Can't see while welding

One thing that helps me sometimes is getting a REAL bright lamp, like about 2-300 watt and set up to light the weld area. Bright sunshine of course helps. My current helmet is a Chineseo auto helmet that the local Ox-arc sold. I usually use it with the MIG at the "lightest" setting. So far, no sore eyes

Also, try to position yourself with you between the weld and the torch to shield some of the direct arc