Dust Respirator with a beard

[2TONYB]

I'd suggest a 3M or Bullard hood PAPR system with the appropriate cartridges.

I use a PAPR daily at work. They work great and are very very effective, and you can grow all the beard you want!

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Patrice,
The filters on the Trend are HEPA, and the Aircap2 is fine particulate.
Both will filter out any dust created by grinding.

The cautions about grinding Micarta and G-10 are about the formaldehyde fumes. That is mostly an irritant, and can be handled by good air flow and ventilation.

Woodcraft also carries a budget PAPR for $69.95, called the power mask. Nothing fancy, but perfect for beard wearing folks on a budget.http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2020033/19327/Power-Mask-Powered-Respirator.aspx

 

[Atlas Knife Company]

I think you're missing the effects of steel dust in your calculations. As well, many woods are toxic if you inhale the dust. Traditional materials aren't that much safer if inhaled.

I wonder if we might not be lookin at this backwards ? Admittedly fine dust of almost any sort isn't a great thing to inhale - but it's fair to figure that the average human probably has some tolerance for some dust . We know that Carbon Fibre , G-10 , fibreglass products , beryllium ,etc. in dust form are things we really don't want to breathe in. Maybe this is arguement for "tradational" handle/scale materials - got a ton of wood handled kitchen knives ( Mostly Chicago Cutlery) that get daily use - were often bought used from estate sales and hold up quite well. Do we really NEED the modern polymers to make long wearing functional tools ?

 

[Phil705]

I'm stll trying to shake the image of a bearded respirator.

 

[Patrice Lemée]

Patrice,
The filters on the Trend are HEPA, and the Aircap2 is fine particulate.
Both will filter out any dust created by grinding.

The cautions about grinding Micarta and G-10 are about the formaldehyde fumes. That is mostly an irritant, and can be handled by good air flow and ventilation.[/url]

This is good to know, thanks Stacy. I was afraid I could not use the Trend for all the work in the shop and would have to buy another one for g10/micarta/stabilized wood. I do have pretty good dust extraction system that should be adequate for the fumes. Will be buying the Trend Airshield later this summer.

Thanks again.