Any risk to eyesight while welding?

I've been considering learning to weld and have been reading about it. This is the multi-process model I am looking at. It would not be used for daily professional use. So I am looking for an inexpensive model.

Is is possible to damage my eye sight even if I am wearing eye shielding?

https://www.amazon.com/Gasless-Inver...89%3AS7&sr=8-6

 

I don't think there are any issues wearing a welding mask.
I've welded a lot and have never had problems.
It doesn't make it easy to learn but a mask is imperative.

My father was a heavy equipment union operator on pipeline construction.
He told me about the first time he "watched" the welding. It was the first and last time.
It's like getting sand in your eyes.

 

When you say 'watched' the welding....you mean he was kinda' standing off to the side like an observer without a welding mask?

Did your Dad come out ok?

 

He was sitting on a sideboom. I wasn't born then but have heard all about it.
He was in agony all night and most of the next day.

That was many years ago.... he's ok.

 

I use an auto-darkening helmet from Harbor Freight that works quite well. I typically use it on the darkest setting but it also helps to have some good lighting when welding.

 

Glad your Dad recovered Pete.

Yeah, I looked at some equipment on Harbor Freight too. Do you think it is worth spending only $169 on a welder for light use? I'm guessing it will yield sloppy but functional welds. I really can't justify spending a lot.

 

No, your eyesight will not be harmed if wearing a helmet. The MIG model you linked is relatively safe, it's TIG that you have to worry more about. If you choose an auto darkening model it will protect you even if it doesn't darken. The plastic in the lenses absorbs the dangerous UV while the darkening is primarily there for your comfort and so you can see better.

With a MIG welder using a shield gas yields higher quality welds, is cleaner and generates a lot less smoke. Flux core wire can produce good welds but it's more dirty, leaving a lot more smoke residue on the work surface and in the air.

When picking a MIG welder make sure you get one that has parts available. The tips and shield nozzle are wear parts, especially the tip. If you purchase a non-brand name (not: Miller, ESAB, Lincoln...) make sure you buy extra consumables with the welder. Or, buy a welder that uses the same consumables as one of the major brands.

One of the biggest issues you'll run into with a 120 volt powered welder is the low duty cycle. It is usually listed as a percentage. That is the amount of time it can power an arc without overheating. If the specs say it has a 20% duty cycle that means you can spend 20% of the time welding (at the specified amperage) and must spend the other 80% with the welder on but not powering an arc so it can cool. It's a sliding scale so if welding thin metal at low amperage you can weld longer without taking a break while thicker metal requiring higher amperage will weld for short periods before needing to cool.

 

So your precious eyesight is worth buying a cheap made in China helmet? The arc produced from a MIG or TIG can cause a condition called arc eye, a condition that is similar to sunburn and can lead to blindness.

Some say that any "auto" darkening is bad, the lag time is critical!

i weld, and a good helmet is an investment, don't go cheap, some day you may regret!

 

I've never used an auto darkening lens but I want to buy one for my next helmet if I ever do get a new one.

I have 2 helmets. The one I bought to start welding School in 1976 and another one that I think came with a Lincoln stick welder I bought new.

My problem today is, I don't see as well any more. I used to use a #12 shade lens. I finally had to go to a 10. I think I am using a 9 now & I'm a concerned about going lower. I'm actually a little concerned about a 9, although, I remember it was discussed in our training & a 9 was acceptable back then.
From my research an auto darkening lens is the way to go for my condition/situation, but I want to do more research.

I have a little Lincoln 125 wire welder that I bought in 2001 I think. I have run several rolls of wire through that thing. Its really been a good machine for tinkering. I cant weld nearly as good as I used to. I actually used more wire on paying jobs than rods. My first welding job was working in a ship yard building ladders. My last paying jobs was building racks for 3 & 4 wheelers. A few jobs between. Now I piddle at home occasionally. Therefore I have lost a LOT of knowledge & skill that I once had.

 

I don't weld a lot but knowing the basics and especially the machine settings is the basis, Like riding a bike, your rusty but it comes back!

 

One thing I didn't learn until several yrs ago is you don't want to be wearing photo grey or transition glasses. They work against you because they darken as you strike the arc. I always had trouble seeing my work. I know have a pair of clear lens glasses that I wear when welding.

While staring at the arc can cause long term damage, a quick glance isn't apt to affect you more than an hour - colored spots in your vision.

 

It's not likely I would be welding with gas. Most likely flux cored arc welding. After reading all this, I'm concerned enough about my eyesight to give more thought to selection of eye shielding

 

With MIG welding protecting your eyes is really not an issue. Any welding helmet lens will protect you from the UV no matter the brand or cost. I've got Miller masks and Harbor Freight... and I like the Harbor Freight better. An auto darkening helmet will still protect you even if it doesn't darken or if the batteries are dead. You might still see spots because of the bright light but it's not harmful for anything close to a reasonable timeframe.

The darkness of the lens is a personal choice to offer the best visibility. Auto darkening helmets are nice because they allow you to adjust the amount of darkening. You may want different darkening levels between welding inside and outside in the sun. The sensitivity is also adjustable for the same reason (even indirect sunlight can trigger the helmet to darken). The darkening delay can also be adjusted. For most work you want it set as fast as possible but it can be annoying if set too fast because it may darken before a proper arc is established. I like my delay about 1/3 up from the minimum.

 

From what I read, flux-cored welding is similar to MIG. But a little different.
So is choice of welding helmet not so critical with flux-cored welding in the same way as MIG?

 

No difference in arc all your doing is trading shielding gas for flux wire. As far as welding goes, MIG (w/gas) is superior!

 

Ok