Reply to Thread

Re: Winch mount. Feedback welcomed

If your progressive lens are transitions, they may be auto darkening along with the hood. Never could get progressive lens (or cheaters) to work for me under a hood. I'm extremely near-sighted - so I could weld without my glasses on if I could get within 6 - 8" of the work. I had prescription welding glasses made (not computer or reading glasses). A world of difference.

Re: Winch mount. Feedback welcomed

Originally Posted by Gxjetmech

The thing is I can see the puddle very clearly, but because I can’t lighten the shade of the hood anymore it leaves the surrounding area too dark and I can’t see where I’m going very well at all. So I’m limited to doing multiple short runs. If I didn’t have to keep stopping and starting my welds would be better I think.

Originally Posted by whtbaron

I'd echo all the previous sentiments, add extra light, cheaters, block sunlight from the back of the hood, alignment between your glasses and the work.... plus, how old are the polycarbonate lenses in your helmet? They lose clarity over time aside from the obvious scratches... while you're adding the cheater, change the other lenses. I just changed the ones in my Hobart AD and it made a huge difference.

More ambient light on the weld area will help you a lot given what you said. If you are getting sunlight behind your hood that will hurt your efforts too, so a shroud or something over the top/sides of your hood and head. Stick it on with some velcro but make sure it is denim or something that will stand up to weld spatter. They might sell shrouds like that too, as I know a hood I had that used a PAPR had something like that built into it to contain the filtered air.

Re: Winch mount. Feedback welcomed

I use a cheater lense in my AD hood and torch goggles because I can't look thru the lower portion of the progressives with either of them.

Re: Winch mount. Feedback welcomed

I'd echo all the previous sentiments, add extra light, cheaters, block sunlight from the back of the hood, alignment between your glasses and the work.... plus, how old are the polycarbonate lenses in your helmet? They lose clarity over time aside from the obvious scratches... while you're adding the cheater, change the other lenses. I just changed the ones in my Hobart AD and it made a huge difference.

Re: Winch mount. Feedback welcomed

Originally Posted by tapwelder

Are you looking through your glasses at the correct lens location? Sometimes weld position and sight line do not line up. Especially if your near sight lense is smaller or lower. I remove single vision glasses to weld. Even with bifocals it requires awkward head positions to position my eyes in correct location. I use a small weld lens, so i do not have much view adjustment inside my helmet.

The thing is I can see the puddle very clearly, but because I can’t lighten the shade of the hood anymore it leaves the surrounding area too dark and I can’t see where I’m going very well at all. So I’m limited to doing multiple short runs. If I didn’t have to keep stopping and starting my welds would be better I think.

Re: Winch mount. Feedback welcomed

Originally Posted by BD1

Are yours the line bifocals ?? You may find the progressive will give a crisper view when you get accustomed to positioning your head.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I do have progressives.

Re: Winch mount. Feedback welcomed

Are you looking through your glasses at the correct lens location? Sometimes weld position and sight line do not line up. Especially if your near sight lense is smaller or lower. I remove single vision glasses to weld. Even with bifocals it requires awkward head positions to position my eyes in correct location. I use a small weld lens, so i do not have much view adjustment inside my helmet.

Re: Winch mount. Feedback welcomed

Originally Posted by Gxjetmech

Ya I’m 54 and have bi focals. Ill try a set of cheaters, it’s worth a shot.

Are yours the line bifocals ?? You may find the progressive will give a crisper view when you get accustomed to positioning your head.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Re: Winch mount. Feedback welcomed

Originally Posted by SweetMK

Are you over 40 years old? you may need a "cheater lens" inside your helmet.
Go to a local pharmacy, and try the various power reading glasses, at the distance that you normally weld.

Look at the glasses, it will have a magnification power listed (like 1.50,,, or 2.00 etc)
You need to then acquire a cheater lens that is the same "power" as the reading glasses that you liked.

It will be the best $5 to $10 you ever spent on welding equipment,,

https://www.amazon.com/Cheater-Lens-...843577&sr=8-32

Ya I’m 54 and have bi focals. Ill try a set of cheaters, it’s worth a shot.

Re: Winch mount. Feedback welcomed

Are you over 40 years old? you may need a "cheater lens" inside your helmet.
Go to a local pharmacy, and try the various power reading glasses, at the distance that you normally weld.

Look at the glasses, it will have a magnification power listed (like 1.50,,, or 2.00 etc)
You need to then acquire a cheater lens that is the same "power" as the reading glasses that you liked.

It will be the best $5 to $10 you ever spent on welding equipment,,

https://www.amazon.com/Cheater-Lens-...843577&sr=8-32

Re: Winch mount. Feedback welcomed

Looks like job.
Basically the more you weld and fab the better you become.

Dave

Originally Posted by Gxjetmech

Hi all, I’m just a newbie welder and have mostly been playing around with sheet metal repair in cars. But I’ve been attempting to tackle larger projects and would appreciate some feedback as I’d like to improve. I have a Hobart 210mvp and with this project I used .030 wire and always use C25 gas. My biggest problem is seeing beyond the puddle. I have a Miller auto darkening helmet but I just can’t seem to ever get it set right. It makes it hard to do a long continuous Straight bead when your basically blind. Anyways, I think some of these welds came out good but I struggled on the corners. Any tips you guys could give me based on these pics? Any feedback would be appreciated. Great site btw.

Attachment 1729574Attachment 1729575Attachment 1729576Attachment 1729577Attachment 1729578

Re: Winch mount. Feedback welcomed

Originally Posted by mla2ofus

OK, it's happened to some others.

The Miller lenses have a Blue pattern on the clear plastic. It has been done before.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Re: Winch mount. Feedback welcomed

OK, it's happened to some others.

Re: Winch mount. Feedback welcomed

Originally Posted by mla2ofus

OK, I have to ask if you removed the plastic coating on the inside or outside of the lens.

Lol, I did. I just pulled it all apart to make sure I didn’t do something like that.

Re: Winch mount. Feedback welcomed

OK, I have to ask if you removed the plastic coating on the inside or outside of the lens.

Re: Winch mount. Feedback welcomed

Originally Posted by BD1

Check out video's on Welding hoods filmed through the hood. The shade tint, viewing area, all affect how well you see.
Setup a halogen light or better yet, a photography light is great.
Try to position the light for best viewing. That can be tough to do.
Depending on your hood, lights are available to attach to them.

https://www.millerwelds.com/products/helmetlighting

Making a line with soapstone or white pipe marker will help as a guide. There are a variety of markers available.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have tried using some additional light on the joint which definitely helped. I just went out and looked at my helmet, it’s a Miller Digital Elite. The problem I have is that on the lightest setting (8) It’s still to dark. Maybe I should try a different mode? Thanks for those tips tho. I’ll try those as well.

Re: Winch mount. Feedback welcomed

Originally Posted by Gxjetmech

I just can’t see much beyond the puddle and before I know it I’m welding off the joint sometimes. Maybe I just need to play with the shade settings some more. Lighten it up some. I’m going to give it a try tomorrow and see if I can’t get this corrected. Because it definitely effects the way I weld and not in a good way.

Check out video's on Welding hoods filmed through the hood. The shade tint, viewing area, all affect how well you see.
Setup a halogen light or better yet, a photography light is great.
Try to position the light for best viewing. That can be tough to do.
Depending on your hood, lights are available to attach to them.

https://www.millerwelds.com/products/helmetlighting

Making a line with soapstone or white pipe marker will help as a guide. There are a variety of markers available.

Here's a Miller one




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Re: Winch mount. Feedback welcomed

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I’m glad to hear the welds look ok. I’d hate to use the winch and have a weld fail in the middle of the pull. I’ve just read up on welding a little and just kind of wung it. So its good to get some critiques, good or bad.

Re: Winch mount. Feedback welcomed

Originally Posted by tapwelder

Your welds look good.

When you say"basically blind" what ya mean? Is it an physical ailment or shade too light or too dark?. Or are you in the way?

I just can’t see much beyond the puddle and before I know it I’m welding off the joint sometimes. Maybe I just need to play with the shade settings some more. Lighten it up some. I’m going to give it a try tomorrow and see if I can’t get this corrected. Because it definitely effects the way I weld and not in a good way.

Re: Winch mount. Feedback welcomed

theres a lil room for improvement/placement of the craters, but i like it, cuz u didnt overweld it. sometimes new guys, put too much weld on things

Re: Winch mount. Feedback welcomed

Your welds look good.

When you say"basically blind" what ya mean? Is it an physical ailment or shade too light or too dark?. Or are you in the way?

Re: Winch mount. Feedback welcomed

Nice build!! When you make your first hard pull hold a square against the front channel you added to see if it flexes any. If so maybe add some gussets to each side of it.

Re: Winch mount. Feedback welcomed

Originally Posted by Gxjetmech

Yes it does darken. I’ve tried different settings but just can’t seem to get it just right. Like I said I’m going to try a different one and see how that works.

Go to local welding supplier and see if they have helmets you can test. The headgear can make a difference on fit and adjustments available.
The better quality helmets are expensive. I feel they are worth the money. I'm still using my Miller Elite that's at least 10 years old.
I'm considering the Miller ClearLight or Lincoln Viking. I never did considered a cheap auto darking. $300 isn't bad when you get 10 years out of one.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Re: Winch mount. Feedback welcomed

Originally Posted by albrightree

Good prep job, mig welds don't always punch through mill scale well. Welds should be sufficient. Why not diamond plate ? Everything else seems to be. Just kidding, looks great. Really looks like a heavy duty winch.

As to not seeing where you are going, are you pushing, or pulling the weld. When pushing the weld its usually easier to see the puddle and joint/seam.

good luck

Thanks. Glad to hear the welds are decent. Generally I like to pull the puddle if I can. I’ll try pushing it and see if that helps.

Re: Winch mount. Feedback welcomed

Originally Posted by tapwelder

Are sure you helmet is darkening?

Yes it does darken. I’ve tried different settings but just can’t seem to get it just right. Like I said I’m going to try a different one and see how that works.