I need more vision...

[GrantH]

I bought a speedglas utility helmet with a i believe shade 10 lens. I can't see what im doing half the time unless my face is right on the weld. I can't get too close welding on vehicles, just because the space is limited. Can you replace these lens' with different ones or am I up for buying another helmet....

If I don't have a light shining on the work, I really can't see much and I am 100% positive my welds are suffering because of this, you kinda have to see what your doing!

Any help is appreciated.


btw:i know it's not going to be crystal clear vision, but this is too dark for me.

[tanglediver]

I bought a speedglas utility helmet with a i believe shade 10 lens. I can't see what im doing half the time unless my face is right on the weld. I can't get too close welding on vehicles, just because the space is limited. Can you replace these lens' with different ones or am I up for buying another helmet....

If I don't have a light shining on the work, I really can't see much and I am 100% positive my welds are suffering because of this, you kinda have to see what your doing!

Any help is appreciated.


btw:i know it's not going to be crystal clear vision, but this is too dark for me.

I am not familiar with the exact Speedglass hood that you have, someone will be though. Is that an auto-darkening lense? If not, for any standard hood, just get a shade 9 lense and see how that works. One thing about lenses, put fresh, clear, protective lenses on both sides of your dark lense to protect it from sparks and scratches. If any of your lenses get scratched badly, you will not be seeing very clearly! As you know, welding by faith is very difficult.

[weldbead]

i wear glasses that are always slipped down on the end of m y nose. i found my hunstman difficult to look through and see the weld. replaced all the clears, got a gold #9, and discovered that the liner had a 3notch device that controlled the angle of the hood. i fiddle with that and all of a sudden the lens was in ,line with my glass.es..and i could see better..

[6010]

Are you welding outside ? I had the same problem welding outside and bought a pancake by Wendy. I put a gold # 10 in it and now when I am welding outside it is like wearing sunglasses. I use it almost all the time now. Not as bulky as a regular helmet and lighter too.

[BNF]

I've not used very many auto hoods in my short time, so take this for what it's worth, I can't imagine welding again without a Gold lens. It's been that big of a difference. The clarity and clearness has swayed me to hange over.
I own a handed down speedglass, the model I'm unsure of. My father recieved it at work years ago. It hangs on the wall collecting dust, unless someone else grabs it to help out in the shop. I've sinced switched all my helmets over to gold lens. jobsites I work on provide standard lens, but I provide my own gold. Just can't bring myself to go back.

[GrantH]

im in the garage, tucked up by my transmission with an over head 8x24 or so garage light. where can i find a "gold lens" and are they auto lenses? if not, are the visible through without the arc going? As I stated in an earlier thread, I have just about the most unsteady hands someone could possibly have. Setting up, and flipping my hood down would throw me atleast 2 inches off where I should be LOL

Who makes the gold lens, and what do they run?

[GrantH]

oh and my helmet does have scratches, it has been dropped a couple times so i very well could just need a new lens and protectors. maybe ill switch over to a basic non auto helmet and see if I can't adjust to that since I can't see anyways.

[Black Wolf]

Sounds like the Shade 10 is too dark for you.

That is the problem with the Utility series of helmets - they have a fixed shade.

I have two Speedglas helmets: A 9000X and a 9002X both of which are the top line helmets. Both have the enlarged viewing area, both have multiple shade levels 9-13, both have sensitivity settings for low amp GTAW etc. But this does not help you.

As a suggestion, try introducing an external light source (trouble light or 150W Halogen light) into the work area, it MAY help you see what you are doing without investing in another helmet.

The Gold Lenses are non electric and a fixed shade as well, so to use them you will have to do the head bob that you described earlier as not wanting to do.

Hope that helped.

[GrantH]

thanks for the info. i will try the trouble light.

[olddad]

Can't help but think you're just using too dark of a lense. As long as I can set-up my start I have no trouble welding in the dark...the arc shows you where you are and should be the only light you need once the weld is struck. If focusing is a problem do to out of position welding and/or bad eyes...look into cheater lenses. I have 4 that I use for different stuff, they're just a simple magnifyer is all.

[Black Wolf]

I agree that his lens is too dark. I suggested the aux light source to kind of duplicate welding outside on a bright sunny day.....

My fixed shade 10 on my non electric helmets "look" like dark sunglasses to me - I can "see" through them fine without flipping them up. Also, there is no change in vision when I start the arc because everything is so "bright"anyways.

Sorry for any confusion. Guys that have welded outside on sunny days with non electric lenses know what I am talking about.

Just trying to save the OP a few dollars.

[tresi]

Are you welding outside ? I had the same problem welding outside and bought a pancake by Wendy. I put a gold # 10 in it and now when I am welding outside it is like wearing sunglasses. I use it almost all the time now. Not as bulky as a regular helmet and lighter too.

what he said X2.if the sun or shop lights is behind you and you're looking toward a dimly lit area you got to block that light or any lens will appear to dark.

[Burnit]

im in the garage, tucked up by my transmission with an over head 8x24 or so garage light.

Is the light directly behind you? The glare off the inside of your helmet may be part of the problem.

edit:Ok Im too slow :)

[olddad]

what he said X2.if the sun or shop lights is behind you and you're looking toward a dimly lit area you got to block that light or any lens will appear to dark.
Very true !! But in the OP's case he's welding under the car so backlight shouldn't be his problem.

[GrantH]

oops, i wasnt clear on where i am. im sitting IN the engine bay. I raise my frame an inch and am welding it all back together. so the shop light IS in fact straight above me. it very well could be the glare, and I will look into that. where can I buy a cheater lens for my speedglass as I don't see how that couldn't help!

[olddad]

oops, i wasnt clear on where i am. im sitting IN the engine bay. I raise my frame an inch and am welding it all back together. so the shop light IS in fact straight above me. it very well could be the glare, and I will look into that. where can I buy a cheater lens for my speedglass as I don't see how that couldn't help!
If you're in the engine compartment with an 8x24 light right behind you then they are correct...it's the backlight. I'm curious now though about the vehicle...why is space limited, what are you working on ? As for the cheater lense you can get them at any weld supply, they are generally focused for about 18 inch distance and don't work very well inside or outside that range.

[GrantH]

its a 1985 toyota truck, sheetmetal still on, and im not the smallest person haha. not to mention I am in a 14x25 single car garage with 2x6 or 8 shelves on either side! i can barely get around the truck. doing what i can to build the truck I have always wanted.

[Donald Branscom]

Choosing the lenses...

The type of welding process is important when choosing welding lenses.
For fixed lenses(non automatic) For SMAW or GMAW/FCAW you will need a lens that is darker like 12 - 14.

If you are TIG welding then a #11 would be what you want if you are welding all day.
A number 10 if only welding occasionally during the day.

Also for automatic welding helmets you have to go by the manufacturer and the adjustments they give you to work with.

Everyone is different and the manufacturers are different and the length of time spent welding during the day.
A magnifier is VERY helpful to anyone, as it enlarges the whole scene and all the details.
Do not let ego get in the way of having good welds. It is all about the end product.

[tresi]

for your situation you'regoing to have to take a shop light in the engine bay with you. 1 more thing to drag around.