Subject: Re: Eye protection

From: Steve Smith <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 21 May 96 17:37:58 MDT

> Lets see if I understand this. When welding one is concerned with;
> 
> IR
> UV
> Sodium Flare
> "bright light"
> 
> If UV is not an issue and standard welding glasses provide IR & "bright 
> light" protection. The only remaining issue is sodium flare. Do they 
> work for that?
> 
> Daryl
> [email-masked]

I don't if sodium flare is  an issue in welding. It is in glass work.

> Gold is a bit expensive and a bit fragile.  However, I have a lens that is
> 15 yrs old and as long as it is kept behind clear protective lens covers
> and the paper/cardboard/gasket like material spacers are in place between
> the protective covers and the lense, it will last and last and last.  I now
> use my electronic hood most of the time but I have 2 other hoods for
> teaching, helpers or what ever.

Thanks for the 2 cents. The piece I'm missing is what advantage does
gold have? It seems like a welding lens gets you to the same place
cheaper and more rugged.

--
Steve Smith
[email-masked]

---

From: "[email-masked] 415.855.5707" <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 22 May 1996 06:57:59 -0800 (PST)

>I don't if sodium flare is  an issue in welding. It is in glass work.

Sodium flare is an issue in welding when you are using a flux (and you want to
see what you are doing).  The classic example is gas welding aluminum which
requires the use of a flux to prevent oxidation of the weld puddle.  The flux
burns with an intense yellow flare which makes it impossible to see the weld
puddle.  The same thing happens with brazing although it is less problematic.

I don't know how much of an issue it is in forge welding - you have the same
light and flare problems, but you don't really have to watch the metal in the
same way you do when torch welding.  Certainly the UV/IR protection is
essential for the health of your eyes anytime you are working at the forge.

I remember when I first got my gas welding rig right after high school.  A
(poorly informed) friend stopped by and informed me that hi pro-welder friend
(and any real man by extension) wouldn't wear gloves and welding gogles.  Ouch,
I only have two eyes and I want to keep using them as long as possible.