What lens, or auto dark for TIG?

[o.c.d.]

What do you guy's recommend for eye protection? I'm thinking of a auto dark type, but... I have an old Jackson, and a cheap Harbor freight auto DIN 9-13. I like the harbor freight with my Mig as I have not burned my eyes. I've got to do some more traveling due to work stuff, so before I can try my home repaired Econotig, I was wondering. When I repaired the 2 machines I used the cheap Harbor freight helmet and noticed nothing, but this was only for a few minutes on each machine with no gas none the less.

The reason I ask, ~ 10 years ago I was helping a friend weld (holding the steel trying to look the other way), went home, ~ 10PM felt like sand in my eyes, took a shower with eyes open (water on them), had a few more beers, and went to bed. ~ 3AM I awoke to excruciating pain in both eyes, could hardly see, and tears flowing like a Fawcett. Long story short.. Drove to the hospital, the nurse told me before I said a word "you have been welding" I said yes, she put some kind of salve in my eyes and patched both of them and said keep them on for 24 hours. I never realized that "It's ALL about Ultra-violent LIGHT" (Sunburn in the eyes and skin at super speed)..

I don't want to go through that again, so money is an object, but what have you used and/or recommend.

[Bruce]

I changed from a #10 to a #9, I couldn't see what I was doing before that? Bead is getting better too.

[drivethruboy54]

personally i dont like auto darkening for any welding i do. I have extremely sensitive eyes and they do not change fast enough for my liking. After welding for 5 hours straight my eyes burn and my head hurts. If you do go for an auto darkening, buy quality, when it comes to your eye sight i wouldnt mess around with cheap stuff.

i use a big window huntsman with a gold GLASS #10 for MIG, TIG and stick.
I find that the glass lenses, although more expensive last alot longer and resist scratching. Gold filters shut out much more UV and infared light than standard green lenses, and allow viewing in true color as opposed to a green tint. The only downfall with the gold lenses is that if the gold surface is scratched or pits in anyway you have to throw it away because the scratch will allow all UV light through and will do alot of harm to your eyes.

just my 2 cents, most people will disagree with me

[Bruce]

Couldn't you place a plain glass lens in front of the gold? Do you use anything inparticular for plazma cutting? I have never had the pleasure of the auto-darkening helmet, but the green tint has been driving me nuts! I might need to try swapping the two?
Thanks drivethruboy54!

[drivethruboy54]

absolutely, i use a clear cover on the outside of my gold lense, and on the inside, somehow they seem to always get scratched anyway, but i work in a very dirty messy enviroment.

when i plasma cut i normally just use a set of flame cutting goggles.

one day i may drop the money for a good auto darkening for the tig welding that i do. That joker hood from miller definitely looks pretty sweet, until then ill keep my huntsman going.