What kind of Eye protection with HH?

[misspiggy]

Do you still need special lens glasses if you only work with HH?
Some people told me just regular safety goggle is okay with HH and some say NO.
What do you all think??
Thanks, Christy

[jamie lynne]

You need eye protection from BOTH flying glass and the flare from the glass being melted. One with out the other is just asking for trouble. You only get one pair of eyes, you better protect them. You need what is called Didymium lenses to properly protect your eyes, at minimum.

http://www.frantzartglass.com/index....oducts_id=1943

[Dale M.]

Actually Didymium is no longer available (other than end of "stock")...

The replacement material is ACE 202......

Yes you need protection from flying glass and the ACE 202 colored lenses reduces the sodium flair (orange ball of flame/light) surrounding hot glass...

Dale

[junko]

could I hop on here and ask if there's a way to tell if they are the right lenses? I bought a used beginner's kit with the glasses but I have no idea if they are really the correct type.

[misspiggy]

I tried on a pair at a local bead store. I think they might have been welding glasses..only $15. They were dark green. I couldn't see anything out of them... so dark....
Can you see the colors okay with ACE202?
thanks, -Christy

[Dale M.]

Umm... $15 and there were plastic?.. Probably welding glasses .... True Didymium glasses have a rose-purple tint and are "glass"... ACE stands for Amethyst Contrast Enhancer.. As for the $15 ones unless the are specifically labeled ACE 202 or Didymium I would be very doubtful.... You may want to go to site below and read up and check prices on true ACE 202 glasses...

http://www.phillips-safety.com/store...boqn0tfl3j7hq6

And yes they can be some what dark but you can add extra light to work area to brighten things up a bit....

Also keep in mind the ACE glasses are not torch specific so if you are buying a decent pair of them they will work when you step up to large more sophisticated torch.... ACE lenses (alone) are just fine if you stay in the soft (soda lime) glass realm ... IF you intend to go into borosilicate glass you may need additional protection by adding welding shades to ACE lenses...

Dale

[misspiggy]

Thanks again Dale.
You gave me so much information about everything!
I will order a pair this week.. I will get the ones with side shields just to be safe!
-Christy