Autoshades and darkness setting

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Hey guys.So far, I have not been able to see too well while MIG welding. Today I was using a buddy's mask to MIG weld. He said it was a 9 lens, but I still could not see very well at all. I had to put my face right down by the puddle to see it, and  it was still hard to see. Another friend had an auto shade mask, and I thought I had it down on its lowest setting, but could not see very well from it either.So, I'd like to buy myself an autoshade mask that has a very light setting. What is the lightest shade which can be used safely for MIG work (in the lower amperages)?Is there any advantage to paying $100+ vs $30 for the autoshade mask, so long as it will go down to the setting I need? I'd rather get the cheapest thing you guys feel is suitable and worth the cost. So any model recommendations would be helpful.Thanks,Matt
Reply:well matt, if you are wearing tinted safety glasses that might be a problem. This can cause your hood to seem a few shades higher. It all depends on how high the amps etc are when running mig to determine whether the shade is dark enough or not. If short circuiting on non thick steel at lets say 250 amps, I would not go less than a 10. But it all depends on whether you can see or not. If you are new to welding sometimes experience brightens the weld. What I mean by that is, to you it may seem dark(which is is) but to someone who does it all the time, he knows exactly what is going on with that weld puddle. Just something to think about...
Reply:UV/IR protection is completely independant of shade- auto lens or fixed lens. The shade determines visible light levels only. Too light a shade will hamper clarity as will too darkWith an auto lens you're looking through maybe 7 layers (including cover lenses)- far more likely to encounter optical distortion (read poor definition leading to eye strain with extended use)All the cheap auto lens i've peered through have been lacking good quality optics. The difference between a mates cheap auto mask and my Speedglas is staggering- you get what you pay for!If you don't want spend a lot then try a standard fixed mask with a GOLD lens
Reply:avoid backlighting inside the mask.What I mean is any substantial light source from over your shoulder illuminates the inside of the mask and makes it harder to see.when I use our MIG to weld 1/16" - 1/4" steel, I use a shade of 10 on my Jackson adjustable auto darkening hood.I find when I do lower current TIG then I need to be 8-9 on the adjustment.Don't talk about it, Just do it!
Reply:How old are you? Maybe you need a cheater in your helmet; or wear your reading glasses inside your helmet. I'm 60 and wear a 2.00 diopter in my helmet. Diopters are focal length specific; the closer you are to the puddle, the more you need. I like being close, TIG and O/A. 9-11-2001......We Will Never ForgetRetired desk jockey. Hobby weldor with a little training. Craftsman O/A---Flat, Vert, Ovhd, Horz. Miller Syncrowave 250
Reply:Were the hoods clean?  You'd be amazed at the difference in darkness between a brand new coverplate and one that's seen a few months worth of smoke.I keep my BWE on shade 9.