welding question

[skid]

can you use the same protection for gas arc and mig or are they different strengths    

[pete g]

good question mig and arc should be the samenot sure about gas think that can be lighter.

but what do i know been down hospital twice  with arch eyes after welding    

dont go there it bl**** hurts      

[skid]

cheers

[Scottish Bloke]

Get the proper kit. You can do long term damage to your peepers otherwise. Don't even take risks with "it's only a little bit"

[perksy]

One advantage with the gas welding is that you don't receive the 'radiated heat' like you do with the arc mig and tig, hence no 'sunburn' when you wear goggles.

I've always used an autodark helmet with the same strength lense for arc, mig and tig....

[scruffythefirst]

I dont know if you guys have seen any of the bike building on sky, half the time they dont use a helmet or goggles.

(i know nowt about welding and am not reccomending it )

[Man On The Clapham Omnibus]

AFAIK the main hazard with any electrical arc welding is ultra violet, not heat per se. Gas welding, i.e. oxy acetylene, is not dangerous with regard to uv but it is very bright and you need protection from sparks. The goggles that I was given to use when I learned to oxy-acetylene weld were rather like very deep green shades. The instructor said to avoid the light from arc welding even from a distance and even by reflection. He said the result of ignoring this advice is to wake up the next day feeling as if you have got sand under your eyelids!  I'm sure pete g will confirm this description.

[mr-rad]

Arc welding masks are quite strong in that you cant see through it until an arc is sparked up. MIG welding masks are a few shades lighter and you can just about make out shapes and as someone mentioned gas welding goggles are like strong shades.

My opinion would be to get the correct strenth of lens to suit the type of welding you are doing. Arc welding with a MIG mask could still damage your eyes.

For those of you who havent had the pleasure of suffering Arc eye imagine someone has thrown sand in your eyes and that your eyes become ultra sensitive to light but they are not comfortable closed. It can last up to a week.

As a footnote the reactalite welding masks you can buy make welding so much easier.

[Westfieldman]

See here