Better Eyesight with Helmets.
Can welding helmets help you see better?
Some welding helmets can actually help you see better. Sounds kind of strange, typically helmets hinder how you see. However, a relatively new trend in helmet technology has changed the “view” behind the protective glass.
It’s risky to wear an expensive pair of prescription glasses under a welding helmet with the possibility of damage from weld spatter, but it’s riskier yet chancing welding with unprotected eyes. Additionally, if you wear bifocals then you’re constantly struggling to tilt your head to get the correct view and an accurate weld. Does this sound familiar to you, or do you know other welders experiencing this challenge?
Fortunately, several manufacturers of welding helmets now offer optional magnifying lenses. Many different magnifications are available to accommodate people’s varying “up-close” sight issues. The magnifying lenses for welding helmets work similarly to reading glasses. The most popular range of lenses is 0.75 to 2.50 magnification providing eight different strength options. Although, a few helmet manufacturers offer even more options.
The key to using magnifying lenses is to purchase a helmet that is equipped with the right mechanism to install the special lens. Typically, helmets come with clips on the inside of the helmet, where you can clip-on your new lens.
Although this technology may seem unexciting to a welder with perfect eyesight, I assure you when I visit a plant and demonstrate the magnifying lenses to operators with vision problems, they immediately value the convenience and accuracy of the lens. And, plant managers are equally impressed with the weld quality and production increase when their operators are no longer hindered by poor eyesight.
Let me know what you think…Vote on the poll question and post your comments.
Average (Not Rated)
September 13th, 2006 at 11:57 am
That blog isn’t really anything new, cheater lenses have been around for awhile and anyone who should know anything about welding should be knowledgable about their products that they work with. Although I do agree with you 100%, by now you’d think that any welder that put on a helmet would know what accesories can come with it. Ammateur really.
September 14th, 2006 at 7:10 pm
Which miller helmets have a provision for magnification lenses?
Si lane
September 14th, 2006 at 7:39 pm
tell us something new
September 19th, 2006 at 10:24 am
I have a Miller helmit and would like to know if my helmit will take a lens.
September 21st, 2006 at 8:40 am
Thanks for the info. I have about 150 welding students now and have told them to regularly look at this board for insight.
I have a Miller Elite helmet and fit a 1.5 diopter that I got from McMaster Carr. I had to get a little creative with it to get it in place. I also took a clear lens and taped it to the backside (eyeside) to prevent weld splatter from getting to it. Works great and I can see again!
Thanks for the forum! The naysayers should find some place else to vent!
Thx, Jim
September 26th, 2006 at 7:37 pm
In response to the posts asking which Miller helmets provide for magnification lenses…the following Miller helmets have holding brackets for magnifying lenses: FS#10, XLix and Elite. Additionally, the XLi accomodates a magnifying lens by simply removing the cover lens holder and inserting the magnifying lens in front of the auto-darkening lens, and then reinstalling the cover lens frame. Hope this helps!
January 19th, 2007 at 8:56 am
hey guys at 60yrs i don’t see as well as i did at 20/ i am in school with the 20 year old crowd/ thanks for the info./ i need all the help i can get/ the kids are killing me/thanks from pat in texas
p.s. try trifocals and see how your head bobbs
January 19th, 2007 at 9:04 am
hey guys at 60yrs i don’t see as well as i did at 20/ i am in school with the 20 year old crowd/ thanks for the info./ i need all the help i can get/ the kids are killing me/thanks from pat in texas
p.s. try trifocals and see how your head bobbs
p.p.s. i don’t dare put any red paint on my helmut in this part of the country in wild turkey season
February 16th, 2007 at 9:47 pm
I got my helmet as a gift and am very excited to use it I would like to know why none of the helmets have more feminine paint jobs I’m a girl and would like my helmet to have a girly paint job so my husband and son wont what to borrow it.
Thanks Signe
April 13th, 2007 at 9:28 am
SIGNE, my welding teacher is female and she threw a tiara on hers, that would be a way to make it look more feminine