What is a good respirator to get?

Crayola

Crayola

Joined
Sep 23, 1999
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I was going to get one today at the local store, but I read the back of the package. It said that it wasn't for use around formaldehyde (spelling?), acid, etc. Too bad, said I, as handle materials contain formaldehyde, phenol, etc. And, when I go visit Robert Dockrell, I'll be around acid and oil mist and such while forging.

What respirator do i need?
 
Crayola, I would ask Chang on this one.He is the new resident expert on such matters.I believe he wears his to bed ,along with his kevlar gloves and his chain mail apron.I can't help you,as I am one of those big beard and black booger fellows.Dave:D :D :D :D

Sorry Chang,Couldn't resist
 
Dave: Nope, don't wear it while I sleep, but I wear it when I'm in the garage, even hours after I'm grinding with the double garage door open :D. People give me funny stares when they are walking across the street and see me in the garage with a shower of sparks wearing a gas mask. Probably will get funnier stares now that my work coat is a woodland camouflage jacket (washes easier than my old one).

Cray: I'm no expert, so take what I say at your own risk. You should probably call 3M or North or whichever company is going to make your respirator. If you get your lungs hurt, don't sue me. :) If you're up against a hazardous concentration of formaldehyde, acid fumes, and oil mist, you should probably invest in a set of Organic Vapor/Acid (OV/Acid) cartridges and prefilters in P95 or P100 (P100 is better, but I haven't found it necessary).

I would suggest a 3M 6200 (which is medium, if you are small, get a 6100, and large is 6300) half mask respirator. I've worn a North 7700 before at someone else's place, and I think its slightly more comfortable, but it's probably harder to get cartridges for.

http://www.envirosafetyproducts.com/html/Subcategories/6000series.htm
This website shows you what a 3M 6000 series half mask looks like, and also shows you the cartridges. Cartridge #6001 (organic vapor) is what I use, and it works OK for me, but I don't go up against acid, and I rarely grind Micarta (formaldehyde/phenol fumes). For about $0.65 more, you can get a #6003 (organic vapor/acid gas), which probably will work for you. Not sure though, you should probably call a respirator company like 3M and find out.

That's the gas and fumes part, you will need protection against mist and particles too. Earlier I wrote that you should get a P95 or P100 (I think they make a P98 or 99 too, that should work too). I use a 95%, which is the lower efficiency and protection of the bunch, but I have yet to smell any funky particles or get steel boogers. I do not think that the grinder puts out particles so small that that the 95% filter could not stop it before it became of a harmful concentration. I use a N95, but I don't go up against oil based particles and mists. The difference between the N and P filters is that P handles oil based hazards. On that website, they sell P95 filters as well, you should get those if you decide to go with the prefilters. You'll need a pair of 501 retainers too. I suggest getting two pairs, because I have had one get damaged.

To assemble, put the gas/fume cartridge on, then put the particulate prefilter over it, and then snap the retainer over it to lock it in place. This system works good for me. Hope this info helps you.

Stay safe! (That means respirator, glasses, goggles, face shield, ear plugs, coat, chemical resistant apron, and boots) :)
 
Thanks Chang! With your info and an article I have in a Knives Illustrated mag, I am armed to search my city for a good mask.
 
If you are going to be working around/grinding Micarta, Pakkawood,Dymondwood, then you will need a set of cartridges for organic vapor/formaldehyde, if you are working around acids/vapors, I would contact the manufacturer for the correct info. The 3-M #6005 is an organic vapor/formaldehyde cartridge, the # to call at 3-M co is 1-800-243-4630. good luck.
 
#6003 is the OV/Acid Gas cartridge.

Does anyone know how much protection a OV cartridge alone gives against formaldehyde (if any)?
 
Chang, not much and not for any length of time, which is why they make an organic vapor/formaldehyde dual cartridge. This is an area that is frought with litigation and bad info(not yours), I find it best to go right to the source on things like this(the respirator mfg.,safety people) you can get the straight info without losing anything in the retelling. Here are a couple of toxic warning sites.http://www.ci.tucson.az.us/arthazards/wood2.html
 
So I went out today to a tool store to check on respirators. They have a 3M 6200 (like Chang suggested!) and 6001 cartridges. All they have are 6001 replacement cartridges too. I'm going to call around tomorrow to see if ther else anything local. If not, I suspect my best bet would be to get that mask and order some formaldehyde filters online. Unless anyone else has a better idea!
 
Mike, Cray: I contacted 3M asking about the protection offered by their OV and OV/Acid Gas cartridges, and also as to whether certain phenol bonded sanding belts would put off formaldehyde at dangerous levels. I'll report what I find here when they reply. I normally do not work with phenol resin material, and my OV cartridge usually stops all the smell (so probably not causing any lung damage). Might check into a #6003 or #6005 for improved protection though.
 
Sweet Chang! Thanks!

If the 6001 will do the deed, I will be VERY pleased! if not, I;ll have to go back to the drawing board!
 
Well... 6001 works for me, but remember that I only work metal and natural handle materials. I also go by the smell system to judge whether I'm getting lung damage. If I can't smell anything, my cartridges work. Probably isn't the best idea when working with acids or oil mists/fumes.
 
Having had to wear a respirator at my previous employment, I can tell you that North makes the most comfortable respirator IMHO. They have a wide array of cartridges for different circumstances. The light lowprofile dust cartridges are good for most of what we do. Then just switch cartridges to an organic vapors cartridge when needed.
 
Found out something new about the 6001 cartridges today. Work real good for taking out the garbage. My mom bought a can of crab meat, and for some reason, it got some major botulism or food poisoning in the can, because it started to swell up to almost twice the size. My mom was curious as to what it looked like inside, so she opened up the can and she said it let out the grossest smell ever. When my brother got home, it almost made him pass out, so my folks told me to put on my mask and take the garbage out. Worked great, didn't smell anything. :D
 
Cray, Update: for formaldehyde, 3M told me to use OV/Formaldehyde cartridge (6005). They also said for grinding and sanding, add particle pre-filters.
 
Thanks Chang.

I went to Sears the other day and found a respirator that comes with cartridges good for oil mist whatevers and formaldehyde. I'll probably go with that, as I suspect it covers a knife mkaer's needs. It ought to for the price. It comes with prefilters that are good for 99.somethingorother percent, which is better than the minimum 95 you told me to look for Chang. Looks like I found me a winner :)

Thansk all for your input.
 
Simple rule:
if you can smell it with the mask on, It ain't workin! If you can smell it in the shop, you NEED a venting system or dust collector!
The heavy stuff falls to the floor.
The microfine particles that float around the shop for hours after your done grinding and accumulate in your lungs over time will kill you.
 
Robert: my shop is a big bench OUTSIDE! The wind (we get REAL wind here, like 55 MPH and above on occasion!) is my dust removal system. I have those aspects covered :)

Chang: the filters/pre-filters were right under the mask. :) Lucky for me, the GF gets a discount at Sears too! :)

I think I have found the mask I'll get then. Thanks everyone for the help.
 
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