Aluminum TIG question

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One thing I noticed today is that I can see the puddle so much better when welding aluminum. I switched back to some mild steel, and even with the shade turned all the way down, it is very dark. This is with my Jackson WH-40 Smart TIGGER helmet. Is this helmet designed for aluminum welding? or does the blue shade/balder technology favor the arc from AC/Aluminum? It just dawned on me today that with aluminum I can really see where I have been and where I am going. With the same setup on steel, I have a real hard time making straight beads because I can't see where I am going, or the bead I am padding up against.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:Hello louie, the aluminum acts as a back light and provides a better "view" of what's going on. If you weld on steel try getting a shoplight or droplight and really lighting up the welding area prior to welding, it will help immensely with "seeing". If you have ever been around any professional filming or photography you will notice how critical the lighting is to what they are doing. Welding does share similarities in that regard. Best regards, Allanaevald
Reply:Originally Posted by Louie1961One thing I noticed today is that I can see the puddle so much better when welding aluminum. I switched back to some mild steel, and even with the shade turned all the way down, it is very dark. This is with my Jackson WH-40 Smart TIGGER helmet. Is this helmet designed for aluminum welding? or does the blue shade/balder technology favor the arc from AC/Aluminum? It just dawned on me today that with aluminum I can really see where I have been and where I am going. With the same setup on steel, I have a real hard time making straight beads because I can't see where I am going, or the bead I am padding up against.
Reply:That is one reason I start newbies on alum. Not only can the beginner see everything much clearer, but so can I at distance. Brite lite! Brite Lite!As far as your autodark I have the same problem. AC is easy to see, and DC not so much. On tiny DC work I have to use my gold lense with cheaters. Don't know but maybe the cheater messes with my clarity with AD hoods. Oh, and I absolutely cannot use an AD hood with mig.Anyway I agree, if you are benefiting by welding alum, do so. Everything else becomes easy once you master alum. I have always said that steel is easy to learn but hard to master, whereas alum is hard to learn, but easy to master. I can't tell you how many "seasoned" tiggers that can lay a weld on steel or stainless, but struggle with alum. Go figure.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.