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Hot Rods Arc welding in the bright sun.

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by steel rebel, Oct 30, 2017.

  1. steel rebel
    Joined: Jun 14, 2006
    Posts: 3,604

    steel rebel
    Member Emeritus

    Just welded my porch railing out front. I couldn't get a hood with a dark enough lens to see the puddle until I put on sunglasses under the hood. And I have a few hoods.
    Just wondering if anyone else has this problem. I'm not sure if I have welded much in the bright sunlight.
     
    chryslerfan55 likes this.
  2. steinauge
    Joined: Feb 28, 2014
    Posts: 1,507

    steinauge
    Member
    from 1960

    My problem is always the opposite.I cant get enough light on the workpiece to tell where to put my stick.
     
    Mr48chev, RMONTY, hidez57 and 3 others like this.
  3. kelzweld
    Joined: Jul 25, 2007
    Posts: 295

    kelzweld

    Didn't have the sun light coming in the from the back of your hood? If so that makes it hard to see.
     
    ibcalaveras likes this.
  4. Blue One
    Joined: Feb 6, 2010
    Posts: 11,460

    Blue One
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Alberta

    The bright sunlight will not effect the welding lens required darkness.
    It will help you see your work easier for old eyes :D
    It will seem brighter than usual as you are likely used to welding indoors.
    Your eyes will naturally have a hard time going from bright sun to welding.

    I use a #9 lens setting for pretty much everything and set it to #10 for outside.

    I’m using an auto darkening helmet which has to have the sensitivity dialed down to function outside in the sun.

    You did the right thing by adding a pair of sunglasses, a lot of welders who work outside wear them all the time so that there isn’t such a drastic change from looking around and then transitioning to the welding arc.

    I did so also in my outdoor welding days. :cool:
     
    Jugornot and j-jock like this.

  5. steel rebel
    Joined: Jun 14, 2006
    Posts: 3,604

    steel rebel
    Member Emeritus

    Probably a little of both. The sun was right over me and when I leaned over I'm sure it glared in. Also coming from bright sunlight my eyes didn't have time to adjust. Next time I will find some even darker sunglasses.
     
  6. Welding with the sun behind me has always been a bit of a problem, but it has become more prominent now that I am old and my eyes are slow to focus.
    Even with an auto darkening helmet, I still have to line up my work so that the sun is not at my back, and that the sunlight isn't shining into the helmet. I also have to make certain that I am not blocking the sun shining on my work..
    Getting old sucks.
    Bob
     
  7. 64 DODGE 440
    Joined: Sep 2, 2006
    Posts: 4,421

    64 DODGE 440
    Member
    from so cal

    Getting old may suck, but it sure beats the alternative.
     
    slim38 likes this.
  8. kelzweld
    Joined: Jul 25, 2007
    Posts: 295

    kelzweld

    Welding with the sun coming in the back of your helmet is a problem for everyone I've worked with in the field. As a quick fix throw a rag or towel over your head blocking off the back of helmet. Some hoods, like pancakes, are fitted to your face I believe to eliminate this back light.
     
  9. That's what I do, but I didn't want someone to comment that it improves my looks.
    Bob
     
  10. You need light?

    Ben
     
    ibcalaveras and Crankhole like this.
  11. HEY, that is my line:p. Only 81 so don't know about that "getting old" stuff.

    And I never learned to weld.

    Ben
     
  12. B.A.KING
    Joined: Apr 6, 2005
    Posts: 4,039

    B.A.KING
    Member

    Most prolly know this but for mig welding you can buy a little flashlight deal that goes on the gun. I've only used mine once but seemed to work/help a lot.
     
  13. A few months ago I had cataract surgery on both eyes,heck I can now see to weld again.

    The last time I did some mig welding before surgery I laid a beautiful bead,the only problem as it was 3/8" of a inch away from where it was needed. HRP
     
  14. jackalope
    Joined: Mar 11, 2011
    Posts: 687

    jackalope
    Member

    Didn’t see it but if it was an auto darkening helmet the lens may not have flipped to the darker shade due to malfunction or bad batteries. If it was a regular old hood I can’t help. I know the autodarkening hoods don’t like sunlight at all.


    Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
     
  15. indyjps
    Joined: Feb 21, 2007
    Posts: 5,377

    indyjps
    Member

    I have a hood that atraches to tje back of my helmet thats great for blocking sun. Was intended to keep berries off your neck and hair.
     
  16. Engine man
    Joined: Jan 30, 2011
    Posts: 3,480

    Engine man
    Member
    from Wisconsin

    Getting old sucks but it's not so bad when one considers the alternative.

    I've done a lot of outdoor welding. If I can't put something up to shade me, I tape a piece of leather welding apron to my helmet to keep the sun out.
     
  17. gimpyshotrods
    Joined: May 20, 2009
    Posts: 23,264

    gimpyshotrods
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    This is what I use, when I cannot avoid being backlit:
    [​IMG]
    You can get cheap versions on Amazon, but I'd put a known good glass lens in it. You can get them auto-dark, too.
     
    j-jock likes this.
  18. Deuce Daddy Don
    Joined: Apr 27, 2008
    Posts: 5,544

    Deuce Daddy Don
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Well,----As an old pipefitter welder, here's how we cured that problem. We called it a "Pancake hood". When welding pipe in all positions in the ditch, the sun would sometimes be from the back of your head.
    We would take a light weight piece of fiber or wood material about 10 inches in dia., cut a 2 inch wide slot in center, adapt a solid goggle to it with shade #10 lens, adjust the band to fit your head, & it would keep any rear light completely free, to concentrate on your job.-----Now that was easy---HUH?
     
  19. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 33,861

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Hell I have to take things out in the sunlight to weld them but I don't weld or cut in my tinder dry old wood garage anyhow.
    I have had the same problem with the sun from behind and usuually work under a blue tarp bungied to hooks on my garage and my gantry that I pull engines with.
    They do have capes like this that fasten on with velcro https://www.bobthewelder.com.au/Helmet-Nape-BIG-RED-Leather.html
    A pant leg out of an old pair of jeans cut to fit and tucked in the band would probably work to block the sun from the back though.
     
  20. I try to take my project into the sun. Its easier for me to line it up there. The auto darkening helmet does help a lot though.
     
  21. manyolcars
    Joined: Mar 30, 2001
    Posts: 9,176

    manyolcars

    Which auto dark lenses do you guys like and where do you get them? mine is 2x4
     
  22. SS327
    Joined: Sep 11, 2017
    Posts: 2,469

    SS327

    I try to always weld indoors or early evening, I can't take the sunburn on my face anymore.

    Denny
     
  23. jackalope
    Joined: Mar 11, 2011
    Posts: 687

    jackalope
    Member

    Use sunscreen spray like you would if you were on the beach. Keep a bottle with my cart and in my truck.


    Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     

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