Safety first! What's your must-have PPE when sanding?

Hey folks, weekend warrior here. Just got a new orbital sander and realized I've been kinda lax on safety gear. Usually just throw on some safety glasses and call it good. What else should I be using? Almost inhaled a cloud of dust last weekend - not fun!

Tim, you're playing with fire! I've got 14 sanders in my collection (including a vintage belt sander from the 70s) and NEVER run one without a proper respirator. The cheap paper masks are worthless for fine dust. Get a half-face respirator with P100 filters - your lungs will thank you in 20 years. Also, hearing protection if you're doing extended sessions. My 2 cents.

Steve's right about the respirator. In my restoration work, I'm sanding lead paint sometimes (with proper containment of course). But even regular wood dust can cause serious respiratory issues. Add to that: gloves to prevent vibration white finger, and make sure you're not wearing loose clothing that could get caught. Oh, and vacuum attachment on your sander if it has one - keeps dust down dramatically.

Whoa, didn't even think about the vibration thing. And lead paint? Yikes. Okay, respirator and gloves added to my shopping list. What about eye protection beyond basic safety glasses? My glasses fog up like crazy when I wear a mask.

Get anti-fog safety goggles that seal around your eyes. The dust gets everywhere. Also, don't forget about your workspace - good ventilation is key. I learned the hard way when I turned my garage into a snow globe of MDF dust. Took days to clean up!