Reading Glasses for Garage Work?

[bulletpruf]

Fellas -

I'm nearsighted, but often wear contacts. Need reading glasses for...wait for it...reading. Also have to use them in the garage for just about everything, especially detail work.

The $20/pair readers that I buy usually last me a few weeks.

Does anyone have a good source for mail order reading glasses that are a lot cheaper but still decent quality? I want to find a style that's reasonably good quality, good fit, and buy a dozen or so pairs.

What about safety glasses that I can buy with the same magnification as readers (I think I buy -1.5 or something like that). Any recommendations?

Thanks!

Scott

 

[Lippyp]

I have just bought my first pairs of reading glasses, been putting it off but now finding it frustrating doing detailed work, by the time its far enough to focus on its too damn small to see. Bought a pack of threee from Costco for about ten quid.

 

[landrover bodger]

I wear varifocals for every day use . if I am working on a car I wear those cheap reading glasses from the pound shop. there are a few pairs in the garage

 

[drmarkr]

I buy 3 packs from Walmart for $7.50. I'm up to 2.00 for reading smaller text, but for doing general shop stuff I like to wear 1.50 or 1.75's....I always have a pair of headband magnifier's available if I'm doing very fine stuff that requires them.

Periodically, the local Ace Hardware has a box of readers in various strength's on sale for $1 per pair. I've grabbed a handful of those in frame style's I like, and spread them around the house and shop...there's rarely not a pair within my reach.

 

[7echo]

I have used bi-focal safety glasses for a few years now. I have seen them available from +.5 to +3.

 

[Outlander]

Bought a pack of threee from Costco for about ten quid.

^^ this. Package of 3 for $18 here in Canada. Leave them lying all over.

I would like to find a decent pair of 2.00 reading safety glasses if someone has a recommendation. I don't want to just order anything without a recommendation.

 

[SARG]

I've been buying them here for the last decade ... one or two dozen at a time. They're now up to $34. per dozen ( $2.84 ea ) which is still cheaper than most. Durable metal frames that are spring loaded at the temples.

The R2408 & R1041 models are my favorites.

https://www.readingglassesatwholesale.com/contemporary-reading-glasses/metal-reading-glasses

 

[Doug Arthurs]

In the shop I wear safety glasses with bifocals. Degil safety makes them I believe in 1.25 1.5 or 2x. I get mine at Princess Auto up here in Canada.

 

[trainer]

I get them at the dollar store. I usually buy 5-6 pairs at a time.
Not a replacement for safety glasses, but I wear a face shield whenever I need eye protection

 

[Outlander]

In the shop I wear safety glasses with bifocals. Degil safety makes them I believe in 1.25 1.5 or 2x. I get mine at Princess Auto up here in Canada.

This?
http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/2-0x-bi-focal-safety-glasses/A-p8563801e

 

[bwringer]

My vision is fine for normal stuff, but I keep a few pairs of the strongest magnifiers I could find easily (+3.00 or +3.50, I think?) for scrutinizing insanely wee things like carburetor jets.

Anyway, there's no rhyme or reason to quality. I tried pairs of these glasses in several shops, and most, even the ones costing $20 or more, were unacceptable. I found a rack of magnifiers in Menards for $1 each and they're fantastic. The frames look horrible, but I don't care...

These safety glasses with magnifiers would be great -- not sure if they're available elsewhere for less than $20:
http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/product/safety-glasses-wrap-style-clear-cheaters-82382.aspx

And you can get these magnifiers in 4.00 or 5.00. $20, though.
http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/product/extreme-readers-78061.aspx

 

[taumac]

I usually wear 1.50 for about everything and 2.00 for when I'm welding. I havnt found anything cheaper than the dollar store ones. They make safety glasses that go over glasses.

 

[Gotcha640]

I've known several guys who have the bench or wall mounted lighted magnifying glasses. They're about 10 inches across.

One of the hacker spaces near me has a camera in a light box that we use for macro shots, but it's also great for reading the tiny print. It's connected to a 42" TV, get those carb jets as big as you want.

 

[drmarkr]

Magnified Safety Glasses here.....


http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...s=aps&field-keywords=magnified+safety+glasses

 

[PECVD2]

I like these from Pyramex that I get from Essential Safety for a few bucks to $12 each depending on style or additional side lights. The wrap around safety are great for shop but not reading for me anyway as they are curved too much and bother me when reading for long periods. I am farsighted but only need +1.5 when reading .

 

[LEVE]

Here's an interesting set of glasses that may just fit the bill:

http://www.asseenontv.com/instant-2020-adjustable-glasses/detail.php?p=474733

 

[Duth62]

Idiots. Go see an ophthalmologist.
No. that aint the glasses seller next to the Nascar aisle at Walmart.
You only have one set of eyeballs. Do it right.

 

[F124C]

Idiots. Go see an ophthalmologist.
No. that aint the glasses seller next to the Nascar aisle at Walmart.
You only have one set of eyeballs. Do it right.

^^^^^ x2

Also your two eyes will likely need different corrections.
Plus the big advantage is an ophthalmologist can spot early signs of eye disease etc.

Al.

 

[laser3kw]

I buy 3 packs from Walmart for $7.50. I'm up to 2.00 for reading smaller text, but for doing general shop stuff I like to wear 1.50 or 1.75's....I always have a pair of headband magnifier's available if I'm doing very fine stuff that requires them.

beat me to it - almost word for word!

I am almost always walking around the shop with these on


magnifier headset link

I think mine are a little more powerful, maybe 10x .
I often forget they are there and walk back to the house. Wife gets a little giggle out of that.
True about each eye needs different correction. I wear bi-focal's all day. I have one eye at 20/300 and the other at 20/50, My "readers" are good in one eye and so-so on the other.

 

[Ironcrow]

I use 3M Nuvo safety glasses with side shields and reader bifocals. I got mine a Lowes. I think you can get them on Amazon too.

 

[rharman]

I bought a couple of the 3-packs from Costco and have them in various locations. For the most part, in the garage though, I use the DeWalts with the built-in magnifier.

 

[bulletpruf]

Appreciate all the input, fellas.

I ordered some generic and inexpensive (but very highly rated) readers from Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NUG3B20/?tag=atomicindus08-20

They're $30 for a 4 pack, plastic frames, and look like they are pretty durable. My metal framed readers just don't last long at all.

I'll follow up with some magnified safety glasses and a magnifier headset.

Scott

 

[BlueBomber]

Idiots. Go see an ophthalmologist.
No. that aint the glasses seller next to the Nascar aisle at Walmart.
You only have one set of eyeballs. Do it right.

^^^^^ x2

Also your two eyes will likely need different corrections.
Plus the big advantage is an ophthalmologist can spot early signs of eye disease etc.

Al.

Ditto, except for the ophthalmologist part. Go see your friendly neighorhood optometrist. Same excellent eye care - smaller bill!

Ask for a pair of double Ds. No, not those. An optometrist (especially one that specializes in prescription safety glasses) can make you a set of spectacles with your up close reading prescription at the top AND the bottom of the lens (these are sometimes referred to as 'double ds'). So, when your working above your head, you don't have to tilt your head all the way to your back to see things close.

Trust your optometrist - I know, I'm married to one.

 

[stonesfan68]

I get the safety reader glasses at Grainger. Those things are great inventions! I tried wearing my bi-focals under regular safety glasses and it is awkward to do.

I also bought the three pair of readers from Costco for about $20. I leave a pair in the office, garage and nightstand in case I put my regular glasses down somewhere.

 

[taumac]

Ditto, except for the ophthalmologist part. Go see your friendly neighorhood optometrist. Same excellent eye care - smaller bill!

Ask for a pair of double Ds. No, not those. An optometrist (especially one that specializes in prescription safety glasses) can make you a set of spectacles with your up close reading prescription at the top AND the bottom of the lens (these are sometimes referred to as 'double ds'). So, when your working above your head, you don't have to tilt your head all the way to your back to see things close.

Trust your optometrist - I know, I'm married to one.

I do. I have a astigmatism and my doctor they don't make the right toric contact lens since I'm in between powers. I drive for a living so we both figured better to have better long distance vision than reading. Plus I turned 40 so reading glasses are needed to see small fine print.

 

[F124C]

Ditto, except for the ophthalmologist part. Go see your friendly neighorhood optometrist. Same excellent eye care - smaller bill!

Ask for a pair of double Ds. No, not those. An optometrist (especially one that specializes in prescription safety glasses) can make you a set of spectacles with your up close reading prescription at the top AND the bottom of the lens (these are sometimes referred to as 'double ds'). So, when your working above your head, you don't have to tilt your head all the way to your back to see things close.

^^ Thanks, that's good to know.

Al

 

[PCO6]

I've known several guys who have the bench or wall mounted lighted magnifying glasses. They're about 10 inches across.

I have this over my bench and use it often.

View media item 36940

 

[ratdoggy]

I get the safety reader glasses at Grainger. Those things are great inventions! I tried wearing my bi-focals under regular safety glasses and it is awkward to do.

I also bought the three pair of readers from Costco for about $20. I leave a pair in the office, garage and nightstand in case I put my regular glasses down somewhere.

This is what I do

 

[MoparTrucks]

Idiots. Go see an ophthalmologist.
No. that aint the glasses seller next to the Nascar aisle at Walmart.
You only have one set of eyeballs. Do it right.

My transition lenses (bi-focals) cost almost 1K (thin lens, anti scratch etc) with the frames and at my age I still need some help at certain angles. I have fused vertebrae in my neck so when I am under a vehicle or some other odd angle its a ***** to see sometimes because I cant get to the spot in my lenses I need. I can actually see very well up close and farther than about 2 feet with the glasses on but that distance between 2 feet and about 6 inches is my downfall/ .

I still may be an idiot but as for seeing its mostly because of my age!

 

[december45]

I get my readers at the dollar store or walmart, Ive got about a 1/2 dozen pairs around the shop. I hang a hard case for glasses on the wall at my benches and office. So I have a pair handy all the time, I also have safety glasses at all work stations at the ready. I use the light magnify fixture also, very handy to have.

 

[DC73]

An optometrist (especially one that specializes in prescription safety glasses) can make you a set of spectacles with your up close reading prescription at the top AND the bottom of the lens (these are sometimes referred to as 'double ds'). So, when your working above your head, you don't have to tilt your head all the way to your back to see things close.

Good to know this option exists. What I'd really like to find is a pair of safety glasses where the entire lens is the magnifier instead of just having a reading lens at the bottom (or top). For some tasks, that would be very helpful. I could always prop them up on my head when I need to see at distance.

DC

 

[Fabricator]

I have used these when working a task that involves looking both up and down. It looks like 3M has their own version too.

I have recently tried wearing a reading contact lens in my non-dominant eye for closer work which eliminates the need for safety glasses with 'cheaters' in them - so far, so good, but those things sure like staying stuck to my finger instead of my eye when putting them in...

 

[BlueBomber]

Good to know this option exists. What I'd really like to find is a pair of safety glasses where the entire lens is the magnifier instead of just having a reading lens at the bottom (or top). For some tasks, that would be very helpful. I could always prop them up on my head when I need to see at distance.

DC

A optometrist can easily prescribe a set of full-lens readers for any distance you want. I've had ones tuned for computer monitor work that were 3/4 lenses I could easily position to look through or over as required. Although, if you are looking over them, they are not doing you any good as safety glasses.

Some store readers are certainly cheap and their optical quality is too. Plus, they are fitted for the generic face, not your face. They are also usually NOT SAFETY GLASSES. (all caps for emphasis, not to be obnoxious). If you're serious about protecting your eyes, get a good set of reader safety glasses from your neighborhood optometrist.

Okay, done hawking my wife's business. Back to garage stuff.

 

[GMBracing]

zim have a pair of bifocal glasses built upside down so that when i work under a dash board i can see without cranking my neck out of shape

 

[gpflepsen]

I have these for work and home use. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008CQ2408/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[jimindm]

I have several of the $6 ones from the dollar store. Last time I was in menards they had three packs for $3.99. That was last weekend. May go back and see if they have any more.

 

[Theruse]

I have been using these for years and I can never lose them. When people see them I am always asked where I got them. lots of styles, strength and type at a really good price.

Here is the link.

http://www.sportclic.com/

 

[Doug Arthurs]

This?
http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/2-0x-bi-focal-safety-glasses/A-p8563801e

Those are the ones. I love them.

 

[supersteve]

Idiots. Go see an ophthalmologist.
No. that aint the glasses seller next to the Nascar aisle at Walmart.
You only have one set of eyeballs. Do it right.

I did see an opthalmologist a year or two ago. You know what he told me?
"Go get some reading glasses".

Although I suppose you'll be reading this post through the eyes of a guest here at GJ, lol.

 

[Bobdog]

I buy the 4 packs at BJ's for $20 and use them for work. I get a couple months out of a pair.

I also have a couple pairs of safety glasses with the reader lens built in that the company bought me from Graingers, I think they were $20/ea, but I don't really like them. The bifocal is too low, so it's great if you're looking straight down, but no much help for reading or working on things.