Introduction: Eye and Ear Protection

About: Studying Industrial Design in the Netherlands - started a design studio with a couple friends - enjoying my time in the workshop

One thing that bothered me for a long time, is the use of safety glasses in combination with ear muffs. For some tasks, such as grinding metal, you need them both. But the pressure of the ear muffs will push the temples into the side of your head. After an hour your head starts to feel soar and not much time later it is starting to hurt.

But I think that I found the solution a couple weeks ago, when I watched a YouTube video from "The Wood Whisperer" on safety gear. One combination that he showed got my attention immediately.

I thought: 'I could make that myself!' Here is how I did it.

Step 1: Gather Your Materials and Tools

Materials:

  • Safety glasses
  • Ear muffs
  • Velcro bands
  • Superglue
  • Heavy duty thread

Tools:

  • A (cordless) drill
  • A small bit or a nail
  • Dremel (a hacksaw and sandpaper will do just as well)
  • A pair of scissors (to cut the velcro)
  • A needle

Step 2: Prepare the Safety Glasses

Carefully cut off the temples of the glasses with your dremel or hacksaw. Using another pair of glasses when using a dremel is advised.Thereafter you can grind off the burrs with a sanding bit for your dremel or use some sandpaper.

When this step is done you can use the drill with the small bit or needle to drill a couple of holes in the sides of the glasses. I drilled 5 holes. Make sure you go slow on this step, because you don't want the glasses to crack. Make the holes also big enough for the needle to pass through. The holes will be used to attach the velcro to the glasses.

Step 3: Attach the Velcro

Use the thread and the needle to attach the velcro to the glasses. Push the needle through the velcro and the glasses. Repeat this a couple times to secure the velcro to the glasses. When it looks about the same as the second photo, it is sturdy enough. Now tie the ends of the thread together to secure the bond. Make sure that the soft side of the velcro is pushing against your head to prevent little burns and an uncomfortable use.

Step 4: Prepare the Ear Muffs

Now the other (harder) side of the velcro needs to be attached to the ear muffs. I tried some double-sided tape earlier, but this bond is simply not strong enough to support the weight of the glasses. After this I used superglue and that works fine. Just don't glue your fingers together because it is a pain to get them loose again ;) .

Step 5: You're Done!

Your little project is almost done. You just need to put the two sides of the velcro together and adjust the length of the velcro bands to the size of your head.

Now you can enjoy a long day in your workshop without getting a painful head from your safety glasses.

If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment and I will try to answer your questions as soon as possible.

I entered the 'Gadget Hacking & Accessories Contest' with this Instructable, a vote would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for reading.