Check the lenses on the inside and out to see if there are any scratches or cracks.
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But if you think it’s within that age limit and you want to use it, there are other things you should also inspect it for first. So, if you’re unsure of how old that welding mask in the garage is, or what shade level it is, you may be best off not taking the chance with your eyesight. NASA also recommends that you don’t use any equipment that’s more than three years old. But is this sufficient for viewing a solar eclipse? Most variable shade masks will adjust from shade level #9 to #13. With a shade level of 13, you won’t be able to see in normal light. Shade levels are listed by number, up to 13. This type of helmet is called a variable shade mask. In fact, some of them allow you to adjust the shade level to meet the demands of the work and environment you’re in at any given time. These helmets come in varying levels of shade. Well, it depends on the particular welding mask that you use. So, if a welding mask can protect your eyes from the damage they could sustain from welding, then they should be able to protect you when viewing an eclipse, right? This is essentially sunburn in the eye and can cause serious damage. They can be so bright that welding without a mask is likely to result in “ arc eye”. If so, then you know just how bright the flashes, sparks, and arcs created by welding can be. If you have a welding helmet laying around, then it stands to reason that you’ve probably performed some welding before. A solar eclipse still poses the same danger to your eyes, so how does one go about looking at a solar eclipse? Using a Welding Helmet to View a Solar Eclipse Likely, your parents told you not to do this as a child, and hopefully, you listened! If not, then you probably don’t have to worry about seeing a solar eclipse since you’re likely blind now! OK, that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but you definitely can go blind from looking directly at the sun. Most of us know better than to stare at the sun. One of the difficult parts about eclipse viewing is avoiding damage to your eyes.
![solar eclipse glasses shade 14 welding glass lenses solar eclipse glasses shade 14 welding glass lenses](https://www.phillips-safety.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/FG-RED-808S-300x300.jpg)
Naturally, this is several times longer than any of us will live, so if you’ve seen one before, you probably won’t see another in the same place again! But they only happen at any given place on earth once every 360-410 years. Of course, in the age of social media and cameras in everyone’s pocket, you could easily see videos or pictures of one.
![solar eclipse glasses shade 14 welding glass lenses solar eclipse glasses shade 14 welding glass lenses](https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/33349872-5753-49d2-8982-f098a488dfeb_1.b6c398463d7bad6d621da2a938742154.jpeg)
A total solar eclipse is a very rare event, and most people will never actually see one in their lifetime. If you’ve ever seen a solar eclipse, you should consider yourself to be pretty lucky. 0 Can I Use a Welding Helmet to View an Eclipse?