HI, I’m a little confused too. In the Centaur Forge catalog
they say that the didymium is an element mixed into glass lens as
an effective filter for sodium flair and a sufficient filter of
ultra-violet and infra-red rays for blacksmithing use. I wonder
what “sufficient” means. Does anyone happen to have spectral
transmission specs for these glasses? They list them for green #2, #3, and #5, but not for didymium. Maybe I will call Centaur
tomorrow and see if they can be more specific. Gesswein offers #5 goggles for “brief periods of platinum welding and soldering,
as well as melting of gold, silver, and brass,” #6 for
"prolonged use when platinum welding and soldering" and #9 for
platinum casting. I guess casting platinum is like sitting on
the sun. What to do? Elizabeth
The type of welding glasses I was refering to are for Gas
Welding like with a Oxyacetylene torch. They are graded in
various shades from 1-13 the higher the number the darker they
are. I was talking about a shade 3-5 welding lens. The arc
welders use shade 10 and higher; which you cannot see through
without there being an arc struck. A shade 3 is good for lower
intensity light sources like silver soldering and enameling
kilns, a shade 5 would be better for platinum work. Especially
with platinum work you need a good lens as you can quickly damage
your eyes without it. As to adding Didymium to the glass it
really is helpful with the sodium flare and you can see much
better what is happening without all that yellow.
Jim
@jbin
James Binnion Metal Arts
2916 Chapman St
Oakland, CA 94601
510-436-3552
There has been one good article in the Anvils Ring about safety
glasses for blacksmithing and the authors research and other
input from a couple of long recuring discussions on two other
mailing lists (theforge and artmetal) all seem to contradict the
centuar forge statement. I am not a industrial safety specilist
so my knowelege is only what I have read on this subject.
They list them for green #2, #3, and #5, but not for didymium.
Maybe I will call Centaur tomorrow and see if they can be more
specific. Gesswein offers #5 goggles for "brief periods of
platinum welding and soldering, as well as melting of gold,
silver, and brass," #6 for "prolonged use when platinum
welding and soldering" and #9 for platinum casting. I guess
casting platinum is like sitting on the sun. What to do?
The Geswein info seems more inline with the that I
have read.
Jim
James Binnion Metal Arts
2916 Chapman St
Oakland, CA
(510) 436-3552