Mask question

[cschrems23]

My friend has a mask that he drilled tiny holes in a while ago to stop them from fogging up. There are only a couple of holes and they are on the side of the lens. They are much less than 6mm and a BB does not even come close to fitting through. So anyway my question is weather they will count as full seal goggles that he can use for competition. So if you know please reply so he can know weather he needs a new mask or not.

[Ghast]

If the holes that he drilled are smaller than 6mm like you mentioned, they'll still count as full seal.

Edit: If you have the means to do so without risking your masks integrity, I'd say go crazy drilling 3-5mm holes.

[caponewgp]

Yeah and I dont think anyone is going to check your mask for holes during a event.

[Tank]

My only concern that I would have about drilling holes in the mask, besides the fore mentioned integrity, would be bio BBs. I've heard it mentioned several times that, at least some, bio BBs tend to shatter when they hit a solid surfice. I would be concerned about one of those BBs hitting a drilled hole and then shattering and sending in shrapnel. Another thing to be careful about would be the size of the hole.

I know Ghast mentioned 3 - 5mm holes. Without a drillpress, you might make the hole a little larger than you intend. Also, if the BBs that you are using for a test gauge, to determine if a BB would fit through or not, happens to be a brand that makes them a little bigger, you could be in for some trouble. There is a decent range of sizes out there. If I had a couple of the links right in front of me, I would link to them. There are a few studies on BB size and tollerance, verse brand out there.

I would basically stick to 3 to 4mm, if I was desperate to drill holes, especailly if I didn't have a drillpress. I would also try not to put these holes in line with the eye, as much as possible. I know your going to want them along the top to vent and the bottom to take in new air, but to the side would be safer.

[Gimpalong]

I would avoid drilling any sort of holes solely for the reason that the drilling process might compromise the integrity of the lens as a whole.

The lens, as manufactured, is ANSI z87.1 rated, but as soon as you start modifying it you (potentially) may alter the way that lens absorbs impact.

While drilling a few small holes isn't likely to cause the mask to fail when hit by a bb in some future skirmish, it isn't a modification that should be encouraged.

If you want to avoid fogging you should invest in a better lens or a better goggle system overall.

As far as being "full seal," yes, the modified goggles would technically pass.

A lot seems to slip by event organizers at skirmishes. I've definitely seen people skirmishing in non-full seal goggles, lab goggles and the ubiquitous "dust, wind, sand" goggles of yesteryear which may or may not carry any ANSI rating. Not placing any blame on event organizers as they have a lot on their plates, but players really need to self-police and encourage people to buy proper eye-protection systems.

Cheap out at your peril.

[Zorak]

May 29, 2012 17:34:04 GMT -5 cschrems23 said:

My friend has a mask that he drilled tiny holes in a while ago to stop them from fogging up. There are only a couple of holes and they are on the side of the lens. They are much less than 6mm and a BB does not even come close to fitting through. So anyway my question is weather they will count as full seal goggles that he can use for competition. So if you know please reply so he can know weather he needs a new mask or not.

Did he drill the actual lens? If so, I'd never allow that in, due to the concerns Gimpalong raised. Also, if that was a thermal lens, he ruined it. Thermal lenses work because of the sealed void between the panes, and he unsealed it. If it wasn't a thermal lens, he should quit screwing around and get a thermal lens.

[Ghast]

Yeah, it sounds to me like OP is trying to perforate his mask while leaving his goggle system intact. Which is not an issue.