Plasma Safety

Hey guys, I have a question about eye protection while cutting with a plasma. I have been using my auto dark helmet while cutting with my PP 50 and the problem I have encountered is that on the lowest setting 9 I can't see what I'm doing. I have been looking into buying a set of shade 5 safety glasses from hellraiser and I kind of wanted to know what you guys are using. Like everyone else my eyesight is very important to me but as of yet I have not found a definitive answer on plasma cutting and eye protection.
Thanks
Tim

My helmet lets me manually set it to 5 when using my Cut50D. If your helmet won't let you go that low, then a set of safety glasses with 5 tint should work good.

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Originally Posted by kenwhite

My helmet lets me manually set it to 5 when using my Cut50D. If your helmet won't let you go that low, then a set of safety glasses with 5 tint should work good.

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I have some sample helmets that i am seriously considering ( Mark has been evaluating the one style for the last few months ) these have the grinding function and the lower settings 5 is the shade i find best suited for using the plasma as well

So basically, the same goggles with a #5 lens, that you would use for Oxy/Acetly cutting, should be O.K. for plasma cutting? Is that correct?

Powercat, I too felt like my auto-darkening helmet was a little too dark when cutting, but like yours, it wouldn't go below 9 either. I caught the auto-darkening red-flame helmet on sale at HF for around $45 and LOVE IT! Large viewing window and has a "cutting" setting that makes it PERFECT for my plasma use, as well as for grinder use. I can keep the same helmet in play as I bump back and forth between my cutter and welder. The setting knob is on the exterior, so just remember to bump it back up for welding. Oh, and it has a solar panel as well.

TC

osha "recommends" shade 8, but allows for a lighter shade if necessary.

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Originally Posted by dirtyfarmer

So basically, the same goggles with a #5 lens, that you would use for Oxy/Acetly cutting, should be O.K. for plasma cutting? Is that correct?

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That's what I use, they look like fancy safety glasses (UV and shade 5) and you can find them all over the internet from $8 on up. The helmet idea works too, but bulky for me and the shade will not switch on by mistake due to HF or flashes as well.

Ok guys here is an update. My dad went and bought a set of what I believe to be class 3 cutting goggles today. About three cuts in and I took them off and told him to take them back. Tried to use my dark sunglasses once and took them off and put my helmet back on. I ordered a set of class 5 hellraiserand they should be here by next weekend. I'll report back then. Thanks for all the good input.

Hey Tim,

I would not go less that #5 for sure. That must have been bright. Good news, the spots will go away.

I too use a #5 shade set of (Jackson Nemesis glasses $9), and found them to be the ones that I like the best. I also have tried #3 but found them to be to light. And yes I know what OSHA says but, it was too dark to see what I was cutting. Always protect your eyes and if it seems to bright then it most likely is.

I don’t like to weld or cut while being blinded by a flash, and I don’t personally know any good blind welders.

Talking about Jackson, another option over glasses and goggles, Jackson makes a nice full face #5 shield for (about $18-20 around here).

You can use it for grinding as well as plasma cutting. Light weight and good quality. If you tend to MIG and tack with your eyes closed (I know some of you do), having this shield on is a plus as well with the UV protection.

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Originally Posted by everlastsupport

Talking about Jackson, another option over glasses and goggles, Jackson makes a nice full face #5 shield for (about $18-20 around here).

You can use it for grinding as well as plasma cutting. Light weight and good quality. If you tend to MIG and tack with your eyes closed (I know some of you do), having this shield on is a plus as well with the UV protection.

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Mike:
The full face shield is a very good idea, and they are available at a good price. We own one and my son uses it all the time.

And yes all welders develop some bad habits along the way. Except for me of course, I always refer to the welder’s handbook
before I start the day, just as a refresher.

DO AS I SAY, NOT AS I DO GRASSHOPPER

Funny Robert. Everyday huh while having breakfast I bet.. You should have it memorized by now. :D

So you think you own enough tools, or just ran out of room for now? Very nice collection. Can you tell I am jealous

A friend of mine uses a #5 face shield to MIG all the time (not recommended). He is 71, so figure to late to teach him now. I gave him one of our helmets that hangs nicely on a 330 tank.

[QUOTE=everlastsupport;7963]

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Funny Robert. Everyday huh while having breakfast I bet.. You should have it memorized by now. :D

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No not memorized yet, slow learner ya know.

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So you think you own enough tools, or just ran out of room for now? Very nice collection. Can you tell I am jealous

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Never enough tools, just too small a shop. But I am adding on as we speak.

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A friend of mine uses a #5 face shield to MIG all the time (not recommended). He is 71, so figure to late to teach him now. I gave him one of our helmets that hangs nicely on a 330 tank.

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Not recommended, but the helmet would be a good hood ornament for that 330. I will give it a try.

Where can I find safety glasses with a #5 lens that goes over eye glasses?

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Originally Posted by Ram48

Where can I find safety glasses with a #5 lens that goes over eye glasses?

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I found these, hope this helps.
http://www.amazon.com/LIGHTWEIGHT-PL.../dp/B000HJMQ9C

http://www.glasscraftinc.com/home/gl..._on_flip_.html

http://www.amazon.com/QUARTZWORKING-.../dp/B000HJMQ5G

http://quantum-glass-solutions.com/i...th=25_26_31_62

Quick up date, used the shade 5 Jackson Hellraisers over the weekend and they were perfect. Very comfortable light weight and I even used them for a little lite grinding. I bought two pair, one for me and one for my 4 year old daughter so she could be cool hang out with dad in the garage.

Does a plasma cutter not produce as much UV as an arc welder? It would seem that if it does produce UV that the same full protection (skin) used for welding would still apply which to me would dictate a full helmet and skin coverings.

Thurmond

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Originally Posted by Tritium

Does a plasma cutter not produce as much UV as an arc welder? It would seem that if it does produce UV that the same full protection (skin) used for welding would still apply which to me would dictate a full helmet and skin coverings.

Thurmond

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It is less, but full protection is always better (and recommended). I do use glasses or Jackson full face shield back and forth, but the more you have one the better of course, gloves, sleeves, etc..

UVR is made up of several combinations of radiation,UVA, UVB, and, UVC. UVB which makes up less than 2% of UVR is the bad boy responsible for most skin cancers, and that nasty sunburn you got when you passed out in your lawn chair after a 12 pack. Nearly all sun screen protects against UVB. I personally use sunscreen every day and when I am welding or plasma cutting I use an spf 60 especially on my face. If I was a full time welder I would use a full hood but for as much as I use the plasma cutter I run more of a risk of getting skin cancer being out mowing my lawn than I do welding or cutting.