I'm starting to have this problem also. I am using the same auto helmet I have used for years now without problem. I find I have to now take all my work out into the direct sunlight to see what's happening.


I know for sure what's wrong with my helmet...It is me...My eyes are not getting any younger and I have abused them pretty well over the years.

 

I tried a magnifier on the inside but that didn't do much good. Might help you?

 

I haven't tried that yet. For focus I now have to make sure I have my "close up" reading glasses on. I am afraid that the years of welding has begun to take it's toll on my eyes. My eyes are just over compensating when adjusting to the level of light coming in. It doesn't seem to matter how I set my helmet I am having this problem. It's me...It has slowly gotten worse over the last couple years


Welding is just very hard on the eyes and this is something to take into account for those that weld.

 

Also remember that these auto darkening hoods can and do go south, like any electronic device... you can improve things by replacing the glass, but you can also try a different hood and see if that makes a difference.

 

Any advice on how to tack a nut onto a bolt that's completely rounded off (nothing else will grab it)? Picked up a cheapo mig from harbor freight basically just for this. I don't trust auto darkening hoods anymore so I need to find some way to hold the nut on there while I tack it other than my fingers.

 

This. The hood I use at work is a 3M Speedglass and even though it's a top of the line hood, it's starting to fail. I've been using it almost every day for 6 years so, it's about time for a new one anyway. If you want a hood that will last you a lifetime, get a fixed shade pancake hood. Those things a damn near bullet proof.

 

Pliers, channel locks, or vice grips. Weld the inside of the nut, not the outside.

 

Thank you. Didn't plan on welding outside of it. Guess I'll just have to find a nut around the same size as the bolt.

 

[QUOTE=Velcro;3164407]Thank you. Didn't plan on welding outside of it. Guess I'll just have to find a nut around the same size as the bolt.[/QUOTE

If you have room, use a very large nut that fits all the way over the rounded nut. it will be a lot easier to get the puddle to melt the original bolt head.

 

The other upside to a manual hood is your eyes won't ever get the narrow moment of bright light during arc start that you get with auto hoods.

 

If it is into iron you can use a magnet to hold it in place. I keep a few around just for cases like this. Try not to get the magnet too hot though...tack it and get it off there...they tend to explode if they get too hot

 

This...For those that do this for a living, It really does take it's toll after years of welding using an auto hood.

 

http://www.harborfreight.com/welding...ign-61612.html

Cheapo hood I'm using. I have nothing to compare it to, but it darkens up without delay and is dark enough to keep me from hurting my eyes. Not so dark as to keep me from seeing the arc. Took me a while to get used to looking at the surface I was working with though. The only complaint I have is that sometimes the sun will trip the sensor, so if you're looking in an upward direction whether directly at the sun or not, it will sometimes darken. Other than that, it has worked fine.

Just in case anyone was wondering.

 

Mine has all the same properties except I can't see what I'm welding once the arc strikes.

 

ever tried to clean the lens? Smoke from the arc like to dirty up the lens