Big problem.

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Hi there.  I started welding with my new TIG setup and after a few seconds i couldn't bear it anymore.  I don't know if it was the machine that was malfunctioning or the lens on my helmet.  It would start out ok for the first second and then it would start "pulsing" (what looked like pulsing) really bright!.  It was hurting my eyes.  The thing is... when i was using the TIG before i got the Argon setup... the arc was fine.  And also when i was stick welding with the same machine... it was fine.  Could it be something to do with the Argon??.  Does Argon change the brightness of the arc?... or is it the machine... or is it my helmet thats malfunctioning??
Reply:what helmet?High Octane Welding
Reply:Sounds like helmet issues, what kind of helmet are you using? Pictures help a great deal here
Reply:I got a few cheap Harbor Freight autodark helmets and they work just fine and allow me to dial in shades from 9 to 13....I run my Argon gassed HTP-221 TIG on 9 unless I really crank it up. I stay on 9 burning stick, but shift to shade 5 plasma sunglasses for oxy/fuel or plasma.,,I discovered for my eyes, all I gotta do is click my helmets on and leave them set just past that initial click on for best results.BTW, you TIGed before without gas?...Please explain.
Reply:Originally Posted by wornoutoldwelderI got a few cheap Harbor Freight autodark helmets and they work just fine and allow me to dial in shades from 9 to 13....I run my Argon gassed HTP-221 TIG on 9 unless I really crank it up. I stay on 9 burning stick, but shift to shade 5 plasma sunglasses for oxy/fuel or plasma.,,I discovered for my eyes, all I gotta do is click my helmets on and leave them set just past that initial click on for best results.BTW, you TIGed before without gas?...Please explain.
Reply:I'd say try to borrow at least an old fixed shade helmet and see if you notice stable arc even if it shde too dark or brite...In that way you can blame or eliminate helmet.ALL helmets be they fixed shade or autodark must filter 100% of UV and IR light waves even when turned off. Shade settings when turned on, in ajustable autodark, or shade selection in fixed shade helmets only control your ability to see the puddle and weldment line of travel by limiting the total passage of light after all UV and IR is filtered out....In ALL helmets, the essential requirement to filter out 100% of UV and IR is a property that should be built into the lens, and unrelated to shade.
Reply:Is there any possibility it could could be the machine?.  Is this a possible mode of failure?Would erratic Argon flow change the brightness of the arc.  But even if arc intensity was fluctuating throughout the weld...shouldn't the helmet still shade it all out?Could it be bad circuitry in the helmet?.
Reply:try arc welding again and see if there any problems with the pulsing flash..Of all the things I lost I miss my mind the most...I know just enough about everything to be dangerous......You cant cure stupid..only kill it...
Reply:Nah, keep it simple....Back in 1960 every Sat morning at 6 AM while my mom and dad were making me brothers, the Flintstones and the Yogi bear shows came on channel three....I learned a lot from old Fred Flintstone and his bud Barney Rubble, along with Boo Boo and Yogi Bear. Boo Boo would say, "Yogi, you are smarter than the average bear", and Barney would confess similar to Fred.Where thru it all, both Fred and Yogi earned the respect of their buds by simply keeping things simple.So, let's keep all this simple and start at the start.  It's your eyes that offend you, so first try different means of shielding your eyes starting with old school fixed shade lens...If you using questionable autodark lens, then switch to fixed shade lens....If then you still see lightening flashes not associated with your ability to maintain proper gap tween your tungsten and workpiece, then you got a problem with your welder.Be smarter than the average bear or you will chase yer tail in circles.
Reply:If it is hurting your eyes its the hood causing it. Even if the machine was pulsing 100 amps higher than you had it set it wouldn't hurt your eyes, just be a bit bright.Could be your hands covering the sensors, could be malfunctioning.Airco Ac/Dc 300 HeliwelderMillerMatic 200 (stolen)Miller Maxstar 150STLMiller AEAD200LE (welding and generating power) Hobart MIG
Reply:If it's a solar powered helmet that was faulty could cause the so called pulsing. A dead battery(s) in a helmet might cause it as well. The gas shouldn't affect the arc. Does your helmet have any adjustments? Was it in grind mode or set for too low of shade, etc.? Try a fixed shade 10 non auto helmet. If the arc is still pulsing, it could be a machine problem.
Reply:If theres one thing worse than a malfunctioning device... it's an INTERMITTENTLY-malfunctioning device!. I just done some more stick and TIG.... and it was fine!.  So i don't know what the heck's going on!.
Reply:What kind of helmet do you have?
Reply:Originally Posted by Marek0086If theres one thing worse than a malfunctioning device... it's an INTERMITTENTLY-malfunctioning device!. I just done some more stick and TIG.... and it was fine!.  So i don't know what the heck's going on!.
Reply:Originally Posted by Marek0086If theres one thing worse than a malfunctioning device... it's an INTERMITTENTLY-malfunctioning device!. I just done some more stick and TIG.... and it was fine!.  So i don't know what the heck's going on!.
Reply:i think that borrowing a fixed shade is a good idea. try that@
Reply:It is solar powered... but also runs on Lithium batteries.
Reply:Originally Posted by wornoutoldwelderAll that's going on is you squinted when you hit the pedal. I do it too everytime whenever I fart in middle of root passes...At first I thought it was the welder until I chipped off the flux and discovered my beads were steadier than my bowels.Set yourself down and get really comfortable. Wrap the torch cable around your arm and flex your wrist till you can point and control it with just your fingers.... Breath regular...Scratch what itches, and then go back to breathing regular and steady. Pick up torch and filler, then grasp them lightly but firm in you finger tips like you would a pencil, then like the artist in you, draw the lines you need to express....relax and consider the metal is your paper, and your grinder is your eraser.
Reply:Originally Posted by Marek0086Are you like the "village idiot" around here?.
Reply:Originally Posted by derekpfeifferThis coming from the guy that was TIG welding without argon and I quote "the arc was fine" WTF?!?!Pot....kettle....black?.....
Reply:I'm with welder Dave on the solar helmet and failing batteries. I too just got a tig setup and immediately had a issue with my helmet. It would mig just fine, turn the tig on and it would start cutting out or just not come on at all. I switched to a newer identical helmet and it went away. Back n forth a few times to be certain and it was the older solar lens. They have a internal battery and I guess it was just to weak to bring up with the small arc of the tig. These are no adjustment, no power button lenses.esab 260 multimasternew tech 150 invertorlincoln 140 cheapo
Reply:Originally Posted by Marek0086when i was using the TIG before i got the Argon setup... the arc was fine.
Reply:Take the advice of others. Fixed shade helmets are cheap.www.tjsperformance.comDynasty 300 DXHTP 240HTP Microcut 380Hyperthem 85JD2 Hyd Bender and HF Hyd Ring Roller all in one =(Frankenbender)Bpt. Mill/DRO4' x 8' CNC Plasma TableInstagram: tjsperformanceYT: TJS Welding and Fabrication
Reply:Originally Posted by jr tigI'm with welder Dave on the solar helmet and failing batteries. I too just got a tig setup and immediately had a issue with my helmet. It would mig just fine, turn the tig on and it would start cutting out or just not come on at all. I switched to a newer identical helmet and it went away. Back n forth a few times to be certain and it was the older solar lens. They have a internal battery and I guess it was just to weak to bring up with the small arc of the tig. These are no adjustment, no power button lenses.