Cutting lenses by hand (a guide)

[SharkSugender]

Your first few cuts will likely suck. I would suggest cutting some beater lenses to any frame you have first. It will take repetition and failure to figure out corners and bevels. I'd grab a handful of $25 lens sets from @Ebayreseller if he's still around to cut into first.

What $25 lens would those be? Will they fit xmetals? Or just practice on perfecting the shape?

 

[SharkSugender]

Your first few cuts will likely suck. I would suggest cutting some beater lenses to any frame you have first. It will take repetition and failure to figure out corners and bevels. I'd grab a handful of $25 lens sets from @Ebayreseller if he's still around to cut into first.

I do have a bunch of scratched up juliet lenses that i could recut for penny. Might just practice on those. Unfortunately i don't have many R1 beaters that i could cut to fit a juliet

 

[docrusty]

What $25 lens would those be? Will they fit xmetals? Or just practice on perfecting the shape?

If you're cutting for xmetals, you'll need 8.75 base curve lenses to be proper but toric lenses will work most of the time but are harder to fit/cut to the right size because the curve is different. The donor lens guide would be good to go through before you start cutting/ordering lenses.

 

[SharkSugender]

If you're cutting for xmetals, you'll need 8.75 base curve lenses to be proper but toric lenses will work most of the time but are harder to fit/cut to the right size because the curve is different. The donor lens guide would be good to go through before you start cutting/ordering lenses.

I have over a dozen straightlink lenses plus dillons. I will start with the beaters then move to the straightlinks then dillons would be last (if i don't give up after the first time i mess up)

 

[docrusty]

I have over a dozen straightlink lenses plus dillons. I will start with the beaters then move to the straightlinks then dillons would be last (if i don't give up after the first time i mess up)

I'd recommend cutting 25+ sets before you cut dillons. The lens material is different (bigtime) compared to Oakley lenses and they are super easy to chip when cutting. Plus, they are thick as **** and your bevel needs to be significant and on point if your putting them in metals, especially R1. Same for straightlinks on an R1 to be honest. If you compare a SL set to OEM R1, the R1 is thinner (needs less bevel) and SL needs more bevel and if you're feeling froggy, a front edge bevel helps fit too (do it with the tape still on lol).
Gauge 8L lenses are good donors for most metals as they are 8.75 and fit all of them but they are thick so you need more bevel.

 

[SharkSugender]

I'd recommend cutting 25+ sets before you cut dillons. The lens material is different (bigtime) compared to Oakley lenses and they are super easy to chip when cutting. Plus, they are thick as **** and your bevel needs to be significant and on point if your putting them in metals, especially R1. Same for straightlinks on an R1 to be honest. If you compare a SL set to OEM R1, the R1 is thinner (needs less bevel) and SL needs more bevel and if you're feeling froggy, a front edge bevel helps fit too (do it with the tape still on lol).
Gauge 8L lenses are good donors for most metals as they are 8.75 and fit all of them but they are thick so you need more bevel.

What tape do you recommend?

 

[Chet Manley]

What tape do you recommend?

I use blue 3m tape and the pink delicate surface tape. Be VERY weary of cutting ice and positive red, the iridium is delicate

 

[SharkSugender]

I use blue 3m tape and the pink delicate surface tape. Be VERY weary of cutting ice and positive red, the iridium is delicate

Thanks! I will look those up

 

[fredam2008]

Im ready

 

[Chet Manley]

Im ready

View attachment 877418

Hopefully not your first cuts ever