Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12
Results 16 to 23 of 23
  1. #16
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    melbourne australia
    Posts
    3,228

    Default

    I only have OA so I don’t have the option of a welding helmet. My bifocals don’t fit comfortably under my gas welding goggles, so I fitted a 1.75 cheater lens. It helped a lot but I have to hold my head just the right distance from the weld pool. I recently started wearing contact lenses and I’m keen to try welding with those. The cheaters aren’t much help if you require different correction for each eye.
    Chris

  2. #17
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Near Bendigo, Victoria, AUS
    Age
    72
    Posts
    3,102

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by jack620 View Post
    I only have OA so I don’t have the option of a welding helmet. My bifocals don’t fit comfortably under my gas welding goggles, so I fitted a 1.75 cheater lens. It helped a lot but I have to hold my head just the right distance from the weld pool. I recently started wearing contact lenses and I’m keen to try welding with those. The cheaters aren’t much help if you require different correction for each eye.
    Why don't you have the option of a welding helmet? I only ever use my welding helmet for OA welding! In "grinder" mode, so it doesn't flicker dark whenever I look up to the sky.... That's the perfect setting for my old eyes.... cheater lenses help with tiny welding I occasionally do.
    Cheers, Joe
    retired - less energy, more time to contemplate projects and more shed time....

  3. #18
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    melbourne australia
    Posts
    3,228

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by jhovel View Post
    I only ever use my welding helmet for OA welding! In "grinder" mode, so it doesn't flicker dark whenever I look up to the sky
    Thanks Joe. I didn't realise that would work. I've seen them but I assumed grinder mode wouldn't be dark enough. But after some reading it seems grinder mode is shade 3. Some helmets have a cutting mode which is shades 5-8. Apparently 5 is good for OA cutting, so I assume it's also good for welding. I think I've found my Christmas present!

    Have you tried using grinder mode for brazing? I find the flux burns very bright.
    Chris

  4. #19
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    N.W.Tasmania
    Posts
    1,407

    Default

    Thank you Grahame for this thread, it is just what I need. I have just ordered a new multi process AC/DC tig plasma and stick welder, but having had trouble over the years seeing my welding pool, I am thinking of getting a decent welding helmet to assist me in getting proficient with this machine. I am in my early 70s and normally wear graduated glasses, and even road signs look blurry without my glasses, although I can still read them for now. I do have a set of screen glasses, which are much better when at the computer, and from the words of wisdom in this thread, it would seem that they might be worth trying either alone or in combination with a cheater lens in any new helmet.
    As for a new helmet, I have been thinking a Speedglas 9100XXi or perhaps the Speedglas 9100FX with the flip up setup for grinding. I am guessing that the FX version may have extra reflecting surfaces, and may also collect dust more than the XXi, and also be heavier, but if the shade level3 is too dark for grinding, then the flip up facility would be nice.
    The ventilated versions with Ad flow are much more expensive, around an extra $1300 for new, and well outside my budget, but lately there have been some second hand ones for around the $600 mark which might be worth considering. Has anyone got experience with these helmets because I am wondering if when using the tig process, does being closer to the arc cause more perspiration and fogging inside the helmet? Does Add Flow make a big difference to comfort levels?
    Finally would an FX with powered air and organic filter also offer protection for wood turning or herbicide spraying? I would appreciate the views of anyone with relevant experience and knowledge here, at $2K+, new powered air helmets ar right outside my budget, even at $600 they are outside my comfort zone, but if they were to be useful for other jobs besides welding, then just perhaps I may spring for such a helmet. Thanks,
    Rob

  5. #20
    Join Date
    Nov 2019
    Location
    Brisbane
    Age
    69
    Posts
    452

    Default Air unit

    Hello Rob.
    There is an alternative. It is the Clean Space powered respirator. Independant to the helmet it weighs 0.5KG and the battery lasts 6hrs. Around $600 plus GST. An Aus product as well.
    Regards
    BC

  6. #21
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    7,182

    Default

    The problem with using a mask to avoid welding fumes inside a shed is that for lowest exposure masks have to be continually worn for some time after welding has been completed. Just because the dust fumes cannot be seen in the air does not mean they have gone because some of the fumes are invisible and linger in the air for many minutes after welding is completes. When this stuff finally settles it also make a complete mess of the shed and everything in it. Remember the dust and chips you can see will not do as much to you as the invisible stuff. The most effective way to reduce fumes and dust is to extract these from a shed by forced ventilation. Even a couple of bathroom fans might be sufficient for a small shed, for a larger shed 3-4 fans might be needed. Never mind the continual discomfort of using masks

    Metal chips will settle a lot faster than wood chips but grinding dust and welding fumes will be somewhere in between metal chips and wood chips so still hang around for some tine. Unlike sawdust that needs filtering before existing a shed, welding fumes especially from DIY operations, can usually be be extracted without filtration which reduces the need for higher pressure capable fans.

  7. #22
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Norwood-ish, Adelaide
    Age
    59
    Posts
    6,540

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Michael G View Post
    One thing that I would like to try one day is one of those pyrex cups that Jody at weldingtipsandtricks.com uses.
    Just before Christmas I hit the button and ordered some of the cups I mentioned above. They arrrived last week (played the covid shuffle in US post offices) and I tried them today on some Al.
    They work and do help with visibility, in that you can see the electrode through the cup. As one of my more common 'silly thing to do' is dipping the electrode, having a see-through cup does make it easier to see where it is in relation to the weld puddle. One thing that I had not realised was that the assembly also includes a gas lens. Today's test piece was just a flat panel so I could run a few beads, but it will be interesting to see whether the lens makes things like inside corners* work a little better.
    I haven't yet worked out how to test whether they light up the weld area any better. The camera took a good photo of the inside of my spare welding helmet and I'm yet to better that.

    Michael

    *On the slightly down side, the cups supplied are 8's, so I can't get as close as I could with the 6's that I was using

  8. #23
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Near Bendigo, Victoria, AUS
    Age
    72
    Posts
    3,102

    Default

    I've just had a go with a clear Pyrex cup. Quite a bit of difference!
    Better light on the weld area and I can see the tungsten tip very clearly through it - much fewer 'dips'.... I think the gas lens behind it also seems to reduce oxydisation that has been plaguing me with aluminium TIG welding - from not holding the torch at the right angle all the time.

    Cheers
    Joe
    Cheers, Joe
    retired - less energy, more time to contemplate projects and more shed time....

Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12

Similar Threads

  1. Vision quality through welding mask auto-glass
    By grumpy.i.m in forum WELDING
    Replies: 29
    Last Post: 8th Dec 2020, 03:48 PM
  2. Angel Eyes !
    By BaronJ in forum METALWORK GENERAL
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 25th Nov 2019, 09:05 AM
  3. Replies: 22
    Last Post: 24th Dec 2018, 11:07 AM
  4. Failing Vision
    By beer4all in forum WELDING
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 15th Oct 2013, 01:26 AM
  5. A question regarding failing vision
    By Grandad-5 in forum WELDING
    Replies: 30
    Last Post: 29th Jul 2011, 12:57 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •