Wesley,

I wear Uvex brand welding glasses when working at the forge. They are shade 3. They are the type made for acetylene torch welding. You can buy glasses of this type at any welding shop.

I wear the welding glasses at all times when welding Damascus. They do make it difficult to see well when forging a blade. When I get to the point of detail forging, I will often take the glasses off and just avoid looking into the forge.

Bottom line, it is never good to look into the forge with your eyes unprotected.

Thanks Mr. Culver. I just bought a pair of these: http://www.millerwelds.com/products/welding_protection/head_face/safety_glasses/shade_30_lens/. Are these sufficient?

Wes

Those glasses should work fine. I'm no expert on this subject, and we should probably find someone who is to advise us. I have seen a lot of discussion about protective glasses for forge work and some have different opinions than me. If someone has expert advice on forge work glasses, perhaps they'll post up here.

i am no expert, however I found out about these from a Blacksmith, Dave Robertson, via his web page. He has a write up and link to them. Uvex S4004 Shade 2 Infra-Dura Safety Glasses. They have a green tint and filter out 85% of the infra-red and 99% of the UV rays associated with high temp forge work according to the specs from the manufacturer. The green tint slightly changes the colors scheme, but it only took me a few forging sessions to get used to it. I found that my eyes felt more relaxed after long forging sessions. They sell for $14 + free shipping on Amazon. They also have adjustable frames and side shields which I found to be a plus. I use them for all my forging, coal and propane.

Hope this helps!

Bob

I'm no expert either. I know staring for long periods of time into the forge can not be good.

So - I just avoid staring into the forge! <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//blink.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':blink:' />

When I do, I use darkly tinted safety glasses from Fastenal.

I might look from time to time if I'm fluxing Damascus. But only for a second or two.

When I'm austenizing steels that I harden by using my forge - I put on the tinted safety glasses. That color is not nearly as bright as the welding temps.

As time goes by, I wear them more and more.

I'm a little confused now. Is it infrared or UV rays or both that you should be concerned about?

Both!

Thanks for the help everyone!

Guys,

Almost any protective lens will filter out UV. What's cooking your eyes when looking into your forge is Infrared, the same thing that is so efficiently heating the steel. Our forges are simply giant IR generators, and our eyes need protection .

As has been stated, a #3 gas welding lens from your local welding shop will give the protection you need, but is a bit too dark for good visibility when looking at the anvil work.

Auralens Visual Concepts ( www.auralens.net) is one of two companies providing a wide range of protective lensed tailored to specific industries.

The specific lens they provide for forge work is the AUR99 . They can supply the lens in a standard frame, a clip-on for use over glasses, as a "Fit-over-frame" for wear over glasses, or as prescription lenses.

The AUR99 comes in shade 2 or 2.5, either of which will also allow good viewing of the blade at the anvil, and good judgement of the blade color as you're working it.

I've used this protective lens since shortly after I began forging.

If you'd like here's a link My link to their page on filter eyewear. You can do some research on the types of industrial activities that generate eye damaging emissions, and the lenses that protect against them.

John White

Thanks John! That's great information.

Shade 3 lenses are fine for forge welding work and really reduce strain on the eyes. But, they are pretty dark for forging blades. Shade 2 or 2.5 would be a better choice for detail work.

FWIW, my old eyes need bifocal style safety glasses - to which I add flip-up shade 3 lenses that I got from a local glass-blowers' shop - like these from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/3M-Protective-Eyewear-Infrared-40427-00000-10/dp/B007JZ3WOU

Works great - flip down to monitor the forge - flip up for hammer work.

Michael