Oh say can you see?

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Any sugustions for seeing the puddle through the smoke? I am  newbe, using flux core and it sure is tough to see through all the smoke it produces. Pehaps a different brand of wire? Bet they are all bout the same though.
Reply:Lots of light (overhead, side), adjust your helmet or get another shade and proper ventilation helps. I have a huge 8' light over my welding area, plus another 4 footer right at my table.John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:I would do everything that Micro suggested. Maybe even a small fan for better ventilation since you're using flux-core and a few MPH of wind doesn't matter.- Paulhttp://all-a-cart.comWelding Cart Kits and accessories
Reply:I think the natural tendency is to be right over and down close to the gun and bead. I've learned to run with my head off to one side or the other. Got away from that hunkered over work habit.
Reply:Have you ever tried bare wire with gas?  You will not go back to cored.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Thanks. I'll try more light. I have a gas setup at work, but only can aford flux at home.
Reply:A light breeze will at least help to keep the smoke from clouding up your lens and the protective cover....._________________Chris
Reply:man i would kill to be able to run fcaw at work. our shop sits on large open space, and it's like a dang wind tunnel through there. i got more windshields than gm, and the breeze still finds its way to my gun. the shop has no preference on what process we use, but since the previous welder had 5 40# spools sitting in the rod box (converted fridge with 4 110v lights) boss says to use it first. i close the doors and everyone goes to squalling it's to hot, or it's to dark. i tell 'em, shoot i am the one welding leathers, not you, so shut up."Retreat hell, were just fighting in the other direction"Miller Trailblazer 302, Extreme 12 VS, Dimension 400, Spectrum 375, HF 251D-1, Milermatic 251 w/ spoolgun  Hypertherm 1000Lincoln sp 1702000 F-450 to haul it
Reply:I try a small fan nearby as well. Does it make any difference if it blows accross the welding area or sucks the smoke away?
Reply:blow will get more concentration at the work site, sucking will suck everything around the weld."Retreat hell, were just fighting in the other direction"Miller Trailblazer 302, Extreme 12 VS, Dimension 400, Spectrum 375, HF 251D-1, Milermatic 251 w/ spoolgun  Hypertherm 1000Lincoln sp 1702000 F-450 to haul it
Reply:A flux core nozzle doesn't cut down the smoke but since it's small you don't need to move your head around as much to see the puddle. $3 or so at most LWS.Craftsman 230a Buzz-box,  Lincoln 140T & 180T, Century K2789, PUROX W202 O/A14" cheapo chop saw that cuts straight and square!A toolbox of the cheapest Chinese tools money can buy"Real" tools all old reliable Husky/Craftsman/Proto stuff
Reply:Hmmmm.. Flux core nozzle. That may help. Didn't know there was such a thing. Thank.s
Reply:Yep, I find it made a big diff not having to peek around the gas nozzle. It also keeps crud out of the diffuser. Worth every penny of the $3 it costs Craftsman 230a Buzz-box,  Lincoln 140T & 180T, Century K2789, PUROX W202 O/A14" cheapo chop saw that cuts straight and square!A toolbox of the cheapest Chinese tools money can buy"Real" tools all old reliable Husky/Craftsman/Proto stuff