Protective Gear Every DIYer Should Have in Their Toolbox
We talk a lot about tools, but proper protective gear should be a constant companion to any do-it-yourself project. It might not be as fun as the tools, but these must-have items will protect your eyes, hearing, and lungs during any activity.
Eye protection
You can convince you that eye protection should be used for almost every DIY project. From sanding to painting, landscaping and construction, it’s best to be careful when it comes to eye protection. Here’s a simple rule of thumb: Wear safety goggles during any activity involving impacts (such as hammering on a nail) or particles in the air (such as woodworking or gardening).
Safety glasses are extremely lightweight and inexpensive, so there is no excuse for keeping multiple pairs of glasses close at hand. They are also available tinted for sun protection and provide better protection than regular sunglasses.
3M Tekk are lightweight and provide strong protection. They are transparent and tinted . For over-the-eye protection, look for models like Law that provide protection without impairing your vision. The goggles shown above are a new concept called ComboGlasses that combines goggles with earplugs .
Safety glasses provide better protection. They fit snugly around the face, and the elastic headband prevents them from slipping or falling off. They can also be worn over glasses. These models from UVEX and DeWalt have great reviews and are available for under $ 15.
Hearing protection
From earplugs to headphones, hearing protection is better than none. Orange foam earplugs are a last resort, but for everyday use, buy a pair of earplugs for maximum protection and comfort.
A good pair of durable earbuds will run for $ 15-20. Avoid the style used by musicians who carry light jobs and are not meant to be thrown into an instrument box. The 3M Peltor headphones are cheap and have a noise canceling rating of 30dB .
Headphones are a great option between earplugs and headphones. These are ear plugs attached to a flexible band that wraps around your neck. They are less intrusive than earplugs, but more effective and reliable than earplugs. This model from Howard Leight costs $ 7.
Air respirator
When fine sanding, painting or working with metal, it is recommended to always use a respirator that removes a large percentage of particulate matter from the air.
However, air respirators have one drawback: the heat trapped in them can be uncomfortable, especially on a hot and humid day. The 3M Particulate Respirator has a cold flow exhalation valve that allows hot air to escape from the mask. A step forward is the 3M 6000 half face respirator, which uses two disposable filters that are easy to replace when refilled. It has a P100 (highest) NIOSH rating , which means the filters remove 99.97% of particulate matter from the air and are oil resistant.
Stock up on safety gear on your next trip to the hardware store and make it a habit to use it for every project.