Need to buy new safety glasses, but....

[Rick Potter]

At a woodworking show two years ago, I bought some safety glasses from an exhibiter who specialized in safety equipment. These were polycarbonate full size safety glasses with a diopter rating of 1.5 or 1.75. They were not the type with the bifocal type area, the whole thing was rated for reading glasses. They worked great in the shop. For me they were strong enough I could read, but weak enough to just leave on all the time. That is the good news.

The bad news is that I ran over them yesterday. I can attest that they are 'almost indestructible', but not quite.

I have searched on the internet and cannot find this type of safety glasses. There are a lot of stylish ones with the diopter insert, but I want the full size full readers with the side guards, like I had.

Can anyone remember the name of the company which sold safety equipment at the WW shows? They have not been there lately. If not, can anyone tell me who else may carry this type.

Help an old guy out, please.

Rick Potter

[John Dodson]

Hi Rick,

I recently bought these - that sound like what you are looking for. Very clear polycarbonate lenses, single lens (the bifocal type drive me crazy).

http://www.amazon.com/MAG-SAFE-MAGNIFYING-READER-GLASSES-MAGNIFIER/dp/B000Q7RO1K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1215705818&sr=8-1

Cheers,
John

[Randal Stevenson]

Uvex displayed at our local show a few years ago. Vendors may differ from show to show, though.

[Jeff Duncan]

I don't know if they ever displayed at a WWing show, but I buy my safety stuff from Northernsafety.com. They have a good selection of eye protection so worth a look anyway.
JeffD

[Rick Potter]

I told my wife when I posted this that there are people who would know what I was talking about, and you guys sure didn't let me down.

Thanks for the quick replies. John hit it right on the head. Those are the glasses I want, just like mine but not pretzel shaped. I am ordering two or three pair.

Note to anyone reading this....these glassed are fantastic, mine have been dropped, sat on, and carried around in pockets for two years and the lenses are hardly scratched. Even running them over with the Jeep on concrete didn't break them. They twisted up so bad they finally came apart at the hinges, the lenses are still not bad. I highly recommend them.

Thanks again,

Rick Potter

[Charlie Plesums]

... I am ordering two or three pair....
Rick Potter

If they really last that long, I suggest you order the 1.75 diopter, the 2.0 diopter, the 2.5 diopter, etc. Trust me!

Incidentally I have an old 2.5 or 3.0 pair of drug store glasses that I occasionally use for close work... easier than a separate magnifier.

[Jim Becker]

I've been buying safety glasses from safteyglassesusa.com lately. I believe they carry the format you want.

[Kevin Arceneaux]

I've been buying safety glasses from safteyglassesusa.com lately. I believe they carry the format you want.


I have used them for myself and have no complaints about them. Their prices are very competitive and service is great.

I have bought a couple of hundred pairs in the last year or so, concrete work tends to eat them up, and I prefer to get Uvex. They have many styles that will fit most and don't look bad. I gotta get what they will wear. Pyramex is also a good brand. My Project Manager will attest to that. He got hit by a rock kicked up by a spinning tire and it stopped it. Small chip out of it, but better than losing an eye.

[Pete Simmons]

http://www.envirosafetyproducts.com/category/magnifying-safety-glasses.html



I use the same glasses. Took me some time to find replacements.

This place has them.

[Bob Slater]

Lee Valley has some nice ones.

[Cliff Rohrabacher]

I believe that all lenses are polycarbonate these days.

The "safety" ones are just those made to meet a specification and tested accordingly.

[Kevin Arceneaux]

I believe that all lenses are polycarbonate these days.

The "safety" ones are just those made to meet a specification and tested accordingly.

ANSI Standard, Z87.1-1968 - and it must be stamped on the frame.

If you want to go high end, most Oakley's meet the standard.

[Randal Stevenson]

I believe that all lenses are polycarbonate these days.

The "safety" ones are just those made to meet a specification and tested accordingly.

Actually, they still do make them with glass. There was even one (medical) reason, why a few people get them, but since I wouldn't fall into that category, I ignored it.

[Rick Potter]

Well, I called a couple friends who had admired mine. They both wanted a pair, and I got three more for me. I even followed Charlie's advice and got one with a step up on the magnification for future ageing eyes.

Thanks again for the help.

Rick Potter

[John Ricci]

Lee Valley carries some lenses that stick to whatever safety glasses you wish to use. They look interesting and I assume that coming from LV they are a good product but as always...LV = $$$

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=52602&cat=1,42207,42216&ap=1

J.R.

[Eddie Watkins]

I get these: Wizardsafetyglasses.com
I prefer the square ones, but I have a pair of the others as well. I seem to have to move my head more to look thru the bifocal part. The web site seems to indicate tinted ones as well which I have never tried tho I do have a pair of suglasses that are bifocal i bought at Walgreen's. I haven't beena ble to find antohter pair of bifocal sunglasses either. If you buy too strong a pair you have to hold things too close to your face so I wouldn't buy too far from what you think you need.

Eddie

[Ken Garlock]

These days, if you wear glasses, there is absolutely no reason to by specific safety glasses. Your Optician can order your prescription in essentially break proof plastic.

Last month I didn't have a piece of maple screwed down tightly in the tenoning jig. The saw blade kick the 3x3x24 inch piece loose and sent it was great speed at me, it was strong enough to kick the tenoning jig out of the miter slot. The result was that I now have a U-shaped mark on the stomach, and one lens of my glasses went flying. It took me 2 days to find the lens. When I found it, it had a gouge in it where the board hit it, right next to my nose. This all happened in the proverbial split second. The damage done was to the lens and a pretty good mark outlining the board end on my stomach. The scab is gone, but it will be some time until the broken blood vessels under the skin have healed and disappeared. Oh yes, there was a deep gash in the board where the saw blade left its foot print.

Lessons learned:
1) Pay attention, make sure your work piece is properly seated, and that your jigs are properly tightened.
2) Always get the best plastic lens available.

I am truly thankful that the board was a blunt end tenon, and not something with a point else I might not be telling you about it.

[Randal Stevenson]

These days, if you wear glasses, there is absolutely no reason to by specific safety glasses. Your Optician can order your prescription in essentially break proof plastic.
.


I am going to have to disagree with that!
1. I can get prescription safety glasses, from Sam's club, for around $75, that is cheaper then my regular prescription glasses (that I get a discount on) and keeps those lenses from getting scratched up.
2. Some jobs REQUIRE safety glasses (not worth losing a job over).
3. Regular glasses DON'T come with side shields (but there are side shield add on's)
4. If you get hit, and your safety glasses break, you can go put on your regular glasses. If you only have them, grab the tape, or hold them and try to drive to get them fixed.

[Ken Garlock]

Hi Randal, I can argue with job required glasses. And yes, the term "absolutely" was too strong, "little need" would have been better IMO.

Otherwise, I am quite happy with my regular plastic lens prescription glasses. I know that they work....