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Thread: Older eyes and welding vision
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11th Dec 2020, 07:42 PM #16Most Valued Member
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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
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11th Dec 2020, 11:42 PM #17
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....
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12th Dec 2020, 09:15 AM #18Most Valued Member
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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
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13th Dec 2020, 11:22 PM #19Diamond Member
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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
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14th Dec 2020, 08:35 AM #20Senior Member
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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
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14th Dec 2020, 09:08 AM #21Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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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.
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23rd Jan 2021, 10:04 PM #22Philomath in training
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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
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28th Jan 2021, 06:35 PM #23
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
JoeCheers, Joe
retired - less energy, more time to contemplate projects and more shed time....
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