Welding eye protection

[fogbro1@impop.bellatlantic.net]

Listers,

My brother and I own a Lincoln mig which we've used to restore 3 cars
and a number of frames. We were sold a welding helmet with a #9 lens and
told not to use anything less.
Trouble is we can't see a thing before the arc starts and have trouble
even when it's started. I usually hold a 500 watt lamp near the work so
he can see what he's doing.

Can we safely use less shade? If so, what? Does proper protection depend
on length of exposure? What else?

Ed Woods