What's the absolute best respirator/mask out there ???

RDT

RDT

Joined
Dec 17, 1999
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Anyone out there have the absolute best respirator ? I have two crappy ones. They do the job but then again, I still get some dust in after a while. As well, what about one that will keep dust out but also keep out fume ? Thanks guys.....RDT
 
Its kind of like a gun.. The ONE YOU HAVE! Or the best one you can afford;) I use the dual cannister types you see just about anywhere.. You arent ever going to get all of the crap from entering your lungs but you can do the best you can..
Bob Loveless gives us ALL hope for our futures..:D
 
I'd recommend a PAPR (Powered Air Purifying Respirator). 3M and others make them. Provides HEPA filtered air under positive pressure.
For soldering, get a cartridge mask like Trace recommends or a welding fume nose-mask.

RJ Martin
 
I use a North 7700 series. Fits well and is comfortable to wear, and a huge selection of filters and pre-filters are available. MSC carry them.
If I decide to do more with the Liquid Metal, I'm taking RJs advice:)
 
Before I got into knifemaking, I had a really cool USN issue gas mask that used standard respirator canisters and had a replaceable full face shield. That's the best one I've used. I have no idea what happened to it since then. :(
 
Thanks guys ! I will look into all of those. Takecare.....RDT
 
I think a good fitting respirator is the first requirement Most companies make them in various sizes,shop for a brand that fits yourself.
 
Make sure that the cartridge is rated for P100(Purple in color)for dust,Combination filter(different label colors for different vapors)with purple cartridge.We use the yellow label for most of our welding jobs or a air hood.

Tony
 
how about this one?

mug03.jpg


(pardon the ugly mug):rolleyes:


By the way, having a thick beard makes using a mask interesting...

The mask never really gets true suction, but on the other hand, the beard does a decent job of "filtering" dust (but not odors, of course ;) ).

oh well...

Dan
 
DAn, that's the very same one that I have ! I also have another for vapor and dust but it doesn't do the job as well as I'd hoped. That's a decent one that you and I have though. ....RDT
 
Like RDT, I'm also trying to get a handle on the whole dust/vapor mask thing. I have been using Moldex N99 rated masks for "regular" wood dust. For not so friendly wood dusts (exotic woods) and stabilized woods (phenolic resins), micarta, G10 and everything else that one puts to a belt grinder I am looking for a recommendation for cartridges for my North 7700 half mask.

The North system has 6 different cartridges (different vapor combinations) that also have the highest rating for particulate matter (P100). I've noticed that 3M has similar cartridges. My question is which one would you use and would one filter also work for off – grinder activities such as soldering and welding. I think (?) I should use the North "Defender" cartridge – seen here on this web page:

http://www.rjsafety.com/RSNC.html


This web page shows "Advantage" brand respirator cartridges in an easy to read chart. They have some of the color ratings Tony referred to.

http://calsafety.buyol.com/Item/GMA815355.htm


I'd appreciate any advice.


Bob
 
Bob, for the things you mentioned, you will need canisters for organic vapor, AND formaldehyde. A double canister. Getting cotton dust prefilters will help your canisters last longer, as will keeping your mask in a ziploc bag when not in use.
 
Thanks, Mike. The North "defender" is rated for organic vapor, and formaldehyde. It also has a P100 pre-filter. It looks like this may do the trick. I'm not too sure, though, what you mean by double cannister - the 7700 uses two cannisters - is that it?

Thanks, Bob
 
I'm using a 3M 7500 series respirator from EnviroSafetyProducts.com. Cheap prices, and when the one I ordered had a snapped buckle, they sent me another one immediately.

The 7500 is pretty comfortable, though I have nothing else to compare it with. Very easy to put on, and it seals nicely around the mouth and nose. Using 3M's #60926 Multi Gas/Vapor/P100 cartridges, I've never smelled anything from outside.

The only problem with the 7500 is that I worry about one of the plastic buckles snapping with repeated use. I don't use mine all that often, plus I have the spare, so I'm not terribly concerned.
 
Originally posted by southriv
Thanks, Mike. The North "defender" is rated for organic vapor, and formaldehyde. It also has a P100 pre-filter. It looks like this may do the trick. I'm not too sure, though, what you mean by double cannister - the 7700 uses two cannisters - is that it?

Thanks, Bob
Click to expand...


No, they are usually just thicker cartridges, sorta like a double stack, all in one type thing. If yours are rated that way, great.
One other thing, Micarta contains Phenol, as well as Formaldehyde, either of which can absorb into the body through contact with the skin. The cartridges will handle the vapors and breathable dust, but get any off your skin as soon as possible. If it's hot, and you are sweating, it's worse. Either wear long sleeved shirts :eek:, or have a powerful fan direct the stuff away from you. I like Micarta, but am extremely sensitive to phenol, and formaldehyde, so it's a pain for me to use. And, I got that way from a good dose of that stuff when I first started knifemaking, not using a respirator. :( ;)
 
www.airwareamerica.com i have the AS200 model. it is a fully self contained darth vader helmet and face sheild. you wear a battery pack on your belt. its over $600 to the door, but i wish i had bought it a few years ago. like before i became alergic to cocobolo and breathed a bunch of micarta dust! that was with useing a 3M 6000 HEPA half mask. also nothimg beats fresh air over your face instead of that puddle of water that collects in the reperator. :barf:
 
RhinoKnives,

I'm having some trouble interpreting the documents on the various 3M respirators. Is the AS200 more effective than the 6000, or what knife materials are each better suited for?

I need to get something for grinding carbon fiber, and the AS200 certainly looks less cumbersome than a lot of other respirators, but I'd rather not make a trade-off between safety and convenience.
 
Originally posted by gaben
RhinoKnives,

I'm having some trouble interpreting the documents on the various 3M respirators. Is the AS200 more effective than the 6000, or what knife materials are each better suited for?

I need to get something for grinding carbon fiber, and the AS200 certainly looks less cumbersome than a lot of other respirators, but I'd rather not make a trade-off between safety and convenience.
Click to expand...

I'll tell you what I'm using. 3-M 6200 mask, and 6005 cartridges, with cotton prefilters, and the adapter to snap them on over the cartridges. The cartridges in this mask angle back, and don't interfere with my vision, or with using a face shield if needed.
They protect against organic vapors, etc., and formaldehyde.

I can't say which is more effective, but I'd lean towards the AS200 with proper filters. But I am sensitive to chemicals now, and the half mask works OK for me.
 
the airware system is far superior to the half mask systems the filters are hepa rated. also the mosture that collect in the filtered masks will keep any dust that gets in bubbleing around in there. kind of like drinking bong/waterpipe juice if you did that stuff :barf:
 
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