Quote Originally Posted by randyr
Hey Dave,
Here's a question for ya.....I finally fired up my new welder yesterday....yeah, I know, what took so long, right? Just been too busy with other stuff....anyway, it came with a hand-held eye protector. I haven't bought a welding helmet yet cause I'm too cheap and looking for a great deal...LOL...in the meantime, will the goggles from my acetelene welder work for mig welding?
Will give more of an update on the car after while. Thanks.
Randy
Randy,
You're up early today!!

In one word NO. You not only need eye protection but skin protection from the UV emissions from the arc. I do not believe that the gas goggles are more then an 8 or 9 for light tranmission level. For arc welding safety you need at least a 10, and a 12 is better. The idiots you see on car and bike shows are dumb to even tack weld w/o a shield.
One eyeball "sunburn" is a real wake up - been there with a very minor one years ago. Take a walk down to the beach, pick up a handful of sand and throw it in your eyes and leave it there for a day or two - this will give you a general idea of the discomfort level. Be real careful on EvilBay - some of those hoods offered aren't too good.

The hand held mask they give you, as far as I'm concerned is junk and is only good enough to hold while watching someone else weld. You need a self darkening hood, either UV(arc) activated or battery activated in about 1/25,000 of a second for safety. The one I have is a UV, fairly low end, but since I'm not doing this for a living is fine - and as a matter of fact I have it on right now since I've been welding up some hood latch holes this morning. You also need good long gauntlet welding gloves - welded steel gets real hot .

I had planned on painting the end of the week with my wife in Merrie Olde England for 8-9 days visiting kid(daughter) #4 and grandchildren, but if you turn on the Weather Channel, you can get an idea of the conditions we've had .