Respirator Question

R

Right II Defend

Joined
Jan 6, 2014
Messages
6
I'm seeing some people say that they use respirators while making their knives. Under what circumstances would wearing a respirator be recommended/required? If I'm just working with files and a belt grinder should I be using one? How about when shaping handles?

Can someone please clear this up for me, or point me towards the right thread?

Thanks in advance,
Ryan
 
Agreed. If it makes any kind of dust, no matter what material, I wear the respirator. I kinda make it a habit to wear it throughout my whole workshop session for the day.

I wear a 3M 7500 half face with a P100 rated filter. They are worth the money for sure.
 
P100 are great and what I would consider the absolute minimum. Remember when some of these scale materials get hot they off-gas and the solvents do as well. So I would suggest at least some sort of active chemical filtration. You ideally shouldn't smell anything... There are multi-purpose chemical cartridges with P100 pre-filtration cartridges in combination that are excellent.

I work with nasty nasties and have the luxury of a nearly bottomless supply of filters and a couple of full face masks. They aren't cheap, but neither are the healthcare bills for your lung cancer or central nervous system diseases.

Top of the heap is a positive pressure system. Don't forget the full face jobs kill two birds with one stone. Most are ANSI rated safety goggles too...

Protect those ears too while you're at it.
 
If you are making dust, you need a filter to keep at dust out of your lungs......it is that simple.
 
I just reread my own post and just want to clarify something if Stacy's didn't make it clear. ANYTHING is better than nothing. Just because it isn't HEPA, activated charcoal, positive pressure, etc, don't let it stop you from at least wearing something. Black lung touches many many lives in my neck of the woods. Mine included.... So sorry if that came off as preachy.
 
LucyCustomKnives said:
I just reread my own post and just want to clarify something if Stacy's didn't make it clear. ANYTHING is better than nothing. Just because it isn't HEPA, activated charcoal, positive pressure, etc, don't let it stop you from at least wearing something. Black lung touches many many lives in my neck of the woods. Mine included.... So sorry if that came off as preachy.
Click to expand...

I don't think it came off as preachy. I've ground steel without a mask. Then felt like hell the next day, spitting and snotting metal dust. Get a mask. You get one set of body parts. Get safety glasses while you're at it.
 
I got fed up with the combination of safety glasses and half-face respirator. They were constantly interfering with each other... If you're grinding I've also found that safety glasses aren't really enough, the dust wil get thrown onto your face/hair and then potentially drift straight down into your eyes.

With that in mind I ponied up and bought a full-face respirator, like this: http://www.amazon.com/SEPTLS0685400...89890475&sr=8-5&keywords=full+face+respirator

The face-shield on that is impact rated and is much tougher than most safety glasses or face shields, and P100 cartridges for those masks are only around $7 each and will last quite a while. I find the full-face respirator to seal much better than a half-face, and it's also much more comfortable. I generally wear it for 12+ hours each week and have nothing but good things to say, well worth the money.

Pretty much all sanding/grinding is making dust that's REALLY bad for our lungs, it's really important to get the gear to look after yourself!

EDIT: These are the cartridges that I generally use - http://www.amazon.com/North-75SCP100-Combination-Cartridge-2-Pack/dp/B00142BFPC/ref=pd_sim_indust_3

They're combination P100 and organic vapour cartridges, they'll filter out most anything!
 
Last edited:
I hate it when I blow my nose after being in the shop and out comes a bunch of metal dust or sawdust... not good. gonna get a half face respirator.
 
Last edited:
If I turn on the grinder FOR ANYTHING I am wearing my p100 mask and safety glasses. thinking of going full-face this year.
 
Lethal289 said:
Has anybody attempted to use a full face mask with prescription glasses? Is there any that work?
Click to expand...

I've got a full face that's rated for chemicals and vapors (my old job before retirement) it loses some of the seal where the frames fit over my ears, but it's negligible considering the protection it affords.
 
Lethal289 said:
Has anybody attempted to use a full face mask with prescription glasses? Is there any that work?
Click to expand...

The one's I've used will not seal at the temples of the glasses

That makes all the air flow at at that hole.

You can get lenses made

or if you see that link I posted, the full face pressurised units are the way to go.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top