Thread: Guide for welding lens shade

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Came across this guide in the Metalcraft welding magazine that is included when you buy a new Lincoln welder. Should answer some of the questions on lens shade numbers, that have been brought up on the forum recently. Sniper

I have had a similar chart in my welding box since the 60s. I haven't refered to it in years, but kinda know what one to use now. Lenses are available from 2 to 16 and should be in every welders box. Using the same lens for every job just makes it harder to do a good job.
No responses to this post kinda tells me that our hobby and home welders arent getting quite enough education on the job at hand.

Ok here ya go. Back when I mig welded aluminum on a regular (daily) basis I used a #12 lens. I used a #10 or#11 for welding steel with a mig or stick and a #10 tig welding aluminum. Now that I'm a little older and no longer weld for a living I use a #9 or #10 for mig welding, mostly the #9 for welding body panels and such.

I am using a 9 gold right now. It's a little bright until my eyes adjust, probably should try a 10. Most of my welding is small projects using 7014 (ac) or 7018 (dc) Once in a while I use the elcheapo wire feed to tack stuff together.

Back before I had to buy my lenses I used the gold ones. After a long time the gold could get a small scratch, letting a small un-noticed amount of light in and burning my eyes.

Originally Posted by Joliet Jake

Back before I had to buy my lenses I used the gold ones. After a long time the gold could get a small scratch, letting a small un-noticed amount of light in and burning my eyes.

That's good to know, thanks.

Let me qualify my statement above. Don't let it sway you from a gold lens, I worked in a heavy duty industrial setting. Lying on your back and welding overhead, grit and metal would find it's way between the clear poly lens and the tinted one and over time would "grind" away at the gold plating and you wouldn't even know it. They are far better than non-plated lenses, IMO.

I've used gold lenses, but didn't like them for that very reason. Alittle slip when changing lenses and presto, instant 20 dollar junk. If you do use them, you should get the soft rubber gasket that goes on the lense and cover plate. They not only prevent scratches but also stop that annoying little light leakage around the edge of the lense. I use them with colored lenses and the lenses last for years. In some situations I will even put a cover lense on the inside to protect the colored lense. Usually with the LN22 with 1/8" flux core.