Welding when you’re not 40 anymore…

Spadman said
I have a question for all you experienced welders out there. I’m still a beginner though I started trying 50 years ago. No mon, no fun they say. I started fixing my lawnmowers with a Magic Mart set that used an oxygen candle. It got my little jobs done. Over the years I’ve requested upgrades from Santa/Wife. Got a salvage store chop saw one year. A Lincoln flux core capable 100 amp another. Couple of years later, the gas set to go with it. Always had trouble seeing my puddle. Reading glasses, auto-darkening helmet, still did better outside in sunlight. Now I tried one test pass with the new Mig Max and wow! I could see much better. Here’s the question; should the arc itself be sufficient light or do I really need to add more light?

Arc should be sufficient light.. Something like a #9 or #10 lens in your welding helmet. I have flashed myself a few times with the auto darkening helmets and that's hard on the eyes. Went back to the old school helmets with the standard lenses.

If the weld flash hurts your eyes you need to go to a darker lens.

Edit:
Just went out to the shed to check my simple small rectangle welding lens that I use for the Stick Welding here > Yep it's a #10. The number #10 lens works good with my eyes, outside in a shaded area during the day and not in direct sunlight which is too bright to be able to see while welding.

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