Can't see when welding?

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I'm kinda new at thisI'm mig welding with a Hobart 210 MVP on 230VI can't see the work area when I'm weldingI thought it was my cheap harbor freight auto darkening mask, I tried adjusting in lighter but that didn't help muchSo I bought a Lincoln Viking 3350 4C and although I can see the work better before I start, I still can't see the work when weldingAll I see is the arc, nothing elseI'm thinking I just have it adjusted wrongHow do I adjust it or fix this, welding using the braille method makes for sloppy workThanks!
Reply:As a newbie it does take a little bit to get used to but you can help by lighting up the weld area with a work-light- the brighter the better.Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Sometimes I'm welding and I miss the entire seam and have to go backGreat bead but just not where I wanted it
Reply:What is the lens setting at?You should be around 10-11 for mig in my experience.Maybe it came set at a 13?Just a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:I wear trifocals and I use a 2.5 cheater lens.  Works okay for mig but for tig I can't see well at all.  Am going to get a prescription for 6-8" as opposed to newspaper reading length and have the entire lens done at that strength.30+ yrs Army Infantry & Field Artillery, 25 yrs agoMiller 350LX Tig Runner TA 210, spool gunLincoln 250/250 IdealArcESAB PCM 500i PlasmaKazoo 30"  vert BSKazoo 9x16 horiz BSClausing 12x24 lathe20T Air Press
Reply:Originally Posted by AKweldshopWhat is the lens setting at?You should be around 10-11 for mig in my experience.Maybe it came set at a 13?
Reply:Originally Posted by storemanI wear trifocals and I use a 2.5 cheater lens.  Works okay for mig but for tig I can't see well at all.  Am going to get a prescription for 6-8" as opposed to newspaper reading length and have the entire lens done at that strength.
Reply:I've found it depends on what I'm doing. TIG, I can usually see just fine. Stick, if I don't have a bevel groove (like I'm on the final cap) then I tend to go all over the place if there isn't a whole lot of ambient lighting. Maybe a gold or silver lens can help?Edit: If you're seeing too much smoke and not enough puddle, then you usually need a darker lens. And one of the guys farther up was right- it does take a while for your eyes to get used to it. I needed a Shade 9 when I was first starting school because the booths were so dark, but with an auto- darkener I settled into something closer to 11. Shade 10 is fine for outdoor work, though.Last edited by teh603; 02-11-2016 at 03:07 PM.Currently working as a Paralegal, but still interested in hobby welding.Miller Bobcat 225ntOne- Character Fractions: ¼ ½ ¾ ⅛ ⅜ ⅝ ⅞
Reply:Originally Posted by Steve92004I wear progressive bifocals and I bought a 2.5 cheater lens with the helmet but I didn't like the focus, maybe it's an adjustment thing there tooThe lens on the viking is huge so the bifocals work well in it
Reply:Originally Posted by Steve92004I'm kinda new at thisI can't see the work area when I'm weldingI thought it was my cheap harbor freight auto darkening mask, I tried adjusting in lighter but that didn't help muchSo I bought a Lincoln Viking 3350 4C and although I can see the work better before I start, I still can't see the work when weldingAll I see is the arc, nothing elseHow do I adjust it or fix this, welding using the braille method makes for sloppy workThanks!
Reply:I'm 65 and use 3.25 cheap reading glasses. At that magnification, you need to make sure you are looking from the front with your head level side to side. If you have your head tilted you can't get both eyes to have the same distance from the arc. Also, I don't know about anybody else, but I have a piece of cloth duct taped over the top rear of the helmet that covers the back down to my neck. Without this, there's so much back lighting I can't see the arc worth a darn. Attached ImagesEverlast  i210 with 200a spool gunEverlast i140eLOTOS LTP5000D Non-Touch Pilot Arc "Things are never so bad that they can't get worse...."
Reply:New protective lens inside and out and a good tinted or AD lens. No flip ups or other stacked lenses. If you still can't see, try a soapstone guide.  Cheater lenses or reading glasses may be a cure also. It's amazing how much difference a clean lens makes (with protective film gone).  One last trick I haven't tried is a bright flashlight pre illuminating the area.
Reply:The OP hasn't checked back in on the site since the day he first posted this, so not sure if he has gotten any of the suggestions given so far.
Reply:Originally Posted by fps. Also, I don't know about anybody else, but I have a piece of cloth duct taped over the top rear of the helmet that covers the back down to my neck. Without this, there's so much back lighting I can't see the arc worth a darn.
Reply:I primarily do spray transfer at work and it has a super bright arc and still I find shade 11 is too dark for me.  Try shade 10. With SMAW or low amperage MIG I could even use a shade 9.
Reply:bright light on the subject seems to work for me
Reply:Originally Posted by ozzie4x4bright light on the subject seems to work for me
Reply:I had the same problem. I do most of my welding in the garage after dark and under one fluorescent light. Adding a 2x cheater to my helmet and using a halogen work light helped me dramatically.Millermatic 180Hypertherm PM65 083300CandCNC Dragon Cut Linux 620-4 Bundle with Linux Computer Precision Plasma Magnum HD 5x5 Gantry kit
Reply:With the replies so far, did you ever get this worked out? If so, what was the cure to your problem?
Reply:What shade are you using on your new hood?
Reply:Time for an eye exam.Check for cataracts.Black print looks gray,colors are muted.Head lights sparkle much larger than usual.
Reply:Doesn't look like he's checked back in since the posting, but I am wondering if it's time to change the clear protective lenses in that helmet. The plastic does lose clarity over time. Thought I could change mine with some 2 x 4's I had kicking around for my fixed lens hood, but found out they are slightly smaller (Hobart a/d) so the usual ones from the LWS don't fit. If the glare is bothering him, he may need something darker (12 or 13) to eliminate the flash rather than trying to go lighter to get better vision. I would also echo the sentiments about avoiding back lighting behind the helmet and increasing lighting on the project.250 amp Miller DialArc AC/DC StickF-225 amp Forney AC Stick230 amp Sears AC StickLincoln 180C MIGVictor Medalist 350 O/ACut 50 PlasmaLes