Cheater lenses

[Steve]

I found that using a cheater lens make me a better welder. Not that my eyesight is going, which it may be, but that I can see the weld puddle much better and that makes for a better weld.

But, the di-polar lenses gave me a headache. They just made me go dizzy. And I wanted something a bit more powerful than what is available. So I tried something else.

I went to the local Office Max and they had a pair of 3X reading glasses so I got a pair. 3X is higher than most clip in cheater lenses. Put them on and man, what a difference. No more headaches and I can really see the puddle now. My tungsten contamination has dropped to nothing as I can now really see how close I am to the puddle.

The only problem with them is that everything out of the focus area (about 6 inches to two feet) is really fuzzy and so looking at anything else is not possible. But for close work like tigging, migging or even gas welding, those glasses are the cats butt!

[geezer]

Ditto, I have a set and they work fine, they are cheap and handy, as well as extra eye protection.Good idea,

[sportbike]

Our shop manager actually uses two different magnification lenses, cuts them in half, and puts one for each eye in his helmet.

[zoama]

I'm gonna have to do something soon, my arms are getting too short.

[Steve]

Well, seeing how this is a question area, does anyone know where I can get 5X or 6X reading glasses locally like at a drug store? Seems the drug stores only have up to 3X but maybe there is a chain that I have not been in yet.

If 3X is good, 5X or 6X must be better. I've discovered that seeing what the heck you are doing is the key to getting a good weld. As I've gotten older, my eyesight has changed a bit. Before I could see everything really well. Then in my 30's and 40's everything far away was just a little blurry.

Now that I'm over 50, things close are a little fuzzy but I can see far away really well. Like crazy good.

Those 3X glasses are great but I'm looking to get just a bit more, or at least try it to see if it helps.

[zoama]

Well, seeing how this is a question area, does anyone know where I can get 5X or 6X reading glasses locally like at a drug store? Seems the drug stores only have up to 3X but maybe there is a chain that I have not been in yet.

I don't know about locally, but you can order them up to 6x... http://www.speert.com/reading-glasse...dingpower=5.00

[thinman100]

They do help and I'm pushing 60 so seeing is and issue. I took a TIG class and the instructor told me the same. Another student let me use his helment with a 2X lense and man what a difference it made. I got a large lense at northern tool and put it in my helment. Really a plus for me.

[DaveO]

Went to closing on a house recently: the title agency has a big conference table to conduct closings, and on the table there was a coffee mug full of loaner pens and a coffee mug full of loaner reading glasses.

I've been trying to figure a way to get readers under oxy-fuel goggles- thanks for the tip about the 2x4 mag lenses.

[AussieChris]

I also tried cheater lenses in my welding helmet and they worked good. Problem was when I flipped up the helmet. I still needed to reach for my reading glasses to inspect the work. So I eventually gave up and just wear the glasses under the helmet.

Chris
Brisbane Australia

[everlastsupport]

I also tried cheater lenses in my welding helmet and they worked good. Problem was when I flipped up the helmet. I still needed to reach for my reading glasses to inspect the work. So I eventually gave up and just wear the glasses under the helmet.

Chris
Brisbane Australia

Same here. And lots of room in the helmet. Problem with me, sweat and they want to slide down. Now funny is my glasses with the plasma shades over them. They are about the same size and do not overlap well. Sometime I have to use some weird head angles to see.

[bigjoeinkg]

Mike,
That is why I went with a pair of reading glasses. Neck was starting to ache from tilting my head back. Now all I need is a little fan to blow cool air under my helmet and I will be set.

[undercut]

I found that using a cheater lens make me a better welder. Not that my eyesight is going, which it may be, but that I can see the weld puddle much better and that makes for a better weld.

But, the di-polar lenses gave me a headache. They just made me go dizzy. And I wanted something a bit more powerful than what is available. So I tried something else.

I went to the local Office Max and they had a pair of 3X reading glasses so I got a pair. 3X is higher than most clip in cheater lenses. Put them on and man, what a difference. No more headaches and I can really see the puddle now. My tungsten contamination has dropped to nothing as I can now really see how close I am to the puddle.

The only problem with them is that everything out of the focus area (about 6 inches to two feet) is really fuzzy and so looking at anything else is not possible. But for close work like tigging, migging or even gas welding, those glasses are the cats butt!

Unfortunately, I already wear glasses (no contacts) so putting a set of reading glasses over those would be problematic! http://www.everlastgenerators.com/fo...ilies/wink.gif

Anyone know of any generic cheater lenses I can glue or tape to the inside of my HF helmet (all I can afford at the moment).

[Rodsmachineshop]

was thinking i uses these in my old diving mask http://www.joediveramerica.com/page/JDA/PROD/FM99 or http://www.k2scuba.com/product_descr...7&product=1374

[everlastsupport]

Unfortunately, I already wear glasses (no contacts) so putting a set of reading glasses over those would be problematic! http://www.everlastgenerators.com/fo...ilies/wink.gif

Anyone know of any generic cheater lenses I can glue or tape to the inside of my HF helmet (all I can afford at the moment).

HF has a nice set for $9.95 . Do not see it on the website, but they are in my store and it has many magnifications inside. I almost bit a couple times.

I just finished cutting some 4 1/2" tube with a plasma cutter for a guys project, I put on the reading glass, then shades and pray they stay on, so I can relate to how you feel. I use reading glasses under the helmet.

[Rodsmachineshop]

glass's suck when i am welding i hate it in the summer when you sweat lol also sucks when you get old like me and the eye sight is not that great any more

[undercut]

was thinking i uses these in my old diving mask http://www.joediveramerica.com/page/JDA/PROD/FM99 or http://www.k2scuba.com/product_descr...7&product=1374

The stick on ones looked pretty cool. I don't scuba so I don't think I would have ever seen those. I'll need to check out HF as Mike R. suggested. I took a gander at the website before I posted and didn't see any so I'm glad he chimed in ....

[KSmith]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI...E:L:OC:US:1123 I got a cheater lens from this place. I wear my reading glasses under the hood also, so with the cheater lens, I can get in closer to the weld puddle, and see it sharp.

ken

[everlastsupport]

The stick on ones looked pretty cool. I don't scuba so I don't think I would have ever seen those. I'll need to check out HF as Mike R. suggested. I took a gander at the website before I posted and didn't see any so I'm glad he chimed in ....

Next time I am there I will snap a pictures. Google'd and did not find them. Looked for magnifier multiple lens, I found an older model. This one I mentioned has a 2x4 type lens too.

[undercut]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI...E:L:OC:US:1123 I got a cheater lens from this place. I wear my reading glasses under the hood also, so with the cheater lens, I can get in closer to the weld puddle, and see it sharp.

ken

Well now. Looks like I've got a lot of research to do. Unfortunately, no welder yet so I'm just going to have to imagine what I'm going to need ...

Thanks a bunch everyone and thanks, Mike, for offering to take a picture if you see them again. Much appreciated.

[everlastsupport]

Well now. Looks like I've got a lot of research to do. Unfortunately, no welder yet so I'm just going to have to imagine what I'm going to need ...

Thanks a bunch everyone and thanks, Mike, for offering to take a picture if you see them again. Much appreciated.

Darn, now I have a reason to go to HF. Always looking for that. Will snap a picture, might just buy a set, I have a few 20 percent off coupons.

The KSmith ones look to be a little larger maybe, but for $10 at HF you get a number of lens mags, but his might be easier to mount with the frame on them.

Will keep you posted. And like Rod said, glasses suck. Sweat, they slide off right in the middle of the cuts and welds. And stacking them like I do cutting, sometimes I have to tilt my head to line up the lenses.