Yeah, I'm with you on that. DIY stuff is great for saving money, but eyes aren't something I'd gamble with. Plexiglass can get brittle over time, especially if it's been exposed to sunlight or chemicals—had a piece crack on me while cutting once too. Safety glasses might seem overpriced, but they're tested for impacts and clarity. Seems worth the peace of mind, honestly...
I get that certified safety glasses are ideal, but honestly, there are budget-friendly options too—like wraparound goggles or face shields. Used a face shield for sanding once and it worked surprisingly well. Might not be premium-grade, but still offers decent protection without breaking the bank.
"Used a face shield for sanding once and it worked surprisingly well."
Good call on the face shield. I've tried that myself when I was refinishing some old furniture—kept the dust out of my eyes pretty effectively. Sure, certified glasses are great, but sometimes you just need something practical and budget-friendly. Maybe not perfect for every task (like grinding metal sparks...), but definitely a solid option for most DIY stuff. Glad to hear someone else had success with it too.
Face shields are definitely underrated for sanding and similar tasks. I've used them quite a bit, especially when working on detailed trim or cabinetry—those fine dust particles can be brutal. Glasses alone just don't cut it sometimes, especially if you're dealing with overhead sanding or awkward angles. One thing I've noticed, though, is that cheaper face shields can fog up pretty easily, especially if you're working in a humid environment. I ended up drilling tiny ventilation holes along the top edge of mine, and it made a noticeable difference.
Speaking of DIY modifications, has anyone else tried tweaking their protective gear to improve comfort or visibility? Curious if there are other clever hacks out there...
I've actually been thinking about drilling some ventilation holes too, but wasn't sure if it'd mess up the integrity or something (probably overthinking it, ha). Instead, I stuck a thin strip of foam weatherstripping along the forehead area—surprisingly comfy and keeps the shield just far enough away to help airflow. Still fogs a bit though...maybe I'll give your idea a shot after all.
