Forney 55320 Lift-Front Welding Goggles — Shade 5

Forney 55320 Lift-Front Welding Goggles — Shade 5 Overview

Impact protection and splash protection are different tests. ANSI Z87.1 rates spectacles for impact, but only a device marked for splash (D3) is evaluated against a chemical splash hazard; safety glasses with open sides do not qualify, and a face shield is a secondary protector worn over primary eye protection rather than instead of it.

The Forney 55320 is a lift-front oxy-acetylene welding goggle: a Shade 5 glass filter (2 in x 4-1/4 in) flips up over a clear cover lens so you can position and inspect work, then flips down to weld or cut. ANSI Z87.1 rated, it is the traditional gas-welding cup goggle. Browse the full welding goggles collection and the broader safety goggles and eye protection ranges, and see when a goggle beats glasses in safety glasses vs goggles.

Where the Forney 55320 Fits in Eye-Protection Selection

Match the eye protection to the process. Shade 5 is for oxy-acetylene welding, cutting, and brazing; arc welding needs a helmet instead. Confirm filter density in our welding shade-number reference, the impact/marking rules in ANSI Z87.1, and the employer requirement in OSHA 29 CFR 1910.133.

Who Should Buy the Forney 55320?

• Buy it if you gas-weld or cut and want to flip the dark lens up to inspect work between passes.
• Buy it if you want a proven, economical Shade 5 cup goggle with a replaceable glass filter.
• Choose another shade if your process differs — Shade 5 Lincoln K3118-1 or Shade 3 K3118-2.
• Choose open glasses instead for quick incidental torch work — see welding safety glasses.
• Choose a helmet instead for arc welding — the welding helmets guide.

What Does the Forney 55320 Protect Against?

What the Forney 55320 Does NOT Protect Against

• It is not for arc welding (MIG/TIG/stick) — those require an auto-darkening helmet.
• It is a glass-filter cup goggle, not an impact-first grinding goggle — for heavy grinding choose a polycarbonate wide goggle.
• It is not a face shield — add one over the goggle for full-face grinding coverage.

Important: Filter shade must match the process intensity — too light underprotects against IR/UV (risking photokeratitis and retinal damage), too dark causes strain that leads workers to remove protection. Verify the correct shade against the shade-number reference and OSHA 1910.133 before use.

Best Applications

Oxy-acetylene welding & cutting

The core use — flip the Shade 5 front up to line up the torch, down to run the bead or cut.

Brazing

Shade 5 suits heavier brazing; for light brazing/soldering the Shade 3 Lincoln K3118-2 is easier on the eyes.

Grinding & fabrication

The impact-rated lens lets it double for grinding; round out the kit with welding respirators and the helmet range.

Forney 55320 vs Other Welding & Cutting Goggles

Forney 55320 vs 55301 (flip-up vs fixed)

Both are Shade 5 oxy-acetylene cup goggles. The 55320 flips the front up to inspect work; the fixed Forney 55301 is simpler and cheaper. Verdict: pay a little more for the 55320 if you inspect often; grab the 55301 to save.

Forney 55320 vs Lincoln K3118-1

The 55320 is a traditional flip-up cup goggle; the wide Lincoln K3118-1 is a sealed grinding-capable goggle with an anti-fog polycarbonate lens. Verdict: 55320 for classic gas welding, K3118-1 if the same goggle must also grind.

Forney 55320 Specifications

Helpful Buying Guides

• Best eye protection for welders
• Welding shade-number reference
• Safety glasses vs goggles
• Can safety glasses be used for welding?
• ANSI Z87.1 standard explained
• OSHA 29 CFR 1910.133 eye & face protection

Forney 55320 Lift-Front Welding Goggles — Shade 5 Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Forney 55320 cost?

WC Safety lists it at, with the Amazon buy button reflecting the current Amazon price.

What is the lift-front for?

The Shade 5 filter flips up over a clear cover lens so you can position and inspect work, then flips down to weld or cut.

What shade is the 55320?

Shade 5 — the standard density for oxy-acetylene welding and cutting.

Can I use it for arc welding?

No — arc welding requires an auto-darkening helmet, not a fixed-shade gas goggle.

Is the lens replaceable?

Yes — the glass filter and clear cover lens are standard 2 in x 4-1/4 in plates that can be replaced.

55320 or the fixed 55301?

Choose the 55320 to flip the dark lens up for inspection; choose the 55301 to save money with a fixed lens.

Does it fit over glasses?

It is a cup goggle with limited room; for over-the-glasses fit choose the Jackson WS goggle.

Is it OSHA compliant?

An ANSI Z87.1 Shade 5 goggle meets OSHA 1910.133 when the shade matches the task.

Can I grind in it?

It will handle incidental grit, but for heavy grinding choose a polycarbonate wide goggle like the Lincoln K3118-1.

Is Shade 5 right for cutting?

Yes — Shade 5 is the common density for oxy-fuel cutting; confirm against the shade-number reference for your work.

Is it sealed against splash?

It is a vented cup goggle for spark/IR work, not a sealed chemical-splash goggle.

Can I wear it with a respirator?

Yes — pair it with a welding respirator for fume protection during gas cutting and brazing.