Bob, Please jump into any of my threads, old new, or indifferent. In this case there was recent activity but to get recent activity in a thread someone has to post to an old one, WHICH I INVITE!
A good friend of mine told me about something in his metal class in school. The instructor described how you look at the puddle not the arc and such. The students went to try their hand at striking and holding an arc to weld some little pieces of steel. One of the students complained that although he did it OK at first he couldn't see to do it now. HE DID NOT USE A WELDING SHIELD, just safety goggles. Apparently thought safety glasses made it safe.
We the unwilling led by the unknowing...
I almost weld by braille since I use as dark a shade as I can and still sort of do OK. Mostly with the plasma all I see are some sparks on the backside. With fences to guide me or templates I can do just about as good with my eyes shut as open.
Pat