Flare

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Hi all, been lurking a while but now got a question. Occasionally when tigging steel especially in a t-joint, I get a bright orange like flare which is fairly blinding even through the mask, happens on stainless as well, any ideas what causes this.Thanks, Roger.
Reply:Is it instantaneous, or continuous?
Reply:hey cownurse,are you using an autodarking mask?if so, it could be the mask switching off due the arc sensors becoming momentarily blocked. my lid does this (in restricted access situations) unless the sensitivity is set close to maximum. some ADF's simply aren't sensitive enough to cope with TIG- a mate of recently got himself a TIG and quickly discovered he needs to buy a new lid. even set at max sensitivity and delay, the thing keeps switching off
Reply:The flare or flash is instantaneous, the helmet is auto but it does not seem to be switching off, it's more like the arc changes colour and increases in intensity.Thanks,  Roger.
Reply:If it's not the helmet, it could be something on the metal.When I (accidentally of course  ) tack in front of a spot near where one of my clamping magnets is, they melt a little and the fumes from the melting plastic magnet causes a flare in the TIG arc like what you describe.Is there anything on or near what you're welding that might be burning or giving off fumes -- even paint, cutting oil, anything?
Reply:Sounds like the auto helmet to me. I had the same problem with a Jackson. When I tig I do not use an auto helmet, I picked up a cheap 12 shade helmet at the local welding supply for 16.00. Works great. I think there is a frequency problem with the auto helmets when Tigging. I even sent my Jackson out and they sent me a new module. Same thing. T.J.
Reply:i can only think of 2 things that would cause your symptoms1. mask 'bugging out'2. putting the filler in the arcwhen it happens does the appearance of the weld bead change? any 'sooty' deposits around the bead? any change to the tungsten after a flare?in my experience the base metal would have to be very dirty to cause flashes- i'm often given stainless exhausts to weld that were tacked together with MIG (too late for me to properly clean the cut edges). i can tell where the dirt/contamination is from trash in the puddle but no flashes unless i block the hood sensors.if the tungstens still clean and sharp after an occurrence, my moneys on the mask
Reply:Contamination of the material and/or contamination hitting the tungsten. Make sure both are clean and you don't hit the tungsten with your filler rod.  ...like nobody has done that before. John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:Originally Posted by MicroZoneContamination of the material and/or contamination hitting the tungsten. Make sure both are clean and you don't hit the tungsten with your filler rod.  ...like nobody has done that before.
Reply:Thanks for the replies, it does look as though the helmet is the problem, I tried another one and it didn't happen, I'll see how it goes.Thanks for the help,  Roger.