Welding with no depth perception

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Hey guys, I'm a college student working on getting my associates degree in welding.  I am blind in one eye and sometimes have trouble keeping my arc length where it should be especially in open root pipe with 6010.  A lot of times when I ask the professor for tips I just get "keep a tighter arc length" as a answer.  It seems pretty straight foward, but I'm having trouble finding the sweet spot I either long arc or I end up bumping the rod on the base metal.  Getting the practice D1.1 coupons to pass was very difficult.  I know a lot of you guys are mirror welding pipe and cant watch each angle of the rod and the arc length, so what tricks do you guys use?  I know practice, between high school classes and college I'm going on 5 years of practice and having trouble with stick arc length tells me I could be missing something.  I can TIG real well from mild steel to aluminum so I know I know the theory behind it.
Reply:Learn to read the weld puddle.  Once you learn how, you will be able to make adjustments to your arc length as needed to get the proper results.  You won't be watching the length of your arc per se, you will adjust to keep the puddle doing what you want.  With practice, it will become second nature.Too many people think welding means "I need to keep this rod 1/8" from the weld and at so and so travel and work angle".  Instead they should learn the different parts that make up the weld puddle and learn to get the right results by adjusting the rod angles and arc length to achieve them consistently.  I won't deny that two good eyes wouldn't make it easier, but it is not impossible by any means, with only one good eye.  Remember, it ain't no hill for a climber!  Good luck, Bob."The man of great wealth owes a peculiar obligation to the State, because he derives special advantages from the mere existence of government."  Teddy RooseveltAmerican by birth, Union by choice!  Boilermakers # 60America is a Union.
Reply:I agree with Bob the Welder. In particular for root pass with 6010, watch the key hole. If the key hole is slighly larger than the end of the rod then you should be golden. One problem all welding instructors have is they can not see what you see because they are viewing from a different angle and distance.
Reply:keyhole, and tons of practice.Root makes a distinctive sound as well, learn to listen to the hollow bacon sound, no sizzle, no penetration..Lincoln Power MIG 210 MP ( boat anchor )Lincoln Weld-Pac 100 HDHobart IronMan 230Cutmaster 42Jackson NexGenSumner Ultra ClampsDWM120
Reply:Hey Im new here!! First post. I too am blind in one eye, have been cert. welding for 15 years. I've learned exactly that, how the arc affects the puddle. One way I've learned is practice, but also set up procedure ( when practicing) to get " arc blow: etc. change angles move ur ground around, wrap you ground around the base metal, etc. The best that worked for me was I always picked up the rod that everyone tossed becuase it was out of the ovens to long. Juat my thought's
Reply:I'll try playing with arc blow, even doing the D1.1 practice tests I learned a lot about ground placement especially doing the vertical up.  I am not looking forward to the 6g test I'll have to do soon.
Reply:Hate to be the bearer of bad news! Just think, once you get over this hurtle, (and you will) old age will set in then it's time for cataracts. Go ahead ask me how I know!Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Then again if it was easy everyone would be going to college for welding instead of business administration and psychology lol.  Not that I have anything against either one of those.
Reply:Arc length isn't really a factor with the root if you use the drag method, maybe this is your answer. Use a 1/8th electrode and a 1/16-3/32 gap and land and drag the direction of travel (vert up on both sides).
Reply:I forget what the included angle was I was using but I did have a 3/32 land and I set the gap with some 3/32 tig wire.  I usually whip the rod.