Be Safe Wear A Full Face Shield

[algale]

Today I am very glad that I recently got in the habit of wearing a full face shield instead of just safety glasses. That face shield saved me an injury when I did something stupid.

I was preparing to cut some tenons. Because this was a non-through cut and I would not be able to use the upper saw guard, I had the riving knife in place.

Before going to make the tenons, however, I decided to clean up the end of the board just slightly with a through cut to true up the end of my stock. But I made a fundamental mistake that I know better than to do: Normally when doing this kind of operation, I nibble these pieces so nothing but dust is made. But today I got lazy and I cut off a small piece of wood, that was just small enough to fall between the blade and table insert.

In an instant two pieces of something ricocheted off my full face shield with considerable force. The impact was low enough on the shield that I doubt the projectiles would have hit me in the eye or injured my sight but undoubtedly those ricochets would have bruised and/or lacerated my face.

After turning off the saw, I went to try to figure how it is one cut off caused two ricochets off my face shield. When I took a closer look, my lower saw guard had some pieces missing.

Those with the 510/520/Mark 7 know that on the spring loaded section of the lower saw guard there is a lip that extends at a right angle just in front of the saw blade. My lower saw guard doesn't have that little lip any more.

I found one piece of the lip under the Mark V but it is clear that some of the lip has disappeared. Possibly flung at me and off my face shield.

I bought the face shield for turning, but I have liked it so much that it recently has become what I reach for as a matter of default when doing any cutting operation on the table saw. Today, that habit paid off in spades.

Be safe. Don't make the dumb mistake I did. Do consider wearing a full face shield.

Al

[benush26]

Absolutely!!!

When my reaction time slowed I started wearing my shield all the time. It's forced me to try a variety of hearing protection solutions, but I keep the shield over the quill handle so I always remember to use it.

Glad you were wearing yours!!

Be well,
Ben

[beeg]

Hope ya have one like this.

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[algale]

Yes, that IS exactly what I have. $57 from Woodcraft. http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/147814 ... hield.aspx

[rpd]

I have a Bionic face shield like that also. I like it better than the style where the plastic shield is only attached at the top.
It has already saved me once when a piece came loose on the lathe.
Lately I have been wearing it often when doing other operations.
Thanks for the heads up I will endeavour to be more consistent with its use.

[masonsailor2]

Thanks Algale.Too often we take our protection of eyes and digits for granted in our chosen addiction of woodworking.
Paul

[wa2crk]

A zero clearance table insert would prevent any piece from dropping through the table opening. But I have had some small pieces come off the top of the blade when making wedges for some segmented lathe work so the full face shield is a very good thing.
Bill V

[benush26]

Hope ya have one like this.

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Yep, just like it.

[dgreen810]

Here is what I use. I bought this almost 30 years ago. Had to replace the battery once.

Don G

[davemcghee]

Just picked up one of those Bionic Face Shields off Amazon for $33.28 for the Prime price. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001VY ... UTF8&psc=1

I saw one of these and tried it on at a hardware store, very comfortable and good protection. Great for lathe use.