welding hood problem

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I have been welding for about 10 years now (SMAW In the field) and I have noticed a problem with some of the hoods I've had. well, not the hoods themselves but now its starting to bother me because I cant find answers anywhere. currently I have a Jackson hsl100, love the hood but when I weld with it I can see two images of the puddle. one is the puddle and the other is a reflected image of the puddle about a 32nd to a 16th of an inch behind the puddle or below or above, (it depends on my angle) I have had this problem with other hoods in the past and found out that the small space between the filter and clear lens  create a reflection between one another, because when I press on the clear lens the second image moves. I would like to use two clears (one in back and in front) but when I do that I get 3 puddles! it wouldn't be a problem other than it overlaps my real puddle and messes up my vision of it. my question is does anyone else have this problem? and if so how can I fix it. I tried to google it but nothing, sry in advance if this question has already been answered, and thanks in advance for any input.
Reply:You pretty much answered your question. Something is creating a gsp between the cover plate and filter plate. Eliminate the gap anp the ghosting will go away. It could be warped plates or the trim ring on the filter etc.I've got the same hood and put in a phillips safety glass lense and have cover plates on both sides. I was concerned I would run into ghosting issues but haven't so far.NickESAB CaddyTig 2200iPowermax 45MM140 (Sold)
Reply:Hmmm, you you wear eyeglasses?I used to wear my eyeglasses years ago while welding and discovered that my eyeglasses reflected an image back to the inside helmet lens cover plate.Your multiple image issue might be due to any spacers or gaskets that separate the cover plates from the shaded lens.It may be the small gap between the plates and shade lens that makes the multiple images.  If you could get the cover plates to set directly against the shaded lens without a gap or spacing, the multiple images might go away.
Reply:I get multiple images from most any bright lights, due to my astigmatism, without glasses or anything!  Driving at night is a giant pain in the butt.  Any chance it could be related to a fundamental eye issue?  I've just given up seeing the puddle in perfect clarity between my astigmatism and my worsening near vision.Miller Dynasty 200 DXMiller CP-300 with 30A feederHypertherm Powermax 900Oxy-fuel w/Harris torchesScotchman Glide-in bandsawMonarch 10EE latheEmi-Mec Autoturn latheDeckel FP2NC milling machinePro-Tools 105 Bender
Reply:I have that same reflection issue on occasion. Typically it's due to excessive back lighting. It can help to attach a cover over the back of the hood to block out the excess light. Some hoods are better at blocking out back light than others are..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:I've had this problem too. I use a clear plastic lens out front, gasket, auto lens, then a clear glass lens closest to my eyes. When Tig welding I use a clear glass lens out front. I wear reading glasses to weld with. This works best for me.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:Thanks for the input, I ended up putting the cover plate in the rubber gasket with the filter lens to eliminate the gap, I can see it a little bit when I look for it now but its not as bad as it was. im thinking it might be the clear lenses I use because I gave one to another co-worker and he said now he is seeing it too. I never thought of the back light issue but tomorrow I will try to put a bandana behind my hood and see if that helps, I like to wear clear glasses or sunglasses when I weld for chipping when im done but they make it worse sometimes, I don't wear glasses and I have perfect vision so I don't think that is the issue. im going to try to block out the backlight first, if not any better then I will change to a different clear lens to see if that helps, I will post tomorrow with the results. THNKS GUYS
Reply:I thought it was just my eye ruined from welding for the last 10 years seeing the  occasional 2-3 puddles. It does not do it all the time, sometimes just after welding a while it slowly happens. I do not use anything but a fixed lens hood, I found that I run a band of black electrical tape around all three pieces, the clear plastic and the filter like a band, I personally think light can seep threw the edge of the front plastic lens and you dont notice it in the hood. I also hate the new led traffic lights they went to, it looks like a giant star burst in the distance.
Reply:Well, I found out backlight is not the issue here. I put both lens right on top of each other and that helps a lot. I haven't changed the lens yet but I will try to wrap them up to eliminate light coming in from the sides because my clear lens just sits on top of the gasket the filter is in so I can see were that would happen. I'm determined to find the problem! Lol
Reply:If you are really stuck, try talking to an optician, optometrist, or university with an optician/  eye doctor program.There are anti reflective coatings they can apply to eyeglasses, maybe even to the glass cover lenses.They are fragile and have to be treated carefully / washed with special cleaners.But they really prevent that reflected light.
Reply:I have come to the conclusion that i must have an eye problem that i don't know about. i used someone elses hood today who has a miller auto lense hood but has the fixed filter (Green Shade 10) instead of the auto in it, so the clear lense is about an inch or so away from the filter (give or take) i saw two puddles with it also, but the second puddle was about 3 inches away from the real one. i asked another guy to weld with it and asked if he saw the same thing and he said that he did not. Then, i used someone elses shield who uses a 12 gold filter (i use 10) and welded with that and i did not notice a second puddle. so i am going to order an 11 shade to see if that helps. (12 is too dark for me) I am also going to make an appt at the eye dr. to see if they have any input. the last time i went to the eye dr. (about a year ago) they said i actually better than 20/20 vision (20/14 maybe or something like that) so i never thought that my sight was the issue. untill then the double puddle will continue i guess.
Reply:You're going to get reflections off one lens to another.You can see it in double pane windows too.Also try fiddling with your headgear so the reflections are in a spot that you can't see or don't matterIf you to to an eye doctor, take all the gear with you
Reply:I have welded for 10 years, and I have to wear a shade 12 on almost everyting, anything lighter makes too much glare in my eyes. I have no problem seeing my work and I do quite a bit of tig welding, Shiflett try a darker lens and see if the problem goes away.
Reply:There is nothing wrong .After that many years you should have noticed that.It will go away when you stop trying to look for it.Not kidding.If you have a mirrored lens it can help to block that.It also appears when TIG welding.Different helmets the same too.AWS certified welding inspectorAWS certified welder
Reply:Yep, I have noticed this too Donald:It will go away when you stop trying to look for it.Not kidding.
Reply:Is was thinking about adjusting my headgear so the double image doesnt overlap, thats what is giving me the problem, in my buddies hood the second image was 3inches away from the real one which i can live with because i can see the real one clearly. I ordered an 11 shade and im gonna adjust my lenses and headgear so the images are not overlapping, i didnt notice it the other day untill i thought about it then i was mad because i have ocd and kept seeing it for the rest of the day lol. Thanks guys for the help it has helped me alot, i didnt know where to start on how to fix it, but now i got a game plan you guys rock!