masks for grinding

I've put together a couple of "Kit" knives useing hand tools for filing and sanding. I use a mask because after the first time filing some wood it looked like mud after I blew my nose. I'm going out today to by one of those 3M half mask. And I'm going to shave before I use it.

Thanks to everybody who contributed to this post. I want to have fun with this hobby, not do damage to my body.
 
psycho78 said:
I hate to hear about facial hair messing up the effectiveness of a respirator. I have some pretty epic facial hair and I use a half face mask respirator and face shield when grinding steel. When i get back into the house and after a shower etc, My lungs feel like they've been punched on.

any help for us guys who don't know what the term "clean shaven" means?
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I'll say it again, but seem to be a minority of one here:

Resp-O-Rator. Light, comfortable, no problems with facial hair. Disadvantages: particulate only but that most of what I need to worry about, have to breath through your mouth.

I wear mine most of the time I'm in the shop. All grinding, hand sanding, most filing.
 
I have read that an effective dust collector system will handle the problem without a respirator, but I would not bet on it. I don't think a mustache interferes with the respirator-- big handlebars excepted. I have a neighbor who built a humongous steel-hulled yacht, 18 years of work by himself, no respirator, no hearing protection, big problems, lotsa damage, both departments now.
 
g33kfu said:
What are peoples' thoughts on masks when doing hand filing or sanding?
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Unless you're sanding and filing things like cocobolo or abalone or something containing asbestos I don't think that incidental duct contact from low energy stock reduction methods is going to add up to much for most hobbyists. A P95 paper dust mask is a reasonable precaution there. The bigger danger exists when you're using powered grinding equipment, working with hazardous materials or doing it long term in an on going basis. Then you need all the protection you can get.
 
I wore my respirator today.

I ground six knives, and I must admit, it was nice not having to blow black junk out of my nose.

RP
 
If you check around online, you can often find a good deal on a PAPR system. Extremely comfortable and they keep you cool. They also offer eye/face protection. I've worn a PAPR for up to 14 hours a day for years with no issues.
 
For the ones who don't like to lean too close to the razor, put on the mask and cover the filters with your hands, and breath in deeply. If it sucks the mask in to your face it willl probably do it's job. If you are still getting air it's coming in from around the edge.
 
Dan Pierson said:
I'll say it again, but seem to be a minority of one here:

Resp-O-Rator. Light, comfortable, no problems with facial hair. Disadvantages: particulate only but that most of what I need to worry about, have to breath through your mouth.

I wear mine most of the time I'm in the shop. All grinding, hand sanding, most filing.
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I just picked one of those up myself. Although, I have not had much of a chance to use it. It does seem to be a lot less stuffy in comparison to respirators and I do have a beard. Plus, it was only $45 after shipping.
 
Patrice Lemée;9060892 said:
That is not good news. I am never clean shaved, well not often and surely not in the shop. :(

I also did not think it was that important while grinding steel since I do have a pretty good dust "evacuator".

Guess I have to rethink the whole respirator thing. Maybe get one like Page but that is mucho pesos. :(
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I think they work just fine with a short beard as long as you have a snug fit. I would have to look into it more for certain gas, solvents or acids but for particulates like steel, antler/bone, wood and micarta... I believe the seal is quite good.

I have a 3M 6300 series halfmask and use 6003 Org. Vapor/Acid Gas cartridges with the particulate prefilters. Although, after reading about the 7500 mask, I may switch.

When I initially fit it in the store, the clerk had me put it on and adjust the straps until it felt comfortable, then he put a couple pieces of duct tape over the filter ports and told me to breath (very lightly). There was no air exchange happening at all. Everytime I exhaled the mask would cinch down tighter and tighter. It felt as if I had a plunger stuck to my face.

With that said, if I were exposed to chemicals more often, I would opt for the high-end mask. As it stands, I don't use stabilized wood/micarta/G10 so the worst I'm subjected to is antler, bone and oil residue while grinding................................ I think...:confused:


Rick
 
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