Advice needed - Dust masks

[Janet]

Hi
I wonder if someone could advise me? I'm very new to woodworking, but have been using a scroll saw for a little while now. I'm interested in trying some intarsia and have been advised that disposable dust masks are just not up to the task.
Trouble is I'm not really sure what I'm looking for - I would want something small and light, and as I wear glasses this may be a factor.

Any advice appreciated!

 

[CHJ]

Would this be suitable ? http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro ... &ts=17216#

with these filters?
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro ... 8&id=67815

Any advice appreciated!

Hi Janet you got caught by the spam filters, problem will go away after a few posts.

Gill, on the Scrollsaw forum is your best source of info. I think.
She will be along shortly no doubt.

 

[Gill]

Hi Janet

Welcome to the forum .

The Health & Safety Executive has published a useful information sheet for woodworkers about respiratory protection here. Since scroll saws use fine blades, they tend to produce finer dust than other woodworking tools. That Screwfix mask says it will protect against P3 particles, so it should be suitable. However, I know from personal experience that these masks do lead to foggy spectacles.

My choice for this sort of work was the Trend AirAce which is easy to breath through and didn't mist up my spectacles. It was superb and I'd still be using it happily, but a couple of Christmases back Santa bought me a Trend Airshield with a spare battery. This is even better !

The problem with all face masks is that when you take them off they leave a mark where they've been pressing against the skin. It can take a while for the mark to disappear. Most blokes don't find that a problem, but I didn't like it.

Gill

 

[Newbie_Neil]

Hi Janet

Welcome to the forum.

I went down exactly the same route as Gill with the AirAce/AirShield and I am very happy. I also wear glasses and am comfortable with both.

I would suggest that you try two or three different masks to find the one that is comfortable for you. Not everyone is happy with all of the masks, it's a matter of personal choice.

You might also want to look at Machine Mart in Sunderland. I don't know whether they stock them at your local branch, but their web site shows the AirShield, AirAce and the Stephens Iles Twin Filter.

Cheers,
Neil

 

[cumbrian]

I'd support the Trend Airshield suggestion. As someone who also wears glasses, I find the normal type of dust mask makes them steam up very badly, so I have a choice of not wearing one, and breathing dust, or wearing one and not being able to see what I'm doing! I'll let you decide which is more dangerous! The Airshield fixed those issues for me.

The problem is that I couldn't describe the Airshield as "small and light", and it took me a little while to get used to it and get it adjusted for max comfort. Now I find I can wear it for longish periods (say 30 minutes non-stop) without it bothering me. I'd definitely advise going somewhere where you can try one properly - get it adjusted and then wear it for a few minutes, maybe walking around the shop doing Star Wars impersonations......

 

[Steve Maskery]

I agreea bout the try-before -you-buy appraoch, it is a very personal thing, becasue it is literally in your face.

I have two, and they both have advantages and disadvantages.

I have a Pullsafe Turbovisor that I have had for many years. In fact, this is the second one I have bought. It accommodates spectacles very well and doesn't fog up. It has the great advantage of flipping up out of the way, which is handy when you want to inspect your work when turning, for example. It's a substantial hat though, hard top, I look a bit like a cartoon fireman.

I also have a PowerCap Lite, which JSP gave me to try out. It's nice and light, as the name suggests, being built onto a baseball cap. It's quiet, too, but it doesn't flip up out of the way. It's cheaper than the Turbovisor.

Both have a foam collar which seals around the face, and a battery, filter and motor mounted on top.

The problem will be finding a supplier you can visit who has the various makes available, my guess is that most will stock just one manufacturer's range. Perhaps a H&S Trade Show might be a good place to visit?

Cheers
Steve

 

[Benchwayze]

Can someone suggest a dust mask that doesn't cause my specs to steam up? (A fact that suggests the masks don't work well anyhow.)

I thought about one of those 'fan' helmets, but I was afraid I would take off. Bit heavier now though, so maybe not such a problem!
John

 

[Dave S]

I've not found any dust mask (and I've been to a H&S outlet and tried loads) that doesn't steam up my specs, and that includes the Trend AirAce. The problem is that they all rely on creating a seal over the bridge of your nose and the tops of your cheeks. The only way I can do that is to tape the top of the mask to my face - doesn't last long if you start to perspire.

Has anyone experience of both the Trend AirShield and the Powercap?

Dave

 

[George_N]

I have the Trend AirAce and have had no problems with glasses steaming up. I also have the add-on visor and that is great but it seems to attract the very fine dust, which sticks to the visor by static and is difficult to clean...any suggestions?

 

[beejay]

i've tried various masks with varying degrees of success for woodworking and turning.
current favourites are: 'Dust be gone' http://www.dustbeegone.com/dustmask.html
I think I got mine from Turners retreat. At £25.00 its not cheap but its washable and reusable and its not bad when wearing glasses as i do. If positioned properly its pretty mist free.
I also use a Trend AirAce which is also pretty effective and doesn't give me much problem with misting.
Finally I buy disposable masks from Screwfix 10 at a time P2 and have them readily to hand. They do mist up the glasses a bit but it doesn't cause me any real problem.
I do like the Dust be Gone though, its so comfortable and it really appears to work well.
Regards, beejay

 

[dunbarhamlin]

I use a JSP powershield, and would say if you're do finework, weight may be the prime consideration when choosing - after a few hours use I do feel it in the neck. Does anyone do one supported by a shoulder yoke?

Re static - used to get antistatic wipes for vinyl LPs - perhaps there's something similar (or would Mr Sheen work?) (OT - briefly had a band called Anti-Static Turntable Mat - the band split before the demise of vinyl, and long before it had any chance of pressing any :lol: )

Steve

 

[Keith Smith]

Another option is the 3M 7500 series of half masks, they comes in 3 sizes. I use a 7502 which is medium sized, the 7501 (small) may well suit you better. These masks shouldn't fog glasses if they are fitted properly. To use it you would need a pair of 6000 series P3 filters.

Protec seams to be the cheapest supplier

here is a link

 

[Woodmagnet]

Welcome to the forum Janet. I wear glasses when scrolling but dont wear a dust mask for the reasons you've given, i use a small fan to blow the dust out of the workshop, it might not work as good as a mask health wise but at least i can see what i'm doing. :lol:

 

[Woodmagnet]

Hey that's 4 of us from Sunderland on here now(if we include Bruce), a few more and we could have party. :lol:

 

[Janet]

Wow - thank you for such a warm welcome and for all the useful information!

I shall pop long to Machine Mart and see if the have the Trend AirAce in and see how that fits!

As I mentioned Im new to all this and just had a go at my first scrolling project that involved a lot of sanding which is what caused me to think twice about disposable mask and how safe they were ( I find that they fit me badly)

A little off topic: Kevin - you mentioned you were from Sunderland - any suggestions on good places to get wood?

 

[lurker]

Hi Janet

Welcome to the forum.

Can I suggest you pay a visit to Arco?

Google them

Near to you theres one at Blaydon & another at Stockton

They might appear a bit imposing as they are mainly trade - but the counter folks are generally friendly.

If you look on 3M site you might blag a few free samples of disposables

 

[Roy Clarke]

It would be better to deal with the dust at source, ie extract the dust. This will involve some homework first, as most "dust collectors" are no more than dust pumps.

If you use a mask, that will stop the dust getting into your lungs directly, but think what happens when you take the mask off and start to deal with the dusty clothes you have on. The dust gets carried everywhere, and the finer and more hazardous it is, the further it goes. That means all the effort you put into not breathing it counts for nothing.

Ask if you want more and I'll post a couple of links.

I have very little dust in my shed now, and I dont wear a mask, bliss.

 

[DuncanvdH]

I totally agree with Roy, control the dust at the source.

I have used a 3M mask in the past, I think 7000 series, the one with the changeable filters. It was easy to use, but you really have to clean it well after each use, especially the part that rests on your skin. When not cleaned very, very well it caused skin irritation, especially in warm weather combined with perspiration.
I have now changed to disposable 3M masks and they are much more comfortable and can be thrown away at the end of the day.

Duncan

 

[scroller frank]

Hi Janet,
I use a vacuum cleaner for dust collection on me scrollsaw,!!
i have strapped the flexible hose to the bracket that used to hold ,the hold down , and pointed the end at the saw blade just above the workpiece, it removes the dust before it gets into the air,

Mark 2 : got fed up with the noise !!! (not difficult) so i made a "large " waterproof box and stuck the noisy bit outside, ---- magic!! :lol:

The saw bytheway is a 2 speed Delta,
Wood suply: i have found a kichen cabinet maker close to where i work, and it is suprising what can be found in his wast skip !!!!!
best of all it's FREE--------------------

 

[matt]

... Stephens Iles Twin Filter.

Cheers,
Neil

I use this one. It does not steam up my glasses (unlike every other dust mask I've tried, except the Airshield for which my head shape was wrong - felt like an instrument of torture to me).

As an aside, and perhaps hijacking the thread but in a relevant way... How to people clean their masks (in particular those that are prone to high condensation and therefore potential for bacteria etc)?