Cataracts are a sign or age, seems everyone I know has had the operation, but I have to wait as optometrist want you at 20/50 before they will recommend surgery.
Got a magnifying glass and read the tint range on the helmet.
Lowest setting is 8, I am at about 8.5 welding fairly thin CroMo so not really as ultra-light as my guy was claiming. He uses almost 11.
He made it sound like I was using virtually no shade at all.
From the linked text, "Sensitivity control is useful when welding at low amperages, especially TIG, when the arc isn't as bright as other welding processes".
Chart starts at 9 but I think I will be OK with 8.5, not doing this all day every day.
Poked around the web searching for more clues.
Then did some more practice using the hints.
When I can turn the work to the top for good access and visibility I am not too embarrassed.
Have to keep my weld segments short, no more than an inch and a half.
Side of vertical is more of an issue, overhead - FORGET IT!
I already have some portable LED lights that work well to illuminate the work, until they lose their charge.
I am going to try to buy a piece of leather or heavy wool felt to attach to the helmet in order to block glare from the rear. Helps me a lot.
A pair of 2.5 glasses also helps but I have to get my face closer to the work. (Prescription calls for 2 and 3)
The suggestion of a line of punch marks that would "Lite up like runway lights" to help me stay on the weld line only sort of worked.
A shallow bevel seems to help as it does leave a bright line to follow.
Probably not as helpful if the tube has a bright finish.
So I'm going to weld in a diagonal brace to fight the fraction of twist I have.
I also have to force myself to find time to do this in
daylight, with the roll-up door open, on days when the wind is not too bad. Giving up on night welding.
Then do small segments well away from each other and check flatness often.
So long as it does not start going all potato-chip when I weld off the table I think I will be OK.
I already know the top side is not as good as the bottom, not too worried as body mount tabs will take care of the minor discrepancies there.