Detail work, very thin stringers

[ccaronn]

Hi, when I apply small (tiny) dots to my bead, I am nose to nose with the hothead. I find too that I look over my safety glasses when I'm doing this. Am I damaging my eyes if the torch is turned way low?
Thanks in advance!
Christine

[ROC]

If nothing else, you're exposing your eyes to the UV rays. I haven't been diligent using sunscreen on my hands and arms, and it's obvious my left arm and hand are exposed to the flame more than my right by the condition of the skin.

[ccaronn]

I should use sunscreen when torching??

[KJohn]

I wouldn't just worry about the eyes in that scenario, LOL. Perhaps some clip on magnifiers would help. Devardi has some for $5.00, I've been pleased with mine. The only problem is I watch tv on a tablet while I work and that goes all blurry when I wear them. YMMV

[artwhim]

They sell didys with magnification built in, (Uptown), or you can use stick on readers on your current pair. You really want to keep something between your eyes and work. If the tip of the stringer shocks, it could go into your eye.

[shawnette]

I look over my glasses all the time, but it's a very bad habit.

[mandyjw]

I have heard conflicting opinions on whether the flare on a hothead is strong enough to do damage. It is not painfully bright or even annoyingly bright but on an oxygen propane torch you wouldn't think of forgetting your glasses. I wonder if because the soda flare isn't very bright on a hothead that the didys are just too dark. I wear them while shaping the beads and not doing up close detailed work to be safe. Also get regular eye exams and tell your eye doctor that you work with hot glass.

[mandyjw]

Originally Posted by artwhim

They sell didys with magnification built in, (Uptown), or you can use stick on readers on your current pair. You really want to keep something between your eyes and work. If the tip of the stringer shocks, it could go into your eye.

Yes, regular glasses or safety glasses for flying glass protection are a must. I've found that clear lenses don't affect my close up vision at all, but didys really hurt it.

Won't most clear lenses offer UV protection? My prescription glasses and contacts do. Apparently the problem is infrared radiation...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glassblower%27s_cataract

[mandyjw]

Originally Posted by ccaronn

I should use sunscreen when torching??

Definitely not necessary on a hothead.

[ccaronn]

THANK YOU!!

[ccaronn]

KJohn, I just ordered the Devardi Magnifiers, thanks. Do you use them then without didys?

[KJohn]

no, I clip them over my didys. Most glasses will work I think. Very comfortable to use. but don't try to walk in them LOL

[truegem]

Oh....I never knew I had to use sunscreen....I'm on a mini-CC.

[MelanieG]

I used to catch myself looking over my glasses, too, but after I got a flip-up magnifier to wear on my head for close-up work I stopped doing it. If you're having trouble seeing, consider a magnifier and better lights.

[ccaronn]

Definitely, Melanie, thank you!

[michellesadventures]

I would worry more about eye injury from popping glass or poking your self with the stringer - or even inhaling fumes that aren't whisked away with your nose to close to the flame. You shouldn't work with glass ever without personal protective equipment. I am sooooo guilty of getting too close to the flame when doing detail work and I wear glasses (progressives so just a tilt of the head to get the correct focal length) so I got a didy shield. I love it & feel really obstructed when I have to work without it. This is the didy shield I have - got it from Blue Moon in Austin.
https://blue-moon-glassworks.myshopi...h-mounted-long

[abcbeader]

I use this same shield and really love it. I wear glasses and this just works so much better than wearing glasses over glasses or clip on's.

[ccaronn]

Thank you, I need one of those!