A few of my first welds with the I-MIG 200.....

[CGCINC]

These are not great but I will get better. Just need some practice and pointers.
One HUGE problem I have is that I cannot see what I'm welding. I've adjusted the helmet everywhere and nothing works.
I'm basically guessing at what I'm doing....Any idea on that?
I did order a Fabricator helmet so maybe that will help.

These are on 1/8" material: 17.6 volts, 205ipm wire speed, Arc Force at 1/4 on.
They seem cold then get hot so I'm thinking more voltage and faster speed.


These are also on the same 1/8" material: Voltage is cranked to max, speed was cranked to max Arc Force still at 1/4 on.


These are on 16 gauge material: 16.4 volts, 200 ipm speed, 1/4 Arc Force.

[Rodsmachineshop]

how far is your face from the shield inside helmet . my helmet has holes in the head band to move helmet father or closer to face i have mine with face as close as it will go . I did have a helmet once self darkening and same thing could see crap when welding tossed it in the trash . I bought my last helmet from northern tools since the guy on welding tricks liked it and said it worked good , it works great like the helmet . tell me how you like Fabricator helmet was thinking of getting one of those too . hey welds look good

[CGCINC]

Not sure on how close my face is... I can TIG fine but it's almost like a #9 shade is too dark, I need 8 or 7 which the Fabricator has. I hope I don't screw my eyes up more than they are after 3 botched Lasik surgerys.

[Rodsmachineshop]

I have flash burned my eye's it sucks . I never go under 9 . how far from the weld are you when welding maby your to far from weld when welding to see rite . I have a friend with lasik and he had to get glass's when welding since things up close was blurry but he could see very long distance great . darn chart is to small have try to make it larger http://www.metalwebnews.com/howto/guide/guide.pdf

[CGCINC]

My problem is.... I still have glasses. Two surgery's on my left eye and one on the right and I have a little double vision and haloing in both eyes.
Yes, when I was welding my Mig cart and holding the torch down in the frame far from my eyes, I had no clue where I was.
With the above welds, I tried everywhere from almost in the puddle to about 16" and it didn't matter, as soon as I'm welding I can see the puddle but the seam or joint of what I'm welding disappears. Probably partly my Tractor Supply helmet and partly my eyes.

And your a real wise guy with that damn small chart! lol..... just kidding

[KSmith]

Sometimes when the seam or joint is hard to see, I know I need more light on the material overall. I put a cheater lens in my cheapo helmet and it helped immensely. Was about 10 bucks. Now, at the distance I am from the weld, I can see the puddle very clear. I tend to be looking about 10" to a foot away from the weld.

the 1/8" material is pretty dirty, so I would be cleaning it first. The 1/16" welds look better, but could be a bit hotter. The second bead on top is definitely not hot enough, or moving too fast. Just sitting on top like toothpaste. IMO. You'll get it with practice.