Lens Shade and Cheater Lens

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Can someone tell me what is a good lens shade setting for welding around 1/8" - 1/4" MS?  Or should it be set separate due to the increased arc from the higher amps on 1/4"?I have an adjustable shade so I can tailor it to anything I need.  I am just having some problems seeing the back side of the puddle on the fillet welds and then when I go to weld a butt joint it can be too dark, I think the fillet welds reflect more light do to the joint design.I also wanted to know how many people use the cheater magnification lens in their helmet and what strength do you use?  I just order a 1.5 cheater and it has not gotten here, but I hope it improves my weld bead profile by seeing the puddle better.Thanks!Build a Barstool Racer at BarFlyRacers.com!
Reply:Welding lens darkness is something to kind of have to figure out for yourself. If you can't see around the puddle well enough to tell what you are doing try one shade lighter. If the puddle is just a bright spot, obviously you need to go darker. My eyes used to be pretty light sensitive, had to wear shades just to see in bright sunlight. I used a #10 lens with my shades which were Ray-Bans. The best way I know to choose a cheater is go to a welding supply. Hold one up like it was in your hood and look at something about the distance you will be welding at. When it is clear you have the right power cheater. The higher the magnifacation the less depth of field you will have. Getting farsighted ain't no fun when you are a welder. Oh, after I got in my sixties I had to drop to a #9 lens. Finally got progressive bifocals and threw the cheaters away.
Reply:I use shade # 10 for most of the heavy stuff, if I want see the puddle a little better I manipulate the rod or the gun to shine a little light on the area. After welding for years it’s natural. The cheaters never used them I use magnify glasses for the small stuff.
Reply:I found that waring shaded safety glasses helped me see the puddle better.  Also there are different typed of lensed that you can get that all look different, some are gold and make the arc look blue, some are reddish and some are green.  And then there are the autos, you get what you pay for with them as far as clarity.Me!
Reply:I used to use Lincoln welding lenses. Don't know whether Lincoln still has them or not cause I still have several. They make the puddle look an amber color and I could see better with them than any other brand of lens.
Reply:I use a #12 gold lens for everything, mig/tig/stick 5 amps to 300 ampsHave we all gone mad?
Reply:10 seems pretty safe bet but its all opinion...      if I use a 9 sometimes i get little bright dots in my vision cause the lense aparently isnt dark enough, and any darker than a 10 and I cant see the puddle good enough.I like to party!
Reply:I used to use a 14 (but that was 20 years ago), now it's mostly a 9 or 10, but since I went to an adjustable I just put it where it is comfortable for me. Usually about 10. Everyone's eyes are different so it's hard for us to tell you which shade to use. In a fixed lens I prefer a Bluestar (went to those when I couldn't get a Lincoln), not sure if you can get them anymore. The cheater will most likely make you need a darker shade. My Jackson Boss is gold on the side facing the work and has an amber color to the puddle. Totally different from my partners Miller. It also uses a different technology as well. The optics in it are fantastic, but the Halo hood sucks for anything but flat.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:Whether autodarkening or fixed I used 10-11 for most everything up to 250 amps. I never have got cheater lenses to work for me. I'm one of those guys that weld with my head right down in the middle of things. Half the things I weld you really don't have room to weld any other way.
Reply:I tried some more welding tonight and I turned the shade down to a little over 9 from almost an 11 and I am now getting a pretty good view when welding 1/8" MS. I now have started to look behind the tungsten when I dip and then watch the puddle when moving.  This is something I have not done before and it is helping.  I am used to MIG and FCAW where your point of vision stays in one place when running the bead.Build a Barstool Racer at BarFlyRacers.com!
Reply:Originally Posted by Jolly RogerI used to use a 14 (but that was 20 years ago), now it's mostly a 9 or 10, but since I went to an adjustable I just put it where it is comfortable for me. Usually about 10. Everyone's eyes are different so it's hard for us to tell you which shade to use. In a fixed lens I prefer a Bluestar (went to those when I couldn't get a Lincoln), not sure if you can get them anymore. The cheater will most likely make you need a darker shade. My Jackson Boss is gold on the side facing the work and has an amber color to the puddle. Totally different from my partners Miller. It also uses a different technology as well. The optics in it are fantastic, but the Halo hood sucks for anything but flat.
Reply:On the cheater lens, I use a 1.25 with an Optrel helmet.  I chose that because the little cheater glasses I use for some print is fine with the $1 store glasses I buy for occaisonal use.  I am nearsighted and wear contacts for driving and the cheater glasses make some very small print discernable.  Most displays where cheater glasses are sold have different font sizes for quick testing.   You might try a couple of different magnifications at $1 each before you spend more on a permanent lens for your helmet.Good luck on your search.
Reply:I am using a Miller elite auto darken hood and a 1.5 cheater and my bifocal progressive lenses.  I am now tig welding and it is really tough as the depth of field (or whatever it is called) is only about 10" away from the bead and only in focus (in/out) about 2".  (suggest you protect your eyes when you are young cause at 56 mine are a mess!!TimPS: I have a heck of a time with the auto shade fogging up between the lens adn the the cheater!anyone else have this challenge??A rich man is not the one who has the most but instead one who needs theleast. Retired IUEC local 19AK Bush pilot,  Chaplain  CMA Chapt 26victor torchesMiller110v migDynasty 200dx (new in Dec 08)Hypertherm PM-45MM-252 (new 2/09)
Reply:Originally Posted by malichI also wanted to know how many people use the cheater magnification lens in their helmet and what strength do you use?  I just order a 1.5 cheater and it has not gotten here, but I hope it improves my weld bead profile by seeing the puddle better.Thanks!
Reply:Originally Posted by UltrachopPS: I have a heck of a time with the auto shade fogging up between the lens adn the the cheater!anyone else have this challenge??
Reply:Originally Posted by Craig in DenverYes. I can direct my breath downward more if I breathe through my mouth and think about exhaling over my chin. Then I loose the puddle and start nose breathing again.  The cooler the temperature in the room, the worse it gets.
Reply:They do if your helmet has a wire bale to hold the lens, like this:Gotta luv the internet, eh?  Attached Images9-11-2001......We Will Never ForgetRetired desk jockey. Hobby weldor with a little training. Craftsman O/A---Flat, Vert, Ovhd, Horz. Miller Syncrowave 250
Reply:Craig,So is that one of your helmets?  How is it about fogging up? TimA rich man is not the one who has the most but instead one who needs theleast. Retired IUEC local 19AK Bush pilot,  Chaplain  CMA Chapt 26victor torchesMiller110v migDynasty 200dx (new in Dec 08)Hypertherm PM-45MM-252 (new 2/09)
Reply:Tim:That's my O/A helmet, fixed shade. Since class is pleanty warm, rarely have fog issues. And I have a noisy vent fan in my station. If I do fog, I use it as an excuse to wander around and watch what others are doing. I had bad eyes from when I was 6 years old. Started wearing contacts at 13, so I wouldn't look like Maggoo wandering around. Then in 1997 my Doctor asked me if I was interested in LASIK. Damn right I am. Now I only wear glasses at the puter and in my weld helmet. 9-11-2001......We Will Never ForgetRetired desk jockey. Hobby weldor with a little training. Craftsman O/A---Flat, Vert, Ovhd, Horz. Miller Syncrowave 250
Reply:Craig,I figured as much!  I used to weld using the 'gold' filter lenses in my Jackson Hard hat helmets and I really liked the contrast they offered.  I have now both Near and far sight challenge and my near sight vision requires at least 4.25 to see clearly at 2ft. (right eye is worse) and I have a stigmatism in one eye as well?  I am not sure if Lasik is an option?So as for now I have my glasses for everyday, Progressive bifocals and a pair of perscription Cheaters (plastic) for safety, a custom pair of riding glasses for my Chopper, 2 perscription dive masks and (last years perscription as a backup)Biggest challenge is finding them if they fall off the nightstand!!!and if my weld bead wonders I blame it on the glasses!!!A rich man is not the one who has the most but instead one who needs theleast. Retired IUEC local 19AK Bush pilot,  Chaplain  CMA Chapt 26victor torchesMiller110v migDynasty 200dx (new in Dec 08)Hypertherm PM-45MM-252 (new 2/09)
Reply:Dang Tim, that's a load of glasses. I was 49 when I had my eyes done. At that time a 10 diopter correction was at the limits of the technoloy, I barely qualified. Before that, it was radial keratotomy (sp) and an 80% chance that I wouldn't be able to wear contacts again. And RK couldn't get all 10 diopters, so I passed on it.One doctor visit, the doc asked if I'd thought about the new proceedure. I asked "How much correction can they get?" He said "They can get it all." Two months later and I was fixed.Some insurance policies are starting to pick up a piece of the cost. In 1997, I paid right at $2500 for each eye, no insurance help. Well worth it for me.My puddle is about one foot from my nose. I can see where 2 feet would be a b!tch.Lasik is magic IF you're within the limits. Ask your doctor about it.9-11-2001......We Will Never ForgetRetired desk jockey. Hobby weldor with a little training. Craftsman O/A---Flat, Vert, Ovhd, Horz. Miller Syncrowave 250
Reply:The first weldor I worked with as a helper had me throw away the gasket that came with the my new hood and lenses I had bought, on the theory that wearing a hood 10-12 hrs a day any weight loss helped. Within 6 mos. I couldn't read my watch (neither could he!) TV was a blur and I had lotz of headaches. A yr. or so down the road I dropped a hammer through my hood and had to buy another one. Different company, different welders, etc. When I was assembling my new hood and lenses I threw away the gasket and one of the older weldors took me to task over it! Made me get the gasket out of the trash can and use it. Within 6 mos. I could see my watch again and TV wasn't a blur!  I've been told eye color has a lot to do with lens shade, being able to see the puddle, separating the flux from the metal, etc. Being light blue eyed I was told I would never make a good pipe welder, that the good ones were all brown eyed. I fooled them all! I am 59 yrs old next month and I still use a #9 lense, gold, and am now using a 1.50 cheater. I stick weld mostly, 6010 and Low High. I MIG some, not much. I don't TIG at all. I don't use an electronic hood, I use the same one I've used for 35 yrs. Not exactly the same one, but the same brand, style etc.Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.                                         -Cree Indian ProverbSA 200 LincolnVictor Torches
Reply:Originally Posted by gizzardgutz When I was assembling my new hood and lenses I threw away the gasket and one of the older welders took me to task over it! Made me get the gasket out of the trash can and use it. Within 6 mos. I could see my watch again and TV wasn't a blur!
Reply:Originally Posted by 4sfedDo you think there was a UV leak around the lens . . . with the gasket missing . . . or some other problem with the first helmet?Jim
Reply:gizzardgutz,Seems like we have someting in common,  hmm, eye color, gold lense, same shade seems to work best and we foolz them most of the time.  I am just in the last couple of months learning to tig and found that the reconition of the puddle is much more critical (especially as the bead size is so much smaller)  most of the time and beings that I am having to wear my corrected glasses and the 1.5 cheater that the hood to work distance has to stay uniform or it all turns to a blurr!  The good side is most of my welding is going to be sitting at a table inside with the heat on within reach of the fridge!!--as the saying goes---"if I knew I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of my self along the way"!!!TimA rich man is not the one who has the most but instead one who needs theleast. Retired IUEC local 19AK Bush pilot,  Chaplain  CMA Chapt 26victor torchesMiller110v migDynasty 200dx (new in Dec 08)Hypertherm PM-45MM-252 (new 2/09)I too use shade #10 for most stick or MIG GMAW of the heavy steel and a #11 or #12 for MIG GMAW of aluminum with a spool gun.  If I am using a TIG process I use a #9 to be able to see the puddle a little better. Cheaters, I use a .75 with my progressive lenses.  I usually only need them only for TIG.At home, I weld in an unheated shop.  To combat fogging, I keep a trigger start propane torch handy and carefully heat the inside of my hood from a distance of 10 to 12 inches.  It works better for me than fog cloths or sprays.
Reply:Lens REPLACEMENT is also an option, and very common for older folks who get cataracts. I'm delighted that I got cataracts because that resulted in new lenses which work great. I wear glasses (I refuse to wear contacts) and have one prescription for driving (not strictly required since the replacement lenses are for distance) and one for up close. (I don't do bifocals. Single-vision glasses work better and are forty buck online!)
Reply:I use a non AD hardhat mounted shield at work with a shade 10 lense and a 1.25x cheater despite having 20/20 left and 20/16 right with a clear lense in front of the cheater so it lasts longer.  It helps get me closer without getting to close.  I use 2"x4 1/4" lense size.  If your standing back 2 feet to see then I'd go with a 1.50x - 1.75x cheater and if you don't have a supplier nearby with cheaters go to walmart or rite aid and put on the reading glasses that range from 1.25x to 2.25x to get an idea about what will work for you.