I almost lost my eye, WEAR SAFETY GLASSES!

General automotive discussion
Post Reply
User avatar
dana
Posts: 951
Joined: Mon Oct 14, 2013 8:54 am

I almost lost my eye, WEAR SAFETY GLASSES!

Post by dana »

I was changing a wheel bearing on my mk4 beater last night. Using an air hammer to remove the old inner race from the spindle and a piece of the chisel tip broke off and sniper rifled me right in the soft tissue directly above the eye. Instant blood spray everywhere, but somehow very little damage. Just a small puncture where it hit. If that was 1/8" lower i would have no right eye.

I'm not entirely sure if the piece is still in my head somewhere or if it just glanced off. I have a minor black eye, but I think its going to be just fine. Damn close call.

Of course, i was rushing and not using safety glasses....we all know how important they are, but I'm sure I'm not the only person rushing and being sloppy.

Don't be dumb like me.
current:
-mk4 tdi wagon with some mods
-TDI b3 90q, holset turbo, be strong little connecting rods!
-the turbo tractor
past:
-11 second 90q junker
-20vt swapped 90q winter beater
-efi 20vt 4kq
-way too many other long gone urs's, 200's 4000's, b5's
User avatar
ringbearer
Posts: 1282
Joined: Wed Feb 27, 2013 12:50 pm
Location: Nor-Cal

Re: I almost lost my eye, WEAR SAFETY GLASSES!

Post by ringbearer »

Glad you still have depth perception! I've had close calls too and really make a point to wear safety gear and teach others to do the same.
deaner
Posts: 217
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2015 10:44 pm

Re: I almost lost my eye, WEAR SAFETY GLASSES!

Post by deaner »

I've had fragments hit me in the face too. Nowadays I wear safety glasses anytime sparks fly. Earplugs too when the air hammer comes out. Shit happens too fast and some stupid piece of metal isn't worth losing an eye or going deaf over. Glad you're ok!
User avatar
alxdgr8
Posts: 1056
Joined: Thu Feb 28, 2013 1:39 am
Location: Seattle, WA

Re: I almost lost my eye, WEAR SAFETY GLASSES!

Post by alxdgr8 »

Yep, I pretty much am always wearing glasses when I'm in the garage, and ear plugs/muffs 75% of the time. Face shield and glasses for grinding. Cheap insurance and only a few seconds to put them on/off.
-Alex-
@vexartmedia @odd.cylinders @5cylinder_porsche
Odd Cylinders YouTube Page
1992 Porsche 968 (07K transplant in progress)
1983 Aud UrQ (MC1, GT2871R, IIc)
1985 Audi 4kq
2003 Audi S8 (Avus/Oxblood; DD; 6MT swap)
User avatar
scubagli
Posts: 604
Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 4:20 pm
Location: leeds ny

Re: I almost lost my eye, WEAR SAFETY GLASSES!

Post by scubagli »

Face shields are key...

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk
User avatar
dana
Posts: 951
Joined: Mon Oct 14, 2013 8:54 am

Re: I almost lost my eye, WEAR SAFETY GLASSES!

Post by dana »

i just ordered up a batch of face shields, glasses and dust masks!
current:
-mk4 tdi wagon with some mods
-TDI b3 90q, holset turbo, be strong little connecting rods!
-the turbo tractor
past:
-11 second 90q junker
-20vt swapped 90q winter beater
-efi 20vt 4kq
-way too many other long gone urs's, 200's 4000's, b5's
User avatar
ringbearer
Posts: 1282
Joined: Wed Feb 27, 2013 12:50 pm
Location: Nor-Cal

Re: I almost lost my eye, WEAR SAFETY GLASSES!

Post by ringbearer »

I had a $20 deal with the local eye doctor for years to have him remove metal from my eyes that I couldn't get. It was from pieces making their way around all my gear and into my eyes. Die grinders with carbide burrs are the worst.
User avatar
paradox11235
Posts: 135
Joined: Mon Oct 07, 2013 9:47 pm
Location: Colorado Springs, CO

Re: I almost lost my eye, WEAR SAFETY GLASSES!

Post by paradox11235 »

There are a lot of times I don't wear glasses that I should, but I always always wear them with the air hammer. Gotten many pieces of metal embedded in my arms from doing wheel bearings... Even had one leave a nice puncture wound from about 20 ft away when someone else was doing a bearing
User avatar
dana
Posts: 951
Joined: Mon Oct 14, 2013 8:54 am

Re: I almost lost my eye, WEAR SAFETY GLASSES!

Post by dana »

like i said, air hammers are the best worst tools ever. No excuse for not wearing glasses while using one.
current:
-mk4 tdi wagon with some mods
-TDI b3 90q, holset turbo, be strong little connecting rods!
-the turbo tractor
past:
-11 second 90q junker
-20vt swapped 90q winter beater
-efi 20vt 4kq
-way too many other long gone urs's, 200's 4000's, b5's
Noisy Cricket
Posts: 225
Joined: Sun Mar 24, 2013 11:19 pm
Location: Cleveland, OH

Re: I almost lost my eye, WEAR SAFETY GLASSES!

Post by Noisy Cricket »

ringbearer wrote:I had a $20 deal with the local eye doctor for years to have him remove metal from my eyes that I couldn't get. It was from pieces making their way around all my gear and into my eyes. Die grinders with carbide burrs are the worst.


I had a Dremel sanding roll come off the drum, bounce up, down, go up my face shield, bounce against my cheek, bounce against the backside of my glasses, and hit my eyeball.\

Nowadays I use MX goggles as eye protection when porting. With full wraparound and foam padding to seal against my face, NOTHING gets past 'em.
Pete, that rallycross guy

'06 Volvo S60 R (Swedish GTR)
'84 RX-7 (bridge ported, fuel injected, way modified dirt buggy)
'86 QSW (MC2 goes here. Eventually.)
'81 RX-7 (restoration project)
'73 RX-3 (poor man's Mk2 Escort)
Justin517
Posts: 282
Joined: Tue Mar 05, 2013 12:52 pm

Re: I almost lost my eye, WEAR SAFETY GLASSES!

Post by Justin517 »

Ever since I got a metal splinter in my eye I wear safety glasses for lots of things, then more recently I got a nice big splash of brakemen right in my eye while cleaning an automatic transmission pan flange with a brakleeen soaked scotchbrite, now I always wear them with chemicals.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
http://www.ExceleratePerformance.com

2003 540i/6 #1090/1265 imported M5 diff+Sway, Powerflex bushings, BC Racing coils
1991 200 20v Avant MRC Tune + Bilsteins... more to come.
2001 330Ci Convertible -Fiance Mobile
Post Reply