Respirator: good quality, versatile... recommendations?

rdangerer

rdangerer

Joined
May 26, 2000
Messages
1,922
Guys,

I'm not a maker, but have 3 knife handle projects in mind ...
1. cocobolo
2. desert ironwood
3. micarta

I tend to have allergies to every damned thing... pollen, dust, cats, soft shell crabs, etc. I hear cocobolo is a sumbitch, suspect the other two above are also, among the many exotic woods that are allergenic.

I need to break down and buy a good quality respirator. What features do I need? What ratings? Which respirator model do you prefer as a maker?

Can I get one with swappable cartridges so that it'll work well for wood dust & metal grinding, and then later with a swap of cartridge for say spraying the yard w/ herbicide and insecticide? Do I need different cartridges? Any web sites that give the low-down, quick education on this?

Many thanks in advance.
 
I have two North units. I really like the features. I use them with a two stage filter. The chemical filter screws onto the mask and the dust filter snaps over the the chemical filter. It gets a little hot at times but it filters out everything. You should be able to find the North unit or a similar one at your local Home Depot. Figure about $40.

I like to always use the chemical filter because not everything harmful from dust or metal will be stopped by the dust filter. Grinding produces heat, heat produces fumes, and fumes get though everything.

Also because the exaust faces down, you won't be fogging up your face shield or glasses. The only negative I have found is that the elastic head bands tend to wear out every couple of years ;).
 
This link has a LOT of information on respiratory protection:
http://www.tfhrc.gov/hnr20/lead/sect4/sect4.htm

I'm started trying out knifemaking recently, and it's very dusty. Disposable paper respirators seem to have more leakage of smaller particles. I've noticed with my N95 disposable respirator, the air can seem a little bit funky when I'm in a huge cloud of mahogany dust. Your best bet is to get a full or half-face air purifying respirator with some good filter cartridges.

I have a 3M 6000 series half-face APR (I think that's the model), and it gives perfect fit to my face. The packaging bag that the respirator came in says 6200, which I think is the model number for the medium size of 6000 series. (6100 is size small, 6200 is medium, 6300 is large... I think).

It's currently using a set of P95 pre-filters fitted over some organic vapor filter cartridges. None of the funky air seems to get in whenever I'm using that respirator. You might want to get P100 particulate filter cartridges though, since you've got allergy problems.

I found some 3M 6000 series respirators and various filters here:
http://www.envirosafetyproducts.com/html/Subcategories/6000series.htm
 
I use a north. I have to replace the elastic every 6 mos I buy elastic in the fabric section of wal-mart to replace the stuff that wears out.
 
i wear a full face mask respirator. the weight can get to you though, i'd say if the weight wont bother you go for a full mask. if you have dont use it enough to warrant the cost buy yourself a nice halfmask, or if your the guy who wears it all day buy a hood, they are very comfortable, i think the cartriges strap to your back also. dont let the cost be a factor too much no matter what you buy, they pay themselves off when your still breathing fine after years of woodworking.
 
I use a North. I've used them all and it is the most comfortable one so far. I think the model # is 7700. I get them from MSC.
 
I like the North as well and like Mr. Carson I get em from MSC.. Gotta love a place that will get my orders here the next day if ordered before 2pm.
MSC is a great Co. to deal with. The BIG BOOK may give you carpel tunnel, but hell they are HUGE, and can afford the liability:-)

Trace Rinaldi
www.thrblades.com
 
Many thanks for the replies, guys.

And for tolerating this post when I should've used the search engine first.

http://www.mscdirect.com/

Good news... I bumped into an old post by Carson...

"Randy,I just use a (hack, cough, hack) old red bandana (cough, cough, hack). No, just kidding. I wear a North 7700 with prefilters and filter."

... and Tichbourne:

"RJ a word of caution about the belt mounted filter units that I had forgotten until this afternoon when I was grinding.

Belt mounted units if worn behind the back act as very efficient collectors of vented biogas (flatulence) and the pump transfers said biogas directly into the olefactory region."

LMAO.

:D
 
Earlier today, I've recommended a company that has a wide range of stuff they sell, including a lot of safety equipment. Guess they kind of specialize in it. The company is Gemplers. Their URL is:
http://www.gemplers.com/

I think their prices are good, they have good sales, if you get on their e-mailing list, they give great service.
 
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