Plasma Cutter Eye Protection

[AldeanFan]

So my friend bought a plasma cutter and I'm helping him fan up a floor for a racecar.

He's using his auto welding helmet turned off, it's not adjustable. I tried it and didn't like it at all, plus I don't like not knowing the actual shade I'm wearing.

I'm going to buy a new shade for one of my old helmets and use it exclusively for plasma cutting.
What grade shade should I buy?

Would it also be a good idea to have some dark safety glasses in the garage for the guys sitting around drinking my beer while we work? Up to now guys have sat outside while we're welding or cutting but now it's getting cold and everyone is staying inside.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[scubadoober]

Pick up a shade 5 lenses for your hood and or shade 5 safety glasses. As for your friends you can pick up the same or maybe shade 3. I'm afraid if you buy tinted safety glasses they will walk off, be used as Sun glasses, or be used for cutting. The shade lenses are monochromatic and can't really be warn for anything other than their purpose.

 

[Aqua-Andy]

I use a #5 head gear mounted face shield. I never could stand the flip up welding/cutting goggles.

 

[Finky198]

I have used cutting googles. But since buying a shade 5 face shield from uvex. I haven’t looked back. I find being in the vicinity of a plasma cutter it’s good to were dark safety glasses even while just watching.

 

[Flatheadpopup]

I just picked up some Miller #5 safety glasses on Amazon. They are inexpensive (under $20) and work great.

 

[Ign]

I just use Shade 5 Jackson Nemesis glasses.

Never had the need for a hood or actual goggles. Maybe with extensive overhead cutting....

 

[Ign]

Actually I’m gonna add I wear the glasses low on my nose most of the time.

I tip my head down and peer over them to see positioning, lay of the land etc.

When I fire it up I raise my head and look thru the 5’s. Works great for me. I generally keep clear eyes on, too and with the 5’s low on my nose it all works out.

 

[kkroger]

I got a mask from Hypertherm Shade 5 that flips up and leaves Clear... I also have some Shade 5 Jackson Nemesis glasses... Don't wear them in traffic! the Green blocks literally ALL red!

 

[plinker]

My Speedglas helmet goes from shade 8 to 12, I usually set it at 8 for plasma cutting.

 

[trashmanssd]

I have used cutting googles. But since buying a shade 5 face shield from uvex. I haven’t looked back. I find being in the vicinity of a plasma cutter it’s good to were dark safety glasses even while just watching.

Thats exactly what we do at our shop. We have a 3 clear uvex helmets and 3 shade 5 uvex helmets they are awesome helmets great protection from blow back on thick cuts or cuts in tight areas. Also bunch shade 3 and clear safety glasses.

 

[kkroger]

This is the shield I use, works well the Dark Lens can flip up leaving the clear....

 

[ovrrdrive]

I use Eastwood plasma glasses. Cheap and comfortable. Shade 5.

http://www.eastwood.com/plasma-shades.html

I also wear a respirator. After a while you'll notice the fine dust and smoke will give you a nasty lingering cough if you don't wear something.

 

[MoonRise]

Technically, the shade needed when plasma cutting depends on the amperage being used (just like when arc welding).

For less than 40 amps of cutting current, a Shade #5 is recommended.

For less than 60 amps, a Shade #6 is recommended.

For less than 80 amps, a Shade #8 is recommended.

(source: Hypertherm)

I prefer either a full welding helmet or a shaded full face shield. Shaded goggles will protect the eyes, but will do nothing to protect the rest of your face from spraying metal or UV rays.

 

[sberry]

I use dark glasses and hide a lot of the arc. When working around a lot of cutting and welding use clears.

 

[cvairwerks]

When the first beer gets opened, the tools get put away for the day.....Doesn’t matter who pops the beer.......

 

[zmotorsports]

Like others, I merely use #5 safety glasses. Works great and less cumbersome than helmet or safety shield using headgear. I will admit that if I'm under a vehicle and to prevent slag from falling onto my face I will don a face shield but normally the glasses work great.

 

[sberry]

I will buy them beer if they work. ha

 

[Lelandwelds]

Best method:

Paint or imagine cross hairs on the back side of your torch. Dont look at the arc at all. UV (and IR) from plasma is pretty minimal. Reflections arent that bad.

 

[DerekV]

For me (45 amps) I like a shade 6-8). Shade 5 for whatever reason leaves me seeing spots sometimes. I now use my Lincoln Viking 3350 welding hood, but I was using fixed shade goggles under a clear full face shield with a respirator and a welding cap (face fully covered) - lemme tell you, that rig kinda sucked. If I didn't have the luxury of having a nice all in one hood, I'd go for a dedicated fully tinted face shield. I've gotten a pretty noticeable burn from (what I thought was) a quick "goggles-only" couple of small cuts. The UV always surprises me...

But of course, YMMV.

 

[rsanter]

I recently bought a full face shield for plasma cutter use, best thing ever

Bob

 

[ItsNemo]

For me (45 amps) I like a shade 6-8). Shade 5 for whatever reason leaves me seeing spots sometimes. I now use my Lincoln Viking 3350 welding hood, but I was using fixed shade goggles under a clear full face shield with a respirator and a welding cap (face fully covered) - lemme tell you, that rig kinda sucked. If I didn't have the luxury of having a nice all in one hood, I'd go for a dedicated fully tinted face shield. I've gotten a pretty noticeable burn from (what I thought was) a quick "goggles-only" couple of small cuts. The UV always surprises me...

But of course, YMMV.

Agreed. Cut mode on a lot of more expensive helmets vary from 5-8...the higher shades are there for a reason.