wear glasses filltime. A light that is too bright and directed too much at the helmet will make the lens go dark. I use a ordinary 100 watt bulb in a shade that directs the light on the job only. Not in the back of the mask at all. Setting the lens lighter is necessary to see the work before striking the arc. Not going to try to weld long periods at this light setting but this tecnique works well for me and i never experience eyestrain.

 

[sgtpontiac]

Good Idea

I wear glasses filltime. A light that is too bright and directed too much at the helmet will make the lens go dark. I use a ordinary 100 watt bulb in a shade that directs the light on the job only. Not in the back of the mask at all. Setting the lens lighter is necessary to see the work before striking the arc. Not going to try to weld long periods at this light setting but this tecnique works well for me and i never experience eyestrain.

I wear glasses full time as well..... can't see crap without them, and would have to be 2" from the work to see without them.... terrible.... gets frustrating...... any ideas are good ideas... thanks again....

 

[EnglishBob]

I use a clip on led light on the end of my welding gun so it shines where the weld will be but doesnt make the helmet darken prematurely.

 

[RAT FINK]

I've tryed the led work light and it seems to help....I like Engish Bob's idea of the clip on light on the gun...gunna have to try that ....using your other hand as a guide works but it gets pretty warm in a hurry...hard on gloves to..What happened to the old days when you could just squint and givur...got a tan too!!!

 

[donsrods]

Tell us more about the clip on LED. Where do you get the right kind, how do you afix it, etc. Sounds very interesting.

The sales rep at the Tampa show let me look through one of the magnifying lenses and it really did help by making the target twice as big. My goal today is to hit the local welding supply shops to see if they have them.

Don

I just called the local Airgas place and they have them. I just have to take my helmet in to see which one it takes.

 

[cantwell.colton]

I use a clip on led light on the end of my welding gun so it shines where the weld will be but doesnt make the helmet darken prematurely.

that is genius -- probably work clipped onto the helmet just the same.

 

[TiredIronGRB]

That was a very broad "Again".... no offense meant.... Last eye check up they said I was clear of Catarac's..... did you mean the RK stuff? Scares the heck out of me to have my eyes worked on.... I have a hard time putting eye drops in.... In any event, I apologize if I was a wee bit terse...... We Cool???

Oh yea, no problem here yes on the RK, my mom and dad both had it done...they both wore bifocals now they only need 1.0 reading glasses. My mom says it changed her life.