Respirator recommendation please

Ernie1980

Ernie1980

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Apr 19, 2012
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I have started getting into making new handles and scales for knives, and need a respirator because the paper masks are not saving my lungs...

There are so many options, I don't even know where to start! I don't want to spend 100s, but want one that works well. So, please help me out with some options!

Thanks!
 
North half face

https://www.amazon.com/North-Safety-770030L-Silicone-Respirator/dp/B002C08YCW

My day job is Asbestos abatement, I wear the half face or full face North respirator for hours on end, it's comfortable and the preferred respirator of the abatement industry. Make sure to buy extra filters and exchange them every 40 hours of use of if breathing becomes obstructed. A box of alcohol wipes for cleaning would be a good idea too.
 
North half face
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YUP
I totally agree. I was using mine just yesterday.

Be warned though, if you have facial hair you are going to inhale some garbage. I have a vandike, I guess you call it that, I blew my nose after my grinding session and looked for black stuff . . .
oooooooohhhhh grose

There as none so I lucked out. Back in the day I worked all day with ceramic shell molds for fine art bronze casting. Enough got by that I paid for it for a while. My lungs are much better now that I am out of that gig. As I remember I even shaved off all my facial hair but there was just so much of it, super fine some of it, and it was all day. We used these masks back then. Anyway I have spray painted two pack (epoxy) paint using this mask and the appropriate filters and lived to tell about it. The saying with two pack paint is "If you can smell it it is killing you". I could not smell it.
 
If you have facial hair, grab a Resp-O-Rator, also get some organic filters while you are at it. Burnt wood and micarta will still be noticeable without them.
 
As mentioned, there are some things to be aware of while wearing a respirator. Being clean shaved is simply a must, even day old stubble will cause issues with the seal. Heavy sweating will cause the mask to slip which can create a broken seal. It's not uncommon to adjust your mask several times while in use.

You want the respirator sung to your face but not so tight that it places excessive pressure in any one spot. Headaches and jaw soreness will result.

A simple fit test is to cover the filters and breath in, this will collapse the mask to your face and make you aware of any leaks. Repeat on exhaust port of mask but exhale inflating the mask and making sure air does not escape. Furthermore, move your head in all directions while counting or saying your ABC's, staying conscious of any leaks that may occur. Make sure to inspect all seals and air valves before use.

The North mask is made of silicone and fits very well to the face. As long as it's adjusted properly you should be able to wear it all day in comfort.
 
I used to use the 3m half face mask w/ the cartridge filters, but 6 months ago I transitioned to the 3m breathe easy system w/ a m105 respirator. It's a powered air supply system and it's about 100 times nicer and more comfortable than my half mask ever was LOL

It's more than the home hobbyist probably wants to spend/get into, but I am posting this here for whoever may want to read it. Jason you should look into one! The ONLY down side (in some scenarios) is that you have to wear a belt around w/ the battery/pump/filters on it. For me this is perfect because it takes more weight off of my neck/shoulders. This thing is great because you can have a full beard and it still is 100% functional! It also gives you a cool breeze on your face while you are working, depending on outside temp of course =)

i-rMPH2nV-X2.jpg


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And I can wear headphones and pop up the face mask for phone calls or to take a drink w/ out any trouble...

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If you are careful you can pick up the whole system I have for about $400. Again, not for the home user but it's worth it's weight in gold for me!
 
Josh, that's an impressive setup.^

Don't know if I'll ever get into powered sharpening or grinding of blades; therefore, I may never need to worry about using a respirator myself. But it's still heartening to see some of BF's sharpening pros (Josh, Jason) taking safety issues seriously. It sets a great example for everyone reading here. :thumbup:


David
 
Josh,

I have an MSA PAPR (Powered Air Purfiring Respirator) but it gives me drymouth and it's uncomfortable. It's also difficult to wear in a tyvek suit ;)

The nice thing about PAPR's is they give you 1000x the Permissible Exposure Limit. This basically means you are more protected from inhaling harmful particulates.
 
This is the respirator I use. Yeah, no facial hair on this one. If you put it on right, nothing gets in. I mean nothing. Not even the outside air. It's the perfect resolution.

Only con is the weight, replacing the air packs, it needs inspection every now and then. Other than that, I hardly notice it when I use it. Maybe that's just because I have other things on my mind though....
8097c35a954e7fc048c53be74ad02354.jpg



And the obligatory me in bunker gear
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Jason B. said:
Josh,

I have an MSA PAPR (Powered Air Purfiring Respirator) but it gives me drymouth and it's uncomfortable. It's also difficult to wear in a tyvek suit ;)

The nice thing about PAPR's is they give you 1000x the Permissible Exposure Limit. This basically means you are more protected from inhaling harmful particulates.
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Ahhh Yeah I gotcha! Totally makes sense why you don't then :)
 
nlewman said:
This is the respirator I use. Yeah, no facial hair on this one. If you put it on right, nothing gets in. I mean nothing. Not even the outside air. It's the perfect resolution.

Only con is the weight, replacing the air packs, it needs inspection every now and then. Other than that, I hardly notice it when I use it. Maybe that's just because I have other things on my mind though....
8097c35a954e7fc048c53be74ad02354.jpg



And the obligatory me in bunker gear
Click to expand...

You use that while grinding knives? I can imagine that would get pretty heavy and stressful on your back after a bit but yeah, scba definitely the best of the best!
 
Obsessed with Edges said:
Josh, that's an impressive setup.^

Don't know if I'll ever get into powered sharpening or grinding of blades; therefore, I may never need to worry about using a respirator myself. But it's still heartening to see some of BF's sharpening pros (Josh, Jason) taking safety issues seriously. It sets a great example for everyone reading here. :thumbup:


David
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And a fire extinguisher in the background... :thumbup:
(Bet there's a 1st Aid Kit hiding somewhere...)
 
cbwx34 said:
And a fire extinguisher in the background... :thumbup:
(Bet there's a 1st Aid Kit hiding somewhere...)
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That's in the house, which is only about 20 steps from my shop door =) But I def. keep bandaids on hand!
 
Acadian said:
I'm not sure how it compares to the North Half Face but for the small grinding jobs I have to do at home I use one of these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FTEDMM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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The 3m mask is good, it's rubber instead of silicone so it's not as soft but not a big deal. However, The fabric pancake filters are not intended to be reused and are made to be disposed of in the decontamination shower. They cannot be taped off after use like the North filters and will easily release particulates into the air if disturbed. This is less than ideal but will work for grinding knives, just don't be the guy that takes the filters off bangs them together a few times then puts them back on ;)
 
Jason B. said:
The 3m mask is good, it's rubber instead of silicone so it's not as soft but not a big deal. However, The fabric pancake filters are not intended to be reused and are made to be disposed of in the decontamination shower. They cannot be taped off after use like the North filters and will easily release particulates into the air if disturbed. This is less than ideal but will work for grinding knives, just don't be the guy that takes the filters off bangs them together a few times then puts them back on ;)
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I'm new to all this so this is real good info. When you say "they cannot be taped off" - you just add some tape on the front of the North Filters before taking them off? This prevents particulates from being released? Hmm...might have to invest in one of those.

But as far as filtering - I'm guess both the North Filters and 3M pancake filters do a similar job?
 
Luc, you could use these, this is what I used w/ my half mask and I'm 99% sure they would work just fine on that half mask you use. These can be taped off and they have activated carbon in them to filter out paint and stuff like that, in other words, they are more than JUST particulate, which I liked and felt more comfortable w/.

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razor-edge-knives said:
Luc, you could use these, this is what I used w/ my half mask and I'm 99% sure they would work just fine on that half mask you use. These can be taped off and they have activated carbon in them to filter out paint and stuff like that, in other words, they are more than JUST particulate, which I liked and felt more comfortable w/.
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Thanks for the lead Josh - might give those a try. Would be ideal if they work since I wouldn't have to buy another mask.
 
razor-edge-knives said:
Luc, you could use these, this is what I used w/ my half mask and I'm 99% sure they would work just fine on that half mask you use. These can be taped off and they have activated carbon in them to filter out paint and stuff like that, in other words, they are more than JUST particulate, which I liked and felt more comfortable w/.

41NNAQ9FM4L.jpg
Click to expand...
I spent a summer working as a luthier here in Texas, working with many different woods, even some that were poisonous or of very fine nature. Used that exact filter, and never had an issue.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk
 
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