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What am I looking for when buying a respirator?

One particular one that I'm looking at says "OV/AG/P100" "NIOSH Approved"

It says use for: Paint and pesticide sprays/vapors, muriatic acid, lead abatement, asbestos and mold abatement

Is this ok for spraying anything from waterbase to Nitro?

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Thanks,
Blain

http://www.ullrichguitar.com

"89.67% of all statistics are made up on the spot."

I use the 3M 7000 series...they cost a bit more than the 6000 series but are far more comfortable...trust me, if you wear it for very long you will appreciate the difference!

So I googled "NIOSH Approved" and found that the P100 means the following:

"P100 Filters at least 99.97% of airborne particles. Strongly resistant to oil. "

Also the OV & AG are as follows:
Organic Vapor/Acid Gas

I'm guessing it's ok, but would still like to hear someone else's comment.

No where does it say "OSHA Approved"

_________________
Thanks,
Blain

http://www.ullrichguitar.com

"89.67% of all statistics are made up on the spot."

http://www.ehso.com/respprotection02.htm

OSHA is the bases for safety standards in the US (I think)

I also like to use a full face respirator, especially when spraying. I use have the 3M 6000 series http://www.coleparmer.ca/Catalog/produc ... ku=4011312 and find it plenty comfortable enough. Mind you, I'm not wearing it every day either.

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"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

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Rod, does that 6000 come with ALL the inital parts (cartridges, etc)?

Mike

I use the 7000 series too. Half mask for general duty and full mask when fumes are in the air. Definitely get the silicone rubber type. Much more comfortable for long periods.
The ratings (NIOSH, OSHA, etc.) are dependent on which filter elements you screw onto it. For vapors (lacquer, etc) I use the charcoal filled cartridges with a pre filter to extend the life of the charcoal element. For particles (sanding, etc) I use the pleated paper cartridge.
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/pr ... 1=Masks%2C

This place also has a good assortment of safety gear:
http://www.envirosafetyproducts.com/

-C

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Freeborn Guitars
and home of BeauGuard©

Blain, that cartridge is sort of a jack-of-all trades. It will work but is sort of overkill. You don't need to worry about acid gases. An organic vapor cartridge is needed for finishing, and a P100 is good for sanding. So if you get a cartridge that has those two, you will be set.

Has anybody besides me noticed the huge price difference at coleparmer (using the US pricing logo)?? $370 at Grainger, $255 at coleparmer. (3m 7000)

Mike

Thanks all.
This gives me a clear picture of what to look for in a respirator.

_________________
Thanks,
Blain

http://www.ullrichguitar.com

"89.67% of all statistics are made up on the spot."

Mike, I think those prices do not include the cartridges. There are many to choose from for many different applications. Chas and Barry have given great advise on the cartridges.

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My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

So, are you saying that grainger includes cartridges and coleparmer does not? Or are both offering the same base package at different prices?

Mike

I doubt the price differential that you describe is caused by lack of any sort of cartridge...you can get the 7000 series half mask at Hell Depot for under $50 with charcoal cartridges and the associated outer filter included...the refill pack of cartridges and outer filter cost $19.95....the respirator's instructions indicate you only need to use one filter on each cartridge, and this one can only assume that they include extras (4 total are given) for replacement when the outer filter gets clogged up (and this one also assumes that the charcoal cartridge is still viable)...

as a note I have never been in any way impressed with the prices at Grainger...

Really? HD sells the half mask? (3m 7000)

Mike

That's where I got mine. I've used a lot of respirators and the 3m 7000 is about as comfortable as they get.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

My latest Grainger mailer has the 7700 series (1/2 mask type) on sale (you know the economy is in the tank if Grainger has a sale!) for $20 something and the filters too (prices depend on which filters). You might need to have an account to get that pricing, or call them and ask for it.
-C

_________________
Freeborn Guitars
and home of BeauGuard©

The best mask is whichever one fits airtight and comfortable on your face. Most cartridges are interchangeable if they use the bayonet mount (three tabs that interlock). It may be nice if the mask comes with organic vapor cartridges, but these are an expendable shop supply. Buy extras and change them as soon as you catch a whiff of solvent through them (about 9-10 hours of use in typical concentrations, but YMMV).

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

I went to the HD website... I guess I am missing something... no mention of 3M anything. But, the masks do look like the 3m masks.

Mike

EDIT: OK, I found the half masks, 3M. 6000 series only on the HD site. For the kind of stuff we do, there is no need for full face? Not even sure if I would want to wear that!

what about this one?

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=p ... lpage=none

For dust, I have a hood that covers my entire head and delivers filtered air under slight pressure. Thus, leaks around the edge are irrelevant, and I was always having leaks with masks. The slightest dust bothers my asthma. The particular one I have does NOT filter chemical fumes, which you would need to do for most finishes.

I was wrong - I'm using that one which is a 6000 series mask. I'm happy with it for what I'm doing in my shop. I use it for finishing and also when I sand certain woods like Cocobollo or use a lot of CA like when I do bindings. I used to use a pressurized full-face mask when I sprayed a 2-part epoxy coating on large pieces of equipment for the commercial diving industry. If I was sensitive to anything or was spraying nasties again I would definitly go with that setup again. I think of respirators much the same way I think of good dust collection, it may be expensive but is a small price to pay ....

_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Here's the Graingers ad:

-C

_________________
Freeborn Guitars
and home of BeauGuard©

I went and got the 6000. Looks very adequate and is comfortable. At Lowes, they have at least three places where they stock respirators. Finally, I found it in the paint department near the solvents.

Mike