Powertip: "You're doing it wrong"... Work on positioning & using shielding devices. Welding clothing (which I buy at ARC3) is only designed to stop grinding sparks & the occasional slag from MIG/GMAW welding, SMAW slag will rip right through it. Good luck with it, practice makes perfect. When I first started MIG/GMAW welding, my arms looked like a 20x day heroin user.. I've wised-up over the years. Lastly: The 3M Speedglas shield is worth the $400+ pricetag, sure, it's 400% more than a Lowe's or Home Depot shield, but you'll thank me later.