Post: Top-Quality Glassworking and Lampworking Glasses: Find your perfect match

Top-Quality Glassworking and Lampworking Glasses: Find your perfect match

SHOP GLASSWORKING
SHOP GLASSWORKING

Hot glass workers use a variety of tools and techniques to create beautiful and intricate works of art. However, working with glass can also be hazardous to their health, as exposure to certain types of light can cause eye damage and other health issues. In this article, we’ll explore the types of light that glass workers need to protect against and the filters available to protect against these harmful waves.

Shade, Material, and Protection: Choosing the Right Lampworking Lens

Lampworking and Glassworking require precision and focus, making it essential to have the right type of lens for optimal visibility and protection. When it comes to choosing the appropriate lens type for your glassworking lampworking safety glasses, several factors need to be taken into consideration, including how dark you want the lens and what types of visible or invisible light you need to protect against for your glassworking application.

In general, the types of light that glass workers need to protect against are sodium flare, ultraviolet (UV) light, and infrared (IR) light. 

  • Sodium flare is a bright orange-yellow light that is emitted when certain types of glass are heated. This light can cause eye damage if workers are not protected. 
  • Ultraviolet light is also emitted when glass is heated, and it can cause skin damage and eye problems if workers are not properly protected. 
  • Infrared light is a type of heat radiation that can cause skin burns and eye damage if workers are exposed to it for extended periods of time.

Fortunately, there are filters available to protect against several combinations of these harmful waves. For example, many glass workers use sodium flare filters, which are designed to block out the bright orange-yellow light emitted during glassblowing. These filters can be made from a variety of materials, including glass, plastic, and polycarbonate.

UV filters are also commonly used by glass workers. These filters are designed to block out the harmful ultraviolet rays emitted when glass is heated. Some filters are specifically designed for use with certain types of glass, while others are more general-purpose.

Infrared filters are less commonly used in the glassblowing industry, but they can still be important for workers who are exposed to high levels of heat radiation. These filters are typically made from materials that are resistant to heat and can block out the harmful infrared rays that are emitted during lampworking.

Glassworking lens uses and applications:

Phillips Safety Products offers a wide range of lens options that cater to every glassblowing and lampworking application. Here are the common ways our lenses for glassblowing and lampworking safety glasses are used:

  • The Light Green lenses provide optical clarity and maximum protection against harmful UV and IR radiation in a variety of hot glass applications. Recommended for those who work with off hand glass blowing, glory hole or furnace work, this polycarbonate filter, provides a visual light transmission of 23%.
  • Phillips 202 glass is very efficient in filtering sodium flare in addition to providing ultraviolet protection to 390 nm. The Phillips 202 is becoming a preferable choice of hot glass workers. It is very comfortable for viewing under high ambient light conditions such as when working with hot glass or glowing heat sources for a duration of time. Also, although it has a relatively low luminous transmission of 38%, it is not recommended for sun protection use unless UV filtering coatings are applied.
  • Sodium Flare Polycarbonate lens is the sister lens to the Didymium Lenses. This is a lightweight lens very effective filter for sodium flare absorption in addition to providing excellent ultraviolet (UV) protection up to 390 nm. Not only is it very comfortable for viewing under high ambient light conditions, but it also allows a high Visible Light Transmission permitting you to see in any lighting situation.

This filter has a recommended use of lampworking on soft glass types, neon working, and any other industries that need a Sodium Flare filtration with our IR protection. This lens has very little IR absorption.

  • The BoroTruView 3.0 lenses are made for the true lampworking and hot glass worker artist. These high-quality polycarbonate lenses are especially formulated to offer excellent color recognition when working with colored glass. The IR filter is a color neutral, so you will be able to see the different colors of the glass and the heat being applied. In addition, these lenses provide UV and IR protection.

Lighter than conventional laminated and glass products, the BoroTruView 3.0 lenses are comfortable for all day use. Recommended for those who work with lampwork or hot glass in small pieces.

  • The BoroTruView 5.0 lenses are high-quality polycarbonate lenses, especially formulated to offer excellent color recognition when working with colored glass. Made for the lampworking and hot glass worker, the IR filter is a color neutral, so you will be able to see the different colors of the glass and the heat being applied. In addition, these lenses provide UV and IR protection.

Lighter than conventional laminated and glass products, the BoroTruView 5.0 lenses are comfortable for all day use. Recommended for those who work with lampwork or hot glass in large pieces.

  • The BoroView 3.0 lenses are a revolutionary formulation designed to meet the exact needs for those working with harder, higher temperature of borosilicate glass. These lenses are especially formulated polycarbonate, which are lighter than conventional laminated and glass products. In addition, the BoroView is a full coverage lens, bringing safety and comfort all day use, with an extra UV and IR protection. Perfect for those who work with lampwork or hot glass in small pieces.
  • The BoroView 5.0 lenses are a revolutionary formulation designed to meet the exact needs for those working with harder, higher temperature of borosilicate glass, and need an extra UV and IR protection. These lenses are especially formulated polycarbonate, which are lighter than conventional laminated and glass products. In addition, the BoroView 5 is a full coverage lens, bringing safety and comfort all day use. Perfect for those who work with lampwork or hot glass in large pieces.

In conclusion, glass workers need to protect themselves against sodium flare, ultraviolet (UV) light, and infrared (IR) light when working with glass. Fortunately, there are filters available to protect against these harmful waves. If you are a glass worker, it’s important to invest in the appropriate filters to protect your health and safety while on the job. By taking the necessary precautions, you can enjoy the beauty and creativity of glassblowing without putting your health at risk.

If you still have questions about what’s best for your specific glassblowing or lampworking application, you can contact us or take a look at the website to see our selection. Glassworking safety glasses are essential for most glass work, especially if you plan on doing it regularly. We can also do some amount of customization with split lenses, so call us if you need a specific application addressed, and we’ll find the perfect glass working safety glasses for you. 

If you still aren’t sure which glassworking or lampworking glasses are right for you, it’s a good idea to give us a call at 1-866-575-1307 or talk to us through our chat or e-mail us at service@phillips-safety.com

Our glassworking experts will be able to tell you what you need for your application.

SHOP GLASSWORKING AND LAMPWORKING GLASSES

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