Welding trouble

18 years ago

I bought a small wire feed welder and I can't see to use it. I used to do quite a lot of wire feed welding when I was in my 20's but quit that job and went into a different field. OK now over 30 years have passed and I am semi retired. I build a small shop and am in the process of stocking it with some basic stuff. My welder showed up and when I tried to use it I couldn't see my work. I could see the welding ark through the lens but not what I was welding. What's up with that? I tried a different helmet but the same problem. I do have a cataract in my right eye so could this be causing the problem? My left eye is 20-20. Any ideas!?

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Comments (7)

barbedwire
18 years ago
Could very well be the cataract. BTW, cataract removal is done "outpatient" theses days, my dad and two friends of mine recently had them done and the results were like night and day, pun intended. ;)

I`d also check what lens shad you have in your helmets but you shouldn`t go any lighter than a 9 for MIG but I believe a 10 is preferable. I often illuminate what I`m working on with a 500 watt halogen lamp, this helps alot, also keeps me warmer on cold days.
rustyj14
18 years ago
I worked in auto body work most of my working years, and had no trouble with welding any style! Then, my cataracts started forming, and later on, i found i couldn't see to start an arc with a stick welder. It got even worse with mig welding. The first time i tried to use it, the weld was a half an inch off from where it was supposed to be!
After my first cataract removal, i could see ok, but didn't have the depth perception, until i had the other eye fixed, and things got much better!
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vmckague
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks guys for the info. I have been meaning to get the durn thing removed but I always have been a big chicken when it comes to any kind of surgery. I guess I'll bite the bullet and get it done. I know what goes on in some surgeries as I'm a retired paramedic and my wife is a RN and I have seen my share of mistakes. If the normal person knew how many mistakes are made is hospitals they would be afraid to go to them. I watched a show on television just yesterday and they claimed more people die from mistakes in hospitals than are killed on US highways each year!! I guess the biggest thing that gets to me is when a doctor says it is a "routine" surgery. YEA RIGHT! No such animal. Any surgery has it's dangers. OK I'll get off of my soap box now. LOL
bill_kapaun
18 years ago
When you get the eye fixed, you can ask for welding advice! :-)
barbedwire
18 years ago
Just think vmckague, if the cataract surgery doesn`t kill you how much it will improve the quality of your life to be able to see clearly.
vmckague
Original Author
18 years ago
True but maybe I'll be dead anyhow if my wife sees all the neat tools and stuff I have bought in the last year and put in my shed. LOL
baymee
18 years ago
My wife was blind as a bat, couldn't see clearly more than a few feet, but after the cataracts were removed and lenses put in, she has 20/20. Takes about 20 minutes for each eye.