Welding Helmet Vision Correction

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I would like to know what approaches others with vision challenges have used so that they can see through a welding helmet to do welding.I have tri-focals in my glasses that I wear when I am not welding.If I need to look “straight ahead” or “up” to do a weld, I cannot see clearly through the lenses in my glasses since they are designed for clear vision at “intermediate” distances and “far” distances.  I have a 3.00 magnifier lens on the outside of my helmet for use without glasses but it is not strong enough for me to see clearly.  I am putting the lens between the front cover and the auto darkener of my Speedglas 9000x helmet.I have seen reading glasses on the internet with magnifiers as high as “6.00.”  I have not been able to find anyone that makes a welding helmet magnifier that is greater than 3.0I would like to use a magnifier on the outside of my helmet so that lens fogging associated with me breathing is reduced.I do not know what level of magnifier I need to see clearly but I know that it is much greater than 3.00.I have three questions.(1) Does anyone know a source for helmet magnifiers that are greater than 3.00?(2) Would it be best if I get a pair of safety glasses with a full lens for close up vision only?(3) What approaches might I take to reduce lens fogging of my glasses?
Reply:At 58 years old, I have the no line type of multifocals with transition shading. I use a 2.0 magnifier in a traditional small  lens hood. I used it for GTAW, GMAW/FCAW and SMAW. If I am observing some one else, I use a tradional hood with the large lens and no magnifer.
Reply:Hi, I have the Miller Digital Elite helmet and the cheater magnifying lenses cover about 2/3 of the screen, so I can see over the top of the magnified area if I need to.  I also wear my bi focals while welding under my hood, so between my glasses and the cheater lens I can see good enough,  wearing my glasses under the hood increases the mag level of the cheater lens. Bear in mind that for me the higher the mag I go, the closer to the work my head has to be to stay in the focal range. At least this is workable for me.Last edited by Ed.; 09-22-2010 at 09:06 PM.Miller Auto Invision 456 + S-62 wire feederC6240B1 Gap bed lathe16 ft3 air compressor16 speed pedestal drillHafco BS-912 Bandsaw
Reply:Can someone please tell me where you get the magnifying lenses for helmets?  I have the continuous tri-focal type lenses and sometimes struggle like heck to see the rod and seam.
Reply:I wear 3 way lenses and they SUCK!!For doing overhead I will actually turn my glasses upside down..Best thing is to have them against your face as close as you can get and focus from there..I don't use magnifiers but I really do feel your pain..THIS SUCKS!!You guys with good eyes...Keep them that away.....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:One source is "Airgas.com"    A sample part number is HUT3000675.  Also do a search for "welding lens" to get a more complete listing of offerings.  Look at welding lens - passive.  There are corrective lenses offered in polycarbonate and glass.  The dimensions of the lens is 2 inches by 4.5 inches.Lauran
Reply:i wear the variable focus lenses but they suck for reading. i got a pair of glasses made with a reading-only lens with a focus  length of 10", which is what i measured typical puddle-to-eye distance.. i weld in those and  see much better than with my regular glasses.. lift the hood and fall on my ahssss..
Reply:Originally Posted by Ray CCan someone please tell me where you get the magnifying lenses for helmets?  I have the continuous tri-focal type lenses and sometimes struggle like heck to see the rod and seam.
Reply:Thanks for the product leads.  I appreciate it.
Reply:Prescription safety glasses are available that can be worn under the welding hood.  Get the prescription in whatever power you need to see at welding distance, not far away for driving.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:I use glasses that has my reading prescription in the top and bottom 1/3 of the lens. Works well for me and makes overhead work much easier.
Reply:Here what  i found -> vision correction
Reply:idid some measuring and found that i ted to weld with my eyes about 9 " from the puddle. so i got some reading glasses made with a 9" focal length. works pretty good..sometimes i weld with no glasses , sometimes read that way too....
Reply:Prescription safety glasses are available that can be worn under the welding hood. Get the prescription in whatever power you need to see at welding distance, not far away for driving.
Reply:I also wear tri-focals.  The lowest part is for close up.  Sometimes I need to see close-up with out tilting my head.  I took an old glasses frame and had a full lens installed the same as the lower reading part of my tri-focals.
Reply:Welding is only part of your work . . . there's also setup, grinding, etc.  I wear a pair of single-focus safety glasses focused at about 24 inches.  That's the distance for general bench work.  I then have a 1.5 cheater in the helmet that changes my focal length to about 12 inches for welding.  I also keep a headset magnifier handy for close-up bench work.YMMV,Dynasty 300DXSmith He/Ar gas mixerMM350PHobart Handler 120Smith LW7, MW5, AW1A
Reply:Being new to welding I am having this probleem too. I wear the trifocals. Ive noticed that its hard at times to see the work, espicaly if your head isnt in, just the right area. I waer my glasses under my hood and the fab guy at work told me I may need to get a cheeter lense in my hood. Than you for posting this question, and all the great ideas. Welding is just a hobby for me but this will make it better for me.
Reply:These might do the trick:    http://www.superfocus.com/
Reply:I have a headband magnifier I use for fine electronic assembly work.  It is basically has a x2 correction lenses built in, but it also has additional flip down lenses that increase the overall magnification factor to much more than that.Something like this...Never tried it with a welding cheater lens, but it may be possible to fit one cheater behind another cheater to increase the magnification to much more than one lens can provide.Maybe a x2 and a x3 together will give you a similar result to an x6 ???I have no idea if it would work, but worth a try I suppose.Cheers,  Tony._________________________________Transmig 310 + Argoshield LightOxy acetyleneOxy propanePrehistoric stick welder_________________________________