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glasses lenses for carpenter, glass vs. polycarbonate?

jcted | Posted in General Discussion on February 2, 2015 09:35am

I have worked as a carpenter for almost 30 years. Every time I get a new pair of glasses, I request glass lenses. Once I tried polycarbonate, but they were scratched to uselessness in a few months.

Are there new plastics that can take the beating that daily dust/grit puts on our lenses?

Thanks.

Joel

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Replies

  1. User avater
    deadnuts | Feb 02, 2015 09:59pm | #1

    I always go poly

    I've been using polycarbonate lenses (with flex frames)as a carpenter for longer. I don't think there is anything better. They last me at least 3-4 years before scratches get annoying. I always have two pair of the same glasses with flex frames (Wal mart; they're cheap) and reserve a good pair for once I get home. Whenever my prescription changes (it only changes slightly at any given point) I put the new prescription lenses in the work site pair.. and rotate those back for off duty use.  I do the same for my sunglasses.

  2. DanH | Feb 02, 2015 10:03pm | #2

    I get whatever the standard plastic is -- probably polycarbonate -- and have relatively little trouble with scratches (one pair got kind of bad).  But then I'm a computer programmer, not a carpenter.

    You can get an anti-scratch coating -- I've never tried it.  But as a base polycarbonate is about the hardest plastic there is.

    One thing to note is that different matrials have different indexes of refraction.  Not a big deal if your eyes aren't too weak, but if you're really near-sighted like I am it's good to have a "high index of refraction" so that the lenses don't need to so thick and coke-bottle-like.  IIRC, glass has a low (poor) index of refraction compared to the plastic options, and there's one variety of plastic that's better than the others.

  3. sapwood | Feb 03, 2015 11:52am | #3

    What happens if an errant nail flips out of your hammer claws and smacks into one of your lenses? Not good.... When I was working I used safety frames with the appropriate lenses. Because they were for work, they were tax deductable for me. Nowadays I don't bother with the safety jobbers. 

    I have scratch coating on my poly type lenses now. The optician told me that they'd replace the lenses twice if they got scratched for any reason. I asked if that included the micro scratches that occur through cleaning (no matter how careful I am) and she said yes. I told her that I'd be back.

    While we're on the subject... One thing I've always wanted for working overhead is a pair with the near vision focal length at the top. I was adjusting the lower guides on my bandsaw the other day and its dang near impossible to focus on the tiny screws while looking up. A friend used to put his specs on upside down for this sort of work. Looked silly but was effective. 

    1. calvin | Feb 03, 2015 04:28pm | #4

      Sap

      The last few pairs of glasses for close work have been bifocaled down and up both.  World of difference.  I got them tuned more for work than reading, in other words......for the proper working distance of mitre saw, measuring and overhead nailing etc.

      i found quickly that in addition to the high work benefitting, so did things down in the corner at the floor.  High work with regular bifocals, I'd have to tilt my head way far back, same goes for baseboard.

       One thing to remember with them ( or bifocals for that matter)ladder work needs a bit more caution.  Early on I've missed the bottom step on a 4-6 ft ladder.

      at 5-9 I've used the heck out of  "3 -step" ladders.  Top ht. 2 ft.  On top of them a lot and I'd spin around finishing board, whatever.  Too often I'd step down on the wrong side-scrape the heck out of my shins.  The last time that happened I was so pissed and bloody I packed up and went to the Louisville ladder store and asked about a two sided 2' stepladder.   Sure he says, I can order one.  Pretty expensive, sure you want it?

      might have been 60/70 bucks.....best money spent.  Double rung on the top as well, damn near a platform

      One caution, diff manufactuer's have different rung heights.

      to the original question, I've had poly carbs for quite a while.  Try to flood with water to clean.  Drywall dust is a killer, cutting masonry no picnic either.  If it isn't, corrective lenses should be a cost of doing business.

  4. jcted | Feb 04, 2015 07:57pm | #5

    Thanks everyone for adding in. My biggest concern is that no matter whether I am doing demo or finish work, there is always dust in the air, thus on my lenses and not always compressed air at hand or running water and I end up wiping my lenses on my tshirt. Then I am scratched out. I am not sure about the replacement policy on plastic lensesbut will check with my optical folks. If they will replace the scratched lenses for the "expected" life of the lenses, then I would consider using plastic. Hell, it is much lighter in weight and cheaper to buy.

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