"Gefreiter Krueger" wrote in message
news
For a small arc welder for a small job, is a mask really necessary? The
spark doesn't look any brighter than starting at a bright lightbulb.

Yes and also gloves.
The UV can give you skin cancer.
The arc can burn a hole in your retina and lead to other blindness related
complaints in later life.
The fumes from welding rods are very toxic, so as a minimum, always weld in
a well ventilated space.
Prduction welders have a system that whipsaway the fume sinstantly.

I did see this Arab once using a welder by viewing the arc through his
closed eyes.
Out on the street in Cairo.