Liquid crystal welding glass shields having improved optical angular properties

A welding glass filter construction that is able to switch rapidly between a high light-absorbing state and a low light-absorbing state, and vice versa, in response to variations in the intensity of welding light comprising two nematic-type liquid-crystal cells disposed between transparent, electrode-loaded plates which can be connected to a voltage source and which are provided with coatings which determine the directions of molecule orientation and which define the molecule alignment direction with mutual angular displacements at their limiting surfaces, therewith causing the liquid crystals to be twisted optically in the absence of voltage between the electrode coatings on the plates, wherein the cells are each mounted between mutually extinguishing polarization filters, and wherein the molecule alignment directions are so turned as to obtain a compensation effect between the respective asymmetrical light absorptions of the cells when a voltage is applied, wherein at least one of the angular displacements of the cells with respect to said molecule alignment directions in the absence of said voltage differs from 90.degree. and is greater than 0.degree. and no greater than 85.degree..