Protective eyewear?

S.Knowles

S.Knowles

Joined
Sep 30, 2005
Messages
657
What is everyone using for forging/forge-welding? Didymium? Didymium and shaded? is there something newer and better? Theres a lot of confusing info out there.

Shawn
 
I'm using oakley M frames since they wrap around, you can change out the lenses, they are ballisticaly rated, durable, supposedly block out all UV light or whatever, and were issued to me for deployment to Iraq (after I bought a pair). Plus they look cool or at least best then some of the other ballistic glasses I have used.
 
From what I can gather, regular sun glasses dont block the harmful effect of the light spectrum produced when forge welding. I think its the IR or something.?
 
I recommend AUR-99 lenses from AuraLens. You can find good eye protection information, charts, comparisons on their website: AuraLens eyewear

There have been several good discussions about this topic on this forum previously. AUR-99 and Auralens have been used in them, so you can use that as a search term to find them again. Others opinions vary. I have used the AUR-99 lenses for a half dozen years and never experienced the "fuzzy eye burn" since. I know Nick Wheeler and "T-Blade" Larry bought them, also.
 
Thanks, Fitzo I'll check 'em out. If their good enough for Larry....Well I wish I could make it up to IG's to see him anyway. I havent seen him since Ashokan.

Shawn
 
Welding shade goggles are not suitable for blocking out the IR that does alot of damage, the best glasses are the ones worn by glass blowers, I forget the name right now.
 
Sam, Those are the didymium ones I refered to in the first post. I'm supprised noone is using them though.
 
I strongly recommend you read the technical information at the site I linked. It will indicate that didymium lenses, while quite decent at blocking UV, are actually some of the poorest at blocking IR.

Do your homework well. You only have one set of eyes.
 
Thanks Fitzo , as I'm still a cromagnon I honestly didnt know what it was I'm supposed to be looking for in a Proper protective lens.

Shawn
 
For years I swore by my expensive Dydimium glasses. Mike (Fitzo) steered me onto the AUR-99 glasses from Auralens. I totally agree with him that they are superior.
Stacy
 
Sam Salvati said:
Welding shade goggles are not suitable for blocking out the IR that does alot of damage, the best glasses are the ones worn by glass blowers, I forget the name right now.
Click to expand...

Modern welding goggles that are ANSI rated do block IR. From what I've read, anything of shade 3 or higher is adequate at blocking both IR and UV produced by a forge. I have 2 face shields that are rated for both IR and UV, one is shade 3 the other is shade 5.

They cost about $40 US each.

ron
 
When you are wearing the AUR-99 lenses are they really dark, as in can you see to hammer your blade or are they really dark and have to be taken off when you are not looking into the forge. I forge outside so it is quite bright.
Cheers Ron
 
AuraLens had one of their optometry people speak to me for 20 minutes, and they grilled me about forges, temps, coatings, and forging habits. Very thorough, they researched it and called back a couple days later and recommended AUR-99 2.0lenses, 2.5s if I forge welded each and every day of the week. I like the lighter shade, because they are more like sunglasses than oxy/ac welding lenses, and offer equivalent or better protection with much better general visibilty.

I bought a pair of 2.0 safety lenses in a large frame with side shields. When I got them in 2002or2003 they were $74. I think they have discontinued that model, though.

I've been totally happy with these glasses. I even use them in the basement shop using the HT furnace.

Any questions, you should call them. They are quite friendly but very professional. We also have didymium lenses from them for doing soft glass work; without them, that sodium flare is blinding. Didymium certainly has it's place.
 
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