All Replies on I know that I'm a sissy.......

I like this one ZEM Hearing Protectors

I put iy on almost all the time I am in my shop

Ray

-- "Ceci est un hobby, c'est pas supposé "faire de sens".

I wear mine when I’m running my planer. Otherwise no. I know, I should

-- Don't rollerskate in a buffalo herd

Bill
As a Tool & Die maker, in the 60’s and 70’s, I never wore ear protection. I would operate a surface grinder, dressing wheels, with a diamond into various shapes that literally screamed at 3450 RPM.
But I was too cool to wear any ear protection, and as a result now I need twin hearing aids.
And it’s only getting worse.
Now I wear hearing protection every time I turn on the belt sander, planner, jointer air compressor etc. to stop the pain and preserve what little hearing I have left.
I hope some young guys read this. It’s not fun being in the 60 year old range, having to constantly say “huh?” to everyone trying to maintain a conversation.

-- Government does not solve problems; it subsidizes them.

At the planer, table saw, stationary belt sander, bandsaw, ROS, and anything else that makes too much noise. Not for hand cut dovetails, nor for chip carving. Ahhhhh, those are so nice. :)

-- Backer boards, stop blocks, build oversized, and never buy a hand plane--

Jim: try telling that to the kids with the loud stereos at the stop light. They just get PO’d.
You are 100% correct

-- Don't rollerskate in a buffalo herd

Funny you mention that. I was just in my husband’s shop and he was drilling into his concrete floor, while I covered my ears. I told him that must be at least 100 dB, and he’s not wearing any hearing protection.

I wear it while running any machine or even hammering. I don’t wear it for using the hand (electric) drill. That’s it. I just don’t like noise. That’s why I prefer hand tools when possible….

-- When you are asked if you can do a job, tell 'em, 'Certainly I can!' Then get busy and find out how to do it.”   Theodore Roosevelt

I like the ear plugs. I try to wear them around anything above eighty db’s.
I can check it with my phone, now...

Yeah, there is an app for that!

-- Mel

Howie
Right on Bro

-- Government does not solve problems; it subsidizes them.

HUH ? what did you say, !!!!!!!!!!!!! I came up when safety and hearing protection wasn’t a concern. and I was young and bullet proof, and stupid as a result , Trust me , after 35 or so years of not wearing it, I wish I had, hearing is definately not good, wear it, take from some one who knows,

Over the ear protection, on the whole time I’m in the shop. I also run a ceiling mounted air cleaner the whole time as well. Ditto on things getting worse as you age, and some of us suffer with riniging in the ear (in my case probably made worse by close range musket and artillery fire).

-- Don, Royersford, PA

I wear these… http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202560022/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

They are cheap, very comfy, washable, and have a noise reduction of 28db which is better than most.

-- - Eric Indianapolis, IN

I put on my hearing protection before I trip a switch on a piece of equipment. I learned a long time ago the value of wearing hearing protection at home and at work.

-- Doug, Reed City, Michigan

I keep mine on all the time, just in case the wife comes in to complain about me not putting a mug in the dishwasher/leaving toast crumbs/bringing sawdust into the house.

-- Do or do not, there is no try

I aalways use hearing protection (mostly ear plugs) and I feel it is as important as dust protection…I even use ear plugs when I use a hand plane.

-- Every step of any project should be considered your masterpiece if you want the finished product to reflect the quality of your work. http://www.FineArtBoxes.com

Well it’s a fact that as we age the first component of hearing to go is High freq’ so there’s no harm in doing what you can to limit high freq’ injury.

-- When the moderator chooses sides, his site sucks.

I put the muffs on almost instantly as i walk in the shop. I worked in the demolition field for 5 years fesh outta college and would run demo saws, chipping guns, hammers without any ear plugs, thought i was a tough guy. Then one day i was outside using a belt sander without a mask or ear protection workin away for hours. My neighbor Joe, a cabinet maker, comes strollin over and looks at me … “Hey, all the heros are dead kid, put on your safety gear”, and walked away. Struck a chord with me for some reason and ive been trying to pass it along to the younger guys at work whenever i can.

Thanks for bringin up the topic Bill.

-- "there aren’t many hand tools as awe-inspiring as the #8 jointer. I mean, it just reeks of cast iron heft and hubris" - Smitty

I got my first set of hearing protection muffs in around 1979. Back then, I used them mostly for when I was shooting guns. Later, when I started running heavy equipment, it was a natural thing to wear them. Back then, I was definitely an oddity, but I continued to use muffs and/or ear plugs anytime I was around loud noise.

Nowadays I still wear them regularly. Pretty much for anything in the shop except a drill. Even using a hammer most of the time without them causes my ears to hurt. I have also always used them with the mower and trimmer.

And, I am approaching 50 and often can hear things that people half my age can’t even begin to hear. So, call me odd all you want. At least I will hear you.

I wear my ear plugs when I use my planer.

-- If you don't work, you don't eat!.....Garland, TX

I went with the best noise reduction I could find (30db erduction):

Also got this for my young ones:
http://lumberjocks.com/reviews/2418

I use it whenever I’m using power tools – except for the TS…

-- ㊍ When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

I have 12k hz hearing loss in the right ear from shooting rifles and handguns without hearing protection. I use to both sell (retail sporting goods) and collect them.

Throughout my life (and still) I have exposed myself to very high volume levels from many guitar amplifiers and 28 years in true factory environments. My hearing has been checked about every 3-4 years until 2007 always finding only this same 12k hz loss since my early 20’s. Everything else has held ground. I do not have tinnitus even though I should by all rights.

The wood shop at its worst is quiet compared to the others, so I do not wear hearing protection. And I will not.

Note that I did put the DC in the closet where it belongs.

-- If you're going to stir the pot, think BIG spoon or SMALL boat paddle. David Grimes, Georgia

Cover your eyes, your ears, your fingers and your toes against the worst that the machinery has to throw against you. I’ve suffered injury on every one mentioned. Back when I was young and immortal, I didn’t worry about this “sissy” stuff. Now, I have tinnitus and a bad back, and arthritic fingers and toes. You young guys listen up. Getting old ain’t for sissies, but if you want to be able to hear your grandchild calling when running up to you, do something about it NOW. Not being able to hear it is pretty sad. ‘nuff said.

I have and use the same ones PurpLev pictured. Been using them for years with no problems. Very comfortable and effective.

-- He who dies with the most tools... dies with the emptiest wallet.

Atom jack,
I agree with you on everything you wrote except covering your fingers. The worst thing you can do is have anything on your hands and arms. No gloves, no rings no long sleeves. These are a trap waiting to be snarled by any piece of machinery.
I know as, when I was a beginning apprentice in a machine shop, wearing a long sleeve shirt, I reached around a spinning drill press and the trepan tool caught my sleeve, pulled me in so I knocked my head into the press, tore off the sleeve (luckily) and rendered me unconscious for a minute. Left a huge goose egg.
Those are mistakes you only make once.
Stay safe.

-- Government does not solve problems; it subsidizes them.

I use the earmuffs style protectors almost every time in the shop. It’s not so much that I want to protect my hearing – I just don’t like noise. It also makes me worry less about what the neighbors are hearing if I can’t hear it as well. =)

-- Optimists are usually disappointed. Pessimists are either right or pleasantly surprised. I tend to be a disappointed pessimist.

I not only use hearing protection always when something is running in the shop, I use it when I’m moving the lawn, using the weed wacker/chainsaw/leaf blower, shooting, and even when running the carpet cleaner indoors. A habit I developed at work (when I had a day job) , and haven’t let go.

-- I long for the days when Coke was a cola, and a joint was a bad place to be (Merle Haggard)

I’m going deaf, that’s what I’m doing. Honestly, I really need to do something about hearing protection. I wear it with the planer and that’s about it.

-- My dad and I built a 65 chev pick up.I killed trannys in that thing for some reason-Hog

You’re right on that account, Jim. I wasn’t clear on the glove business. I worked as a mechanic and in other industries where we used all kinds of solvents like acetone, lacquer thinner, MEK, perchloroethylene, toluene, trichloroethane, etc., without gloves or respiratory protection. I know I’ll pay for that, too, eventually. I don’t wear gloves when using power tools.

I’m sensitized to brake fluid to the point that if I get it on me I develop a rash almost instantly- I used to be a state-licensed, ASE-certified brake mechanic.

live4ever – thats good practice! I used to wear it when mowing the lawn too… until I got tired of it and got a reel mower – no more noise, no more gas fumes, best looking grass ever (and yes we do have a considerable large yard)

-- ㊍ When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

Well! Looks like I struck a nerve (there’s another pun for ya). I’m using my Peltors as I type. The noise in deafening.
Thanks for all the replys.
Bill

-- bill@magraphics.us

E-A-R soft earplugs. A 3M company. NRR 33 decibels. Highest noise reduction of any earplug in the industry.

I’m in Industrial Supplies and have to wear them daily. I like the corded ones so I can take them out when I need to hear something.

I play bass in a country gospel band and we occasionally play some rock and roll as well. I tookto wearning earplugs on stage, 2000 watts of amplification is pretty loud when you are right by it. I took the earplugs ot the shop and life is much more serene. There is a side benefit of wearing earplugs when Mrs. Ham comes to get me. I like the soft rubber plugs. dip them in warm water before inserting them in the ear canal it is a lot easier.

-- My mother named me Hamilton, I have been trying to earn my nickname ever since.

“Nobody ever lost a finger from too much safety.”- Stumpy Nubs

...You can quote me on that…

-- It's the best woodworking show since the invention of wood... New episodes Wednesdays at: http://www.stumpynubs.com

My hearing was ruined 35-40yr ago thanks to the military, US Navy. Can’t hear much in the 5-7K range. Ironically late in life I lost the opportunity for a part time position from guess who… the military (this time US Army) all because I couldn’t pass the hearing test in that particular range. Of course the military failed to notice my hearing loss while I was still IN the military… go figure. BTW, I had always wore BOTH ear plugs and earphones, PLUS kept my head in a sound damping both while on duty in the loud environment.

The biggest gripe I have from the hearing loss is the Tinnitus. Mine is a very high pitch whine that is with me day or night. It over-rides the quiet sounds of nature and can be quite distracting. I put up with it, yet sure wonder what real quiet is like.

I only bring my experience up because it REALLY IS worth the effort to keep your good hearing if you still have it. My 2-cents…

SOURCE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinnitus
Tinnitus can be perceived in one or both ears or in the head. It is usually described as a ringing noise, but in some patients, it takes the form of a high-pitched whining, electric buzzing, hissing, humming, tinging or whistling sound, or as ticking, clicking, roaring, “crickets” or “tree frogs” or “locusts (cicadas)”, tunes, songs, beeping, or even a pure steady tone like that heard during a hearing test.[3] It has also been described as a “wooshing” sound, as of wind or waves.[4] Tinnitus can be intermittent, or it can be continuous, in which case it can be the cause of great distress. In some individuals, the intensity can be changed by shoulder, head, tongue, jaw, or eye movements.[5]

-- HorizontalMike -- "Woodpeckers understand..."

I’m about the same age as Charles Neil and also went years without hearing protection. Back then it just wasn’t done much. I spent years in my door shop running a table saw, jointer, and radial arm saw. I am definitely paying for it now, although it is sometimes a good excuse when I don’t hear my wife. I finally started wearing earmuffs several years ago when running loud equipment, but I can’t stand wearing them all the time. Yeah, I know I should. Most of my woodwork now is in my home shop, so no one else is there. I still don’t use them every time I do something loud, but I am better about it.

I certainly would not encourage others to follow my example, but I urge you to save your hearing while you can.
It is now policy in my door shop to wear hearing protection all the time—do as I say, not as I do! Hopefully I can help save the hearing of others.

-- She thought I hung the moon--now she just thinks I did it wrong

It bothers me to wear the heavy earmuff type, but I do use the EAR soft earplugs as Zach mentions whenever I have any machinery running.

Also wear them in my bobcat or on the tractor, which is much louder than any of my power tools in the shop.

-- Randy "You are judged as much by the questions you ask as the answers you give..."

I’ve got sensitive hearing to begin with and I’d like to keep it that way.
Like purplev I opted for 30db min ear muffs for everything, I’ve even been known
to also put-in ear plugs under the muffs.
And yes I’ve been wearing them for so long, I can still distingush that a car pulled in the drive.

-- Doug...

I wear hearing protection now after many years of talking about it. I just got tired of the noise, I also don’t want permanent hearing loss. I try to keep a pair or two if the little single use plugs in my work van as well for when I have to run the hammer drill or the like.

-- When questioned about using glue on a garbage bin I responded, "Wood working is about good technique and lots of glue........I have the glue part down."

I have three pairs of the Peltors that PurpLev listed above, two are at the entrance to the shop and one in the garage. I just grab them as I go in and put them on. The extra pairs guarantee visitors have protection as well. After 20+ years working around aircraft it’s just second nature to wear them.

-- A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way. - Mark Twain

Depending on what I’m doing , I at least wear the soft earplugs then step up to full protection from there.
Sometimes both.
If you’ve ever heard an F-15 take off with the after burners lit , you’ll know what I’m talking about : )
I also have a pair of headphones like Purplev , and they are the best ones I’ve used so far. Got mine at HoDpo.

-- When did quiet and quite become the same word ? I'm guessing about the same time as your and you're did.