Respirator recommendations, Please!!

R

RJ Martin

Joined
Oct 26, 1998
Messages
933
Knifemakers: I am looking for a State-of the-Art respirator for G10 and Carbon Fiber dust. Besides total filtration, I would also like easy-on and off, and reasonable comfort. It needs to fit under a full face shield.
If you can recommend one you have used, where to buy, etc, I'd be greatful.

thanks,

RJ Martin
 
RJ,
I have been using the 3M 6300 series for several years now. It can be set up with just dust filters or any combinatioin of vapor cartridges. For G10, CF, and stabilized wood, I found that the organic vapor cartridges combined with the dust filters work the best. They remove all but the strongest smell of G10. I get mine through Wilson Safety, I think MSC carries them.
In order to attach the dust filters over the vapor cartridges you need adapters that they sell also. I'm not sure how this will fit under a face shield. 3M makes a face shield/respirator combination that uses the same filters as the 6300 respirator.
The company I work for bought several of every type of respirator that was available and the 3Ms are the most popular.
Feel free to email me if you have any questions.
Neil

------------------
New Hawkbill Pics!
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Meeting/5520/index.html

 
I use a Racal Air Mate II. Basically it is a hard hat with a face shield mounted. Air is filtered in a belt mounted battery powered unit and fed into the back of the helmet to exit over the forehead behind the shield. An optional beard guard closes the opening between the shield and your face with an exit valve for the air below the chin.

I like the added security of the face shield as well as the air filtration.

------------------
george
www.tichbourneknives.com
sales@tichbourneknives.com


 
george, these things sound cool. what's the average cost, who sells em? are they confortable? thanks, brian
 
Magnum, thats what I was trying to tell you about in your dust collectors thread.I just checked my latest woodcraft catalog and they quit carrying them though. I don't know where to get them now. I don't know how long ago they quit, I just remembered seeing them once and thinking they looked better than the standard respirator. Good luck.

------------------
Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
 
The air fed systems do work very well! At my full time job we have a walk in bead blast room! Two people that work with that have air fed systems. They are fed by a special commpressor.
I have catologs at work that have basic ones all the way up to big dollar systems.
If anyone is interested, Email me
cool.gif
I am off until next moday so it will be a week before I get the info
frown.gif

Neil

------------------
New Hawkbill Pics!
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Meeting/5520/index.html



[This message has been edited by Dr.Lathe (edited 01-03-2000).]
 
Sorry George!
I was posting at the same time you were!
$400 isn't a bad price. I remember one system that had everything including the little compressor for around $650. I cant remember what catalog it was in though
confused.gif

Neil

------------------
New Hawkbill Pics!
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Meeting/5520/index.html



[This message has been edited by Dr.Lathe (edited 01-03-2000).]
 
These air units sound interesting-are they bulky or cumbersome-my shop is small, and I do LOTS of moving around in close quarters. Also, does the unit blow air over your eyes-could be a prob, as I wear contacts.

Thanks for your help on this-I will investigate the 3M series 3600 tonight.

Feel free to respons here or email me offline.

RJ Martin
 
RJ..(Think it was you that I met at the NYC Show in Nov...parked my coat with ya... I was with Chris Hatin)
I do a LOT with G-10 & CF and wear a 3M Resp. However, I still have residue in my nose/ears after a grinding session (and I also have a dust collector.) With the ammount of material u must grind I agree with these guys that the best that you can get is worth it.....

------------------
Nonmetalic G-10&CarbonFiber Knives:http://www.geocities.com/bladewiz/bladewiz.html
 
Guys: Am looking into a belt worn unit by 3M-provides filtered air under pressure to a facepiece-looks like the cat's a--, well, you know...
Thing that looks great is that the facepiece looks lightweight, since you're not carrying the weight of the respirator with your neck. Also, keeps you cool in summertime.

I'll let you know. I may be meeting a rep from 3M in the near future.

Can't wait to see the bill for this one......

RJ Martin
 
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. I have a beard and this one fits and seems to work better than the countless others I have tried. I get it from MSC.

Wish someone had told me about masks and dust 28 years ago. All those early years of grinding steel and exotic woods will probably be what does me in.

All you guys just starting out, take my advice and spend the money for the best respirator you can get, and wear it.
 
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 bigas (flatulence)and the pump transfers said biogas directly into the olefactory region.
eek.gif




------------------
george
www.tichbourneknives.com
sales@tichbourneknives.com


[This message has been edited by george tichbourne (edited 01-05-2000).]

[This message has been edited by george tichbourne (edited 01-05-2000).]

[This message has been edited by george tichbourne (edited 01-05-2000).]
 
George,
This is why I suggested the organic vapor cartridges! My wife will walk up behind me in the shop, yell, possibly through something at me........ I'm wearing my respirator......She hears me yell back a muffled " I don't smell anything "
biggrin.gif

Then I have peace and quiet for at least a few hours!
Neil

------------------
New Hawkbill Pics!
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Meeting/5520/index.html

 
Guys: Thanks to your recomendation, I am purchasing a papr made by 3m. this unit, known as an "air mate" costs about $500, and has an hepa filter. i discussed the need for the organic vapor cartridges with a 3m rep, and, because I also run a dust collector and don't build up too much heat, any odor is classified as "nuisance" and doesn't pose a health problem.
really looking forward to using this unit-i'll post again in a few weeks when I've gotten the darn thing.
btw, the model that uses an organic vapor cartridge costs about $1000, and filters are almost $400 for 6. OUCH!!!!

RJ Martin
 
Guys: I just re-read your posts, and, I finally fot the one about the smell. I almost fell off the chair!
In reference to the emitted gasses being sucked directly in, well, mine don't smell bad to me anyway! HA!

As to fit, the unit I bought has a Tyvek headpiece that covers your head, and goes under your chin. There is an acrylic face shield, and that is all. There are no cartridges, and, the pre-filtered air is simply blown into the headpiece. So, there is no fit issue. This was my main reason for switching from the conventional styles-I always found grey trails INSIDE THE MASK that led up my nose. Not good.
Also, my neck is only slightly shorter than a small giraffe's, and, the weight of the respirator combined with always looking down really tires out my back.
I was not really planning to get into this as far as I did, but, now, I think the money will be well spent.

RJ Martin
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top