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Face shield when using the table saw

11K views 57 replies 28 participants last post by  kelvancra 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Sorry if this has been talked about before (I looked and couldn't find any threads).

After the kickback issues I had a few weeks back with my table saw, I've decided that I have to not only make sure the safety features of the saw itself are up to snuff but that I wear the appropriate safety gear. I've purchased a heavy-duty, padded shop apron and would like to get a face shield. Would the shield below offer adequate protection should a piece of wood kickback from my table saw and fly at my face?

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B001VXXUWK/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I3VJGEIREYMKH7&colid=6CACM77KAKVL&psc=1

Bag Peripheral Luggage and bags Fender Personal protective equipment


Uvex Bionic Face Shield

Thanks!
 

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#2 · (Edited by Moderator)
I did not refer to the specs that they claim the face shield meets, but I did notice that they indicate that it must be worn with safety glasses or goggles. It sounds like you cannot count on the face shield alone to protect your eyes.

Note added later: Well, I decided to look up the ANSI standard and I do not understand why they would require safety glasses under the shield. Seems like wearing a belt and suspenders at the same time.
 
#3 · (Edited by Moderator)
from personal experience, I now concentrate on PREVENTING kickbacks.
I no longer cut anything smaller than my arm freehand - I will use the sled for those.

I would look for something with a marriage of a hockey mask, major league catchers mask,
lumberjack chainsaw helmet, football helmet, etc etc etc - LOL yeah, a little overkill - - -
Bicycle helmet Helmet Bicycles--Equipment and supplies Automotive lighting Sports gear

but, to shield the eyes, nose and throat from flying lumber is critical.
damage to the hands, arms and torso is easier to work around than a banged up face.
[been there - done that - and got the eyepatch to prove it]
 

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#5 ·
Per OSHA, face shields are not intended to protect from impacts, just chips, dust, and the like. Safety glasses or goggles are primary protection for your eyes.

I imagine something intended to protect your face from impacts would look more like catchers mask.

The face shield you referenced would probably help if a small cut off got airborne and hit your face, but wouldn't do a lot of good if it were a good size piece moving at high speed. Having said that, I don't see it would be likely to hurt wearing it.
 
#7 ·
I have this exact mask and use it for weed eating. Have been thinking of getting another for the shop. I can't answer your question but if you wear glasses like I do, this mask will not fog up on you.
 
#8 ·
My take: I had a radial arm saw cutting with the grain along the fence get caught, and the piece went through the wall of my shop when it kicked back.

I don't know about you, but I cannot imagine a safety shield that would stop a piece of hardwood that will go through plaster, insulation, and T111 siding on one hit. And since the radial arm saw blade is turning about the same RPM as a tablesaw, seems to me that your face shield would not do the job.
 
#10 ·
I'm just guessing, but I suspect the additional requirement for eye protection under may be due to the size of the face shield. Something can break it, and it would potentially have more and larger fragments. Also, it might be that being larger it is more prone to being shattered than the much smaller lenses of goggles or safety glasses.

Also, to reduce weight, I would expect the plastic to be thinner than typical safety glasses and goggles. Again, just speculation on my part. If they say it should be worn with safety glass, I'd take them at their word.

One thing is certain, it would reduce if not completely prevent injury. I've seen John's photos, and you're not wrong to be concerned about this.
 
#12 · (Edited by Moderator)
They do claim they are rated ansi z87+ which was tested for high velocity impact. https://blog.safetyglassesusa.com/what-does-ansi-z87-1-2010-certified-mean/
Scroll down for the description of the "+". Video also shows the testing method.

- Hermit
Yep, That's why I wonder why they specify wearing safety glasses or goggles with the face shield? Not trying to be a pedant, but I do not understand how the manufacturer can list their product as meeting the ANSI standards for impact and then claim that the user requires additional protection. I would have thought that the standard was designed to protect against an impact. Clin rightly points out the issue of the size of the protecting screen area on how well a barrier can protect, but the bottom line remains. The manufacturer claims that the face shield meets the ANSI specs. Either it will or it won't survive a major force blow. Should I also wear goggles? Perhaps industrial rated safety glasses underneath? Maybe a layer of chain link fence to,deflect the big chunks?

Sounds like the folks in the lawyer's suite writing boilerplate to cover the corporate a$$.
 
#13 ·
Thanks for the responses so far. I will def wear safety glasses underneath. Better safe than sorry.

from personal experience, I now concentrate on PREVENTING kickbacks.
I no longer cut anything smaller than my arm freehand - I will use the sled for those.

I would look for something with a marriage of a hockey mask, major league catchers mask,
lumberjack chainsaw helmet, football helmet, etc etc etc - LOL yeah, a little overkill - - -
Bicycle helmet Helmet Bicycles--Equipment and supplies Automotive lighting Sports gear


but, to shield the eyes, nose and throat from flying lumber is critical.
damage to the hands, arms and torso is easier to work around than a banged up face.
[been there - done that - and got the eyepatch to prove it]

- John Smith
John - your story has def effected me and is one of the reasons I want face protection.

They do claim they are rated ansi z87+ which was tested for high velocity impact. https://blog.safetyglassesusa.com/what-does-ansi-z87-1-2010-certified-mean/
Scroll down for the description of the "+". Video also shows the testing method.

- Hermit
Hermit, thanks so much for sharing this. Very interested.
 

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#15 ·
There will always be something else you COULD put on to protect yourself in any given situation. However, at some point it gets excessive, and even dangerous, to have so much safety equipment. The best thing you can do is to be mindful and educated, as well as wear protective equipment (within reason). Most kickbacks are caused by the user making a mistake, which is bound to happen at some point, even to the most experienced. That is when protective equipment plays its role. Like I said though, the most important aspects of safety are mindfulness and education. I hope I made myself clear, I feel like I rambled, lol.
 
#16 ·
If the purpose of the padded apron and face shield is to protect against your next kickback then you're approaching this all wrong. You've already assumed you will have another kickback. As stated in post #14, mindfulness and education are the most important aspects of preventing kickback. After my first (and only) kickback I bought a Grrripper. Haven't had another kickback in 15 years. Spend your money wisely.
 
#17 · (Edited by Moderator)
from personal experience, I now concentrate on PREVENTING kickbacks.
I no longer cut anything smaller than my arm freehand - I will use the sled for those.

I would look for something with a marriage of a hockey mask, major league catchers mask,
lumberjack chainsaw helmet, football helmet, etc etc etc - LOL yeah, a little overkill - - -
Bicycle helmet Helmet Bicycles--Equipment and supplies Automotive lighting Sports gear

but, to shield the eyes, nose and throat from flying lumber is critical.
damage to the hands, arms and torso is easier to work around than a banged up face.
[been there - done that - and got the eyepatch to prove it]

- John Smith
John, with your track record, if I may, I recommend this headgear for you.
Helmet Grey Sports gear Personal protective equipment Font

And maybe a good idea to follow up with some further protection as well, (just don't wear the gloves) :)
Human body Sleeve Gesture Art Armour
 

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#19 ·
Wow… I usually just wear flip-flops, shorts and a t-shirt, even when doing stuff like turning on the lathe. Only time I've been sorry is when I was welding and some sparklies hit my toes :-O

Cheers,
Brad
 
#22 ·
I think you have over looked another very important and vital area of the male human body my friend!

Shorts Product Sleeve Gesture Font


- woodworm1962
LOL. I actually haven't forgotten about that! The apron I bought is long enough that it will cover the good stuff. Although maybe I'll sew in a crotch pocket to hold a plate of bulletproof kevlar, just to be safe.
 

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#23 ·
I got very lucky and not injured being fast, not safe and stupid on my table saw a few years ago.

I was mounting some doors into a kitchen cabinet I made. A rustic monster. The top doors were pine styles and rails but instead of any kind of panel they wanted RUSTED 1/4 mess wire sort of like chicken wire in them.

One of the doors needed just a smidge shaved off one side I set my fence but didnt use any feather boards, push stick or glasses or helmet.

I Pushed it through then let it go to get a better grab on it. The damn think rode up on the blade. then blade cut half way sawed through that rail. then grabbed that WIRE then fired it back right at my head!

I Literally tilted my head flat to the left just in the nick of time for the door to go spinning frizbee style right over my head, Punched through my garage door and landed next to my car in the back lot.

KNOCK WOOD!
 
#25 ·
If I were you, I would invest in a set of anti-kickback pawls if your saw does not already have them. Your saw should also have some sort of riving knife or splitter. I have worked on lots of tablesaws without them and kickbacks were fairly common on them especially with rookie operators or if the wood was damp &/or warped. For safety reasons I think it is totally foolish to not use them for all rip cut operations.
 
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