My nemesis, the sun.

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Well, it is kind of nice that it keeps the earth from freezing, but I've been having to do quite a bit of stick welding outside recently.  It's causing me two problems:First, the Lincoln Viking 3350 helmet I'm using is pretty much always dark even at the lowest sensitivity setting, except for annoying flickers of visibility once in a while.  Has anybody had any luck making a helmet like this work well in bright sun?  I may just go back to a fixed shade for outside work.Second, when my back is to the sun, it lights up the sacrificial lens on the inside of the helmet with a lot of glare, and I have a lot of trouble seeing what I'm trying to weld.  I'm leaning toward just attaching some black cloth to the top of the mask and let it hang over the back of my head.  Does anybody have any better ideas?Thanks!
Reply:I have that problem with my speedglass 9001xx because of large lens.   I got the 3m head cover which mostly helped with glare. Might want to consider a fibermetal fixed shade helmet.  They work well for that purpose.
Reply:Weld at night? .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 have the same problem with my 3350 and was even thinking of trying the Miller Digital Elite or Titanium to see if it was any better. Very annoying working on the top of a shipping container with a white roof reflecting the sun back at the sensors.TOO MANY TOOLS & NO MORE SPACE
Reply:I use my sweat towel pulled up to my helmet when I have the same problem!I figure its wet and sweaty, so it won't burn.Plus it gets washed every night.
Reply:Tackit is right with the umbrella. I bought a 6' harbor freight umbrella years ago when cheap at $ 6.99.  It fits in a welding pipe stand perfect by just removing the screw jack and the tube . Great for job use. http://www.harborfreight.com/6-ft-bi...lla-67600.html
Reply:I have the same problem!   I have 5 different helmets now and I still have the problem.  The umbrella works great but I can't always use it.  The "Pipeliner" helmet from Fibre-Metal works great,  but it's still not perfect.  So, I'm about ready to buy the classic pipeliner's  "pancake" welding hood.  They cut out ALL sun glare and reflection from above and behind, because it's like your eyes are now covered within goggles.  They have a balsa wood piece that fits around your eyes.  From what I understand, one must custom fit it to one's own needs by sanding it down some to the contours of your face.  I hear it's not difficult.  Also, in the pictures below, you'll see a "side" shield.   You get it in "right or left" handed models.  It's how a pipeline weldor rests his arm on the pipe and hold the stinger in the opposite (right or left) hand.  If you're right handed for instance, your left elbow would be braced against the pipe while your right hand does the welding.  The side shield would therefor be on your left side of the helmet, giving you more face protection. Don't forget to order the head band with it too.  Yes, it's NOT included. http://www.plwelder.com/store.php/ca.../pancake-hoods Attached ImagesLincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:Great suggestions; thanks!  I'll probably pick up one of the HF umbrellas and see if that does the trick.  If not, I'll look at another helmet.
Reply:This will be a very unpopular answerI weld outside 100% exclusively.  The sun is indeed a problem when it's behind your back.DEAL WITH IT.  I do  Concentrate on what you're doing, and forget the outside stuff.  You can weld with sun glare on the inside of your hood if you CONCENTRATE.  Young people these daysThe Viking hood can be adjusted better than you have it adjusted.  I had one, and had to tweak it on bright days.  Hell, even my Jackson doesn't work well when facing into the sunThe hood should darken when it senses anything approaching sunlight.  Seems to me, I remember setting the sensitivity at 4 on my old Viking, and it did ok.Another trick is to look slightly away from the sun when getting your rod/gun ready to weld.  The lens will still be good to see thru.  Then look back at the weld area before starting the arc.  It will be dark because the AD kicked in, but at least your in the right area.  You're in the area you want to start the weld.Does anyone remember non AD helmetsSon........it's like boxer shorts  Those boys who stormed the beaches at Normandy wore boxer shorts.  THEY WERE TOUGH.  (try running any distance in boxer shorts with yer nutz slapping the inside of your thighs)  Get used to it, and get TOUGH"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:The sun is a blessing. I remember snowflakes fallin on the inside of my hood not to mention the cold and wind.
Reply:Put on a sweatshirt with a hood and pull the hood up over your mask. Problem solved. I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Find a black shirt or a piece of material that is dark colored and cover the back of your helmet it will help. I weld out doors and it helps a lot also wear a dark shirt to keep some of the light from the arc from reflecting.Lincoln pro core 125 14''chop saw7 inch grinder,2-4.5 inch grinders,electric die grinder.Half inch drillAnd alot of hand tools
Reply:Umbrellas or an easy-up makes the work more tolerable.
Reply:Originally Posted by weldermikePut on a sweatshirt with a hood and pull the hood up over your mask. Problem solved.
Reply:I weld outside with a Digital Elite in X-mode or whatever it's called. It works as it should, only darkening when the arc is present. Very, very occasionally if you look from a dark area to directly at the sun it gets confused for a split second.