SS prep technique and arc flash. NEED HELP!

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So i have been practicing to weld some fittings on a ss half keg to make a brewing kettle. When we started with the real deal i decided to prep differently and the result was lots of blinding arc flash that made welding impossible. Usually i would prep with a dedicated flap disc and clean with alcohol. This time i used hand sand paper (the red kind) and acetone. Why ? im a dope i guess. STarted ok but then when i hit the pedal hard (65 amps Diversion 165 , dcen, 24 argon, backpurge at 5 argon 1/16 thoriated 1/16 312 filler) I got a blinding flash that overcomes the hood. I am wondering if i am getting this because of the sandpaper residue or what? Im dead in the water so im going to have to try again. THis time i will prep with flapper and or fresh scotch brite and alcohol. I have gotten arc flash before and never really solved why it occured, i can only guess its the prep. My bud sees the same thing so it's not the hood. Any ideas would be GREATLY appreciated. thank you , eliotMiller diversion 165Miller mig 211Hypertherm pm 30Milwaukee 6230 14 inch chop sawMd 45 mag drill (RIP; fell on its head)New MD 45! Thanks to the esposa!Finally got an O/A setup
Reply:One other thing, i used a ss brush used previously for aluminum. I dont think that helped.Miller diversion 165Miller mig 211Hypertherm pm 30Milwaukee 6230 14 inch chop sawMd 45 mag drill (RIP; fell on its head)New MD 45! Thanks to the esposa!Finally got an O/A setup
Reply:I will start with wondering how close you are to the workpiece, and at what angle to the workpice. And, then next, which helmet?What you are doing is either welding with a helmet that is set too low on sensitivity, and it is not able to sense the arc, so you get blinded.  With my helmet set for welding big aluminum projects, with a shade up around 13 and lower sensitivity, the helmet will not cut in when I switch down to a 1/16 tungsten and a 20A arc. I need to adjust the hood settings.Or, you are close to the workpiece, and the actual arc sensor is at some angle above the work, and it does not see the arc, and you are getting blinded. I have been wedling low, and high at weird angles, and blocked my lens sensor. Quite a bit actually on small pieces that I was crowding on the bench.Or, you have a Jackson hood like me, and once the batteries start to go bad, it shuts off or decides it does not want to step to the program with you, and you are getting.....blinded. Yeah, keep spare batteries around for this!And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:I had the same problem  when I started to learn tig with the cheapie HF black AD helmet. There is no sensitivity adjustment, only delay = slow or fast.My instructor uses his spare hood in class, the HF blue flame, which does have the sensitiviy adjustment: no flash.I thought the arc was overcoming the hood at first, but it just wasn't darkening.Last edited by jtcnj; 09-30-2012 at 03:22 PM.Lincoln AC/DC 225/125 and WP17. 75A AC is for pipe thawing!HH 140 - new addtion 9/2012.I didn't agree, but hoped for Hope and Change.I got change for myself and my family: for the worse.This is the reality of: Barackalypse Now. Again.
Reply:You can get flashed, but you wont get arc flash. The hood protects you from the UV/IR damage even if the lens doesnt darken.What kind of orientation is this thing at? If its at a different angle than your practice runs you may be blocking the sensor on the hood without realising it.
Reply:I replaced the battery and increased the sensitivity and all is well. Not prep issues, just hood issues. Good lesson, newbies take noteMiller diversion 165Miller mig 211Hypertherm pm 30Milwaukee 6230 14 inch chop sawMd 45 mag drill (RIP; fell on its head)New MD 45! Thanks to the esposa!Finally got an O/A setup
Reply:So many choices, so little time...  Isn't it amazing how sometimes it's the little, simple things that mess with ya.