stick welding with fixed lens

[Tractorrr]

I'm starting to learn stick welding and am interested in learning with a fixed lens welding helmet. Is there a trick or technique on to how to start an arc with a fixed lens? Once the hood is down I can't see much and I'm just guessing where to start. Do you just simply get the electrode close to the work, flip your hood down and then begin?

I also have a metalman auto darkening hood but I found my eyes were straining with it and I've also read it's just better to learn with a fixed lens in general anyways.

 

[Citydude]

With your rod next to the area you want to start and wearing welding gloves, take the hand that's not holding the stinger and hold the rod a couple of inches up the rod. This gives you better control. When it lights, remove your free hand because the electrode ( welding rod) will get freaking hot....

 

[RNeumann]

Just confirming you are flipping the hood down with your head and neck instead of one hand? What rod are you trying to use- some are hard to strike an arc. Striking an arc is a BIG part of learning to weld. My first welding class had us striking an arc and welding a dime sized puddle over and over and over again.

I would stay away from an old or cheap auto darkening helmet- as you found out it can cause eye problems.

 

[ruffdog]

I'm starting to learn stick welding and am interested in learning with a fixed lens welding helmet. Is there a trick or technique on to how to start an arc with a fixed lens? Once the hood is down I can't see much and I'm just guessing where to start. Do you just simply get the electrode close to the work, flip your hood down and then begin?

I also have a metalman auto darkening hood but I found my eyes were straining with it and I've also read it's just better to learn with a fixed lens in general anyways.

" Do you just simply get the electrode close to the work, flip your hood down and then begin?"......YES

I too have a issue with using the auto darkening helmets. My dad taught me to weld by using 1/4" plywood with a hole cut in it, then a lens was taped over the hole. I'm now retired but still use fixed lens helmets.

 

[4570Man]

I don’t like auto dark helmets. Sometimes I wear one if I have a lot to tack together but I can see much more clearly through a glass helmet. And yes I just move the rod close to the work and flip the helmet down. Another thing you can do is if you have a bright light in place you can see enough through the helmet to start where you want to.

 

[BHD]

really for the money one can get a auto darkening helmet starting at about $30,

and if you insist on the fixed lens, I find the hand held shield easier to manuliape than a flip down hood, lincoln makes them,

yes about 55 years ago I learned to weld with a flip down hood, but I use the auto darkening so much nicer, only need to learn one thing at a time, not two or three things,

just my two cents,

 

[4570Man]

I’ve used a few different ones and I’ve never been able to see the puddle as clearly as with a glass hood.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I got my first Speedglas auto darkening welding helmet in 1986 IIRC. They were very expensive at well over $100 which was a lot of money in 1986. I did not have a choice of how dark they got, it was preset at about a shade 10. I used it when teaching welding at a local college. It was great for that, I could walk around with my hood down and go up to a student welding without risking arc burn to my eyes.

Now they are adjustable from 8-12. If you were straining with an auto dark hood, then it was likely much too dark, just adjust the dial to #8 or 9 and you should be ok for stick rod welding. #10 is about right for MIG or TIG, anything darker than #10 will strain your eyes unless you are carbon rod/air arc gouging which I dont think any home owner will be doing.
I have had no issues with my Harbor Freight auto-dark hood for the 10 years that I have had in and it only cost me $30. I was in a HF yesterday and they were $39 on sale.

 

[3Ts]

+1 for BDH's post (#6)

 

[dragoneggs]

Boy, I sure like my auto darkening helmet. Never was a fan of having to nod to weld going back to my college class days or using a buddy's equipment. My first purchased helmet was a HF auto darkening (I think about $40). Just didn't seem right. Returned it and bought the cheapest I think ($99) Miller auto darkening and it seemed far better. Don't know if the HF was flawed but the Miller seemed easier on my eyes. I do wish I had a larger viewing area that comes with the more expensive models, but it is hard to justify for a hobbyist welder that doesn't sell much of anything I fab.

To each his own... but I just don't see why someone would want a fixed (not auto) and non adjustable darkening lens. :confused3: