Can't see welding puddle

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I have the miller auto shade helmet and am welding with mig 030 er70s wire on fairly thin steel ( 18 to 20 guage) and using CO25.  When I start the arc it's too bright for me to see the puddle and wire well enough to control the weld.  I tried going higher on the shade control but no good.  Is it just that the thin metal gets too hot too quick?
Reply:Are you sure the auto shade is working?  Make sure that the sensor is clear.  So it will get enought light to activate.  I use flux core alot and the smoke settles on the sensor cover and after several hours of welding it will not autodarken unless I am looking straight at the arc.  I wipe off the plastic with a nice clean shop towel and it starts acting right again.  If the arc seems too bright it is likely that the arc isnt bright enought to cause the helmet to darken and you are looking at the weld on shade 4-6 instead of 9-12.  Just a thought.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:No, it's definitely working, just doesn't seem to shade enough.
Reply:Try a regular helmet with a 12-13 shade.  Is the steel galvanized?  If it is, the heat could be causing the zinc to burn REALLY bright.  This is common for galvanized steel, even with mig.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:I'll try throwing in some zen, mind control, yoga crap here too.  Often the visibilty issue is multi faceted. The eye automatically goes right straight to the light. For quite awhile you have to really focus on and concentrate on the surroundings. Look at the point where the wire meets the base metal, the puddle, the slag forming on the puddle, the color of the base. Doing this you are looking around and through the brightness. You tune it out.  After a while it becomes a more natural action.Another is to try and put more of your work light on the piece than behind or in your hood. Every body is a little different but play around with various lighting conditions till you find one that works better for you. There is no single solution. It all plays a role. Lens shade, focus, lighting.
Reply:I remember before when I was just a pup and I could not understand waht folks were taking about when they said look at the puddle.   I recently dint quite know what to look for.  It was confusing.  Well after falling alseep a few times welding, and a few thousand hours under the hood, Id say there never was a moment of recognition.  Just one day I noticed, hey thats the puddle they be always takin about.  Just give it time.  Might do better practicing with the 1/8" first as this will give you a better view of the puddle.  Either way, youll get it.  Giver hell, but giver patience too.  It will come to yaGood luckCHRIS
Reply:Good point (and call) fella's.  Sometimes you miss the real issue by over examination of symptoms rather than looking at the most likely cause.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:Thanks for the feed back all.  Visisbility is a little better on the 1/8 metal.  I did work the zen thing and you're right, I was concentrating more on where I was going, looking at the edges of tthe puddle, etc.  and the visibility was better.  It's going to take some practice - I either go too slow or too fast, can't seem to find the right pace, but it'll come with practice.  I think I will also try the regular helmet, I need a second one anyway in case my daughters want to watch or help.
Reply:Not sure I understand the problem your having. Is the shade working (switching)? Does the shade work fine on thicker metal? Are you doing this welding outside or near a bay door with sunlight comming in? My hood miller auto shade seems to switch back and forth during welding near the sunlight. I have to adjust the sensitivy setting on mine.If it is switching while welding this light gauge metal and staying switched then the sensitivy it probably not the problem.
Reply:Originally Posted by SandyAnother is to try and put more of your work light on the piece than behind or in your hood. Every body is a little different but play around with various lighting conditions till you find one that works better for you.