gas welding aluminum - which lenses

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I am interested in using my O/A rig to weld aluminum but I see that the blue welding lenses from tinmantech are $300-$400 and someone just posted something about a set for $500+.  Would some blue/green #3 shades work - I saw some on ebay for a few bucks?  I am not asking which is better, I am asking which is sufficient to allow me to see what I am doing without injuring my eyes.  I just can't afford to spend hundreds on a lense right now.Hobart LX235Victor 250 Oxy-Acetylene Rig (welding and cutting)Bobcat 773F-350, 1999, 4x4, 16' 10K# trailerOutdoor Wood Burner - 10 cords/year
Reply:Whoaa....the TM lens is about $145, not $500. There are only really 3 that "work", with the TM being the best. The cobra lens is OK, but not the greatest, and the Phillips Alloweld is a glued together glob that has streaks in it. Cobalt blue filters do little, and if youre beginning down this road, youre going to need to see as well as you can. If you really cant swing the $145, then my second choice would be the Cobra Cobalt IR lens at $50 from www.cut-like-plasma.comP.S. I should mention that once you get comfortable welding aluminum, you "can" use a standard #5 lens, however its not nice. For a beginner its almost impossible.Last edited by makoman1860; 07-20-2010 at 06:06 PM.
Reply:$145 is much better - just revisited that site.  I'll still have to put it off for a bit, but that is easier to digest.I saw a few discussions that shed some light on this - cobalt doesn't block the infrared or ultraviolet.Hobart LX235Victor 250 Oxy-Acetylene Rig (welding and cutting)Bobcat 773F-350, 1999, 4x4, 16' 10K# trailerOutdoor Wood Burner - 10 cords/year
Reply:Originally Posted by gwileyI saw a few discussions that shed some light on this - cobalt doesn't block the infrared or ultraviolet.
Reply:I acetylene for the fuel ok?  It sounds as though hydrogen is not really necessary.Hobart LX235Victor 250 Oxy-Acetylene Rig (welding and cutting)Bobcat 773F-350, 1999, 4x4, 16' 10K# trailerOutdoor Wood Burner - 10 cords/year
Reply:almost any fuel gas can be used, the flux provides the oxidation protection for the most part. Acetylene is good to learn on.