My credentials: 67 now and pop taught me welding as soon as I could walk. I've been welding on and off ever since. Ran my own production fabrication shop for many years and worked at a government accelerator lab later in life where I worked as an instrument welder requiring knowledge of all phases of welding.
Ken's right on the button with his advice, use the correct equipment or for sure your going to do some permanent damage.
I think it's a crime when the TV car/bike programs show the guys welding without UV protection. At any of the jobs that I have worked at, if anyone had attempted that they would have been fired on the spot, no questions asked.
As far as the torch shields go, there is still UV reflected from around the shield, which will cause burns to the skin and eyes. I would not believe any claim that the American Welding Society approves these. I would have to see that published in an official AWS paper before I would believe that and even then I certainly would not use it myself or recommend it to anyone.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL
