[Philadelph]

Just wondering what everyone uses in this department as I think it is a pretty important one. Off the top of my head, safety glasses, respirator, and leather apron come to mind. Anything in particular you look for with each of these? I've seen a bunch of half-mask respirators which is probably what I'd get, but have no idea which. Right now I use pretty cheap/improvised stuff and want to get serious in this department.

[mastermute]

Originally Posted by Philadelph

I've seen a bunch of half-mask respirators which is probably what I'd get, but have no idea which.

I got me a half mask respirator after blowing my nose after a session at the belt sander! It was black! I also use it when I do CA coating, that stuff burns after a couple of coatings in one night!

I always wear protecive goggles when [belt]sanding, cutting and grinding!

I'd love a leather apron, and butchers mesh gloves... those are on my wish list!

[floppyshoes]

I have just about as many safety devices as tools:

• JSP PowerCap visor/respirator (best xmas gift ever)
• Leather apron
• Mechanic's gloves, Filetting gloves (steel wire mesh), Leather gauntlets, latex gloves
• Steel cap boots
• Levi's 501 jeans (anyone who works in a shop can attest a good, thick pair of jeans counts as safety gear
• Smoke detector, CO detector, Type ABC fire extinguisher, ground fault breaker outlets (I'm near the plumbing in the basement)
• Pedal switches for most of my larger tools (router, table saw, buffer, drill press)
• 1/3 hp exhaust fan in window
• 6 enclosed T8 fluorescent fixtures w/ electronic ballast (good lighting is an important but often overlooked safety precaution)
• Beeper on the door (so nobody can come in without you knowing. "sneak-ups" are high on the list of things that can cause serious accidents)

I also have countless jigs and templates that reduce the risk of injury and tons of other stuff I can't remember right now.

Awesome thread and an excellent subject.

[rastewart]

Just as a frivolous aside, I read about three sentences into the first post thinking in terms of safety gear for shaving with a straight ... Just put it down to not getting that second cup of coffee this morning.

~Rich ... back to our regularly scheduled thread ...

[Philadelph]

How do you choose a particular respirator and apron? Anything that is a must?

[netsurfr]

rastewart, don't feel like the lone ranger! I was seeing how the leather apron could be good safety equipment for shaving but was having a hard time tying the safety glasses and respirator into the shaving experience. That's when the lightbulb came on....

[Philadelph]

Just a reminder here fellas! This is the FORGE section lol. I think that means it's where guys talk about making razors and related stuff. Just my guess though...

[Kenrup]

Originally Posted by Philadelph

Just a reminder here fellas! This is the FORGE section lol. I think that means it's where guys talk about making razors and related stuff. Just my guess though...

A big honking FIRE EXTINGUISHER!

[Chris L]

I need to get more safety gear. I do have cut resistant kevlar mesh gloves that have saved me from I don't know how many cuts and probably even some stitches when using the buffer; as Bill Ellis and others have said, the buffer IMO is one of the if not THE most dangerous machine in the shop. I want to upgrade and get the kevlar gloves that extend to the elbow to prevent any artery cutting.

Chris L

[floppyshoes]

Originally Posted by Philadelph

How do you choose a particular respirator and apron? Anything that is a must?

The apron is sized. You want it to cover as much as possible while still fitting closely and not being too heavy. Mine has leather in the front and canvas elsewhere (helps it breath a little)

The respirator is something you want to try on before buying if you can. Make sure it's adjustable and that you have good range of motion. When you look down, as if at the edge of a table while standing, the visor should contact your collar bone (or the top of your apron should you have one). A fabric head band is a must. The cheap ones have plastic and it tends to slip off if you sweat even a little. Also, make sure you can put in the kinds of filters you'll be needing. Some respirators have weak motors and won't handle a fine filter well. Lastly, make sure the power supply is comfortable and lasts a decent amount of time. It's a real pain when your respirator dies before you're done doing whatever it is you need it for.

I forgot to mention. I have a half dozen or so welding caps lying around. Thay are great for keeping crap out of your hair (sparks, sawdust, metal filings, errant doritos...)

[mastermute]

Originally Posted by floppyshoes

errant doritos...

Yeah! Don't forget Doritos related injuries!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4vIyL45hws

[RobertFontaine]

The leather apron is certainly traditional but I wonder if kevlar et al is useful/affordable. What alternatives exist for catching 60 mile an hour razor blades coming at your chest/groin?

- Bob

[floppyshoes]

Originally Posted by RobertFontaine

The leather apron is certainly traditional but I wonder if kevlar et al is useful/affordable. What alternatives exist for catching 60 mile an hour razor blades coming at your chest/groin?

- Bob

Easy solution: don't stand in line with the buffer.
Always stand off to the side. This will reduce your chances of injury greatly and discourage you from leaning into the wheel too much. Buffers are not like lawnmowers where you can lean your hip or groin into it to get through a rough spot.

Mainly I've found the visor and apron have saved me from: Table saw kickback and carbide tooth loss, sanding fap wheel blowout, sparks from grinding/sanding etc.

[Philadelph]

Couple questions:

Where is a good place to go in person to find a good leather apron? I have found Canvas and denim aprons, but will they cut it (I'm thinking in terms of grinding razors and other heavy duty applications with flying sparks and metal)?

Has anyone ever tried THIS? It looks good. I saw one today. Check out the FAQ, it looks like a serious product. Dan, I am not looking at full face respirators, but only half masks that cover your nose and mouth. They are still good/use filters etc. but I'm not ready for a huge industrial type one.

Anyone know if THESE would be alright? Particularly the twin cartridge (actually cheaper at the store) and quicklatch pro? I know it's Harbour Freight, but they meet regulations and all (not that I know much about that).

Thanks!

[Mike Blue]

Go with the second product, the twin filter half mask. You can change out those filters very easily where the Neoprene thing looks cool, it also looks expensively disposable. Plus you are going to sweat into the mask and breath off a lot of water vapor.

I've only lit my jeans on fire when grinding titanium. Steel won't do it, so good stout pants and a cloth apron won't be so bad. Leather is good insurance for high speed items. I know a couple grinders who won't buff anything unless they are wearing a chain mail apron.

Hat, eye protection, and ear plugs. Ever get welding flux or some hot sparks from a grinder down inside an ear? Go ahead, just once, then you'll know why ear plugs are not just for hearing protection...LOL

[floppyshoes]

Originally Posted by Mike Blue

Go with the second product, the twin filter half mask. You can change out those filters very easily where the Neoprene thing looks cool, it also looks expensively disposable. Plus you are going to sweat into the mask and breath off a lot of water vapor.

I've only lit my jeans on fire when grinding titanium. Steel won't do it, so good stout pants and a cloth apron won't be so bad. Leather is good insurance for high speed items. I know a couple grinders who won't buff anything unless they are wearing a chain mail apron.

Hat, eye protection, and ear plugs. Ever get welding flux or some hot sparks from a grinder down inside an ear? Go ahead, just once, then you'll know why ear plugs are not just for hearing protection...LOL

+1 on the half mask if you're not into the full respirators. Make sure you also get some nice goggles and a welding cap (unless you're bald or like the aroma of singed hair)

Leather aprons are commonly found at welding suppliers. Make sure you get a bib apron as the whole point is to protect as many important body parts as possible...

How To Buy a Welding Apron | eHow.com

[Bruno]

I do most everything by hand out of necessity, so I only wear breathing masks when sawing or filing.
As soon as my workbench is ready I'll start with a cheap belt grinder and add goggles and perhaps a leather / something else apron.

[JoshEarl]

I often wear mechanic's denim coveralls. They keep steel grit out of your pockets and take care of any sparks.

I wear tight-fitting leather gloves for some jobs. You have to be careful with gloves, as they can actually be more hazardous than bare skin. Don't get a false sense of security while wearing them. Welding gloves are a good idea when forging.

A full face shield is good for some jobs, too. I wear one sometimes, particularly when I'm using my angle grinder.

And I agree with everyone else on everything else.

Josh

[Mike Blue]

Originally Posted by JoshEarl

I often wear mechanic's denim coveralls. They keep steel grit out of your pockets and take care of any sparks.

I wear tight-fitting leather gloves for some jobs. You have to be careful with gloves, as they can actually be more hazardous than bare skin. Don't get a false sense of security while wearing them. Welding gloves are a good idea when forging.

A full face shield is good for some jobs, too. I wear one sometimes, particularly when I'm using my angle grinder.

Okay, now hold up a second guys. If you're going to try to run a shop according to OSHA requirements the one thing you have to understand is "you will never get any more work done."

Forging (there you go Phil, obligatory forging content) and grinding are inherently dangerous avocations. Your resume is the number of scars on your arms or head. I mean, there is nothing quite like the experience of a 5000 surface feet per minute 36 grit belt wrapping itself around your head because the little teeny piece of tape at the lap joint decided to let go...

Gloves? Gloves only slow the heat down and trap slag and sparks and all manner of hot crud down the cuff so it will lay on your hand at exactly the right moment when you're trying to get some tricky special thing done to finish off the project. This causes you to angle hours of work into the abrasive and completely kack it up. This same principle applies to boot tops that were supposed to be under your pant leg.

Besides, we all know (or have yet to find out) that the human psyche is capable of knowing that an accident, like pushing your glove covered knuckle into a high speed grinder, is going to happen at least two seconds before it does. And, a real craftsman will do it anyway.

We all leave something of ourselves in the work. Even after all this time, it's painful to know that whoever said that was talking about blood, bone and meat, not spirit.

[floppyshoes]

Originally Posted by Mike Blue

Besides, we all know (or have yet to find out) that the human psyche is capable of knowing that an accident, like pushing your glove covered knuckle into a high speed grinder, is going to happen at least two seconds before it does. And, a real craftsman will do it anyway.

We all leave something of ourselves in the work. Even after all this time, it's painful to know that whoever said that was talking about blood, bone and meat, not spirit.