Safety
What helmet shade should I use?
Quick answer
Use shade 10–12 for MIG and general stick at hobby amperages, shade 12–13 for 200 A+ stick or heavy fabrication, shade 9–10 for low-amp TIG. All of it assumes an Australian Standards auto-darkening helmet — fixed glass only belongs to dedicated cutting goggles and specific processes.
Shade by process and amps
| Process / amps | Shade |
|---|---|
| TIG <100 A | 9–10 |
| MIG 100–180 A | 10–11 |
| Stick 130–180 A | 11 |
| Stick 200 A+ / gouging | 12–13 |
| Plasma cutting to 40 A | 8–9 (per machine manual) |
Non-negotiables
The helmet must carry the ASNZS/EN compliance marks. Cheap online helmets with fake delay specs pass UV while 'clear' — that's how people accumulate retinal damage they blame on age. Buy the helmet from a welding supplier, not a gadget store.