When working with chemicals or around flying debris, always put on your eye protection. Choose eye protection suitable for the hazard; safety glasses, goggles, or full face shield.

If a chemical gets in an eye, the recommendation is usually to flush the eye with water for 15 minutes. Check the MSDS for the chemical you are using. Dirt and other particles can usually be rinsed out as well.

A gust of wind blew sawdust into one of my eyes. It was difficult to rinse my eye out under a faucet.

Lacking a proper eye wash station at home, I decided to get an eye wash cup. Fill the cup with water or sterile eye wash solution. Hold it against the eye and tip the head back. Next, tip the head forward and hopefully the debris will be flushed into the cup. Rinse the cup and repeat as necessary.

Glass Eye Wash Cup at amazon.com

I purchased a pair of Wells Lamont gloves at the start of my fence building project. These are model 861 gloves with suede cowhide palms and breathable mesh backs. I took the picture after digging 15 fence post holes. These gloves would be returned to the store if I had kept the receipt. The seam came apart on the left glove, not on the 15th hole, but on the first. I finished the project with them anyway.

They were comfortable, but get a zero for durability.

How do you haul your project materials?

A pickup truck is a good choice for someone working in the trades or for agricultural use. In suburbia, a pickup is not a very practical vehicle. I always see an empty bed. The boat or travel trailer is lucky to be towed once or twice a summer.

Both Lowes and the Home Depot have trucks for rent. At about $20 for 75 minutes, they are a very economical option. A U-Haul trailer can also be rented for as little as $15 a day.

I use a super duty utility trailer from Harbor Freight. Except for fading paint, it has been a good trailer. My father owns the lighter duty folding trailer.

It is important to secure the load. I have seen drywall, plywood, mattresses, and empty 55 gallon drums blow out of truck beds. Unless you are an Eagle Scout, I do not recommend using rope or twine. There is a science to knot tying and a mistake can result in the loss of a load. Ratchet straps and tie-downs are reasonably priced.

I think it is general knowledge that a 2×4 does not measure 2 inches by 4 inches. They are usually about 1 1/2″ by 3 1/2″. The length is not supposed to vary, but often does. I have found 8 ft 2x4s vary by as much as 3/4″. Usually they are too long, but sometimes they are too short. Assume they are correct, and you may find your project doesn’t quite fit together.

Double sided tape is useful for a multitude of shop tasks. The shop can also be a very dusty environment. Store your tape in a zip lock bag and it will stay clean and ready to use.