Filters for Repirators

Joined
Sep 29, 1999
Messages
195
When cutting and grinding materials used in knifemaking (metal, micarta, g-10, wood, etc.) which canister filters should one use? In the Dewitt catalog I have found canister filters labled "particulate" (color code white) along with the various vapor and fume blocking filters. Any suggestions?
 
Personally, I found P95 or N95 particulate combined with organic vapor to work well. I can't smell any of the particles or fumes from what I'm working. If you use the particulate filters alone, you can still notice the phenolic fumes and stuff when working with Micarta. It might be bad for you, it might not be, either way, it stinks, so I use a combination cartridge which does vapor and particles.

You could use a P100 particulate combined with organic vapor cartrdge if you wanted to be extra extra safe, but I'm not sure that it really makes a difference.

mask-goggle.jpg

That's how I dress when I'm working. Most people say I'm too safety conscious, but I like being safe.

I wear a 3M 6000 series half mask respirator, which takes two cartridges on each side. Each cartridge that I use is a organic vapor cartridge, with a N95 prefilter fitted over it with a 3M 501 retainer piece. I replace the N95 filters fairly often, but haven't found the need to replace the vapor cartridge under it too much. Where your health is concerned though, I would not want to used an expired cartridge or filter.

cartridges.jpg


Here is product number list for what I use:
3M 6200 Half Face Mask (or 6100, 6300, depending on what size your head is)
3M 2091 P100 Particulate Filter (for when particles are the only concern, and there are no fumes)
3M 6001 Organic Vapor Cartridge (should come in a little sealed paper carton or bag with 2 cartridges in them each)
3M 5N11 N95 Prefilter, put it over the 6001 cartridge. Get a decent amount of these as they get gunked up somewhat quickly, throw em out when they get used up.
3M 501 Retainer, get a couple of these, you have to have these in order to hold the prefilter down.
Make sure you have enough eye protection too. I usually wear goggles and a faceshield, or sometimes just the goggles for light work.
 
Damn Chang, you look like your ready for the Taliban.That outfit could stop anthrax.Actually that is the kind of stuff we all should use.I don't but my lungs are gone anyway,after too many years of smoking and welding.Besides I am one of those perverted individuals that actually likes the smell of buffalo horn and stag.All newbies to this should do like Chang and use safety equipment.Nothing in a knife shop is safe.Take care and be a happy healthy old knifemaker.Dave:)
 
Dave, hell yea I'm ready for those Talibastards. If I whack Osama, I can collect 25 million dollar reward! Think of how many P100/organic vapor cartridges I could buy with that. :D I'm thinking about adding some ear muffs instead of plugs. My head is getting pretty heavy with all the equipment though.
 
Chang,
You rock!
Thanks for all the excellent information and accompanying photos. Your post was a mini-seminar on pulminary safety. I have a thing about safety and especially breathing safety. I guess it comes from my past life as a SCUBA Instructor. Thanks again. I am placing my order in the morning.

DC Knives,
So Buffalo horn and stag smell good huh? Maybe I'll have to lift the mask once in a while to take in the aroma!:D
 
Back
Top