More respirator/face mask questions

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user24

Joined
Nov 10, 2006
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This may belong here, but it's a slightly different question...

for very light work sawing and sanding, would a simple face mask be enough to protect the lungs?

It's not specifically knife-related - I'm planning on sawing up an old wooden broom handle into 5-10mm thick discs to make into necklace pendants. Each disc will be (manually) sanded on both sides. I did about 20 but then I started to feel the dust so opened all windows and went out. Would this sort of thing require a respirator, and if so what sort?

At some point in the future, I'd like to work with antler (this time for knife handles), so... same question.

thanks.
 
Anything that produces fine dust ( like sanding wood) will harm the lungs. If the material is toxic,or abrasive it will be worse. You only get one set of lungs (transplants excepted) and you should take the best care of them possible. Wear a mack or respirator at ALL times when you create dust or particulate mater. Vapors are a concern ,too. Antler,bone, and ivory make very sharp abrasive particles ,and require a good filter.
Stacy
 
I would say a paper mask (disposable type) is ok for that task.A good fan or a stiff breeze wouldnt hurt either.Once you enter the realm of machine sanding exotic/stabilized woods and synthetic materials get a respirator.
 
Antler dust is carcinogenic. According to a dog I used to have, broom handles are a food product. If you chew and swallow it, its probably OK - but don't inhale. (Ref: Clinton, William)

Rob!
 
valimas said:
...A good fan or a stiff breeze wouldnt hurt either....
Click to expand...

I think strong, one-way air flow is one of the best things you can do. I run a 32-inch wall fan about 3-feet from my grinder. (Mine is to the right of the grinder, though directly behind the grinder would be optimum.) It blows the fine stuff right out a big set of louvered vents in the wall.

The respirator is important too and I use one almost constantly for any kind of grinding---even with the giant vent.
Unless you're venting it out, that fine dust is getting in your eyes and settling over your shop. It'll hang in the air a very long time. You end up breathing it later when you least suspect it.
 
All this talk about respirators made me go out and upgrade. I was using the basic P95 3M disposable masks, but I upgraded to a 3M 6000 half face with the P100 disc filters, and also a pair of multi gas with P100 prefilter canisters for when I paint or whatever. I have sanded on occasion without either a mask or dust collection, shame on me!
 
gixxer said:
... I have sanded on occasion without either a mask or dust collection, shame on me!
Click to expand...

When I was a stupid, but somewhat industrious teenager, I sanded fiberglass and painted using paints sometimes containing polyisocyanates without a respirator (though that wouldn't have been sufficient either), not to mention sanding wood, mixing and sanding resins of all sorts, grinding, etc.

Can't go back in time, but I can be more careful now.

Good move stepping up to protect your health:thumbup:
 
If it ain't air, it doesn't belong in your lungs! Full stop, end of story! WEAR A RESP., NO MATTER WHAT YOU ARE GRINDING!!
 
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