MIG arc too bright

[Thrashsmith]

Hi folks, I've got a problem with the arc brightness from my MIG and I'm not sure if it's a common thing or not.

Up till now I've been a stick welder and used an Esab Warrior Tech 9 - 13 helmet, which I've always left on No.9. When I'm sticking welding I can see the arc and can see the metal for an inch or two either side around it so I can clearly tell where I am on the piece, but I've just recently got a MIG and when I'm using that I can only see the arc (which is incredibly bright, too bright) but barely any metal around the arc. If I turn the helmet up to 10 or more the arc becomes less overwhelming but I can see even less of the surrounding metal so I just have to guess where I am.

Can anyone offer some advice? I've recently changed the protective plastic lenses so I'm not trying to look through crapped up plastic. I don't know if it's a technical helmet thing or if it's just my eyes. Any pointers would be appreciated, cheers.

 

[Badger1bear]

I found going from stick to mig some years ago that the mig intensity is brighter than stick and I had the same problems. I bought a top quality welding mask and straight away I could see much better.

Give it a bit of time, your get use to it

 

[cumbriasteve]

I found it similar when I went from arc to mig, a lot of it has to do with the lighting around the work area.

I have some of the cheap as chips 20w led flood lights (less than a tenner off evilbay) over my work areas it improves it no end.

I have a fixed one over the bench and another on a tripod type adjustable stand for moving around the workshop.

To test the idea out tape a torch to your helmet and try it..you will be surprised.

 

[Badger1bear]

Not even gonna touch that one

 

[matt1978]

It is advised that you use a higher (darker) number for Mig in comparison to Tig. It's all relevant to the amperage you are welding with but I wouldn't use anything below a 10 on mig and sometimes as high as 12 for high amp work with mig

 

[Thrashsmith]

Cheers folks. Just wanted to make sure it wasn't my eyes.

 

[Kent]

Mma is a nicer arc to watch but to be fair you shouldn't see too much arc

 

[Sparkey]

I must have weird eyes (or my lid is darker than average) as I use 9 or 10 at most for mma and 7-9 for mig...else I can't see diddly squat...

Wow, i'm on shade 11 for mig with my speedglass bucket...how good or bad is your eyesight mr fuzzy? Good lighting around and on your workpiece makes a world of difference!
Sparks

 

[Bullet2012]

Me too , disclaimer says I am not a welder , but, l also find the arc very very bright . I have changed from a very cheap Mmatr auto helmet, too. Very nice comfortable expensive recommended on the forum helmet, but even at 13 it's still bright.

 

[morssdn]

I bought a telescoping arm led desk lamp which I position right by the weld, and I find this helps a lot with seeing the metal around the joint. The more lighting the better. Bit difficult if you're under a car I admit!

 

[arther dailey]

I was down brother in laws so used his speedglass, could hardly see a thing through it, yet my cheapo set at 10 is clear and easy to see whats going on without being bright in the slightest,its a parweld xr916h.
keep intending to get a "proper" lid but trying his rather puts me off,still managed to weld but it was like looking at a dot in a cole hole?

 

[Richard.]

12 here for almost everything.
11 for low amp tig work is the only exception.