New auto mask but feels like sunspots!

[johnyev]

I have a new Sip automask bought from toolstation £60 darkens in 1/25000 of a second job.(http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Pow...P+Meteor+Welding+Headshield/d40/sd2666/p55662)

So far so good.
Been trying out my new mig couple of times this week and I feel like Ive been looking at a bright light! (love this mig welding by the way!)

Not arc eye, Ive had that many years ago while tacking a job together (badly)
But something is not right

Very impressed with the whole idea of having my left hand back as no mask to hold but obviously this is no good if something isnt working correctly.

If I look at the sun it darkens momentarily or out if looking out of the shed , the 9 to 13 adjust seems to work ok and I've been running it about 11.

Any thoughts please? to be honest I was wanting to run it on 9 while welding with 2mm steel but I thought maybe that was why I have this effect and from then on left it at 11.

There's no cracks/gaps in it and I havent arc'd up while not wearing it

any ideas??

John

 

[Didd1]

I have the very same helmet and I find using it on the lightest setting I wake the next day looking like I've been on a bender. Do try usings the darkest setting,I found it better to see the weld pool and resulted in a better weld.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

I also have the same mask as my spare and only use the low setting for TIG, for Mig and MMA I use it on 12. It helps if you can get as much background lighting as possible.

 

[johnyev]

Ok ill try 12 or 13 and see how i get on
I had plenty of light as was welding almost outside in sunlight

I might rig a halogen light up and see if that helps on 13 mind that might trip the breaker even more. Ive changed from 16 to 32 but it still sometimes trips it without blowing the 13 amp fuse first.

Thanks for the quick replies by the way.

John

 

[Hitch]

Everyones eyes are different, there is no real 'you must use shade 10 for....'

For low amp Tig, i go with a 9, light Mig, 9-10, heavy pulse mig, anywhere between 11-13.

What is comfortable for you is important.

Has it a sensitivity setting?

For anything other than low amp Tig, i set my sensitivity to low, or anything from a flash across the workshop, looking uo at one of the sodium lamps or the flasher from the forklifts will set it off.

 

[weldequip]

Shade 10 will cover you up to around 120 amps, shade 11 up to 175 amps, #12 200 amps + and #13 up to 450 amps! so you shouldn't need to be anywhere near maximum shade setting.

 

[Robotstar5]

I might rig a halogen light up and see if that helps on 13 mind that might trip the breaker even more. Ive changed from 16 to 32 but it still sometimes trips it without blowing the 13 amp fuse first.

I hope the wiring is capable of carrying the increased load? if it was a B16 mcb you are safer replacing it with a C16

 

[ibrooks]

I always have trouble welding in bright sunlight, or any bright light for that matter. Reflections on the inside of the mask become a problem and stop me from seeing through it properly. Far better in a dark room with a directional lamp wointing at whatever you are working on.

Iain