Safety First! What PPE do you guys use with your sanders?

Hey everyone, just had a close call in my garage yesterday - was sanding some reclaimed wood and got a face full of dust even with my shop vac running. Made me realize I might be skimping on safety gear. What do you all use for eye/face protection and respirators when sanding? I've been using cheap safety glasses and a bandana like an idiot apparently lol.

Tim, glad you're okay! In my 40 years on job sites, I've seen too many guys end up with respiratory issues or eye injuries. Bandana won't cut it - you need a proper NIOSH-rated respirator with P100 filters. For eyes, get wrap-around safety glasses or a full face shield if you're doing heavy work. And don't forget hearing protection - some of those orbital sanders scream like banshees after hours.

I hear you DrillMaster550, but not all of us have pro budgets. I found a decent half-face respirator at Harbor Freight for under $30 that works great. Paired with cheap safety goggles from the hardware store (the kind with foam seals) and some earplugs, I'm covered for about $40 total. Just make sure to change filters regularly - that's where the real protection is.

Thanks both! DrillMaster550 - you're right about the hearing, my ears ring after long sessions. DrillMaster658 - gonna check out that Harbor Freight option. Follow-up question: what about gloves? I've heard mixed things about wearing them with power sanders due to entanglement risks.

Good question Tim. NO gloves with rotating sanders (like disc sanders) - that's asking for trouble. For orbital/random orbit sanders, I use thin mechanic's gloves just for vibration reduction, but they're tight-fitting. The key is nothing loose that can catch. And remember: dust collection isn't just about clean air - it's fire prevention too. Saw a shop burn down once from fine dust accumulation.