mig welding mask question

[steveo3002]

I'm about to order a self darkeing welding helmet

its ajustable from about 4-13 on the darkness scale

what darkness is required for mig welding or are all those settings safe and down to user choice

a pic for your troubles

[Geforce Junky]

I use 11. Below 8 is probably be a bad idea in the long run.

[tmrancho2]

I use mine on about 9, it got knocked around to the highest setting the other week and I wondered why I couldn't see what I was welding.

[purplevanman]

9 for me too

[shedspeed]

It depends on the amperage and how bright the arc you're striking is, if you're using tig it'll be very bright compared to mig. According to what I've learnt in college and through personal experience, arc-eye leaves no permanant damage to the eyes, so don't worry about having it a shade too light, you'll be fine. Set it so you can see what you're doing and if you find you can't see great afterwards, knock it up a shade.

As an afterthought, cheapo chinese autodark masks tend to be far lighter than decent expensive brands at the same setting. Even on its darkest setting my cheapo mask is useless when whacking my works welder (400a) right up, but it's much better for using on my gash little 150a Clarke set down low.

[tonka12]

9 for me to ;D

[Bob the Fish]

Mine goes 9-13, tweak according to MIG setting but generally 9 here too cos most is thin sub-3mm stuff.