Watching the eclipse--welding lenses

[digger242j]

Ok, I searched the internet a little bit, and the consensus seems to be that a shade 14 lens is ideal, and you don't want to use lighter than a shade 12, which is ok for limited viewing.

I have a couple of 2" X 4.3" shade 12 lenses, and they'll fit into cutting goggles, but I have a handful of shade 10, and shade 5. Would stacking those two shades add up to 12 or better?

I know somebody here will know.

 

[Old Doug]

I found several pairs of new eclipse glasses in my dads stuff . I am going to take them to work Monday and give them away.

 

[Vetech63]

Oh sh^$, there's math questions!?

 

[Acoals]

I watched the eclipse a few years ago with a welding hood, seemed fine. I think I turned it all the way dark, if I remember correctly. I don't think I actually watched long, more or less long enough to make sure it was safe and then gave the hood to the kids . . .

 

[digger242j]

Here at home it's not going to be total, just about 97%. Where my kids are going to be it'll be better than 3 minutes of totality. I'd like them to be able to experience it, safely of course.

I don't plan on watching it for an extended period, so I'm comfortable taking an occasional peek with a shade 12. I'm seeing stories about fake eclipse glasses being sold, so I'd be happier knowing they're going to use something that really is dark enough.

 

[terex herder]

I chased the '17 total eclipse, cool thing. We had about everything, pinholes, special glasses, welding helmets. It was neat to experience, but chasing it with wife, son, and daughter-in-law was better than the eclipse itself.

 

[Shimmy1]

Looks like you should be ok with 2-10s stacked, but it is the internet.......

Welding lens question. Viewing the eclipse.

I understand a 13 lens is the best but hard to find. 12s and 14s are more common but 14s are impossible to find right now. I read 12s can be used but 13 is still better. My question. I bought a 12 and a 5 and stacked them. Definitely better than the 12 alone but does anyone know how close the...

www.smokstak.com

 

[Birken Vogt]

I've watched eclipses for decades with whatever welding hood was handy. Never for long periods, though. I don't find it interesting enough to just sit and stare anyway.

 

[digger242j]

Looks like you should be ok with 2-10s stacked, but it is the internet.......

Welding lens question. Viewing the eclipse.

I understand a 13 lens is the best but hard to find. 12s and 14s are more common but 14s are impossible to find right now. I read 12s can be used but 13 is still better. My question. I bought a 12 and a 5 and stacked them. Definitely better than the 12 alone but does anyone know how close the...

www.smokstak.com

Yeah, but so is HEF.

Thanks though. That was an interesting read.

I just experimented with 2 x10 vs 10+5. Using a really bright flashlight shining from behind, a 10 plus a 5 looks pretty similar to a 12 by itself. Might be a bit darker. Two 10s together, and I couldn't even see the flashlight.

Oh sh^$, there's math questions!?

Yeah. We're going to change the 'try to stop the spammers' question from "What is the nickname for Caterpillar?", to "Does 10 + 5 equal 14?", and the answer has to be "If you're watching an eclipse, sure!"

 

[Shimmy1]

I got a kick out of the guy that said:

 

[Welder Dave]

Shade 12 will be fine. Think of running a gouging torch at 500 or 600 amps and your eyes are only a foot away from a 10,000 deg.+ arc. Shade 14 is just the darkest shade made so it's easy to specify it. They can be hard to find though. Adding another shade to it might help slightly but I think the darkest shade would take priority.