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Question on stick welding

I

Indiana Ken

Well-known Member
I don't weld that much anymore but when I do it seems the helmet lens is so dark I have trouble seeing the puddle. I currently have a #10 shade glass. Is it possible to use a lighter shade maybe, a #5 without suffering eye damage. I typically use smaller diameter rods (5/64) and lower amp settings (60).
 
Nope. You'll burn your retinas with a #5.

The auto darkening welding helmets I've used have all been adjustable from #9-#13. I'm using that to say the lightest "safe" shade is a #9.

Stick diameter and amperage doesn't matter. They all make painfully bright light.

If you're using an old fixed-shade helmet, your lens is likely dirty and scratched, which is adding to your visibility problems.
 
Ken, as I got older, I also had trouble seeing the puddle. It was the same helmet/lens, so the problem was my eyesight. I rigged a simple light on a movable arm for my welding station. It greatly improved my welding. I don't need it outside in the daylight. Yet.
 
I have the same issue. One thing I realized was that my auto darkening regular glasses go dark from the arc. So I got a cheap pair of reading glasses just for welding. I also added a bright light to my welding area. And last I highly recommend an auto darkening hood set to its lowest setting.
 
Hey Ken,

I would not go any lighter on the lens. Make sure they are clean on both sides.
A light shining on the subject is your next move,

Guido.
 
If your wearing bifocals maybe you should add a cheater lens in your helmet, the bottom of a bifocal isn't in the right place for welding. or just get some reading glasses.
 
miangus
Imagine that! Bet you don't need a light outside with the sun shining...... GRIN!


Guido.
 
If it does not have it now put a new lense in with a piece of plain glass in front of it next to the welding. This will catch the spatters for the welding and can be replaced cheaper than the lens. Mine was so covered with spatter I could not see good changed the glass and it was like a new set of eyes for seeing. I would not lessen the lens you have for eye protection.
 
Silly question, have you cleaned the front of the lens? I was having trouble seeing out of my hood one day. I took it off and looked at the outside of the lens, it was pretty well covered with smoke residue from the flux. After I cleaned it, I could see much better. I would never use a #5 lens for stick welding. As stated, a #9 is about the low as you should go.


OTJ
 
(quoted from post at 14:17:07 05/25/22) I don't weld that much anymore but when I do it seems the helmet lens is so dark I have trouble seeing the puddle. I currently have a #10 shade glass. Is it possible to use a lighter shade maybe, a #5 without suffering eye damage. I typically use smaller diameter rods (5/64) and lower amp settings (60).
Click to expand...
I've welded with a #8 shade, but I agree with the others that 9 should be as low as you go. #5 is for cutting torches and plasma cutters.

This post was edited by timcasbolt on 05/25/2022 at 04:20 pm.
 
Extra light won't help if you can't focus on the weld. A cheater lens is required once you hit forty. Or, if you have bifocals, using a helmet with a large lens will make it easier to look through the lower part of your bifocals.
 
I have read this thread with a lot of interest.
I have been welding for 60 of my almost 70 years.
I never use anything less than an 11 lens.
Keep it cleaned off on both sides.
I have always used a helmet with the small lens an
and now just wear my $10 reading glasses under my helmet.
I am old and stubborn and the few times I tried a self darkening lens, I never trusted them.
Will always use my hood with the small lens.
My eyesight is very important to me.
Richard in NW SC
 
if you are not using an auto dark hood, try using the lens with the gold film. easier to see thru than the dark green ones. another though, if you are developing cataracts that will affect your vision. i had my surgery a few months ago and can see much better welding.
 
I don't have 1 size fits all answers but if you need or ever had cataract surgery have your eyes checked before using lighter lens. #10 ordinarily works and when it doesn't it's time to have eyes checked rather than ruining what little vision thats left. Most everyone that has cataracts removed has a film form later that really messes up vision. Good news is that it's a 10 minute proceedure to remove the film and there is no recovery time. You can walk out,drive yourself home and go right back to work,,,,,,seeing alot better than before.
If you are dead set against having your eyes checked,try this before using lighter shade. Cover back of your head and hood with a dark cloth to keep light from reflecting inside hood.
Do whats neccessary to hang in there as long as you can. We only get one time around then it's over. I've suffered manacular degeneration and can't judge distance nor see clearly. I rely on sound of arc to know if I'm too close or too far from work. I make messes,cuss and grind them off and start over.
 

I am now 73 years old and around five years ago I started having trouble seeing the puddle. I was guessing where it was going. I cleaned the glass frequently and replaced it when needed. I have been using an auto-dark shield for over 15 years. I have had cataract surgery in my left eye. I was wearing my reading glasses under the helmet until I had a pacemaker installed which forces me to keep the pacemaker two feet away from the arc eliminating the need for the readers. Soooooooooooooo it looks like I am doing everything that is being suggested except what PJH and Miangus suggested. That is what I finally did. I found a light that has a built in bale. I slip my hand in between the bale and the light so that the light is on the back of my hand pointed towards the work. This has worked for me for over five years, and I can't weld without it
 
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