Thread: For the other half-blind geezers

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Ok, because of the normal age deterioration thing and probably something to do with years of abuse I'm having a heck of a time trying to see good when I'm welding..... TIG or MIG, same thing. Soon as the arc starts, I have a terrible time trying to see what I'm doing....same thing happens with the plasma arc. Seems to be the more welding I do, the worse my vision gets.

I've tried different shades of lens, a 10 seems to be the best. I have a high quality auto darkening helmet that seems to be fast enough, at least no sore eyes or anything. I use a florescent light for backlighting, seems to help eliminate some of the shadows.

Kind of wondering if some of the other geezer qualified folks on the site are experiencing the same problems, and what you might have for suggestions on how to improve things when welding....????? Soon I'll be putting a frame and cage together for 2 projects, and a 6 point bar for another.... I've always done my own welding on roll bars, don't know if I'm really ready to turn it over to someone else......I have on occasion been known to crash test some of my welds, no failures so far, and am just a bit nervous about having someone else do the cage work.... Just another part of getting old, or is there some other things I can try???????

A friend of mine was having the same problem and had a recert. coming up. He solved the problem by trying different magnifying lenses (in the helmet) until he found one that worked. I've been getting by with reading glasses so far, but the weld isn't as easy to see as it usta' be. TIG helps over MIG less smoke & sparks, other than that, dunno.

I try to keep the lens & lens protective cover changed often too. When I have a hard time seeing the bead a fresh (no scratches & dust) lens & cover can make a big difference.

Your not alone Dave, ive seen this topic brought up before on other forums. I believe most recomend reading glasses when welding or cheater lenses. Im sure your fellow geezers will chime in with help. Good luck buddy.

Same problem here. I use an 8 shade for mig, 10 or higher for stick. Put a couple of good bright light on your work from different directions seems to help too.

Well, I found out that bi-focals and welding do not work at all for me.....so I got a pair of glasses with my reading and close up 'scrip in them....helped some, but not much....but it's better then using bifocals, and way, way better then no glasses....

Might have to try the magnifying lens,,,, how much magnification works for you Pro Z????

i have had the same thing i think i told you about the time i tried using my finger for filler rod when i was tiging .No Joke. but know that it all healed up it is funny? i can not move the filler rod fast thru my old fingers and i do not wear the gloves makes it for me harder to feed in the filler rod .soooo i hit my finger with 250 amps of tig on headers i like very small welds less the 3/16 so the fit up has to be ligth tight this has been getting harder for me to see .i guess it is time for a helper lens or my seeing welding eye dog just find a welding hood for the little guy i will be all set hell that s not going to work my dog has no thumbs

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

Well, I found out that bi-focals and welding do not work at all for me.....so I got a pair of glasses with my reading and close up 'scrip in them....helped some, but not much....but it's better then using bifocals, and way, way better then no glasses....

Might have to try the magnifying lens,,,, how much magnification works for you Pro Z????

I just use +1.75 reading glasses. I don't know if the magnifying lenses are the same #? Some day I will have to find out.

Increase your budget for grinding and cutoff wheels and be prepared to buy more wire.

Originally Posted by Bob Parmenter

Increase your budget for grinding and cutoff wheels and be prepared to buy more wire.

i think the welding store may give you the senior deal

Originally Posted by Bob Parmenter

Increase your budget for grinding and cutoff wheels and be prepared to buy more wire.

Ahhhhh, good old Uncle Bob!!!!!! A constant source of inspiration for me over the last few years!!!!!!

BTW---I still don't understand why I can't get 10% off at State Steel!!! I do at the restaurant when I show them my AARP card!!!!

The welding magnifiers and off the rack reading glasses use the same numering systems--but both my eyes aren't thr same

i HAVE ALSO TRIED both the helmut magnifier and reading glasses at same time---no matter what i use i have found it helps to have a lite source shining on the weld area

Like Jerry, my eyes are different. Went to the optometrist and got a prescription for 14" focal length dedicated welding spectacles, full lens, no bifocals. Use a very strong light on the puddle and I'm good to go.

Thanks for all the good advice, guys!!!! Think I'll have to have me a chat with my local welding supply house and get some of the magnifying lenses. I've got the last perscription for my glasses, hopefully that will help him get me a magnifying lens I can work with...... Got to try something, welding by Braille ain't gonna work on roll cages and frames!!!!!!!!

Face it Dave, you're blind just like myself....
I bought a tad stronger reading glasses(I've been wearing Trifocals for 4yrs) just so I can see what I'm welding & that's the best it gets for myself. It works great for myself so I'll continue to use what I know that works for me....joe

I found that not only was the problem that I needed "cheaters", but the glare of the arc, even through a 12 or 13 was "dazzling", like night blindness - I have a heck of a time at night in heavy oncoming traffic. I talked it over with the eye Doc, and he suggested I use a polarized shaded lens cheater, and a lighter shade in my helmet. I got a pair of polarized "close up" glasses made in a shade about half as dark as my regular dark glasses, and experimented until I settled on an eight to a ten in my helmet flip glass, and it helped a lot. With good work lighting, I can still see the work fine through the clear for inspecting or picking and brushing. As an added benefit, I can use the cheaters when working on something closeup outdoors; they cut the glare pretty well, although not as much as my regular dark glasses.