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welding lens

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gshadel

04-20-2008 07:20:41

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I picked-up a small MIG welder, 60A I think it is, at an auction few months back. I picked-up a couple "how to weld" books at the library. I bought a fixed shade lens helmet and find I can't really see what the heck I'm doing while trying to weld. I went over to my neighbor, who uses a big MIG welder to build trailers, and ask for some pointers. With his welder I CAN see what's going on a whole lot better. Now I'm thinking my lens is too dark for my little welder.
Is there some guide for lens# vs. welder amps?
I looked at some auto-darkening lenses, but assume you get what you pay for, and wasn't willing to pay the $$$ for the more expensive ones, and not sure I want to trust my eyes to a low cost one. Is that true?

thanks

George

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Bill in IL

04-21-2008 10:04:40

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Re: welding lens in reply to gshadel, 04-20-2008 07:20:41

I use a #10 on my small MIG welder and can see fine. One suggestion if you are going to use a fixed lense get a helmet with the large lense and buy a gold shaded lense. They make green, black and gold lenses. The gold is suppose to reflect light and give you a lighter shade. For me that seems to work the best and black or green I can't see squat.

Another thing one of my older teachers at the community college welded for 20+ years had his set to 9 and welded in high current applications. I borrowed his helmet to try and autoshade and was seeing stars when I was done. I think his eyes from all the years of welding were stressed and that is what he had to use to see properly. He was suprised to know that it was too bright for me. Maybe the poor guy will be blind someday.

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gshadel

04-21-2008 08:31:58

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Re: welding lens in reply to gshadel, 04-20-2008 07:20:41

thanks for all the replies. I pulled the lens out of my hood, it is indeed a number 10. I've been pricing the auto-darkening lenses, that's what I really need.
thanks

George

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trucker40

04-20-2008 22:01:12

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Re: welding lens in reply to gshadel, 04-20-2008 07:20:41

With that little welder you might want to use a 9 shade.Its harder to weld as some have said with a little welder like that.If you have a 10 shade now and cant see,its ok to go to a 9.If its a 12,drop to a 10.Even if its a small welder you should be able to see it as well as a big welder.

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Jerry/MT

04-20-2008 12:24:52

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Re: welding lens in reply to gshadel, 04-20-2008 07:20:41

George, I got a "cheap" Hobart self darkening hood last year for $70 and I wouldn"t be without one. You can see so much better as you strike the arc. The more expensive ones are adjustable so they might be better for certain type work. But for the kind of stuff you and I do, these $70 ones fit the bill in my opinion. Once you use one you won"t wnat to fo back to the old fixed shade type

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dr sportster

04-20-2008 12:22:02

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Re: welding lens in reply to gshadel, 04-20-2008 07:20:41

Get one of those shop lights with the magnetic base and put a spot bulb in it.Point it right at the work.Its only gonna get worse as you age.[You mean with his helmet you can see better? Dont assume he has the right lense.Even Snap-on does not sell eyeballs.]He also may have a better quality number 10 than you.

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MarkB_MI

04-20-2008 08:38:54

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Re: welding lens in reply to gshadel, 04-20-2008 07:20:41

Generally speaking, you should use at least a #10 lens for any arc welding, including MIG.

You're probably going to have a hard time learning to weld with that small welder. For one thing, most of the cheap welders keep power to the electrode even if the trigger is not pulled. If you spend a little more you can get a welder that switches off the electrode when you release the trigger. That way you can lift your helmet and stick the electrode right where you want it, then lower your helmet and pull the trigger.

Another problem with the cheaper welders is they don't generate enough heat for good fusion in thick stuff, but it is tricky to learn to weld using then material.

If you're over 40, definitely invest in one of the magnifying lenses that fit inside your helmet. This will allow you to get your head close enough to the arc that you can see what's going on.

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135 Fan

04-21-2008 12:24:18

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Re: welding lens in reply to MarkB_MI, 04-20-2008 08:38:54

I've read where someone has said a #9 can be used for very low amps. I'd use a #10 and make sure it was really clean and the cover plates are also very clean. A cheater (magnifying lens) could be used but only use a very light one. I've tried a couple of guys helmets with 2 1/2 cheaters and it was like the puddle was 2 inches in front of your face and too close to see what you're doing. I've also used a regular lens and had it crack from getting too hot and even warped a couple helmets burning flux-core. Gold lens' can't get scratched or they will let the light from the arc through. There are some differences in color between regular lenses. Check some different ones out and see which one gives you the best vision while welding. Dave

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dlplost

04-20-2008 10:23:21

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Re: welding lens in reply to MarkB_MI, 04-20-2008 08:38:54

Yea, its harder to learn with the little welder, BUT, once you've learned with it, you can weld with anything.
I originally learned with a 12 volt powered "TOY" welder back in 1965.
In the 70's i got a 70a buzzbox, wow that was great!.
Now I can weld almost anything except aluminum, working on that this year.
I can even stick weld cast iron, a long time consuming thing to do, not easy, but my welds hold.

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dlplost

04-20-2008 08:12:17

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Re: welding lens in reply to gshadel, 04-20-2008 07:20:41

auto dark lens, the $49 harbor freight ones work great, you can adjust the darkness, i've had mind for 5 years, never had a problem..

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IH2444

04-21-2008 05:04:08

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Re: welding lens in reply to dlplost, 04-20-2008 08:12:17

Same here. Had mine about 5 yrs, adjustable shade to see any heat puddle. I had tried 3 different shade lenses still could not see the puddle well.
I had about given up.
Got the el cheapo HF hood and welding was good again.

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