Didymium Glasses
I am very much a newbie at lampworking (as in I haven't actually tried it yet, just looking into buying a kit to begin) and can't work out didymium glasses.
I wear regular prescription glasses (and really need them). And I have this idea that safety goggles or safety glasses with side-shields would be a good plan. I don't want to get prescription didymiums, as anythign I buy has to be sellable (at the moment) incase I never get round to taking up the hobby properly. I know you can get clip-on didymium lenses, but regular glasses and clip-on lenses and safety lenses, well my nose isn't big enough to support them all! So, any ideas? |
You can get a pair of didymium in large 'economy' frames that will fit over your regular glasses and have side extensions. ($35 or $40) Wore them happily for over 5 years.
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I have a very strong prescription and don’t like a bunch of weight on my nose either, so therefore I do best when warring my contacts and a pair of AUR92's. I prefer the AUR92's because of the added heat protection, and less eye strain, but if you need to ware glasses instead of contacts I would try these Didymiums.
http://www.frantzartglass.com/index....oducts_id=1944 I just tried them over my glasses and it would work if your glasses are not large. These are more comfortable for me than the smaller basic pair, and the smaller pair won't fit over glasses with good results. I hope this helps. |
Didymium as a product is discontinued and for the most part no longer available. The suggested filter for soft glass ONLY is AUR-92/ACE.
for fit-overs, try these: http://www.auralens.net/e_gw9302le.cfm |
I carry some 'stick on magnifiers' that adhere with water to the inside of your didymiums. They are removable/reusable, so you won't permanently alter the didymiums. Depending on how strong your prescription glasses are, this may be an alternative.
http://www.artcoinc.com/optx2020.php Malcolm |
There is something called Enhanced Didymium that appears to be readily available.
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How timely. I need (want badly) to replace my basic glasses. I keep forgetting until I see other's glasses. (Amy K/Torch by Night for one, note to self, ask her again which ones she bought. ;) )
A friend was here Saturday and has problems keeping her basic glasses on so she went with one of those around the back of the head strap things like on goggles. Just a thought. |
Enhanced didymium is AUR-92/ACE.
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What is the purpose of the didymium glasses? I have heard that the soda flare is only really with the boro glass. When I useed my hot head I didn't wear them. I use a full face plastic head piece because I wear reading glasses and couldn't keep the clear plastic ones on. Do I really need didymium if I'm not working ith boro?
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Sodium flare is present when working soft glass also..not as much of a hazard persay but it makes it impossible to see the bead/glass when it's in the flame and can cause eye irritation to light sensitive people if you work for several hours.
It's like night and day. Working glass of any kind without didymiums, (AUR-92/ACE lenses are ideal) is just no good. |
I know people who work without didys but standard safety glasses. No clue how their eyesight might be suffering but it doesn't bother them when they are working apparently.
I do think there is a difference. Makes the detail easier to see. |
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You definately need more than didymium/ACE/AUR-92 for working boro -- this is something that not all instructors teach (to their shame, and your permanent eye damage). Clear plastic lenses are not sufficient protection for working with hot glass of any kind. |
I've been working boro with Didies or ACE for about 8 years... no change in eye health. I know several boro workers that have been doing it for over 30 years... again, no change in eye health. Before you use a word like "shame" to describe people with a different opinion, take some real life readings and show what the IR exposure really is for a boro worker.
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I guess I should add, though, that most of what I do is larger pieces using a large flame. I also do a lot of fuming... |
The type of work you do makes all the difference... and I agree Chad... more protection is normally better. I have found that for the work I do, ACE is my choice. I like to be able to see what I'm doing. It allows me to read the heat base in the glass much better. I work small and I don't fume. ;) I own shade 3s and I have clip-ons as well. I do wear more protection if I work large pieces or fume much. It's good advise for sure.
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I bought a pair of the economy didymium glasses with the side shields because I thought they would be large enough to comfortably wear over my prescription glasses. They were way too tight and gave me headache so I took the sides off and replaced them with a strap of elastic about an inch wide. Now I can slip the glasses over my prescription glasses and they're nice and comfortable. You can also easily slip them down around your neck when taking a break. No weight on the nose or tightness on the sides. If I ever need to I can put the original sides back on the glasses and they'll be good as new. |
hey have any of you ever had an extra light glare around stuff or had your eyes get so dry that it kinda blurs your vision? i wear the phillips green ace shade 3s, i really love them, but my left eye is kinda funky now. i had lasik surgery done a while ago and that might be it too but i honestly feel like my vision is deteriorating and my eyes go dry really easily. i work medium size boro like usually 3-6 inch vessels, and pendants. i also fume and use a lot of striking colors i dont know if that makes a difference. i lampwork about 2 t tanks of hours a week and furnace work with just clear safety glasses 8ish hours a week.
anyone got any advice if i dont have health insurance? |
Use a lot of "artificial tears" and blink a lot.... As we get older, we get a lot more "dry eyes"...
Dale |
ahh thanks :)
i realized too today that i look over the top of my glasses sometimes when i wanna see whats going on in the glass out of the flame and the radiant heat kinda gets me. |
For the person enquiring about prescription glasses and didy's. I have the same problem and I wish I had just bought the blast shield and bypassed the glasses over glasses thing altogether! I started with the cheap plastic didy's and wore them over script glasses. Very uncomfortable, especially in summer when it was hard to get to your eyes to wipe the sweat away. Then I got clipon's over my script's but the clip on are quite heavy and now it's like I am wearing two pairs of heavyish glasses. If I had just got a shield, I could just wear my scripts and not worry about any other glasses at all. That will probably be my next have-to-have purchase!
Kym |
I am an Ophthalmic Assistant at an eye clinic in a major hospital. On a daily basis I see at least 5-10 people lose their sight from either injury, disease or long term side effects from medications or different things that could be avoided. Sometimes you aren't aware you are jeopardizing your eyesite until it is too late. I disagree with self- diagnosing yourself and saying your "eyehealth" is good. How do you know. Vision itself isn't usually an indicator. Only a dilated eye exam can tell you there's damage and even at that, unless is it is done by a retinal specialist damage can often get missed until it's too late.
I woudn't chance it. My friend who is an Ophthalmologist and lampworks is a big supporter of wearing the proper eye protection no matter what torch she is using and what glass she is working with. |
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Dawn |
I have a shield too. Love it.
Lorraine |
For those with dry eye or other problems there is a great book called 'The Eye Care Revolution' by Dr. Robert Abel. I recommend it.
Beadanna |
we made some new decisions here in Germany. But perhaps it would be interesting for you also and we could find anybody to sell it in US?
See here for the new patented system: IsiClick Thanks for looking Gert |
I'm interested in popping didymium lenses (non RX) into my own frames - does anyone know of a place that would do that for me?? (in the US)
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Malcolm |
Thanks! I'll give Aura a call and see if they'll do it. Sorry, but I don't know what "Phillips" is.:-?
Appreciate your help. |
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http://www.phillips-safety.com/ I carry their glasses. http://www.artcoinc.com/phillips_safety.php Malcolm |
Just to clarify the problem, didy glasses are not rated for the sodium flares that are produced working boro,especially colored glass and most assuredly fuming. You are at risk of real damage using just didymium glasses.you need a minimum of shade 3 for small boro and 5 or 6 shade for heavy boro and colors.I was / am in the same boat, and am using some cheap welding glasses until my order from Aura comes in , if ever.Ordered mine 3/24 and no sign of them yet. I've heard of people waiting 3 months to get them.I'll crack like a walnut if I have to wait that long. They're rated high among glassworkers, but there's always a problem getting the glasses in your hand.Don't skimp on the glasses due to price,I'm sure the rest of your equipment isn't junk. Get the best you can afford.
Kevin |
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