ppe for plasma cutter

[paulmowers]

Hi all

Well my new cutter should be arriving early next week and a thought has just occured to me, (feeling very dim at the mo) what eye protection do you use with one? ew10 or 11 welding screen or gas welding goggles?
Told you I was feeling a bit dim, but I just assumed as it was a kind of arc thing I would use a normal sparky type welding screen but have seen a pic of a bloke using one with gas goggles.

please don't laugh

paul.

 

[fingers99]

There's a thread on this somewhere. I think we came up with a #3 to #5, which is pretty much gas territory.

I think I'd use a full face sheild to preserve my youthful looks.

 

[paulmowers]

Hi Fingers99

Thanks for that, so i need a new headshield with a much lighter shade, makes sense, guess they put out a fair bit of uv like the other arc systems.
By the way you expressed an interest in the wood gasifying boiler I'm making to heat the workshop in a post I put in the brew room.
Well just to say it is slowly coming together and am taking pics as i go, so when its nearer completion I'll put it all on the projects page.

Cheers Paul..

 

[fingers99]

Great stuff!

 

[Wozzaaah]

Something that was suggested by Shenion is to use an auto darkening mask but cover the sensors over. Plasma goggles will protect your eyes but you'll still get the odd spark on your face or neck.

 

[paulmowers]

Thanks Woz

Hmm, an auto screen is out due to cost but I will have to consider whether I will be able to see enough through a ew5 shade to line up etc before starting to cut or to put up with the odd spark and I suppose a slight sun tan from using gas goggles.
Maybe just wait and see if it comes with something, although the sales lit didn't mention anything, hence my original question.

Cheers Paul..

 

[Damaged]

I'm using an Esab auto helmet, shade 9-13.

I can see well enough to cut but maybe I'd see a whole lot more with a lower shade?

 

[hotrodder]

Wear a full face/brow guard over the top of the googles. You can get shade 3 or 5 visors for them too

 

[paulmowers]

Thanks mickjbriggs and hotrodder.

Think I will have to get some lighter lenses anyway as I usually use #10 or #11 for arc and mig and for me the 11's are a bit dark for mig as I struggle to see the join, especially on butted plate.
The face shield over the gas goggles sounds a good idea, I already have the face shields for grinding and drilling as I can't get on with normal clear goggles.

Cheers Paul..

 

[Robotstar5]

The face shield over the gas goggles sounds a good idea, I already have the face shields for grinding and drilling as I can't get on with normal clear goggles.

You can get gas welding / cutting lenses in "sunglasses" style frames if you do not like goggles

 

[paulmowers]

Thanks for the tip about the sunglasses style cutting shades.
You reminded me of the pair I had back in the 80's when I worked for a fabrication firm, from what I remember they had little side blinkers you had to fold out first otherwise you got a poke in the eye when putting them on, and they would fit over normal specs too, wasn't an issue for me then, but it is now!

 

[shenion]

I use my auto helmet with tape over the sensors. Works well but still sometimes triggers.