[Bbqguy]

I am new to the forum and TIG welding.
Th problem I am facing is for what ever the reason is, I can not see the puddle with TIG. I am able to MIG, STICK and gas weld for the most part with good success. I have tried several helmets along with different setting on the helmet as well as the machines. I have tried with prescription glasses and without. I have tried a cheater lens of up to 2.25, but am unable to see the start or continued puddle to manage. It would be wonderful if I could see what is shown on the videos on this site, but I know I am dreaming,
Signed frustrated beyond belief.

[bruce991]

Auto darkening hood? Reduce filter affect maybe. I use a 2.25 in a Miller auto hood and my bifocals and can see every detail of the puddle. Guess keep experimenting. BTW I use the Miller digital elite and love it

[AndersK]

Used to have the same problem, changing to a 400$ helmet was a big help.

Tested a lot of different helmets, even some more expensive, until I found the one that fit my vision best.

Using Esab Aristotech HD now

[motox]

anders
what lid did you end up buying then?
craig

[AndersK]

Last line Craig, just added one word...

[cj737]

You don't specifically indicate "why" you can't see the puddle with TIG. Is it not in focus? Having tried different hoods, have you tried different "positions" for your head/eyeline? Have you tried different "distances" for your head to the puddle?

If you need reading glasses, then welding is a challenge due to the angle our eyes look thru the helmet, and often the distance to the puddle is in that "No Man's Land" of focal clarity.

I use a 2.50 cheater and wear progressive lenses. But, I look through my "distance" prescription when welding (makes me tuck my chin more than usual) so the cheater becomes my viewing plane. Then I adjust my distance to the weld to get real clarity. This took a while to figure out for me.

I personally believe changing my helmet recently helped immensely with peripheral view and ambient light to show me where I was heading. I was struggling with too narrow a focal view, and no ability see forward or behind. Adding some extra work light in the area is also a good thing as long as the light source is not form behind you, but in front of the helmet.

[motox]

sorry Anders, senior moment...
craig
how long have you had the helmet?
any issues ?

[AndersK]

...Or me being unclear Craig

Getting close to a year now.
Only issue is the cheater lens needing tape to stay in place, even if it is an expensive original Esab cheater . Other from that it's great.

[Bbqguy]

Thank you so much for the response. Give me some things to tweak. I just switched to a Viking 3350 series helmet and it has a larger viewing area than the ones I used before.
I am using a 2.25 cheater lens, but have not tried using the bifocal glasses I have as an addition. The trouble is visualizing and seeing the puddle when it forms in order to then manage it. I have tried every angle with my head to almost laying it on the table.
I will be darned if I let this get the better of me.

Thank you again and I look for any and all insight that is given.

[dmcnally]

This is a longshot. When I welded left handed (weak side) I could see a butt joint and puddle great. When I welded right handed (strong side) I couldn't see the butt joint and I could barely see the puddle. It didn't make any sense to me.

I weld in my garage and it's a pretty cramped setup. I did find a soltion to the problem and it surprised me. I have an incandescent light on the cieling over a work bench. When I welded right handed the back of my helmet pointed directly at the light. I didn't realize it, but I was getting reflections of the bulb off the inside on the helmet's viewport. I took the light bulb out of the socket and that solved my problem.

Good luck,
Dave

[FoxZulu]

I used to have this problem until I realised it was the fluorescent lighting above and behind me. Switched the lights off and it was night and day different! As it is a pita to keep switching the lights on and off I cut a section of denim out of a knackered pair of Levi's and taped it to the top of my mask so that it hangs down over my shoulders like long hair would. Works a treat

[Bbqguy]

I will check that out for sure. I had not given that a thought.

Thank You!

[mpete53]

try adding filler slightly from the far side of the weld. I find if I add the rod directly in line some times it blocks my view of the puddle and the joint. Especial if I am working on thin stock where the puddle is very small

Mark