whats the best respirator?

Deth

Deth

Joined
May 17, 2008
Messages
121
hello guys, was just wanting to start grinding on some metal and was wondering if someone could recommend the best respirator to use for the job, while grinding on metal, wood etc....
thanks for any advice
 
I use the 3M 6000 series. Have you tried a search on respirators? This topic has been covered many times, but it never hurts to remind people how important they are.
 
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The best one I have found is the newest by 3M..... the 7500 series. These are a half-face mask, with soft, comfortable silicone face pieces, and they have a downward exhaust that keeps safety glasses from fogging up.

Get yourself a good mask and wear it!!! This time last year I was laying in my recliner, recovering from surgery where they had to remove part of my right lung! In the end, the tumor they removed was caused by all the years of me sucking dust and other stuff into my lungs while working in the shop. Protect yourself!!
 
I use MSA Advantage 200LS. Its lighter and softer than the 3M's I've had.
 
I agree with Ed.

I was going to say "the one you wear"

Any paper mask that says "comfort" doesn't even try to work.
Even the ones certified for particles don't fit very well

I like a silicone half mask too . It's soft warm and pliable, fits better
There are different sizes s, m, l, xl, and the retail stores don't carry all sizes.

Go to an industrial safety supplier and they can trial fit you to the right size.
They will also carry and show you the filter types.
Once you have your mask, they will also have replacement filters to fit it year after year, where the retail stores will sometimes carry a different brand each year.

You want to protect yourself against 2 things
Dust
Bad vapour

The P100 is a particle filter that protects against dust.
You can also get a cheap over filter that keeps most of the dust out of the main filter.

An organic vapour cartridge will protect against some vapours like acetone when gluing up, and the formaldehyde fumes that off-gas when you sand micarta/G10.

Both 3M 7500 and North 7700 are good.
http://www.labsafety.com/NORTH-7700-Series-Half-Mask-Respirator_24527529/
http://www.labsafety.com/search/3m+7500/24527525/
 
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Thanks guys,

I've been using a P100 mask but it is not silicone and I don't trust the fit enough to bet my life on it. I'm going to Airgas this week for one of the 3Ms and multiple cartridges.

PS -

12345678910,

Sorry for the off-topic, but I saw you spell "vapour" and checked your bio. I was born in the US but my family is from Thunder Bay. I spent two weeks at camp with my family in ON this past summer, as I did as a child on vacation. Beautiful. Here's a photo from the lake.

Erik

-4825.jpg
 
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If you can find a 3M PAPR system, they work great. They are especially good for people with facial hair or those who have trouble finding a mask that fits properly.
 
Ed Caffrey said:
The best one I have found is the newest by 3M..... the 7500 series. These are a half-face mask, with soft, comfortable silicone face pieces, and they have a downward exhaust that keeps safety glasses from fogging up.

Get yourself a good mask and wear it!!! This time last year I was laying in my recliner, recovering from surgery where they had to remove part of my right lung! In the end, the tumor they removed was caused by all the years of me sucking dust and other stuff into my lungs while working in the shop. Protect yourself!!
Click to expand...

I use the 7500 for all the reasons mentioned above. the downward exhaust is a mega plus.
 
As 1234567890 said "Go to an industrial safety supplier and they can trial fit you to the right size." A good fit is very important. Any leakage could potentially expose the user to particulates or nasty vapors. I was fortunate enough to have to use a respirator at a previous job. When I left the company, they let me keep the respirator. I can get replacement cartridges at Grainger (about a mile from my place).

Ric
 
I use a 3m Breathe Easy. It's pricey, but I found a good price on ebay for a new unit. It's a bit bulky, but I am much more comfortable in it than the hot, muggy, suffocating mask.

--nathan
 
thank you guys for all advice after reading this just remembered their is a Grainger about 15 mins away from my house. will be going over there in the next couple of days and see what i can get into. again, thank you guys for your advice
 
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