We all know that MIG welding is the best type of welding and allows anyone to weld like a pro. However, MIG welding also requires great skill as well as experience to get the job done right.
One feature that can be used to enhance MIG welding is the exact shade for MIG welding, which helps you weld further away from the metal without any distortion or delay in the welding process.
A lens shade for MIG welding is a custom-made protective lens shade that completely covers the welder’s face and prevents the UV rays from damaging the eyes.
In this article, we will take a look at a detailed discussion about MIG welding and suitable lens shade for MIG welding.
Lens Shade For MIG Welding
The number of lens shade that is suitable for MIG welding is number 10 to 13. It’s a very dark and the best shade for MIG welding, which means that it will protect your eyes from the harmful rays of the welding arc and prevent you from getting migraines due to exposure to UV light.
In general, the higher the number, the darker the lens. For example, a #10 lens has a dark tint and blocks more light than a #7 or #8 lens.
If you are welding in an area with bright ambient light, you may want to use a darker lens that blocks out more light so that what you see through your helmet is less bright.
If you are welding in low-light conditions, such as inside a car or under an overhead cover on a job site, then using a lighter lens can help make sure you don’t miss any spots on your welds because of poor visibility.
A good rule of thumb is to use the darkest lens possible for your situation. If you are in an area with dimmer light but still need to see clearly, then use a darker-tinted lens. If it is brighter where you are working, but you still need to ensure all of your welds are perfect, then use a lighter-tinted lens.
The Importance Of MIG Welding
MIG welding is a process that uses a wire electrode to melt the base metal and create a weld. The process is called Metal Inert Gas (MIG) because it uses gas to protect the molten metal from oxidation.
MIG welding is one of the most popular methods used for joining metals, and it is often used in the automotive industry, as well as other manufacturing processes that require high precision and strength.
The MIG welding process starts with an arc between two electrodes—one on each side of the workpiece being welded.
The electrical current creates an arc between these two electrodes; when this happens, it also heats up the metal around them until it melts into a pool of liquid metal that forms a bond with the base metal being welded together.
Once this pool has formed, it can then be manipulated by moving one of the electrodes closer or farther away from the other, depending on what type of joint you want to make (welding beads vs. fillet welds).
Also See: How To MIG Weld Aluminum Without A Spool Gun?
What is a Good Welding Lens Shade?
The shade of a welding lens is important for protecting your eyes from UV radiation and infrared rays. You’ll want a welding lens shade that’s dark enough to cover your eyes completely but not so dark that you can’t see when you’re working.
A good welding lens shade should also be durable and resistant to scratches, cracks, or other damage.
If you’re going to be working in hot conditions, look for a lens shade that’s made with thermoplastic material or other materials that can withstand high temperatures.
Lens Shade Numbers
Lens shade numbers are used to determine how much light comes through a welding lens.
The lens shade number is a measure of the amount of visible light that is allowed through the lens. Each number represents a different level of light reduction.
For example, a #9 lens will allow about 30% less light than no filter at all, while an #8 allows about 50% less, and so on.
The scale goes from 1 to 13 in half-steps (1 being very dark; 13 being transparent). The lower the number, the darker it gets or the more opaque it becomes, and vice versa.
Higher numbers mean more transparency/more light passing through (but not necessarily enough for every situation).
The number also indicates the level of protection from UV rays. The higher the number, the more protection you get.
Why Should I Use the Right Shade when Welding?
Welding is a dangerous job, so you need to take all the precautions necessary to ensure your safety. The right shade number for your welding helmet is one of those important precautions.
When you are making a weld, there are several things that can go wrong if you don’t have the right shade number in your helmet.
For example, if the shade number is too low and doesn’t protect you from ultraviolet (UV) light, then it could cause damage to your eyes. A high-quality welding helmet will protect you from UV radiation by blocking out as much as 95% of it.
If the shade number is too high, it will not protect your eyes from infrared (IR) radiation and can cause damage to your eyes as well. A high-quality welding helmet will block out as much as 98% of IR radiation.
How To Pick The Right Lens Shade?
The lens shade on your welding helmet is what protects your eyes from the intense light of the welding arc. The light can be harmful to your sight, so it’s important that you pick a shade that meets the requirements of your work environment.
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has created standards for lens shade numbers. The higher the number, the darker the lens. The ANSI standard ranges from 1 to 13, but most common lenses are between 8 and 13.
Most people use a 10 or 11 lens because they’re easier to find and more versatile. A 10 or 11 is good for most indoor uses, while 13 lenses are usually used outdoors or in bright environments where extra protection is needed.
Also See: Can You Weld Stainless Steel with Normal MIG Wire
Comparison Between Passive & Auto Darkening Welding Lens
There are many people who are unaware of the difference between passive and auto-darkening welding lenses.
I will help you understand the difference between these two types of welding glasses, how they work, and when it is best to use one over the other.
Passive Welding Lens:
Passive welding lenses are designed to protect your eyes from bright light. They do this by using a filter that darkens in response to light. This means that you must manually turn on the lens for it to darken, which can be a problem if you are working on something that requires quick reactions or if you need to change your position quickly.
Passive lenses also tend to be less durable than their auto-darkening counterparts because they depend on filters rather than electronics for protection.
Auto Darkening Welding Lens:
Auto-darkening welding lenses have been around since the 1980s and have become increasingly popular since then due to their ease of use and durability.
These lenses automatically sense when there is enough light present in order to activate the darkness feature, which means that they don’t require manual activation like passive lenses do.
They also tend to be more durable than passive lenses because they use electronics instead of filters as part of their protection system.
How can I Know that Lens is not Working?
If your welding helmet lens is no longer working, there are a few ways you can check.
First, take a look at the light coming through the goggles. If it’s not fully clear and you can see some kind of distortion or haze in the lens, it’s probably time for a replacement.
Second, try shining a flashlight through your welding helmet in different areas of the lens to see if there are any spots that don’t let light through, as well as others. These will be your weak points and will need to be replaced sooner rather than later.
Mig Welding Tips in the Context of Lens Shade
- A good weld starts with a properly selected shade on your welding helmet.
- The helmet is the most crucial piece of safety equipment in a welding shop and should never be overlooked.
- Although it’s difficult to over-stress its importance on an arc welder’s safety, many workers fail to use their helmets correctly.
- Remember the shade number of your lens filter and the thickness of the metal you are working with; this will help you determine what minimum recommendation is needed for your filtration requirements.
- Make sure that your replacement lenses meet or exceed ANSI Z87+ standards (or equivalent), which means they will protect against 99% of UV radiation and reduce glare by filtering out light rays that cause eye strain; this can make all the difference between having a clear vision while working in an area filled with bright lights or being blinded by them!
Can you Change the Shade in your Welding Helmet?
Yes, you can change the shade in your welding helmet.
The shade of a welding helmet is determined by the intensity of light that it lets through. The higher the shade number, the darker it will be inside the helmet. Welding helmets come in shades ranging from 9 to 13.
Final Words!
I have recently tackled using a lens shade during MIG welding and have found that the effect is definitely real, even if a bit subtle.
If you’re concerned about protecting your eyes from spattering molten metal, weld by wearing a welding helmet from the convenience of your welding project.
This article on lens shade for MIG Welding is useful to you. I have presented a detailed discussion about the required lens shades for the purpose of the MIG welding project.
Faqs:
What shade lens is needed for arc welding?
Shade 10 is the most protective welding lens, but you can use a higher number of shades as needed. I recommend that you wear shade 10 or higher whenever possible since they protect your eyes from UV radiation more effectively than in lower numbers.
Do you need eye protection for MIG welding?
The short answer is yes. You do need to wear some type of eye protection for MIG welding. When metal is melted, it can cause little bits of metal, known as spatter, to fly up and stick in your eyes. While this may not happen often, there is no way you can count on never needing to replace your contacts or glasses again.
What is the minimum shade for welding?
For oxygen cutting, the minimum shade for welding is shade no. 4, and for gas welding, the minimum shade is no. 5.