Welding Glare.....Any Solution?

I have welded on different projects at home and work for the past 30+ years. I have used stick, Mig and Tig. I'm close to 60 and I'm having problems seeing where my bead needs to be due to glare. I have a good auto darkening helment and have tried different shades from 6 to 12. Nothing seems to make much difference.
I suspect my old eyes can't adjust and filter out the glare. I don't have a cheater lens but suspect that I need one. Can anyone offer any tips on what will help. It's pretty frustrating

 

Do you wear gl***es? If so, try taking them off or look over the top when welding. I've been a welder for 35 yr. and have worn gl***es since I was 14 y.o. I don't use cheater lens' or a self darkening lens, but nowdays if I try looking through both my gl***es and filter plate, it f#$ks me up every time. And bifocals make it even worse.

 

I thought I was the only one with this problem. The only thing that I've found (so far) that seems to help is putting more light on the area I'm welding. I've got a halogen light that I use to keep from having a bright dot in a sea of darkness.
"Getting old isn't for wimps!"
Larry T

 

As a card carrying member of the greybeard bifocal club I'll have to remember that trick. my normal work light is a 500 watt halogen and in the winter one hanging above the work bench (3 ft or so) keeps the hands warm enough to function.

 

They make bi-focal filter lenses, I have seen some production dudes on the line at work with them. I don't know how you go about getting them.

 

Just a word of personal experience, use a non flammable rag for this! I used a nice new blue shop towl once and caught it on fire from a spark, it works great , but take caution.

 

2nd on adding more lighting directly to where you are welding.

 

I have the same problem, I remember seeing a small light somewhere that mounts directly on the mig gun, I think it might really help.
Here's one, though I think the one I saw was 110v.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/STEC...trksidZp3286Q2em20Q2el1116QQitemZ190239490055

 

Sorry but it sounds like the symptoms of the same problem that I had.
And that would be Cataracts.
I am well past your age and have had both eyes done and the problem is gone.
Check out this site for a little info.

http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/cataract/cataract_facts.asp#3a

 

I have experenced this problem before.

1) Make sure your protective lenses are clean. I need to clean mine with a wet towel everyday.
2) If you wear eyegl***es, the transision lenses will mess you up, they will keep getting darker the longer you weld. The perscription saftey gl***es I wear in my shop are clear lenses, and my street gl***es are the transision lenses.
3) Have good lighting. Good welding needs to be done in a bright room.
4 Old age ****s, and I'm not even old yet. Gene

 

1. "Reading gl***es" that approximate your prescription...you are not trying to read War and Peace, just weld...
2. A gold lens. Takes all the yellow out of the arc, makes it blue, and finite. Best advice I ever took.
3. A diopter. Add a "cheater" to the mix. TIG is a "close" art...seriously, it ain't MIG, you don't move much...mix the cheater with the reading gl***es.
4. LOSE the auto helmet.

My $.02

 

i have to second the cataracts answer. it is the ONLY thing that perfectly describes your problem. i have had cataract surgery as well and it made a hell of a difference. get your eyes checked.

 

I made one for under $10 AU. That's about $9.50 US.

There seems to be a heap of those little LED torches in the hardwares at the moment. I bought one, made a real simple bracket and it's all done.

Here's a thought for you. You may be better with a conventional mask. Maybe your eyes are struggling with adjusting when the gl*** darkens. maybe not but it just crossed my mind while I was reading this thread.

Pete

 

Me too.

 

Try a gold lense, I have had this problem when I TIG weld.... I made the change and won't go back!

 

Compared to some on this thread I'm young but have several years expierience in welding. I heard you say auto lens and I can't say I've had good luck w/ those. No matter what brand! No matter what type of welding process.