Working with handle material and safety...

[Hawk45]

Got my 3M 7500 half mask and P100 filters on and a face/eye shield to start and grinding outside. Would it be smart to put a fan behind me to make sure that all the particles are blowing away from me (and with the wind), or is this a bad idea by stirring the dust up more? Right now just working with Micarta but have some G10 I want to work with next (pretty blue). Is this a safe setup? Working with handle material freaks me out!

 

[Mahoney]

If the dust is blowing all over you, then the fan might help. If the dust is blowing away from you, you don't need the fan. The less dust in your breathing space, the less dust clogging up your respirator. If you wear your respirator and goggles you are mostly safe...make sure your respirator fits right, keep the filters clean and replace them as needed. Be aware of the dust... (don't remove the respirator then brush off your clothes, etc...) and don't track it into your living area on your clothes or your skin.

 

[james terrio]

You are certainly right to protect your lungs and eyes :thumbup: I use a box fan behind the grinder, blowing towards the wall, with a cheap furnace filter over the "intake" side of the fan. It sucks much (not all) of the dust into the filter. The filters clog up pretty quickly, and need to be vacuumed off at the end of each work-session.
It's not as effective as a proper dust collection system but it does make clean-up a good deal easier.

 

[BRAINESTORM]

3 M makes some paint masks that have a thick cot. pre filter then there main filter . There not real cheap but there for dust a vapors in auto body repairs. As well welding..
And grinding ,if you can do a powder test ,have someone puff the powder while the mask is on ,they will be able to see if any is getting in on the mask fit.. A beard on anyone is a problem with a proper fit.. Go to 3 m sight and check there ratings in each filter.. And as said above less in your space the better,less flying around the better.. Also a propper bag to store the mask some have a shelf life on use..
Greg