Eye protection what to get.

[motoxkfx]

Ok i just got a hypertherm powermax 1000 and i love it the only problem is what should i use for eye protection i used it for about a hour just to play around and had dark sunglasses on. well got up the next day and i could not get my eyes to focuses it went away after a few hours. i didn't think that plasmas would hurt your eye like a welder.
I would like to not have to use my welding mask to use my plasma if possible is there any one out there that makes sunglasses for plasma cutting i guess i would need a shade 4. its a 60a plasma. thanks.

 

[vegplot]

I bought a pair very dark glasses from my local welding supplier for plasma cutting work. I've not had a problem with glare as they are pretty dark but not so much that you can't see the work easily.

 

[wyn]

I tend to use a tinted face shield, about a shade 5. They keep any flying bits of red hot metal at bay aswell.

 

[chunkolini]

I just use a clear face shield, and keep the arc out of sight below the line of th cut, never had a problem.
Definitely wear some kind of physical protection, I have a tiny scar on my eyelid from when I did not bother one day. A near miss.

Chunko'.

 

[Drains]

As Wyn says - shade 5 something-or-other. Face shields are good, Oxy/acet goggles will also work. If you can use the torch to hide the arc, that's good too. Not so easy to do freehand cutting that way though.

I've taken to using an auto mask with the grinder setting on.

 

[astro_al]

Using sunglasses is totally counter-productive. They limit the light going into your eye, but do nothing (or little) to stop the UV, so your iris opens up to allow more light in and gets burned by all the UV. You're better off not wearing anything - at least your iris closes because its too bright.

I use shade 3 glasses for low amp plasma and shade 5 flip up goggles for high amp. I don't find the shade 5 is quite enough, and I'd like to get a full face mask for splashback protection.

Hypertherm do a shade 8 full face mask, but its a bit high - I don't think you'd be able to see what you're cutting.

Al.

 

[jugs]

Using sunglasses is totally counter-productive. They limit the light going into your eye, but do nothing (or little) to stop the UV, so your iris opens up to allow more light in and gets burned by all the UV. You're better off not wearing anything - at least your iris closes because its too bright.

I use shade 3 glasses for low amp plasma and shade 5 flip up goggles for high amp. I don't find the shade 5 is quite enough, and I'd like to get a full face mask for splashback protection.

Hypertherm do a shade 8 full face mask, but its a bit high - I don't think you'd be able to see what you're cutting.

Al.

"You're better off not wearing anything" - I can't believe you said that Al !!
You should always wear eye protection + additional protection for the particular job in hand eg; welding mask, clear face mask, or in this case I would suggest a green tint shade 5 full face mask for splashback protection.

 

[astro_al]

Ok, yes agreed. I didn't mean it as such - I mean in terms of UV damage, not in ternms of physical eye damage from flying bits etc.

Wearing shades is stupid, but not wearing anything is moronic!

Al.

 

[Robotstar5]

I use a full face mask with a shade 5 tinted band on it at work.

 

[Archie]

Stop me if I'm wrong but don't most sunglasses have lenses made of polycarbonate which blocks almost all UV?

 

[hotrodder]

I suspect you're right Archie but there are various standards for sunglasses and UV of different wavelengths (UV400 for example). Like suncream though i think they're only concerned with UVA/B for the most part, UVC not being an issue from sunlight (at least at sensible altitudes) but produced by an arc