Tig welding with auto darkening helmet - Can't see weld area!

[supermotobloke]

Any answers to this annoying problem?

The helmet i have is certainly at the cheaper end of the market, and has a range of 9-13 but i'm struggling to see the weld area clearly. By that i mean the area remains too dark to weld properly. I have tried on the lightest setting and it's next to useless.

Do not have another helmet to compare what i have. Could it just be the 'cheap' helmet, or do i need a helmet with a lower light range?

 

[Omniata]

Might help to know what settings you were welding on, 9 is pretty light for TIG, what position are you welding in?

 

[Member 66061]

I have a cheap auto dark helmet that sounds like yours. Its good for stick welding, but is always set at the lowest setting, 9. Its often too dark to see Tig welding and has a habit of flashing when welding at low amps. Im just going to invest in a better quality helmet when im feeling a bit more flush, seems the easiest solution to the problem.

 

[monkeh]

You could also try lighting the area with a spot light etc.

 

[angellonewolf]

i think from looking on the fourms tig is less brighter than mig ? if that was so and i think i did see welding helmets go down to 5/6 and up for tig welding?

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Fix an LED torch to the top of the helmet with velcro.

 

[angellonewolf]

and if you can see what you are dojng you do have no excuses on why it looks that bad sorry to say now i got auto dark helmet blue point its nice and clear my mac one is very good but the screen is a bit greeny and i can use it but the clear screen is nicer

 

[500e]

Bought an Optril (Badger recommended ) but what a revelation 5Amp on tig no problem

 

[Member 66061]

You could also try lighting the area with a spot light etc.

I have a lamp above my bench and it doesnt really help with the lens being too dark. I know it sounds odd, but that is the way it is for me.
I feel the only solution is just to save for a decent quality helmet thats more suitable for the job, and that will be the end of the problem

 

[Crater Creator]

Might seem daft but check that the protective plastic film has been removed from inside and outside the lens. Plenty people get caught out with that first time (me included).

 

[Richard.]

Amp per amp tig is actually the brightest arc of the 3 processes but it's also the smallest arc (if your doing it properly and keeping things tight).
Usually where masks at the cheaper end struggle is more often with tig but the problem is more related to flashing in and out of active state. With mig and arc you have a very open arc lots of sparks and they all contribute to hitting the sensors and switching the mask on. Tig at low current can struggle to do this having the arc tucked tight under the cup.
The OP problem sounds to me like the mask isn't even turning on because shade nine is very light far too light for me.
If it can't simply be checked with a new set of battery's or a day out in the sun then throw it away and buy a new one.

 

[Member 66061]

The OP problem sounds to me like the mask isn't even turning on because shade nine is very light far too light for me.
If it can't simply be checked with a new set of battery's or a day out in the sun then throw it away and buy a new one.

It sounds like he has a cheap helmet like i have, and honestly, they are so dark even turned to lowest setting. I dont even think the numbers are relevant, they just go from something to something. I can definitely tell the difference between on and off (particularly when i get flashed) and i dont believe its the OP's problem.The bottom line is theyre just cheap, and dont stand up to comparison to the better quality helmets were used to hearing about on the forum.
I got mine for stick welding, before i got my Tig, and it was good for that, apart from the really small lens.

 

[hunter27]

I had exactly the same problem with TIG at low amps I had 2 cheap masks which were both the same with sudden flashes and then being to dark to see much I eventually bought a more expensive one for around £100 and was surprised at the difference it has two number scales 5-8 and 9-13 and mentioned suitable for low amp welding in the blurb.

 

[optima21]

I couldn't see properly when trying to TIG weld when using my cheap 9-13 shade welding helmet.

I have since got one of these and have used it when tig welding down to 10 amps without issue. For using it with 0.9mm steel as 20amps, I'm using it with the shade set at 7

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390623669933

 

[supermotobloke]

Thanks for all your feedback.
Anything from 35-75 amps it is crap, and as someone mentioned it will also flash which adds to the 'joy'.
Have tried lamps and they make little or no difference to the situation.

optima21 - i have looked at your link and they look like another low-end product but it's horses for courses like any equipment i guess, but thanks all the same.

Does anyone have examples of helmets they use/have used that go below 9, just incase that is what i need? My helmet must have cost between £25-35 which is bugger all in the realm of things. So what do you have?

 

[Richard.]

You shouldn't need to go below a 9 for electric arc welding. I'd be very surprised if that's the problem. I have shades 5-8 on mine and they are waaaaaaaay too bright for welding. You'll find a posh new lid resolves all your issues. Throw it away and treat yourself for Xmas.

 

[supermotobloke]

Thanks Richard. i think your right.
Reading up on a Speedglass 100V, or like. Anyone used these?

 

[Hood]

The Weldability Phantom XL is a decent lid for the price, I paid £70 ish for the one I have. It is 9-13 but a world of difference between it and the cheap ones. Also it is not the green colour you see through the cheap ones.
I had no problems seeing through it and my eyes are bad and was struggling with lower amp tig previously. It also has a large lens 97mm x60mm or something like that and 4 sensors and is rated for all welding above 2 amp.

I now have an Optrel and it is much nicer but also 3 x the price.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

A few on here went for the Lincoln Viking 3350 when it was on offer, a cracking mask.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/2627...3D710-134428-41853-0%26rvr_id%3D1142182446801

 

[500e]

Finger problemo Optrel not Optril look at the 684
http://www.optrel.com/en/
Never heard them called Cheap though