auto dark helmets and bifocal lenses

admin

I am getting ready to order a helmet and would like some advice- I was using goggles with a torch this weekend and noticed I had to slide the goggles as low as I could on my nose, in order to use the bifocal part of my eyeglass lenses. Otherwise I was looking at the lower plastic goggle frame.  Any advice on auto dark helmets with regard to the placement of the glass in the helmet frame? I would prefer one that has either a larger view area or a lower mounting  of the glass.  I was thinking of this unit- any comments? http://www.usaweld.com/Striker-Steal.../90130-csv.htm
Reply:I find bifocal use with a helmet sucks.  Can't always tip your head to weld.As a result I use regular cheaters or I put the cheater lens in the helmet - in the helmet is my favorite of the two.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Hello stoneax, there are units that are often referred to as "cheater lenses" they fit into brackets on some hoods and behind the filter plates on others and are available in strengths similar to reading glasses. They are 2"X4", so they are roughly the same size as many filter plates/cover plates. Another way to approach this is to go with full magnifier safety glasses, instead of having a bi-focal the entire lens is a magnifier, similar to a reading glass, yet they have side shields and are rated as safety glasses. These are a couple of options for you to consider. I use both for many different purposes. Good luck and best regards, Allanaevald
Reply:I wear bifocal safety glasses in the shop; I wear bifocals all the time.   I put cheaters in the autodark helmet.    I actually have a couple of different cheaters, depending on how close I want to get to what I am welding.  I usually TIG weld, so close is fine.   For stick I like to be a little further away to avoid the fumes.Sculptures in copper and other metalshttp://www.fergusonsculpture.comSyncrowave 200 Millermatic 211Readywelder spoolgunHypertherm 600 plasma cutterThermal Arc GMS300 Victor OA torchHomemade Blacksmith propane forge
Reply:I also have a set of reading glasses that I keep handy in the shop. Then I don't need a cheater. Most of the time, however, I use a cheater.Regards,RobGreat Basin WeldingInstagramBlue weldersRed weldersMy luscious Table DIY TIG Torch cooler
Reply:I wear trifocals.  Also use a 2.5x cheater in the helmet. The cheater lets me not worry about cocking my head to ensure accessing the lower portion of my glasses.  I know this makes me sound nearly blind, but I can read a newspaper without glasses.  Close-up vision is worsening but mid and distance vision is mostly affected by astigmatism.  Keeping the glasses on while using the cheater has not been a problem.  Honestly, I couldn't clearly distinguish a puddle until I installed the 2.5 cheater.Jerry30+ 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:A much less annoying solution is to loosen the hinges on your helmet and slide it forward on the pivot. The lens then settles in low. So I am looking through the reading portion of my bifocals.Check to see if your helmet will do that before spending serious bucks on cheater lenses or another pair of glasses.Be wary of The Numbers: Figures don't lie,. but liars can figure.Welders:2008 Lincoln 140 GMAW&FCAW2012 HF 165 'toy' GTAW&SMAW1970's Cobbled together O/A
Reply:Originally Posted by mike837goA much less annoying solution is to loosen the hinges on your helmet and slide it forward on the pivot. The lens then settles in low. So I am looking through the reading portion of my bifocals.Check to see if your helmet will do that before spending serious bucks on cheater lenses or another pair of glasses.
Reply:I have a large area lens, it would be great to find a cheater that filled the area. Anyone heard of such a beast?Regards,RobGreat Basin WeldingInstagramBlue weldersRed weldersMy luscious Table DIY TIG Torch cooler
Reply:Originally Posted by Robert HallI have a large area lens, it would be great to find a cheater that filled the area. Anyone heard of such a beast?
Reply:Sometimes WalMart can be your friend.  Just go there, pick up a pair of cheap 2.5-3.0 reading glasses, and use them.  And you won't have to worry about ruining a good pair of prescription glasses while working.I buy the multi packs of the cheap "readers", and don't care about what happens to them.  They work fine with any hood."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammSometimes WalMart can be your friend.  Just go there, pick up a pair of cheap 2.5-3.0 reading glasses, and use them.  And you won't have to worry about ruining a good pair of prescription glasses while working.I buy the multi packs of the cheap "readers", and don't care about what happens to them.  They work fine with any hood.
Reply:Originally Posted by aevaldHello stoneax, there are units that are often referred to as "cheater lenses" they fit into brackets on some hoods and behind the filter plates on others and are available in strengths similar to reading glasses. They are 2"X4", so they are roughly the same size as many filter plates/cover plates. Another way to approach this is to go with full magnifier safety glasses, instead of having a bi-focal the entire lens is a magnifier, similar to a reading glass, yet they have side shields and are rated as safety glasses. These are a couple of options for you to consider. I use both for many different purposes. Good luck and best regards, Allan
Reply:Hello Willie B, both Airgas and Matheson carry them in my area. Other than that if you google: "full magnifier safety glasses" you should get some hits on sources to purchase from. I have checked in that manner also and bought quantities off the net that way. Good luck and best regards, Allanaevald
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammSometimes WalMart can be your friend.  Just go there, pick up a pair of cheap 2.5-3.0 reading glasses, and use them.  And you won't have to worry about ruining a good pair of prescription glasses while working.I buy the multi packs of the cheap "readers", and don't care about what happens to them.  They work fine with any hood.
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveHere you go Robert
Reply:I like the Walmart cheaters over the cheater in the hood. When I had the cheater in the hood I could not see very well with the hood up. Then I had to put the glasses on to see details. Dan DManipulator Of Metal
Reply:I too have to have a 2.5 cheater lens and Walmart or Sams cheap 3 pack reading glasses.   I finally bought a used Miller Elite Helmet and installed a 2.5 cheater lens in it.  I can kinda see now when I am welding but I still sometimes have a little trouble defining where I am working the puddle.   Going from a Jackson helmet which I bought in 1974 with reading glasses inside and comparing   to the Miller helmet that dims when the arc starts was one of the best things I have ever tried.   I still think I paid too much at the pawn shop for the Miller Elite ($65.00) plus the cheater lens. Considering I paid I think $12.00 for the old Jackson in 1974.  Good luck with your trial and error.  I beat my head up all the times on stuff I am under switching from Miller helmet to reading glasses to safety glasses.  But getting older is better than the other choice.
Reply:I just bought a pair of glasses with the whole lens the same prescription as the bifocals on my regular glasses.  More expensive than cheaters but I have a different prescription for each eye and as such the glasses are a lot clearer than the cheaters.
Reply:I have bifocals, and just added a cheater lend to my helmet.sometimes might have to tilt helmet a little, but not too the point of being a PITA. Works fine for me.