Hi Blast,

Its not only eye protection that is required for electric arc welding. A full face shield is required to protect the face from the UV light generated from the electric arc as well. Electric arc welding requires a much stronger light filter than gas welding goggles. A full flip up/down face mask with a very strong light filter (the light filter is normally so strong that it is completely opaque to normal lighting conditions, hence you cannot see what your doing until the electric arc is struck). With gas welding, the goggles glass filters are much less opaque. So generally you can see what your doing in normal light conditions before introducing the light produced from the Oxyacetylene flame of the gas welding tip. Gas welding temperatures are some what lower and don't really produce UV light during the welding or brazing process. If you are doing any electric arc welding a proper full face mask is required. There should also be no exposed skin in direct line of sight of the electric welding arc either. This include all electric arc welding including MMA, MIG and TIG.