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Face shield recommendations
- Thread starter Cary Hulse
- Start date
The Uvex Bionic is what I use and have been happy with it. You can also buy replacement shields which extend the life of the product and are pretty cheap.
Most I know use the Uvex Bionic. Seems fine. I have three for myself and students. But there are other options to consider.
A friend gave me a Lincoln Electric Omnishield XC. (I've opened the box but haven't turned with it yet.) Although both it and the Uvex say they meet the ANSI Z87 CSA Z94,3 specs, the Lincoln Electric appears and feels stronger. For example, the clear face shield is much thicker than the Uvex. The Omnishield also has a little more protection on the top and bottom. It does feel heavier but is comfortable. Both have adjustable head straps, angle adjustment, etc. A 3M half mask respirator with P100 filters will fit nicely under the Uvex for breathing protection. I haven't yet tried it with the Omnishield XC. The Uvex is about $20 cheaper.
Omnishield XC on on the left, Bionic Uvex on the right.
I didn't research the differences or look for test comparisons, but the friend did.
Another option with feels stronger than both is the full face 3M industrial respirator. To me it feels much stronger than either of the other two. The filtering is far better with fittings a silicon seal around the mask. It's heavier and costs a lot more than either of the others.
I have several of these, use one when spraying chemicals around the farm with special cartridge filters for chemicals, sometimes use the other with P100 particulate filters when woodturning. I accidentally discovered another great use when a guy down the hill set the woods on fire. I took my tractor to start cutting fire breaks until the pros showed up and took over. What I discovered was although the particulate filters didn't remove the smoke, the thing sure kept the smoke out of my eyes!
What to get? Very difficult to decide. Neither I nor any students have ever had a piece come off the lathe so I can't provide in-shop experience. Might depend on what and how you turn. Turn large blanks with lots of voids at high speed and are prone to getting catches and prying bowls off the lathe, might go for the strongest. (would take some research) Turn for long periods, the lightest one may be more comfortable. For smaller things and turning for extended time, the lighter Uvex might be fine. Anyone who lives nearby or is driving through TN is welcome to stop and try all of these.
A friend from Italy using a Bionic. The spindle was unlikely to break or come off the lathe but she was really cautious (and it was her first experience at the lathe.)
JKJ
A friend gave me a Lincoln Electric Omnishield XC. (I've opened the box but haven't turned with it yet.) Although both it and the Uvex say they meet the ANSI Z87 CSA Z94,3 specs, the Lincoln Electric appears and feels stronger. For example, the clear face shield is much thicker than the Uvex. The Omnishield also has a little more protection on the top and bottom. It does feel heavier but is comfortable. Both have adjustable head straps, angle adjustment, etc. A 3M half mask respirator with P100 filters will fit nicely under the Uvex for breathing protection. I haven't yet tried it with the Omnishield XC. The Uvex is about $20 cheaper.
Omnishield XC on on the left, Bionic Uvex on the right.
I didn't research the differences or look for test comparisons, but the friend did.
Another option with feels stronger than both is the full face 3M industrial respirator. To me it feels much stronger than either of the other two. The filtering is far better with fittings a silicon seal around the mask. It's heavier and costs a lot more than either of the others.
I have several of these, use one when spraying chemicals around the farm with special cartridge filters for chemicals, sometimes use the other with P100 particulate filters when woodturning. I accidentally discovered another great use when a guy down the hill set the woods on fire. I took my tractor to start cutting fire breaks until the pros showed up and took over. What I discovered was although the particulate filters didn't remove the smoke, the thing sure kept the smoke out of my eyes!
What to get? Very difficult to decide. Neither I nor any students have ever had a piece come off the lathe so I can't provide in-shop experience. Might depend on what and how you turn. Turn large blanks with lots of voids at high speed and are prone to getting catches and prying bowls off the lathe, might go for the strongest. (would take some research) Turn for long periods, the lightest one may be more comfortable. For smaller things and turning for extended time, the lighter Uvex might be fine. Anyone who lives nearby or is driving through TN is welcome to stop and try all of these.
A friend from Italy using a Bionic. The spindle was unlikely to break or come off the lathe but she was really cautious (and it was her first experience at the lathe.)
JKJ
I know many used the Bionic face shield and I initially bought one. I did not like the black frame and bought a Sellstrom clear face shield because it has better peripheral and downward vision and better chip protection for under the chin. I still used it for club demos, but now use PAPR system now with a 3M Versaflow. I built my own PAPR system from eBay components to provide the air.
SELLSTROM
SELLSTROM
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I use the Uvex, but I was unaware of the Sellstrom. I have to admit, that looks like a very good shield.