Seeing low amp welds

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I am a relatively experienced amatuer welder in MIG and O/A and have just purchased a ThermalArc 185 TIG because I want to become good at welding thin (20-22 ga) steel and stainless.I am having trouble with a number of things but they all seem to relate to my not being able to see anything other than the arc and weld pool (i.e. I can't see if I have burned though, if I have joined with the butt/joint piece or if is has receded, I can't even see the filler metal until it is exactly in the right place).I am operating in the 5 to 30 amp range and my welding helmet (Lincoln model with selectable 10 or 11 shade) doesn't seem to let me see what I need to for such fine work.I am assumming I need shade levels in the 8 or 9 range and have decided on the Optrel Satellite.Am I just finding addtitional ways to spend my $$ or does this make sense?
Reply:I'd have to say that a 10 or 11 shade is probably too dark for 5 to 30 amps. I use a 10 shade helmet and don't see much if my amperage starts to drop much below 70 to 80 amps. I think you are on the right track with the 8 or 9 shade helmet with such low amps.AaronTiggerAaronHTP Invertig 201w/ CK-20 torch and Bernard ChillerHTP MicroCut 300 plasma cutterLincoln R3S-325 w/ TA 17A Wire FeederVictor Super Range II O/A kitClausing/Colchester 13X40 LatheBridgeport 9X42 Mill
Reply:I use 8 and 9's, heck for that low you could likely go to a cutting lens. A 5 would work if you didnt have your face right up in it.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:Definitely switch to an 8 or 9 shade. Actually at the lower amperages that your running i prefer to use my old flip down (non auto darkening full face lense version) hood with a either a #8 or #9 lense in it. Actually the above statement isn't 100 % true, because when I TIG weld no matter the thickness, the only time i really use my auto hood is for tack welding. I just seem to have better visibilty with the older technology hood when I TIG.
Reply:Dan,Thanks for the idea.  I was totally hung up on an autoshade helmet.  I could at least test the idea much cheaper with a fixed shade lense.
Reply:I keep my old hemet around, because you never know when some else that is helping you needs one.  Got to protect your eyes.   I use my auto darking all the time now.   Most of the auto darking helmits can't do low amp welding, but mine can.  I know a lot of people who used their old helmet while tig welding.  Maybe the low amp is why.Lincoln 300 Vantage 2008300 Commander 1999SA250 1999SA200 1968Miller Syncrowave 200XMT350MPA/S-52E/xr-15Xtreme 12vs Millermatic 251 w/30A  Millermatic 251 Dialarc 250 Hypertherm 1250 GEKA & Bantom Ironwokers
Reply:I searched on eBay and found a lo dollar auto helmet that goes down to shade 7. It works well for me when I am doing automotive sheet metal work. I think it was around $60
Reply:In addition to the other suggestions, you may also benefit from some magnification under the helmet.  You are dealing with a very small puddle so 2-4x visor mags under the helmet might help you see what you are doing.Get it hot and hit it hard...
Reply:Well, I decided to go whole-hog and get the Optrel Satellite which is the only auto shade helmet I know of that adjusts from 5 to 13.I also got a 2.0 magnifier lens.What a dfference!  I love the helmet.  For low amp work I use around an 8 shade and the magnifer works wonderful..... I no longer have to fight my bifocals, I look straight on.