I will need to obtain a pair of prescription safety glasses before learning to weld, but I'm uncertain where to start. Can anybody offer suggestions as to commonly used brands, styles, or features that I should look for or avoid when searching, or any places online I should check out or stay away from?
Also, do wrap-around styles count as "side shields" or not, and do I want them to avoid the corners of my glasses from hitting the inside of a welding helmet or doesn't it matter?
I will also be needing cutting goggles; is that something I should worry about a prescription for? Not sure if I'll be swapping between the cutting goggles and safety glasses or if one should fit over the other or what. I'm nearsighted and can see fine close up (such as right now when typing) but would prefer to have prescription lenses if I'll be wandering around.
Thanks!
tomwaters out of lousiana is the man you need to talk to, well maybe, he might be able to help you, has a web site.
got a number for tom waters. I used to get a catalog and need some stuff from there. Thanks
Check your local Wal-mart. They usually have a vision center in the front of their stores. They have a whole section for approved saftey frames and the costs are real reasonable. I spent $50 for the eye exam and another $50 for the glasses themselves. I have the excact opposite problem that you do. I strain like hell to see close up but I can see very well at a distance. I have 20x10 so I wear glasses to read and weld. As far as the cutting goggles go, I use a full face shield when torching and then swithch back to my welding hood.
Long story short, you will just have to expirement and find out what works best for you.
Good luck and let me know if I can be of any more help.
Spend the extra bucks to utilize the local shops, anything other than feeding the 800 pound gorilla (walmart).
Within the last 5 years I have purchase safety glasses at two locations. One a local optometrist and one Wal Mart. Both times I selected the high fasion frames as shown below. (Mine were Yellow which the wife loved as I wear them all the time).
The gorilla nibbled off about 35 bucks for lenses and frames. The local Dr received in excess of 100.
Anyway, UVEX has many products avaialable for RX glasses. Most optometrists can get their frames and many may stock them
Check out
http://www.uvex.us/home.asp Gerald
http://weldingdata.com/
Getting mine from Wal-Mart when I get back home, they've already got my normal lense Rx on hand so ne need for a second exam.
Have You folks been satisfied with WalMart for Your glasses? Do You use them for the perscription test, or only for the frames & lenses. I need new frames & lenses, might give them a try.
I used them (Walmart) for the whole thing, exam, lenses and frame and in my opinion, they are as good as any other optician (and certainly better than some I've used) at less money.
Order the safety glasses with stainless steel wire mesh side shields and the fogging goes away.
I used Wal-mart for the test and to make the glasses. Very quick and easy process. I try to go every year for an exam. $50 is a small price to pay to stay on top of your optical health!
GH Weidman
My Hobart hood w/auto dark owners manual has a section in it concerning inside lens covers with vision corrective properties. I wear bi-focals when not welding, but have a seperate pair for under the hood. if you don't want standard glasses...look into corrective lens covers for your hood. don't forget your safety glasses though.
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