Eye protection

[Woody]

Tim:

There was quite a discussion on the subject of eye protection for forging a while back on Anvilfire. You might do a search of the archives there.

Woody

[Alan DuBoff]

Originally Posted by Brian C.

To fairly closely quote our dear late friend Jim Wilson, "You can walk with a plastic leg, you can grasp with a plastic arm. But, you cannot see with a plastic eye".

That's a great quote, I might use that on my sig...any reference to one of Jim's posts with that quote in it?

[RegionalChaos]

On anvil fire's email list they spoke about didymum (or however its spelt) glasses. Apparently they are mainly for glass blowers, and block a light given off by sodium, or some such thing. Basically the concensus was that they didn't give too much (if any real) benefit at the forge.

But I'm not an experienced guru, so if anyone wants to correct me please feel free.

[Alan DuBoff]

BTW, I wanted to add that the vintage safety glass I bought recentely, have metal mesh around the outer and bottom portion of the glasses, that fold when they're closed up. This metal mesh actually seems to protect the exposed area of glasses, making them somewhat more akin to goggles.

I wonder why safety glasses are not made like that today? At least I haven't seen them like that and most I see are like modern style rayban or similar fashion glasses, or big ugly square plastic goggles (I have a pair of those also, but they fog easy as I sweat). Those will at least protect pieces of metal from entering the eye as they seal on the face.

The vintage safety glasses are quite cool, IMO, not only as far as functionality but looks also. Of course, I tend to like old things, so not surprising I would like them.

[cheftjcook]

Irn, Woody, Rich, Thomas or anybody who is knowledgable with this stuff...As we are on the eye ware subject...
I definately could and maybe others could too... use a little advice from those more experienced with eye protection. I have to be honest I know how important it is but many times I wonder what type of safety glasses are correct. I use a face shield at the grinder or with whizzers because that stuff flys everywere. But for the forge I have bought clear/tinted wrap around style('cause they look cool, sheepish grin)
Now I have heard of didium sp? or something like that glasses and other such stuff...will they protect better from the different light spectrums what does it do and what do we need to be best protected. I am serious about this now because I have been flashed welding before (that is not fun) and don't want to do damage to eyes. Certainly don't want to be the "blind blacksmith guy" telling my horror story at the next NJBA meeting when I could have asked for advice and been safe.
Thanks TIM

[ThomasPowers]

The biggest problem gettng safety glasses is that everyone wants to sell you stuff rated for arc welding. Unfortunatly arc welding does it's primary damage in the ultraviolet range and the blacksmith's forge in the infrared range---opposite ends of the spectrum!

So you are looking for the gas welding or foundry worker type of protective lenses---or wear protection against projectile matter and don't spend all your time looking into the forge! (Why I don't like gas forges at "eye" level)

I get full eye exams every year as a diabetic and after 25 years of hobby smithing there is no evidence of eye damage so far.

Thomas

[Alan DuBoff]

Thomas,

Just to follow up, I bought a pair of old safety glasses off ebay. With a slight tweaking, they are very nice and cover around the eyes as well as from the front (metal mesh on the sides).

However, as a friend pointed out, the rayban style safety glasses also fit snugly to the eye and pretty much seal the bottom from anything getting up in there also. I like the vintage stuff though, if for nothing else but because it's cool.

[Ten Hammers]

I have had stuff dug out of my eyes 4 times. 3rd time the ER doc infected me and I went to an opthamologist to get fixed after that. Grinding wheel mostly but last time was steel. Jim Wilsons quote is the best. Good Jackson face shield will absolutely let stuff in too. Guess my face is shaped funny. I normally wear glasses for all hazardous operations. Gas forges WILL create mega scale and it will bounce off your glasses. This is a new learning experience for me. Setting in front of a belt grinder or handling a die grinder with varoius bits seems to be the worst. I do have a first class pair of goggles and have not had anything dug out here at home since getting them.

[Alan DuBoff]

Originally Posted by Ten Hammers

I have had stuff dug out of my eyes 4 times.

Yikes, I'm gonna try to learn from your mistakes. Seems that you have since.

Originally Posted by Ten Hammers

Jim Wilsons quote is the best.

Isn't it now...it really make one realize how true it is.

Originally Posted by Ten Hammers

Gas forges WILL create mega scale and it will bounce off your glasses. This is a new learning experience for me. Setting in front of a belt grinder or handling a die grinder with varoius bits seems to be the worst. I do have a first class pair of goggles and have not had anything dug out here at home since getting them.

Seems that most folks are often lazy to put them on, the biggest cause fo eye problems I suspect. Most of us know the safety of wearing them, and most of us buy a pair of some type of safety goggles, glasses, face shield, or similar.

[Daryl]

As far as safety glasses go, here are two things you should consider: 1. I'd recommend trying as many different styles as required to find a pair that feel right for you. 2. Treat your safety glasses well, yet do not be afraid to realise that the glasses are throw away items and should be replaced regularly, however your eyes can't be thought of as the same.