Yes, I know the annular eclipse has come and gone. One of my clients had been unable to find any welders lenses for this event. He also tells me that Venus is going to pass in front of the sun in June sometime and he'd like be able to see it.

I told him about the glasses I made in '79 with 4 layers of aluminized mylar. A total eclipse passed over part of southern WA state back then. I made them based on something I'd read in the paper. I can't recall if they specified a certain grade of mylar or not. I read on the web now that you can't use just any old aluminized mylar film, has to be the stuff rated for it.

My client wants me to make him some glasses. I want to make sure I'm covered legally for this. Anybody know about this stuff?

Back in '79, cloud cover was heavy for my Dad and I somewhere near Longview, WA near the center of the path of totality. Still a wild experience - light switch type change from light to dark and back. On the way home the clouds parted and I used my glasses to see the the moon covering maybe 60-70% of the sun. Very bright anyway of course and the glasses seemed to be adequate - no discomfort and no subsequent problems that I know of.

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1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

It takes a #14 welding glass to adequately shield from the sun, anything less can still damage your eyes. Personally I'd err on the side of caution, or maybe buy a cheapo welding shield (they can be had super cheap at Harbor Freight) and grab the lens out.

Edit: Can't find anything on Harbor Freight, looks like they pulled their cheapo lens but there are plenty others

http://www.harrisweldingsupplies.com/harris-shade-14-welding-helmet-filter-plate-lens-2-x-4-2-5.aspx

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

I was going to recommend a cheap HF helmet too.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

You're right, HF has no cheap ones. They're all auto-darkening. Walmart has one for $20. Would an auto-darkening one work looking at the sun?

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Campbell-Hausfeld-2-x-4-1-4-Fixed-Lens-Welding-Helmet/15128450

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Ah, I found these guys who sell them cheap: $.85 ea, min. 25. With shipping about $30:

Eclipse Glasses - Safe Solar Viewers - Eclipse Shades®

Or I could find the right mylar and make some cheap thing.

Same site had much eclipse info plus Venus transit:

Australia and Annular Eclipse - Eclipse Glasses for Total Solar Eclipse 2012 | Transit of Venus 2012

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1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K