Don't Learn the Hard Way: Always Wear Eye Protection When Using a Grinder

Hey everyone, just wanted to share a scary moment I had yesterday. I was using my angle grinder to cut some rusty bolts on my truck's exhaust, and a piece of metal flew up and hit my safety glasses. If I hadn't been wearing them, I'd probably be in the ER right now. I know it's basic, but sometimes we get lazy. Always wear eye protection, guys! Especially with grinders. What's your go-to PPE for automotive work?

Good reminder, Tim. I've been a carpenter for 30 years and saw a guy lose an eye from a nail gun ricochet. Not worth it. For automotive, I always wear safety glasses with side shields, and if I'm grinding or cutting, I add a face shield. Also, earplugs are a must. Hearing doesn't come back.

Glad you're okay, Tim. I've been restoring cars for decades and I can't stress enough how important PPE is. I wear a full-face respirator when painting, and always gloves when handling chemicals. But for grinding, yeah, face shield over safety glasses. And don't forget steel-toe boots—dropped a brake rotor on my foot once, never again.

Thanks for the tip! I'm just a weekend warrior, so I don't do a ton of auto work, but I've been guilty of skipping glasses when doing quick cuts. Not anymore. What kind of gloves do you guys recommend for working on cars? I find some are too bulky.