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Uvex Shield

Emiliano Achaval

Emiliano Achaval

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Location
Maui, Hawaii
Website
hawaiiankoaturner.com
Today I was carefully cleaning the polycarbonate anti fog shield of my Uvex facemask. I have been using Simple Green to clean it for a few months, on a daily basis, several times a day... I noticed today the edges had little cracks all over, included a few big ones and one almost an inch long!! Nothing has ever hit me, just small pieces of bark, nothing big. Is the simple green eating it up? I believed the cracks have compromise the safety aspect of it. I know better than to think the shield will protect me from a big piece flying, its mainly to protect my glasses and eyes from small debris. Still, it didn't feel right to leave it, so I changed it for one older one with some CA spatter on it, and I ordered a new one... Has anybody seen this? Aloha from Maui
 
Polycarbonate can develop stress cracks especially from being wrapped in a relatively tight curve like that on the Uvex Bionic shield. It may eventually even develop birefringent-like stresses in the central field of view. Some cleaners contain chemicals that can affect some types of plastic. Simple Green contains Ethoxylated Alcohol, but I don't know if that has any long term effect on polycarbonate.

Whatever the reason, my gut feeling tells me that your polycarbonate lens needs to be replaced. The usefulness of the polycarbonate lens depends on how well it is being held in place ... in other words, the strength around the perimeter ... if that is cracked then:

POP QUIZ -- choose the best answer and no peeking at your neighbors answer:
  • Replace it
  • Not a problem
  • I'm too cheap to replace it now, maybe later after it breaks
  • What's a face shield?
 
Years ago there was a post about some chemical cleaner causing cracks in shields. That was before the Uvex. One woodturner in our club tried to clean CA off his shield with something, don't remember what. Anyway the next time he used the shield a small chunk hit the shield and it cracked like tempered glass. Whatever he cleaned it with compromised it somehow. Wish I could remember all the details but I don't even remember what I had for dinner last night.
 
Thanks everyone! I did replaced it with one that has some CA spatter marks, ordered a new one too. I should post a pictures of the cracks if I can find it in the Rubbish can. John: I had 3 small cracks in the center too! I assumed they are scratches... Bill: how often do you turn ? Twice a year you clean yours? I clean mine almost daily and more if I’m working with green wood...
 
Emilliano,
Since you've already discarded it you might as well have some fun. Drop a round on it, shoot it with a spud gun or some other imperfect test to see how it holds up. You will know pretty quick if the spider cracks were failing the integrity of the plastic.
 
Emiliano Achaval said:
... Bill: how often do you turn ? Twice a year you clean yours? I clean mine almost daily and more if I’m working with green wood...
Click to expand...

When I can't find the lathe then I know it's time to clean the shield. :D

Most of the time I just rinse it with hot water. I'll admit that I've only turned once or twice in the past year ... two rotator cuff surgeries and one back surgery. I've probably forgotten how to turn.

I don't turn much wood that has sticky stuff, but sometimes I get a piece of mesquite with lots of borers ... if for no other reason, that's a very good time to be wearing a face shield. Don't ask how I came across that pearl of wisdom. :rolleyes: Mesquite borers are big and juicy and don't taste particularly good.

Actually, polycarbonate is amazingly tough stuff. I tried beating up an old shield with a ball peen hammer and couldn't crack it until I scored it with a box cutter. The bigger concern would be head injury if a big chunk of wood hit the shield. In that case, it wouldn't really matter if it broke because your head is going to absorb the total energy of the collision. Face shields provide protection from bark and other small pieces, but that's all.
 
Face Shields provide just enough protection to protect your eyes, that is about the extent of it. Keeping your face out of the line of fire is your best bet. Having a wood billet bounce off the floor and wall and ceiling before it falls to the floor tends to open your eyes to the potential energy in the rotating piece. I had a large wood billet catch on a table saw and flew back hit me in the chest and knocked me off my feet years ago. Most people have to learn these lessons the hard way before they realize what they are up against.
 
Bill Boehme said:
The cracks don't look too bad, but it seems to be somewhat hazy. Probably a good time to get a nice clear shield. :)
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The biggest crack is about an inch long. Agreed, not too bad, but I shouldn't have any! I will try to buy what John Lucas is using or some plastic cleaner. The replacements are not cheap, $24...
 
Mike Johnson said:
Face Shields provide just enough protection to protect your eyes, that is about the extent of it. Keeping your face out of the line of fire is your best bet. Having a wood billet bounce off the floor and wall and ceiling before it falls to the floor tends to open your eyes to the potential energy in the rotating piece. I had a large wood billet catch on a table saw and flew back hit me in the chest and knocked me off my feet years ago. Most people have to learn these lessons the hard way before they realize what they are up against.
Click to expand...
I have had big chunks fly off, bowls, bark... When you see a bowl hit the something you realized the face shield is there only for the flying chips, not the bowl... Agreed, staying out of the line of fire is your best bet...
 
The last replacement shield I bought was not the anti-fog. I think they were about $5.00 each. I bought 3 of them. I haven't had any problem with fog st all. I'm still on my first one after about 6 months use and it seem clearer than the original anti-fog shield.
 
Emiliano Achaval said:
The biggest crack is about an inch long. Agreed, not too bad, but I shouldn't have any! I will try to buy what John Lucas is using or some plastic cleaner. The replacements are not cheap, $24...
Click to expand...

I checked the price at Enviro Safety and the replacement standard visors were $4.90. The anti-fog visors were $18.77. The complete Bionic Face Shield with standard visor was on sale for $19.99. The price at Woodcraft including the anti-fog visor is $49.99.
 
William Rogers said:
The last replacement shield I bought was not the anti-fog. I think they were about $5.00 each. I bought 3 of them. I haven't had any problem with fog st all. I'm still on my first one after about 6 months use and it seem clearer than the original anti-fog shield.
Click to expand...

I don't think Emiliano will need the anti-fog shield, since his weather there is much warmer, but during the winter months in the Northwest, it becomes a problem. I keep the heat on 24/7 when it gets down to freezing.....but only just enough to keep it about 40°. My breath fogs up the shield, until it, and the shop air warms up. (could be a couple hours)

The plastic cleaner/scratch remover I use is called Novus. I got mine from the Harley Davidson dealer. For cleaning every other day, or so......I'm currently using the little disposable cleaning towelettes, These are made for cleaning eyeglasses, and available almost anywhere. They are made for plastic, but work on your glass lenses just as well. The one rule I have is to NEVER EVER touch the shield, because your finger prints are what attracts dust to adhere to the surface. The two brands of eyeglasses cleaning towelettes I have on hand here, are Zeiss, and nice-n-clean.....

IMG_0661.JPG

-----odie-----
 
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Thanks for telling me now after I spent $24 for the anti fog one!! LOL. My next one will be the regular one, and I will buy several ones! I wonder what do they add to it to make that anti fog claim, and is it wort an extra $20?? I always wonder if I should try the cheap ones, now I will... We have established that Simple Green ruins the shield, hope others can learn from this thread. Next trip into town I will go to the Harley Davidson store and check Target too for the above recommended cleaners. Aloha
 
Bill Boehme said:
I checked the price at Enviro Safety and the replacement standard visors were $4.90. The anti-fog visors were $18.77. The complete Bionic Face Shield with standard visor was on sale for $19.99. The price at Woodcraft including the anti-fog visor is $49.99.
Click to expand...
I wonder why Woodcraft will try to gouge us with a piece of safety equipment? Dont they know we can search the internet for good prices? Dissaponted...
 
Emiliano, I have used the Novus 2, for polishing scratches out of CA finished pens and it works well. Novus makes three polishes designated as Novus 1 ( polish and clean ), Novus 2 ( fine scratch remover ), and Novus 3 ( heavy scratch remover ). I tried cleaning CA splatter with the Novus 2 and that is like trying to sand out tearout, for me. Just easier to buy a new $5 one. Also the Novus 1 provides anti-fog and static protection.
 
Emiliano Achaval said:
I wonder why Woodcraft will try to gouge us with a piece of safety equipment? Dont they know we can search the internet for good prices? Dissaponted...
Click to expand...

I think the answer is that they serve a very small specialty market so they don't have the volume of sales of places like Amazon and the big box stores.
 
Emiliano, the anti-fog visors are also hardened... and that should reduce chipping/scratching/pitting caused by shavings that hit the shield. I always choose hardened visors when available.
 
I think you'll be happy with your decision. I've been using the uncoated for some time now with no problems. I use a soapy solution of dawn dishwashing detergent and a soft cloth if I need to remove gunk. And once in a long while I use the Novus 2 if I get some surface scratches. Good luck!
Steve
 
AlanZ said:
Emiliano, the anti-fog visors are also hardened... and that should reduce chipping/scratching/pitting caused by shavings that hit the shield. I always choose hardened visors when available.
Click to expand...
Thank you Alan and everybody for all the great input. This Forum has become a family... Aloha
 
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