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Thread: A vision query

  1. #1
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    Default A vision query

    I think my original post got lost in moderation so I am asking again.
    I'm beginning to think that one of the reasons my welding is so poor [ apart from lack of practice] is that I probably need some dedicated short distance corrective glasses.
    Since my LASIX surgery about 15 years ago my vision has deteriorated a bit and I now need a distance glass for low light and night driving and my reading prescription just changed a bit too.
    For welding using MMA is there a recommended distance from the workpiece other than your normal reading distance because my reading specs don't seem to allow me to focus properly on the actual welding arc and the surrounding area.
    If I need new glasses for close work is there any benefit to getting blue tinted lenses and UV coating?
    Same query regarding anti reflection coating
    TIA
    Ted

  2. #2
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    Hi Ted, I too have a similar problem with welding, can't see where I'm going.
    What shade lens are you using and what general amps do you run? The higher the shade number, the darker it is, for around the 100-130 amp mark should be a number 10 shade.
    Too dark a shade and you're in trouble.
    You could also try magnification welding lens, these go in the back of the mask/helmet, and I believe available in different gradings, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 dioptre. Your local welding supplier should carry them, doubt the green shed will stock them.
    I try to mark where I need to weld with engineers chalk, if I can't see clearly.
    You don't want to be too close to the weld zone as the fumes emitted can be harmful, as a general rule, I try to be about 18"+ away from the weld zone, plus being too close will cause your lens to get filthy QUICK.
    Keep the clear lens on the front real clean, if it's damaged at all, replace it.
    Make sure the dark lens isn't at the front, as it will fill with spatter in no time, rendering it useless. I've seen many welding masks with no clear lenses on the front, and people wonder why they're not able to see the weldment.
    HTH
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  3. #3
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    I have a set of cheap reading glasses from the chemist or supermarket that I use - I try to get them half to one power up from the prescription reading glasses the optician supplies. I find that the cheater lens that go in welding helmets are not as clear so soon got rid of those as a solution. I have bi-focal safety glasses but that split is just in the wrong place for welding.
    For me, welding distance is around 300 to 450mm (about a slightly bent arm length). Perhaps just go to one of these places and try a few pairs of glasses at that distance, see what works for you.

    As for tinting, I would not bother - the lenses usually impart a slightly green or yellow tint but when the arc is going, the brightness of it is such that that is unnoticable.

    MIchael

  4. #4
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    I was in the same boat a couple of years ago.
    Used lenses inside the helmet (Cheating? who on earth thought of such name?)
    And changed the front shield way too often.

    One day I run out of the front shield, so pulled it out of the helmet and placed it in my laptop bag to remind me to buy a packet.
    Coincidentally I did not need to weld for a few month.
    Next time I completely forgot to replace the shield. Boy oh boy was the welding job clear as day. Never had I experienced such neat vision ... well until the cassette melted and that was the end of my old helmet.

    After the supplier told me they had no parts for my old fascion helmet, I tried a few new ones and bought a super dooper 3M one.
    It was night and day once more, only this time the helmet did not melt.

    So perhaps Ted needs a new helmet?
    As for eyes ... are you sure you don't have cataracts?
    I had both eyes operated and intraocular lenses placed in both, and can see 100% better. Glasses, a thing of the past.
    Civilized man is the only animal clever enough to manufacture its own food,
    and the only animal stupid enough to eat it.
    Barry Groves

  5. #5
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    It's only a cheap helmet but it is new and auto function. Luckily I don't have cataracts.

    Before I see an optometrist again I'll try using a pair of cheap reading glasses one or two steps higher than my script.
    Part of the problem is that when welding zinc coated stuff you get that huge zinc flare.
    I'm trying to weld 1.2 and 1.6mm SHS on a trailer and using thin rods and about 40/50Amps

  6. #6
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    Beware of zinc fumes. People have died from them.
    As for cataracts, 95% of people over 60 have it.
    Civilized man is the only animal clever enough to manufacture its own food,
    and the only animal stupid enough to eat it.
    Barry Groves

  7. #7
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    Thanx Marc I'm aware of the zinc fume danger and use a fan. Cataracts won't be a problem for me for another decade or two, I was shortsighted until my LASIX surgery and wore glass lensed spectacles, glass stops UV and as it's the UV that damages your eyes I'm OK at the moment. But just in case I have my eyes checked twice a year anyway

  8. #8
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    Slight nit pick here.
    Normal glass stops nearly all UVB, about 75% of UVA passes through.
    Polycarbonate stops near as damn near all UVB and UVA.

    If I have this wrong it would be nice to know.

  9. #9
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    From experience with the old school "manual helments", 1st thing I did the auto dark is make a bag for it.

    Every time I went to use, it was covered with dust, which of course you have to wipe off. Of course wiping it off doesnt do great things to a plastic lens!
    Frisky wife, happy life. ​Then I woke up. Oh well it was fun while it lasted.
    From an early age my father taught me to wear welding gloves . "Its not to protect your hands son, its to put out the fire when u set yourself alight".

  10. #10
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    Default helmet mounted LED torch

    I had a similar problem with initially viewing what I was welding especially as I got older. My helmet is a Miller Digital Elite with a 1.5 diopter lens and I'm a trained welder. Although my workshop is well lit, I began using a small LED spotlight hanging over the part to be welded and it significantly improved that initial vision.

    However I saw an even better solution with an LED torch mounted on the welding helmet. John Cadogan on YouTube has a good video on it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7ixC2MROGA Start watching about 8:00 mins in. Also found a similar video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVrrOSthBGc and my former welding teacher said welding helmet torches were quite popular.

    Cadogan also did a video on an affordable anvil: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzXGY--FZPI and gave it quite a good review. Buyers on Vevor’s site gave it generally good reviews: https://www.vevor.com.au/s/anvils

    My brother claimed dad’s top notch anvil from our blacksmith’s shop on the farm and “just bangs things on it”. Grrrr! I did a blacksmith’s course several years ago but have no hope of being given dad’s anvil so I''ll probably buy a Vevor 60 kg. - Peter
    Last edited by peterbilt; 28th Jun 2023 at 02:33 PM. Reason: spelling

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