Safety first! What PPE do you use with your rotary tool?

Hey everyone, just wanted to share a safety tip that saved my fingers last week. I was doing some detailed engraving on a small wooden box with my rotary tool, and a tiny piece of debris flew right at my eye. Thankfully, I always wear safety glasses! What other PPE do you guys swear by when using rotary tools? I'm thinking about getting a respirator for dust-heavy projects.

Good point Sarah! I'm still learning, so I appreciate the advice. My boss at the shop makes us wear gloves, but I find them kinda bulky when I'm trying to do precise work. Do you guys use gloves with rotary tools, or is that overkill? Also, what about ear protection? Mine gets pretty loud.

Great thread! As a DIY dad, safety is non-negotiable in my garage. I always use: 1) ANSI-rated safety glasses (no exceptions!), 2) a basic dust mask for sanding/grinding, and 3) hearing protection for extended use. Tim - skip the gloves for detail work; they reduce control. Instead, keep your hands clean and dry, and maintain a firm grip. Last month, my kid almost grabbed my running Dremel - now I have a strict 'no bystanders' rule when it's powered on!

Rick, that 'no bystanders' rule is gold - I'm adopting that! Tim, I avoid gloves for precision tasks too. For noise, I use these low-profile earplugs that don't interfere with my safety glasses straps. They're cheap on Amazon. Anyone have tips for containing the dust? My wife complains it gets everywhere, even with my shop vac attachment.

Thanks both! This is super helpful. I'll ditch the gloves for detail stuff and grab some earplugs. For dust, my boss has us use a simple cardboard box as a mini containment zone for small projects - cut a hole for the tool cord and your hands. It looks janky but works surprisingly well! Stay safe out there, folks.