Advice on Protective Gear, Please

[jacric2005]

I'm upping my tool game with an angle grinder (cutting metal as one use). And, I think I need better protective gear with my chain saw (I have safety glasses, gloves and chaps).

What do you use for hard hat, face shield, gloves, apron, chaps, etc.? Fire extinguisher? Any specific brands. Money is pretty much no object in this case.

Pictures would be nice. Some of the Youtube videos show people in hard hat and full face shield demonstrating cutting metal with all types of tools - even a hack saw.

Thank you.

 

[djcslice]

I just ordered a face shield from Amazon this morning as its a daily deal. Seems like a great price on a good face shield. I cannot speak for chainsaw, but ear, eye and hand protection is a must with an angle grinder. I would also suggest buying better cut-off wheels. They seem to be the most prone to breaking and I think better ones are less likely to shatter.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001VXXUWK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[jacric2005]

Thanks djcslice. I'm checking it out.

 

[Coach James]

I just use whatever ear plugs I get at Lowes or Agri-Supply. I'm using these right now:

https://www.uline.com/BL_696/3M-EAR-UltraFit

I wear my welding jacket, this type:

https://www.grainger.com/product/9G...12127&ef_id=WRNiiwAAAGF3U3pm:20190129164549:s

My face shield came from Lowes. If I wear gloves with the angle grinder, they're just bulk pack leather gloves. I think the brand has a horse on the package.

For chain saw, I wear a hard hat with attached shield and ear muffs. Started wearing chaps a while back as well. If I remember, I usually wear pants under them.


Coach

 

[Ign]

Eh if you work w metal everyday it really isn't a big deal.

I wear a welders cap to keep abrasive dust outta my hair. I wear basic eye protection but if you can find goggles that seal and don't drive you nuts, all the better. Now that I'm running disposable contacts I don't care so much about a little **** in my eyes (they're wonderful!)

I wear whatever ear protection is comfortable.

I generally wear and weld in cotton long sleeve shirts. Leather sleeves for higher volts or outta position

A face shield certainly is wise but you'll find most welders don't unless there's a company policy requiring it - or maybe you're a dedicated grinder.

But for general one-man fab moving between face shield to welding hood and back just takes too long. Yes hoods have a grind mode which I've just never embraced.

Now, similar to the blood-on-the-highway driver's education vids queue the next 5 posts to tell you horror stories of wheels exploding and going into your neck and face.

Starting now: (GJ is nothing if not predictable)

 

[Ign]

Also OP let's put this in perspective: it sounds as if you've successfully operated a chainsaw and not lost a digit, limb, or interrupted a major artery.

That fact right there means WE KNOW FROM RESULTS you're not an idiot. The world becomes much more dangerous the dumber you are.

I cut A LOT on my 35 acres and consider the chainsaw far more dangerous than any of my dozen angle grinders in my fab shop.

Take a breath and use common sense -- which, again, we know you are capable of based solely upon the fact you're still breathing.

Comfortable ears, eyes, gloves. Face shield if you're willing. Done.

You're more likely to get hit by a bus tomorrow... as I said perspective is good. Caution is great, fear is not necessary.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

For the chain saw I wear chaps and a hard hat with ear muffs and a screen.
I have husqvarna but most of the chainsaw brands have similar. I don't remember them being expensive.

 

[M6erfan]

I just ordered a face shield from Amazon this morning as its a daily deal. Seems like a great price on a good face shield. I cannot speak for chainsaw, but ear, eye and hand protection is a must with an angle grinder. I would also suggest buying better cut-off wheels. They seem to be the most prone to breaking and I think better ones are less likely to shatter.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001VXXUWK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Excellent face mask, I've had one going on 5 years and wear it whenever I'm using a grinder/wire wheel.

 

[ChrisLS8]

I have been using Furix safety glasses and 3m ear plugs then whatever face shield they provide at work

Also I use cut resistant kevlar sleeves. They won't stop a saw but they do help with flying slivers

 

[kctyphoon]

Hardhats come in different grades or class. General utility is probably all you need, the lowest on the spectrum. If you have flying Sparks and debris I'm sure the non vented style is a better choice.

I should know more details as I literally just finished the OSHA 30 class like a month ago. Anything is better than nothing. A baseball hat is better than nothing, and honestly more than most people probably use in reality.

If you're felling trees that's one thing. If you're cutting up branches on the ground you may be approaching overkill IMO - but there's nothing wrong with that.

 

[scooby074]

Chainsaw, I like a chainsaw helmet. Mines a Husquvarna. Just the normal one with the muffs and mesh screen. Make sure to get the one with the Ratchet Adjust headgear.

You can step up from the basic and get more comfortable/better designed helmets, usually from Europe, but the price rises considerably.

For the grinder a plexi faceshield is what you want, if you want the ultimate protection. Some places Ive worked required them, personally I dont use one unless its required. There is a risk that the grinding wheel can shatter and thats what the shield is designed to protect from. If I feel that Im putting my face in harms way where Im in the path of the wheel if it shatters, Ill put my welding helmet on and look through the clear lens. I wouldnt get one from Harbor Freight, get one from one of the major brands like Uvex or 3M that will actually meet impact standards.

 

[GrayFlattop]

The bionic face shield linked to on Amazon is quite comfortable. This and/or safety glasses should be used for grinding, but I'd be lying if I said I always wore one. If you are doing a lot of cutting with the angle grinder, better to be safe. Chances are you'll never have to worry about it, but when a grinding wheel lets go, it can be pretty dramatic. Somewhere I have a pair of safety glasses with a big divot in one lens when that happened.

The 3M classic ear plugs are a standard - I wear them most of the time when using power tools for anything but a quick cut or two. I worked in a high noise environment for decades and still have excellent hearing because I was religious about wearing ear plugs (and wearing them correctly). I even pack them for air travel as the screaming kid usually ends up sitting behind me.

Chain saw - Not a subject matter expert. I own a few and wear the same PPE as with a grinder. and I pay attention to the line of cut and how the wood will move or react. Not sure about much needed beyond a healthy respect for the tool and its potential. Also - making sure you are on a firm footing and aren't over-reaching. The pros make it look easy, but for them, the tool becomes an extension of their arm.

Hard hat? Depends on the environment. If you think you need one, you probably do.

 

[Hilltopmasonry]

I recent got this and highly recommend it, It is nice having everything on the helmet, it fits good and easily adjustable plus it is comfortable

Although I do not own a chainsaw but work at a plant occasionally that requires all that when using an angle grinder, hard hat-face shield-ear protection etc

I spent many years trying to get face shields to work with hardhats and hearing protection as well since i dont like ear plugs

For total Eye protection I wear goggles. I do not like plastic face shields because they get scratched up real easy




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[cleaner]

3M makes excellent products for personal protection use in industrial settings. Most of these products are designed in the USA and many of them are made in the USA. You can buy these at many on line shops like Amazon and Zoro and some are available at Home Depot and Lowes.

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/worker-health-safety-us/

 

[ovilla]

You asked about fire extinguishers. I highly recommend Amerex and Badger. Note that everyone sells Kiddie but NOBODY actually uses them within their buildings. Check out any school building, Home Depot or regular office and you’ll see that they typically only use these two brands. These are commercial units that come with a brass (not plastic) valves and can be inspected and refilled numerous times.

Check out CL for listings. I picked up 5 of them (already full and having been recently inspected), in various sizes, for my garage and home. You can also get the fire extinguisher hangers/wall mounts and building stickers on eBay for real cheap. Seriously, for $25 you can at least have a 10 pound unit mounted somewhere in your garage.

 

[Wamsutta]

I like Fibre-Metal for face shields. I like the ratcheting head gear better than the other brands. You can get them for attaching to your head directly, or for attaching to a Fibre-Metal hard hat.

 

[kctyphoon]

They sell 3m faceshields right in Home Depot or lowes.. I’m pretty sure i have one. Hard hats too.. please dont be the guy mowing his lawn in a hard hat and full face shield from husqvarna

 

[notlob]

x3 or more on the Uvex Bionic faceshield. It's a vast improvement over any other face shield I've worn. Extremely comfortable, sometimes forget I have it on. Stays in place with ratchet settings in both raised and lowered position.

Nice price now on the Amazon deal (I just ordered another one), but I recommend spending the extra ~ $9 or so to get the version with the anti scratch/anti fog shield.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001VXXUWK?tag=vglnkc3018-20&th=1

 

[ez-duzit]

Don't forget about a good respirator for when you're grinding fiberglass or using 2-part paint systems. Mine is a 3M 7800S like this.

 

[Backwodsurvivor]

I got a pair of 3M work tunes Bluetooth headphones last week and I haven't taken them off. The range isn't great but for 45 bucks they're amazing.

 

[ChrisLS8]

I personally hate clear faceshields. They are great for a bit then start scratching up shortly after if you use them alot in my experience

 

[CR888]

For chainsaw you need safety chaps with inbuilt layers of kevlar or cut protection pants. If saftey gear is comfortable and easy to wear you will wear it so keep that in mind & try to buy the best you can, this is why I'd recommend chaps as they are easy to put on/take off. Labonville make quality chaps you want 5+ layers of kevlar. Ear protection you want class 5 for chainsaw use, Peltor brand from 3M are great they make Stihl pro helmets with attached muffs & screen. I use Peltor earmuffs they are light, comfortable & parts can be replaced when worn. There helmet kits are great too. Gloves, goat skin is the most comfortable with cut protection built in (kevlar layers) which give you good 'feel' as your working. Eye protection, you need rated impact resistant glasses either shaded or clear, I suggest you get both. They wrap right around they eye area so objects find it hard to pass. A helmet/face shield isn't really neccesary for firewood work, falling trees or climbing its a must. Boots: steel toe at minimum but cut protection is much better although they can be pricey. Make sure you try them on for fit before purchasing. With the exception of safety glasses and earmuffs angle grinding needs different PPE. I'll let others advise in that area. Chainsaw cut protection is useless for cut off wheels and other grinding hazards.

 

[danski0224]

I'm upping my tool game with an angle grinder (cutting metal as one use). And, I think I need better protective gear with my chain saw (I have safety glasses, gloves and chaps).

What do you use for hard hat, face shield, gloves, apron, chaps, etc.? Fire extinguisher? Any specific brands. Money is pretty much no object in this case.

Pictures would be nice. Some of the Youtube videos show people in hard hat and full face shield demonstrating cutting metal with all types of tools - even a hack saw.

Thank you.

Many commercial job sites in my area require something like a Jackson V90 under a traditional polycarbonate full face shield when using an angle grinder.

I'm not sure if the screen type shields meet ANSI standards for angle grinder protection, but I do know that the screen type does not stop the debris.

The debris gets stuck in eyebrows, hair and on top of safety glasses. Then it gets into the eye when the safety glasses are removed. I cover up as much as possible, even when it is uncomfortable to do so.

 

[ez-duzit]

Another recommendation is for Bomber H-Bomb safety glasses. These are the ones I buy. About $8. They're great for riding m/c at night too.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I just ordered a face shield from Amazon this morning as its a daily deal. Seems like a great price on a good face shield. I cannot speak for chainsaw, but ear, eye and hand protection is a must with an angle grinder. I would also suggest buying better cut-off wheels. They seem to be the most prone to breaking and I think better ones are less likely to shatter.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001VXXUWK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Thank for posting that link. I ordered one for Myself and two more for Valentines Day gifts.

 

[kctyphoon]

If anyone at my last job put on a pair a chaps before he used a chainsaw - he would spend the rest of his career never forgetting it.

 

[jacric2005]

Thanks everyone. This forum is a great resource and I appreciate folks taking the time to respond. Very helpful.

Attached a picture of my new miter saw with her padlock in place.

 

[shawhite]

this thread is bordering on insanity. With the time spent putting on all this PPE do you guys even get any work done? Gloves, eye and ear protection now let’s get to work. If you are at a company that requires all this protection that is something different but if this is all for the occasional cut a piece of metal pipe in the garage or cutting up some tree limbs that fell this is crazy.

 

[GTO]

Face shield,use it

 

[GTO]

this thread is bordering on insanity. With the time spent putting on all this PPE do you guys even get any work done? Gloves, eye and ear protection now let’s get to work. If you are at a company that requires all this protection that is something different but if this is all for the occasional cut a piece of metal pipe in the garage or cutting up some tree limbs that fell this is crazy.

Spoken like someone that has never had a cutting blade explode in their face......

 

[Nineeightyone]

I've recently started to care (because of GJ!) about my safety working with power tools. I generally don't wear gloves because of fear of a glove dragging my hand into a grinder, but I always make sure the shield is positioned between myself and the grinding wheel, and I've got some halfway decent "sunglass-style" safety glasses from Dewalt, though I intend to buy safety goggles soon for over top of them, because cutting above my head (happens sometimes) sometimes puts sawdust in my eyes, and they're cheap insurance.

I picked up some noise cancelling earphones from Harbor Freight, they cover the whole ear and definitely help reduce noise -- tinnitus is an itch with a capital B, and it's cheap protection. A few have mentioned face masks here as well, ones that are designed to deflect debris are definitely not a bad option.

I know there's not a ton of real "advice" in my post in terms of what to buy, but I'm of the opinion that much like jackstands, ANY protection is better than none at all.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I used to depend on my safety glasses alone. After another visit to the doc to have my eye frozen and some humongous looking needle coming directly at my eye, I now wear a faceshield to prevent **** getting to my eyes. The **** would bounce off my cheek then bounce off my glasses into my eye. I bought a faceshield and ear protection for every stationary tool. That's for if someone comes by to borrow the use of my tools they are right there....and maybe for my failing memory too.

 

[ez-duzit]

For grinding and polishing metal, I wear cotton gloves, so I don't get burned.

The best hearing protectors I have found are Clark ear muff style.

 

[Treeman]

If anyone at my last job put on a pair a chaps before he used a chainsaw - he would spend the rest of his career never forgetting it.

That's a shame. That is men's testosterone talking. Lot's of examples of experienced sawyers with bad chainsaw wounds:
Chainsaws don't cut flesh, they tear.....

 

[logical]

I just ordered a face shield from Amazon this morning as its a daily deal. Seems like a great price on a good face shield. I cannot speak for chainsaw, but ear, eye and hand protection is a must with an angle grinder. I would also suggest buying better cut-off wheels. They seem to be the most prone to breaking and I think better ones are less likely to shatter.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001VXXUWK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I got one of those years ago. I only use it when grinding or using a cutoff wheel. I don't do much metal work but it's so comfortable and easy to use that I don't hesitate to use it when I should. That's the second most important thing for protective gear to be...comfortable.

 

[bulletpruf]

Agree with the chaps and helmet with screen and ear muffs for chainsaw work. I generally wear steel toe boots, too.

 

[ChrisLS8]

If anyone at my last job put on a pair a chaps before he used a chainsaw - he would spend the rest of his career never forgetting it.

Excessive ppe that isn't specific the job or wearing chain mail persay sure. But anyone who isn't wearing job appropriate PPE and gets caught by my foreman gets a 3 day unpaid vacation for their troubles

 

[Rarified27]

Quick comment on fire extinguishers- please know what you might need to knock down before you grab any old thing. Plenty of situations have been made worse as a result.

Ultimately, most folks aren't grinding magnesium or titanium on a daily basis, but it's still important to have the correct safety equipment available to save your bacon.

 

[Nineeightyone]

Quick comment on fire extinguishers- please know what you might need to knock down before you grab any old thing. Plenty of situations have been made worse as a result.

Ultimately, most folks aren't grinding magnesium or titanium on a daily basis, but it's still important to have the correct safety equipment available to save your bacon.

I feel like fire extinguishers could have their own damn thread... There's a ton of sizes, chemistry differences, brands, etc... I've got a small general-use fire extinguisher in my garage for emergencies, but I'd love to get something larger, you never know when a stray spark from grinding will ignite sawdust from a different job.

 

[Rarified27]

I feel like fire extinguishers could have their own damn thread... There's a ton of sizes, chemistry differences, brands, etc... I've got a small general-use fire extinguisher in my garage for emergencies, but I'd love to get something larger, you never know when a stray spark from grinding will ignite sawdust from a different job.

They absolutely could- I've seen countless injuries and property damage due to use of the wrong extinguisher and worse.

The single most confounding thing I see is the application of plain water to something where a chemical reaction escalates, usually occurring in an incipient stage before real problems existed.

My career choices have provided more opportunity than most to see some of these things, but I know there are some firefighters at GJ who surely have similar experiences.