Training texts for welders in British Columbia Canada say 40 feet. That was
when I took welder training and wire feed was some high tech thing.
There is more radiation from wire feed because there is so little smoke
to diffuse the light.
Randy


"Les" wrote in message
oups.com...
Is there any rule of thumb on how close I can be and still safely watch
(not a casual glance) arc welding without any eye protection? Does
this distance vary by amperage or type (stick, wire, TIG, etc.)?

- les