Dust Masks and other protection

[morfa]

I've got a 7500 3m mask. I don't do much power tools work, so I don't wear it often.

Sometimes doing a lot of hand planing does kick up a lot of dust tho. So do people wear a mask when hand planing? Or is that overkill? I am asthmatic, so would rather err on teh side of caution.

 

[Tierney]

Realistically a disposable mask can only be worn for about 8 hours at most. If you are doing a days worth of dusty work they are great, because they are light weight and you can just throw away or replace as soon as they get too dirty or clogged. For an occasional woodworker, you will find that the elastics deteriorate, so after you take it on and off a few times the elastic often snaps. You can get half masks with replaceable filters for approx. £30. The filters on the Moldex mask that I use, I believe last for 50 hours. Most important thing is that I use my mask more since I stopped using disposables.

I find it uncomfortable wearing glasses, mask and ear defenders, so occasionally I skip the ear defenders. I use dust extraction at source and even wear a mask when hand sanding.

I need to start worrying about my fingers more now and get/make some push blocks

 

[carlb40]

I've got a 7500 3m mask. I don't do much power tools work, so I don't wear it often.

Sometimes doing a lot of hand planing does kick up a lot of dust tho. So do people wear a mask when hand planing? Or is that overkill? I am asthmatic, so would rather err on teh side of caution.

I don't, but my hand planes are only used for a bit. Most is done on machines.

In your case it might be worth reading up on due to the various timber dusts.

A bit extreme but not sure if you read the Two lawyers blog? In 2012 one of them Klaus was unable to work with wood of any kind for over a year as he developed an allergy out of no where. :shock:

http://two-lawyers-toolworks.blogspot.c ... date=false

 

[PAC1]

I also use the 3M 6000. It is a lot more comfortable than you think and there is a lot less condensation than you think there will be using a rubber mask

 

[carlb40]

I also use the 3M 6000. It is a lot more comfortable than you think and there is a lot less condensation than you think there will be using a rubber mask

Yes i forgot to say. These 3m masks are the first mask i have worn where you can breath properly and not feel suffocated. Plus with the downward facing vent, you can wear glasses/ goggles without them getting steamed up. =D>

 

[Stu_2]

Depending on the job, I'll use a mixture of a 3M half mask, ear defenders and a face shield. I prefer the face shield over safety specs as I wear readers. It also offers pretty good protection against abrasive discs when they let go. I've also got a Record AC400 air cleaner which is pretty effective at reducing fine stuff hanging around in the air.

 

[Grahamshed]

For me it comes down to commonsence, if I can see dust in the air or even suspect it, I will protect myself against it. I don't want to end up like my deceased father and many of my ex work colleagues on an oxygen bottle for the last days of my life.

Words to live by. Should be engraved into every workshop door. ( especially mine )

 

[paul24dual]

Brilliant advice, thanks guys. =D>

I've split my single garage in half with a partition wall. Half is my other halfs Gym and half is my small hobby workshop (and i mean small!) about 9ft x 9ft. You would have trouble swinging a very small cat in there.

I made a workbench at the weekend and was given a scroll saw to play with for the first time. I have been a bit naive really. (Workbench / Scroll Saw / Wood - off we go!!). I thought because i was just doing weekend projects and not full time that i needed any safety equipment. So basic kit would include.

Safety glasses
Masks
Ventilation

Is that about right? Also how do you ventilate your workshop and do you use a vacuum to suck up the dust?

 

[carlb40]

Sounds about right and maybe ear plugs too?

As to extraction i use a wall mounted extractor
http://yorkleen.co.uk/documents/product ... Extractors
But might be overkill just for a scroll saw.

 

[MMUK]

FWIW, there are occasions where you will want to wear ear plugs AND ear defenders. Machinary such as angle grinders, chainsaw and PTs give off a lot more noise than other machines.

 

[mseries]

Depending on the job, I'll use a mixture of a 3M half mask, ear defenders and a face shield. I prefer the face shield over safety specs as I wear readers. It also offers pretty good protection against abrasive discs when they let go. I've also got a Record AC400 air cleaner which is pretty effective at reducing fine stuff hanging around in the air.

can you tell us some more about the face shield please ? Do you have any links to it or to similar ones. I am thinking of a full visor but not sure if it'll fit with it's straps round my head along with the straps of my 3M 6000 half mask.

 

[Grahamshed]

Just remember, It doesn't matter how good your dust extraction / filtering equipment is if you don't actually use it.
So easy to forget to put the mask on, or not bother coz you're only cutting one piece.

 

[paul24dual]

Are these good for wood dust?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Moldex-Air-Pl ... 19d9eb2bc5

 

[MMUK]

Are these good for wood dust?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Moldex-Air-Pl ... 19d9eb2bc5

Yes they'll be OK but I'd be wary about re-using them. I'd treat them as disposible as they don't have a full sized filter pod.

 

[Muswell]

After going through various powered and reusable respirators I now use 3M 8300 series, either P2 or P3. They are wonderfully comfortable and although they are quite expensive I find they last quite a long time because I try to make as little dust as possible.

 

[Melinda_dd]

I bought a jsp maxi mask 2000.

So comfy to wear and sealed to the face really welll I WAS really pleased with it...
Unfortunately though after a short time the material has given me eczema where it touches my skin.
Layed off wearing it for a bit but not gone :-(

 

[carlb40]

I bought a jsp maxi mask 2000.

So comfy to wear and sealed to the face really welll I WAS really pleased with it...
Unfortunately though after a short time the material has given me eczema where it touches my skin.
Layed off wearing it for a bit but not gone :-(

Is the mask or maybe some timber dust that has caused it?

 

[Melinda_dd]

I've always worn the disposable material sort of masks with no problem. Worn these for years whilst turning lots of different woods.
Thought i'ld treat my lungs to something a bit more substantial hence the new mask and this happened within 3 wears so no I'm pretty sure its the mask.

 

[carlb40]

I've always worn the disposable material sort of masks with no problem. Worn these for years whilst turning lots of different woods.
Thought i'ld treat my lungs to something a bit more substantial hence the new mask and this happened within 3 wears so no I'm pretty sure its the mask.

Ahhh okies

I think the 3m masks are supposed to be latex? free, as there are a lot of people allergic to latex.

 

[davic]

I am probably going to get a moldex mask as I would like to do some spray painting but confused by all the codes. The Abek 1 seems to be for spraying, could that be used for wood too or would it clog up or anything? Separate filters for different task's etc?