Cant see what I am doing

[norvegicusbass]

I went on a course to do MiG welding but found it very difficult to even weld a straight line. I started OK and then sort of lost sight of the weld path. There was some chalk that I used which seemed to help but even that was very hard to see. The tutor told me that the screen was the lightest so that isn't the issue. Is there any tips for making the weld path more visible? Is there maybe a pen with special ink that is easier to see once the weld is in motion? There were nine of us on the course all had no experience and each and everyone of us quoted this as our number one concern.

 

[backpurge]

You need to sort out where you are standing,make sure you are slightly in front of the torch with you head fairly low so you can look down the seam and weld towards yourself

 

[Iain Westland]

light, light n more light.

also you need to get your eyes IN FRONT of the weld, takes a bit of getting used to but you get there.

 

[norvegicusbass]

Thanks for your replies I will try that out tomorrow.

 

[Welderpaul]

Make sure the outer lens in your welding screen is reasonable clean. Spatter bouncing off the outer screen marks it, making viewing more and more unclear.
You only really notice how bad it has got when you change it for a new lens.

 

[Iain Westland]

+1 on that!!!

 

[jarv]

I had a similar problem and found that it was cured by using a magnifying lens that fits on the inside of the mask.
I could start ok... for about 20 seconds - then found myself sort of "guessing" where I was going.
The lens fixed it instantly. Didn't think my eyes were bad, but it worked.
There are various "strengths" available. I use 1.5 magnification.

 

[Furry Freak]

+2. Been there. Several T shirts! Outer lens was my solution. Even minor spatter reduced the visibility. Thought I was going nuts. Tried extra light, head position everything. Still couldn't see detail. new outer lens and 'blimey' all was clear again. I bought a bulk lot. Something daft like 50p each. That and probably buying a new helmet with better optical characteristics are my top two tips.

FF

 

[Marty2005]

I could've posted that message myself eighteen months ago. As others have said, a cheater lens as they are commonly referred to, helped and getting in the right position. Also I found moving back a bit helped. As I was having difficulty seeing I tried to get closer to the weld path. however, if you move back a bit your angle of view is increased and so, from the light of the arc you can pick up other reference points if you see what I mean.

 

[zzr1200]

The tutor said its the lightest one.......do you know the lens shade number.....

Is that the lightest one they have in stock/use or the lightest one that can be purchased, unless you are using a variable auto mask???


When I done my welding course the lowest shade in supplied helmets was 11 although the tutor used a 9, all to do with H&S and college rules.......

 

[fluxcored]

light, light n more light.

also you need to get your eyes IN FRONT of the weld, takes a bit of getting used to but you get there.

I'm struggling with the same issue. I discovered that I see the weld much better with my old non-auto darkening helmet. So I figure it's a case of too much light??

FF, what's an outer lens? Oh, I use old CD covers as a cheap source of outer lenses.

Let us know how you're doing. It'll be of help to me.

Cheers.

 

[Chris Stevens]

I went on a course to do MiG welding but found it very difficult to even weld a straight line. I started OK and then sort of lost sight of the weld path. There was some chalk that I used which seemed to help but even that was very hard to see. The tutor told me that the screen was the lightest so that isn't the issue. Is there any tips for making the weld path more visible? Is there maybe a pen with special ink that is easier to see once the weld is in motion? There were nine of us on the course all had no experience and each and everyone of us quoted this as our number one concern.

It might be a little obvious, but I wonder if you wear glasses? If so are you comfortable with reading very small print wearing them? If not then thats going to be the main problem here.

 

[Sparkey]

I'm struggling with the same issue. I discovered that I see the weld much better with my old non-auto darkening helmet. So I figure it's a case of too much light??

FF, what's an outer lens? Oh, I use old CD covers as a cheap source of outer lenses.

Let us know how you're doing. It'll be of help to me.

Cheers.

And you ask us why you are struggling.............
Dunno how your old cd covers look but mine are heavily scratched....

Like Paul says: you never know how bad the lens is untill you put in a new one! It is really a "i can see the light" moment!

 

[fluxcored]

Oh no, Sparkey - I believe my auto helmet does not function properly and let through too much light.

It's all good with the old fixed helmet.

Oh and the CD covers I use are all in pristine condition - I have got access to gazillions of brand new covers.

 

[norvegicusbass]

I could've posted that message myself eighteen months ago. As others have said, a cheater lens as they are commonly referred to, helped and getting in the right position. Also I found moving back a bit helped. As I was having difficulty seeing I tried to get closer to the weld path. however, if you move back a bit your angle of view is increased and so, from the light of the arc you can pick up other reference points if you see what I mean.

Yeah funnily enough I found myself moving back and it did slightly make my view better ( even if it is counter intuitive ) I also looked ahead of the arc to reference points an inch or so away on the weld path and found I could just bring the weld toward the point. I was better today but I still hate the feeling when I lose sight of where the weld is going

 

[norvegicusbass]

It might be a little obvious, but I wonder if you wear glasses? If so are you comfortable with reading very small print wearing them? If not then thats going to be the main problem here.

Yeah unfortunately I do wear glasses I know its obvious but surely all the welders out there cant have perfect vision

 

[Sparkey]

Oh no, Sparkey - I believe my auto helmet does not function properly and let through too much light.

It's all good with the old fixed helmet.

Oh and the CD covers I use are all in pristine condition - I have got access to gazillions of brand new covers.

Ok sorry!

What do you mean let through too much light? even if you put it on the darkest shade? (mine goes from 9 to 13) if i put it on 13 i can't see anything anymore...

Did you check the battery of your helmet?

 

[fluxcored]

No sweat.

Cleaned all the lenses and inserted brand new batteries. Mine's range is also 9-13.

At 13 it's still too bright. Only detail I can make out is the argoshield ..."plume"... which is kind of whiteish blue and it's impossible to spot the weld below.

Thought it could be sunlight reflecting inside my helmet so I tried indoors - same thing.

I was worried that it's my eyesight. Great was my relief when I tried the other helmet.

 

[scotclayshooter]

Ok sorry!

What do you mean let through too much light? even if you put it on the darkest shade? (mine goes from 9 to 13) if i put it on 13 i can't see anything anymore...

Did you check the battery of your helmet?

LOL yep on 13 i would be welding by feel only.

 

[Iain Westland]

At 13 it's still too bright. Only detail I can make out is the argoshield ..."plume"... which is kind of whiteish blue and it's impossible to spot the weld below.

Sounds like its not switching properly, mines a 9-10 and its fine as i only work upto about 100A mostly. Bit worried about what its doing..

But you do need plenty of light on the weld area, if your on thin stuff you should still be able to make the metal out on 9 at least.