TIG arc brightness problem

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rookie here againi recently ran into an issue that's kinda hard to explain. at times the arc brightness would increase to absolutely freaking blinding (DCEN) on mild steel. i've run a bit of tig over the years but never encountered this before. the tungsten looked to be fine, the gas flow was there and the arc length wasn't the problem. the arc wasn't behaving normally, the heat input seemed to be weird and reduced but it wasn't wandering or traveling up the electrode or anything. i had it happen a number of times and let me tell you it was killer. it happened today and i was gettin POd cause i was trying to finish something. out of desperation i cranked up the darkness on the helmet which didn't really help much and then when the arc went normal i couldn't see the puddle. i then changed electrodes and the problem went away but because the way it has happened i can't say that was it. FYI these are sylvania 2% thoriatedi'm sure guys that are skilled with tig have encountered this before and it's something stupid but the times it's happened i tried to persevere through the pass, it was a stupid and painful thing to do.  thanks
Reply:Can't say it ever happened to me like you explained..What does the weld look like where it happened?I have a fixed shade so the only difference between us is the mask itself..Don't like auto dark..Never have never will.....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Hello jamesc, are you using an auto-dark and are you sure that it isn't a switching/sensor issue with your auto-dark if you are? A lot of the auto-darks are not well suited for low amperage GTAW welding and "flutter" for a better description when you are trying to GTAW weld with them. "Four Sensor, Low-Amp Adjustments" and other features on some auto-darks help to address that issue. Just wondering, I apologize if I am off with my questions and if you are already aware of this. Good luck and best regards, Allanaevald
Reply:zap i wish i could give a good answer, you can't expect someone to be of any help if you can't even ask a proper question which is where i'm at. my welds aren't much to begin with but i would say the first time the pass didn't really seem appreciably different. when it happened today i initially tried to deal with it but just stopped for fear of eye damage, i mean it was BAD. some of the work i've been doing is kinda awkward/cramped especially for a rookie. the first time it happened i was thinking afterwords maybe it was a shield issue (i thought i might have been blocking the sensor) but the arc itself seemed different. if it happens again i am gonna grab the fixed helmet just to rule out the auto but it comes and goes. if it happens again i'll try to pay better attention to the variables so maybe i can have a better question. as for the auto helmet i initially didn't care for the idea being light is a little on the fast side and i figured there's no way the filter could respond that quickly but i need every crutch i can get. i just don't have enough experience and have never had anyone to mentor me in person which sucks cause i'm sure a little time with a good tig guy would go a long waythanks
Reply:I recently went threw the same problem at first I thought it was something I was doing wrong. The sensor in my helmet was going bad a new helmet fixed the problem. I could have replaced the senior but wanted a better helmet!
Reply:Allen initially i thought that might have been a possible cause (could still be) but i "think" the helmet i'm using (speedglas 9000x) is a pretty decent one and when i turn it on the way i check it (besides it getting lighter) is to hold it away from my face towards the florescent lights in the shop and it always goes dark with just them. i've also run some pretty low current with this helmet and never had a problem. the helmet thought did enter my mind yesterday because that's how much different the brightness was and it wasn't incremental, it was just normal or painful. it's also not one of those things i can necessarily duplicate so trying to figure out the cause can be frustrating. it could well be something basic and obvious but at this point i'm stumped. one thing for sure it happens again and i'm grabbing the fixed shade to see if that's the issue.have i possibly invented some new screw up
Reply:Well if you are ever in the Boston/Providence area give me a shout..I'll give you a freebee course in tig....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Well if you are ever in the Boston/Providence area give me a shout..I'll give you a freebee course in tig.
Reply:The helmet switches with the low brightness of the florescents because of the relatively high AC content of the light. Low amperage TIG which is DC, will fool many helmets into turning off.Try a fixed shade for TIG and let us know how it goes.
Reply:Originally Posted by jamescHA i'm just liable to make that trip and take that offer, thanks
Reply:Your problem is your auto dark helmet, as others have indicated.I have 2 auto dark helmets. My older one is a Westward with a large lens and 4 arc sensors. My new helmet is an Esab with 2 arc sensors and a smaller lens.I do a lot of low amp tig welding down in the 30-40 amp range. DC- polarity.My new Esab helmet with 2 arc sensors has problems sensing the arc and only wants to darken half the time when I strike an arc. I have come to the conclusion that I just cant use this helmet for low amp tig welding for that reason.My cheaper westward unit with 4 arc sensors works fine with low amp tig welding. It senses the arc every time and auto darkens as it should every time.You need a new helmet with 4 arc sensors or switch to a fixed shade, problem solved.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:I never use auto dark helmet for the exact same issue you have when tigging.Fixed shade will do the trick. Stop with the auto now and save your eyes.www.tjsperformance.comDynasty 300 DXHTP 240HTP Microcut 380Hyperthem 85JD2 Hyd Bender and HF Hyd Ring Roller all in one =(Frankenbender)Bpt. Mill/DRO4' x 8' CNC Plasma TableInstagram: tjsperformanceYT: TJS Welding and Fabrication
Reply:try adjusting the sensitivity of the lens if you can..tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:Originally Posted by brucertry adjusting the sensitivity of the lens if you can..
Reply:what helmet are you using?I've done lowish-amp tigging with a miller auto-dark and not had any issues. A lot of the new auto-dark helmets will say whether or not they're suitable for low-amp tigging.Hobart EZ-Tig newbie.
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterJust give me 2 weeks notice.....zap!
Reply:If I remember a few years back I few members on this board would meet up at zaps and he would work with them, I wish I lived closer to make the trip it seemed everyone learn a lot and had a good time doing soWill   Supports Autism Awareness                            My ToysBobCat 225 PLusMillermatic 130Miller Spectrum 300 CutmateEverlast Power Tig 185 Micro April is Autism Month .
Reply:I havent tig'd in a while but couple things i run into when a auto hood doesnt work right. Are the batteries in your hood going bad?   Are the sensors cleanTry welding borrowing someone's hood and see if you get the same problem.   That wouldn't be a Harbor frieght hood would it  If your going to be doing a lot of welding invest in a really nice hood.   Cuts down on the learning curve and saves the eyes.“I'm going to do the thing that God put Galen Beasley on this Earth to do:Have Salon quality hair and weld.Nothing like a good cup of coffee and the smell of 6010 burning in the morning. 971-204-3444 cell API ASME Structural NDT and Repair
Reply:JamescWas it like an orange fireball explosion?? It happened to me when I neglected to clean well before welding. Maybe a trace of oil on the steel?
Reply:Does it have batterie's? Maybe they are going bad.My Miller Elite has four sensors but if the outer clear lens gets dirty or I have the helmet is in an awkward positon I get flashed with  tig.With mig it will never do it.Check to see if there is a clear lense in front of the sensors,maybe its dirty and blocking the incoming light.
Reply:One the things i like about my miller digital elite is it has 4 light sensors And X modeI had issues with my jackson because of it having only 2 senors mounted at the bottom and they got blocked a lot and it would shut offmy miller DE  does not do that But i weld outdoors a lot so i run it in X mode all the time so it activates when it senses the electrical field when the arc is struck No matter what the current settingBacked my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:I have a 10year old 9000x that  I did a lot of tig welding wit but one day i had that same problem. The sensors where going out not completely just were not as sensitive to the low light any more. they were yellow in color because of the age and UV abuse. My solution was buying a new tig hood speedglas 9100xx good down to 1amp. My other hood(the 9000x) still works for mig welding, but not for tig any more. so to sum it up check these following things1.check to make sure lenses are clean or new if dirty buy some new ones(dont use ones you used mig welding with when tiging)2.buy new batteries 3. check the sensor to see if they are clear or off color4. turn the shade dial to the red side on 9 or 10 put hood on look at your shop lights are turn the sensitivity dial until it goes dark the go back just till it goes light again try and see if that works5.if 1-4 fails its time for a new hood best of luckmiller xmt 304 w/ 22a feederdynasty 200dx tig runnerspeedglas 9100xvictor journeymen O/Aesab shadow 5000 shape cutterClausing Drill Press setAVIA d.r.o. milling machine ercolina ercobender 76baileigh hsp-66mJD2 notchmaster