Don't forget your safety glasses!

[Frank-Jan]

.... Problem with the plastic glasses is the plastic always gets scratched so in the end you don't see anything anymore. Happens just as fast with an expensive one as with an ultra cheap one...   

Years ago I bought a bunch of carrying bags for safetyglasses, because I hated scratched glasses. Two of them are still in working order but I can't find the exact same ones anymore. They look a bit like these: link, but they are a bit different (a velcro flap instead of the zipper, and they have a stiff plastic insert inside (only on the side where the lenses go, and covered with soft material).

When I put the glasses on I hook the bag to a beltloop on my workpants,  and without thinking I put them back when I take them off. (and I can keep it in my toolbox without getting the glasses scratched)

 

[AlexThePalex]

Frank-Jan, I never treat my stuff badly, but I could never be bothered to treat them that carefully either. At 89 cents they're about the same price as a sheet of sanding paper so they're consumables to me. I have multiple glasses lying around all over the place so there's always one in reach.

I really don't see the benefit of an expensive one over a cheap one. They don't fit better, don't protect better and they are not more durable.

Only worry with cheap crap if they would do the job when hit with high impact.

These glasses are not made to protect against objects that impact with high force. You need a whole other category of facial protection for that. The glasses we're talking about here are meant for small things like dust, paint spatters and metal from grinding.

 

[eddomak]

Problem with the plastic glasses is the plastic always gets scratched so in the end you don't see anything anymore. Happens just as fast with an expensive one as with an ultra cheap one.   

I find that using "VuPlex" or "Plexus" is very effective in cleaning and polishing my plastic motorcycle helmet visor as well as plastic safety glasses. It has small particles that fill in the microscratches and make everything clearer. Apparently it was originally conceived to clean and polish the lexan canopies of fighter jets. These days people use it for convertible car canopies and those flexible clear plastic weather shields/windows on awnings.

Of course your mileage may vary on how effective you find it for your use and preservation of your glasses, but one can lasts a long time.

 

[flair woodworks]

I've always laughed at the warning on clamps to wear safety glasses, but maybe it's not such a bad idea.

 

[Roseland]

I've been saved twice. 

The first time I was using my table saw, and happened to be wearing a full face visor, rather than just glasses.  The off cut - a piece about 4cm cubed - got trapped between the blade and fence, and then flew at me.  I didn't see it coming, but it hit the visor with considerable force.

And don't think you have to be using power tools to need protection.  I was uncoiling a new bandsaw blade when it flailed and put three tooth-spaced scores across my safety glasses.

Events like this are good - they encourage us to always wear glasses, rather than think "I'll be alright".

Andrew

 

[WelshWood]

Had a very very close call about 7 months ago..

Was nailing up some architrave and noticed when I fired in a nail, nothing was coming out.

Took my ear protectors off, my glasses pushed back onto the top of my head whilst I popped to the van to get some more brads, came back in, reloaded the nail gun, ear protectors back on, held said piece of architrave in place, pulled the trigger and bang!

Saw a flash, and an instant pain in my eye!

Took a closer look at the architrave and noticed the brad had completely bent over, snapping the head off and the resulting piece of metal being lodged slap bang in the centre of my eye!

Jumped straight in the van and drove 15miles to the nearest hospital where I was seen in less than 15 mins which was an amazing thing in itself.

Doctor then proceeded to ask how still I can lie down, and the next thing I know after I lay down on the bed was a magnifying lens above my eye, a drop of iodine in there too which turned my vision orange, and then a needle coming straight into my eye.

After about 5 mins of prodding and scraping around, the 'slug' was taken out.

He presented me with the piece of 3mm metal and said if it had lodged it's way in another 2mm or so i'd have been blinded instantly!

Most frustrating thing is that the glasses were on my head anyways, and it wasn't as if I don't wear them. Just goes to show how a moment of hesitation and getting used to a routine can do..

Let's just say my glasses are ALWAYS covering my eyes when i'm working now!

~WW

 

[demographic]

More recently I've taken to wearing safety specs pretty much all the time at work.
These ones here.
Got the yellow ones, the lads call em Monday Morning Specs cos the yellow brightens the day up.

 

[avrs22]

Twice I had to get a piece of metal drilled out of my eye.
I can tell you that it is not a pleasant thing to go through.
It looks like a cordless screw driver that there using to get it out and the feeling is indescribable.
The second time the qwak in the ER was trying to flick the piece of steel out with a freaking syringe needle. I can tell you that I was glad when the eye specialist showed up with his cordless screw driver thingamajiger.
When you pass out from the pain then its bad.

Speaking of safety, some of the guys I see on site with the way they use there table saw scares me. They never have a guard and there fingers come so close to the blade.
One time I told my buddy "that guy is going to hurt himself"
A few days later I got a call telling me he had cut 2 of his fingers and his thumb off.
A lot of guys just seems too comfortable using there saws.

 

[mungk]

a doctor buddy of mine was telling me that the eye has its own immune system and is immune privileged so if you had a serious eye injury and your eye cells somehow got into your main blood stream your body's immune system will start to reject your own eyes leading to degeneration and blindness in both eyes. I thought it was pretty interesting and scary.

Protect your eyes folks!

 

[jmarkflesher]

Sitting Elf. I just bought the Handy Man Nail Finder. I looked at the Lumber Wizard III and the Garrard but they had as many bad reviews as good. So I hope it works well. By the way it is discontinued and when stock is gone it will no longer be available. If it doesn't work well I can always throw it in the ocean, it is vast and we can never fill it up with junk. MARK