Official Luthiers Forum!

I'm looking for some good mask recommendations - just for wood working.

I won't be doing any spraying of finishes as Joe White does mine - but I DO need a good mask as my asthma doesn't like some of the dust I'm kicking up.

Would LOVE to SEE what you are using, how you like it, how comfortable it is, and where to get it.

Thanks

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P A U L B U R N E R
Burner Guitars

I use a 3m half mask respirator with hot pink 2097 filters, good for dust and nuisance level organic vapors like CA. It is quite light and fairly comfy to wear for long periods of time. Don't forget to shave or the seal is compromised.

You really need the half-face respirator type. Even the good paper kind don't seal around your face and most of the air takes the path of least resistance.

I like 3M too. Spring for the more expensive, more comfy material in the mask (silicone, I believe). edit: 7500 series

I tried one of those powered helmet types (Trend Airshield) but with the battery pack in the helmet, it was heavy. The head band had to be tight enough to hold it on that it gave me a headache after an hour.

By the way, 3M seems to control retail prices pretty tightly. I've never found anything on line cheaper than retail. If anyone has a good source, I'd be interested. The stuff is expensive.

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http://www.chassonguitars.com

Same here. I've considered one of these. I know some dust gets past my (sometimes) beard. http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2020033/19327/Power-Mask-Powered-Respirator.aspx


Note: In the original post, Paul is asking about a mask for dust. I use a supplied air hooded system when spraying finishes. I don't want anyone to assume the 3M half mask, or the mask from Woodcraft I'm considering are suitable for spraying finishes. (they may work for some finishes, but I know they aren't suitable for isoycynates)

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I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

I do a lot of lathe work making banjo rims from some fairly exotic woods. The first time I cut granadillo I had a half mask and plastic glasses on and my eyes burned for three days. So I bought this full face mask and have had no problems with any wood I work with. I think it was about $90 from Enco or someone like that.

Pretty cool Penndan - but I bet my glasses won't fit under that thing.

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P A U L B U R N E R
Burner Guitars

Lately I've been using the Dust Bee Gone dust mask I get at Woodcraft. http://www.woodcraft.com/Family/2002089 ... -Mask.aspx It's not cheap at $44 but it can be washed over and over and supposedly will last up to 5 years. I have a large beard and the paper masks are essentially worthless for me. The half face respirators work OK but have to be adjusted too snugly to the point of uncomfortable for extended wear. I also have the full faced-hooded Triton forced air respirator that I use when processing Cocobolo. I am very pleased with the results of the Dust Bee Gone for all general shop work including resawing and sanding. It's light, comfortable, long lived, and works great with my beard.

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Bill Hodge


One does not simply, own enough guitars!

I like this comfortable dust mask from North. It's the CFR-1 model.
http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/northcfr-1dustmaskandfilter.aspx

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Good question Paul, however, I was surprised that you did not ask what micro size the mask is rated for. Comfort is mandatory, but I wonder how many of these get down to the 1 micron or less size? Protection from these small size particles is important too. The fact that many of the manufacturers don't tell us the particle size for which their mask is rated is a sure sign that the particle size is large.

I know its a serious thing ...But.....
is anyone else seeing the potential funny side of this... ?
If I was home right now I wold surely post...

Trend Airace works for me:
http://www.trend-uk.com/en/CZ/product/A ... mask_.html

Lightweight, huge filter area with 0.3 micron filters (and even better ones available), opened face shield (no fogging) that works well with glasses.
Also has filters for chemical fumes but eyes would be exposed in that case, unless wearing appropriate glasses.

My day job is environmental and I deal with this stuff a lot. The dust bee gone is essentially worthless. Less protection than a paper filter.

Wearing a respirator with a beard is also only partially effective.

For sanding you should use a P-100 filter which is a HEPA rated cartridge used in the asbestos industry. I like North respirators but 3M is also good.

Barry, though I agree that P-100 HEPA is likely the best, and I'm aware that your day job is environmental and mean no disrespect to your expertise, can you present documented proof to back up your claim that the dust bee gone is essentially worthless and less protection than a paper filter with a beard? I know through personal experience that I've been getting far better results with the dust be gone than with a paper filter or half face respirator since I have a beard. The condition of my lungs and nasal cavity prove this to me every time after a day of sanding. Since I've been using it I no longer get congestion, rough throat, or stuffy nasal passages after a day of sanding. The only thing I've experienced to be better with a beard is as I mentioned my Triton PRA001 Powered Respirator. If you can present proof on the dust bee gone, I'll simply reduce it to use during yard work. I listen to my body all the time and am quite aware of how it responds to environmental situations. But, I'm certainly willing to believe that it's possible what you're claiming is so if you can present documented studies backing it up.
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As a post script, I might add that I always use powerful and effective dust evacuation during all sanding operations, and I also have a HEPA air cleaning system rated for 1000 sqft. in my 400 sqft shop.

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Bill Hodge


One does not simply, own enough guitars!

Bill, I bought one and noticed that I was very congested after the first day of sanding. I inspected the material under low magnification, and it is made from several layers of a relatively coarse nylon mesh. This is so far from a micron rated filter that it isn't even funny. Sort of like wearing several layers of window screen over your mouth. Also, the manufacturer has no ratings, or industry standard acceptance to indicate performance. The mask does not seal against your face very well. This allows a lot of air to leak in without any filtration. Another annoying thing is that the mask does not stand away from your face, but lays against it. So moisture builds up on your face and the mask rubs against your skin causing some irritation. Just every thing about it is wrong in my book, but if it works for you, then great. But, I have to state my opinion since you are highly recommending it to others.

Understood Barry! And again, I DO respect your expertise since you have a master's in this field. I based my recommendation upon my personal experience and many testimonies of other like me who are also professional woodworkers. I will consciously pay closer attention when using it and if I notice even the slightest amount of stuffiness or congestion, I'll switch yet again! For 30+ years I've been in search of the "perfect" respiratory protector that is also light, non bulky, and comfortable. Yet, it seems that combination just may not be attainable for an old bearded codger like me. I've been doing some searching for anything negative about the dust bee gone and have yet to find any. I appreciate your response.

To everyone else, trust Barry's info over mine since he IS a professional in this field.

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Bill Hodge


One does not simply, own enough guitars!

Here you go Paul,
Just in time for Halloween too.



They are really comfortable , in fact me haven't taken mine of for years now.


Blessings
Padma

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Audiences and dispensations on Thursdays ~ by appointment only.


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As I stated above, I too think this is very important. If there is no rating for the dust mask it SCREAMS to me to pass it by. Getting down to the 0.3 micron level as mentioned is the level where health safety is much improved IMHO. That is what I am looking for in a mask.

I would hope that most woodworkers/luthiers would be concerned about the small particles since these can do much cumulative harm. Since it is cumulative, it is easy to ignore the issue until a health problem becomes more serious.

Ed

Hej Padma,
That is a fine looking mask with the big smile and all. I can't help but wonder about the grey filtering media though. It looks a little coarse for the fine particles (looks fine enough for food and shavings) It looks as if most of it is hanging below or around the edges of the breathing orifices. Wouldn't it be more effective if it was covering the breathing orifices. Of course it wouldn't be as handsome then but health before beauty I always say.
L.

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Cut to size.....Beat to fit.....Paint to match.

OK, I bought the power mask and it does work. Sanded a whole guitar to 150 grit and NO coughing. Seems as though the batts don't last too long, but a couple of sets of NIMH's ought to take care of that. It's comfortable and transmits cool air (better for me with COPD) without me having to huff through a regular filtered mask. It's a positive pressure, so no dust enters the breathing area and works with a beard. I've got 30 days to try it out.

I use a variety of different masks as modeled by my trusty shop companion Sony (I worked for GE when I named him...).

Now thats cool.

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Audiences and dispensations on Thursdays ~ by appointment only.


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Glad you liked it my friend!

Update on the power mask. It's going back. I spent a night coughing and my sinuses are also really swollen. I believe it is from lack of enough filtration in the mask, and that would pump dust right into your lungs and nose.
My recommendation is do not buy this mask.

Haans I do have beard too and I don't find any problem with the airace by trend. The filtering surface is wider than cartridge filters and breathing is easy even if filters are so fine (rated for 0.3 micron particles), air leak from bad fitting of the mask is not noticeable.
I also use a cartridge filter rated 1 micron on my dust extractor so most of the fine particles get in there, but smaller particles mean greater risk so a fine mask is a good complement.

Thanks Marco, I will check them out. I thought that this would be good as it's a half mask and I'm claustrophobic, so a full mask sorta frightens me. Breathing is a lot harder for someone with COPD too, so ease of breathing is a must. I have a 3M half mask for spraying, and it seems very comfortable and lightweight, but am unsure about wearing one for extended periods of time. Weight is very important for me too as I have neck arthritis (Gawd, I'm a wreck).
This profession is about as healthy as being a coal miner, and getting old is not all it's cracked up to be.