how to see what I'm welding

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Hi all, got another question, been practicing stick welding lately. but having a hard time seeing the part I'm welding. Can see the welding pool, but can't see or can barely see what I'm welding because of the arc. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. using a auto darkening helmet from harbor freight set at 10. thanks.
Reply:You should definitely be able to see more than just the puddle. Your welding helmet should have clear lenses on both sides of your dark lens that are easily replaced so you could first replace both of them and see if that helps. You may need to try another shield and see what you can see then.The worst thing I can think of happening is if everything I ever welded instantly became UNWELDED
Reply:Make sure you remove the protective coating from the inside of the lens. Took me a while to realize it was there. DOH!GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:Originally Posted by GravelMake sure you remove the protective coating from the inside of the lens. Took me a while to realize it was there. DOH!
Reply:You can also add some artificial light near the weld.  Even a 60 watt bulb will help.Dynasty 300DXSmith He/Ar gas mixerMM350PHobart Handler 120Smith LW7, MW5, AW1A
Reply:My daughter purchased a Harbor Freight auto darkening helmet for me last father's day. If my vintage 1996 "Sellstrom" auto darkening helmet is accurate, (and I believe it is) the Harbor Freight helmets are anything but. The #9 setting on the cheap helmet is about like medium sunglasses on a bright day, and the high setting is about a #10 setting on my high end helmet. I had two other welders try this cheap helmet while welding over 200 amps with it turned to maximum shade and both concur the thing was not right, being not dark enough. I then swapped the helmet for another and the replacement acted the same as the original. I suppose where I'm going with this post is I've found the quality control of that vendor's products to be less that stellar and maybe you should investigate the accuracy of your unit as it may be suspect.I took the helmet back for a refund. Even the headgear was going to be short lived by the design. I like to scribe "proof lines" about 1/4" each side of the weld centerline with either a silver welder's pencil, or a "Markall" pen to allow me to run a straight line bead. You can readily see these lines when welding and by keeping an eye on the fluid puddle I find it easy to make a straight weld; otherwise, not so straight....SlobPurveyor of intimate unparalleled knowledge of nothing about everything.Oh yeah, also an unabashed internet "Troll" too.....
Reply:Originally Posted by NBS WeldingO-wow that would cause trouble for sure!!!
Reply:I have a hf helmet (blue flame one) and mine seems fine, use it for plasma, mig, tig, and stick.  I have 2 other nice helmets and I use the hf one the most.  It's held up real well and I haven't been gentle with it.  I did replace the sweat band with a real one.  Make sure your lens is clean or replace the plastic covers.Gravel- that's pretty good.  I'm guessing everything was really fuzzy and blurry.
Reply:Try doing some horizontal welds you will see the difference between the weld metal and the drooling slagBacked my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:I believe that is the same one. I noticed when in the store one had the sensor in the top of the glass, the other in the bottom.SlobPurveyor of intimate unparalleled knowledge of nothing about everything.Oh yeah, also an unabashed internet "Troll" too.....
Reply:Throw a towel over the helmet to kill the backlighting.Light entering from the rear of the helmet will mess you up every time.Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:In the old days at apprentice welding school we use to place a piece of paper between the lenses.   That was wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy before the auto dark hoods. AD sure do make it easy.
Reply:Originally Posted by Going nowhereI have a hf helmet (blue flame one) and mine seems fine, use it for plasma, mig, tig, and stick.  I have 2 other nice helmets and I use the hf one the most.  It's held up real well and I haven't been gentle with it.  I did replace the sweat band with a real one.  Make sure your lens is clean or replace the plastic covers.Gravel- that's pretty good.  I'm guessing everything was really fuzzy and blurry.
Reply:will check the helmet and experiment with thye other advice given. thanks all for the responses.
Reply:If you weld for a living, then a decent quality helmet will be what you need. Buying helmets cos they are cheap is a bad investment not to mention long term damage to your eyes. People hare happy to spend $250 on a pair of sunglasses but £50 on a cheap Chinese helmet, wheres the sense in that??
Reply:I was having trouble seeing the weld with my 3M AD helmet, and found two things that helped: turning off the overhead lights and using a small articulated work light pointing directly at the weld area.
Reply:I'd try cleaning all the lenses I use a cheap ad at home as well as a miller elite and about 3 other flip hoods they all have there place of use. As said befor back light can be an issue for people  another is looking in the wrong spot try moving your head around from diff angles
Reply:I got the head cover for my 3m hood which was awful with back light glare and it helped.  It is the xx so the big lense has more glare than the smaller lens in my other hoods.Gerry- when my little cheapo hf hood bites the bullet I'll definitely be getting another one.  At $40 it's nice to not have to worry about it.  Same reason I buy cheap pens, got tired of losing nice ones.
Reply:Do you wear prescription glasses, may be time to get your eyes checked.  My regular Transition trifocals  glasses do not work for welding, cheap Walmart reading glasses work better.
Reply:Originally Posted by guajilloweld03Do you wear prescription glasses, may be time to get your eyes checked.  My regular Transition trifocals  glasses do not work for welding, cheap Walmart reading glasses work better.
Reply:Back light is my nemesis.  Right now, I'm looking for a piece of thin leather to attach to the back of my helmet to block that light.  I do think it is worse with the bigger lenses.
Reply:I wear progressive glasses for both reading and distance. When I am welding due to the way they are made I have to tilt my head back in order to see the weld and this is both uncomfortable an I still have a problem seeing the the weld. Do they make a magnifying lens for the 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 in welding helmets. Or is there and advise. Thanks
Reply:Get a separate pair of drug store reading glasses.
Reply:Have tried the Cheater lens, but still have trouble seeing. The reading glasses work better for me. Not sure if a cheater is made in 4.5 x 4.5   The progressive lens are good for most stuff, but at night or some angles not soo good. Have bought the cheap walmart reading glasses in a 3-pack and keep some in the truck, the tools boxes. The problem is switching back and forth to the progressives .Those reading glasses also  get lost like measuring tapes do.