Cheater lenses

[Brian Ski]

I know several have mentioned wearing cheater glasses with welding helmets... I ran across these on ebay. I could not find them on their web site. This is just one power. They also have other magnifications. Not pushing this guy in particular they are a few others on ebay also.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-00-Magnifi...item56458e7bc5

If the auction is down just search for Helmet Cheater Lens.

Another guy has the mounts for the larger 4x4 windows.

[Johnson]

ANy local Welding store should sell them for about $10. The smaller ones still mount in the bigger window. I use the 2x and like it a lot for TIG and cert tests where I REALLY need to see....

[geezer]

Those are good if you have helmet that holds them,,,however I lean towards using the cheap reading glasses at the dollar store,,,they come in any mag you want and they are handy at my age even when I'm not under the hood,,,a little mag is always good for seeing things better..

[MuttonHawg]

ANy local Welding store should sell them for about $10. The smaller ones still mount in the bigger window. I use the 2x and like it a lot for TIG and cert tests where I REALLY need to see....

How do the smaller ones attach to a bigger window? adhesive? Or do these normally snap in place of the normal plastic protective film/lens?

[Rambozo]

How do the smaller ones attach to a bigger window? adhesive? Or do these normally snap in place of the normal plastic protective film/lens?

Helmets that are made for them have some type of clip arrangement on the sides to hold them in place. The downside is that they only give you magnification in a portion of your large viewport, kinda negating that feature.

[Odyknuck]

I recently put a 1.5X in my cheapo HF hood. I used a strip of duct take on each end to hold it in. Works fine.

[zoama]

I gave in and got no line bifocals a few days ago... the 1.5 diopter lets me see the weld clearly.

[Rambozo]

I recently put a 1.5X in my cheapo HF hood. I used a strip of duct take on each end to hold it in. Works fine.

Both my cheapo HF hoods came with clips that hold the cheater lenses. No tape required. The wire clips that hold the autodarkening module are made to hold aux lenses, too.

[Kempy]

Admit it guys we are all getting older and need a little help to see. I have been using as you call cheater lens ever since I started to weld for over 40 years but I do not wear glass my welding teacher in school told us why strain your eyes to see the spot in the dark put glass on and make the spot bigger.

[Martine]

I know several have mentioned wearing cheater glasses with welding helmets... I ran across these on ebay. I could not find them on their web site. This is just one power. They also have other magnifications. Not pushing this guy in particular they are a few others on ebay also.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-00-Magnifi...item56458e7bc5

If the auction is down just search for Helmet Cheater Lens.

Another guy has the mounts for the larger 4x4 windows.

I've tried many "cheaters". I've found Optivisor by far the best quality.

Eg. http://www.loupe-magnifier.com/optiv...ens-plates.htm

They're made to fit the Optivisor headband but I've had no problem fitting them to my helmets. On one it's held in place with hot-melt glue dabs. On another, I cut a rectangular hole in a piece of clear acrylic that slots in place.

You need to take into account how you'll clean both sides. More importantly, they each have a specific focal distance. I use an LP-5 in my TIG helmet because the distance I hold my head away is just right for that lens. On MIG and Stick I use an LP-4 with a slightly longer working distance because for those 2 processes, the distance I hold my head is spot on for the LP-4 to be in focus. You've really got to match the lens to your comfortable working distance otherwise the arc-puddle business end is not in focus. I had to get an LP-3, LP-4, and LP-5 and experiment. I find I have to be aware when welding that I must maintain the correct working distance, or at least to be conscious that if the business end is slightly out of focus, it's because my head's not kept pace with the action.

Martin

[everlastsupport]

I cheap way out is pickup this http://www.harborfreight.com/head-st...ght-95890.html and remove the clip and attach it in your helmet. It comes with a number is lenses also.