Fred McClellan <[email protected]> wrote:
> A popular mask is the MSA 'DustFoe', available from Highland Hardware
> http://www.tools-for-woodworking.com/subcatmfgprod.asp?0=335&1=338&2=-1&6=1.
I second that suggestion. I just got one and it is comfortable and
light enough that I don't mind wearing it, the exhaled air is directed
so that it doesn't fog my glasses, and most important of all it fits
well and seems to do a very good job.
--
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On Sun, 21 Sep 2003 22:16:08 -0400, "Alexander Galkin"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>I am looking for good quality long lasting convenient dust mask or
>respirator. Any suggestions and where to buy.
It's really best to have both a mask that's only for dust and a
respirator that filters dust and fumes. Comfort masks are okay, but I
always feel they don't fit right. I bought a rubber dust mask with
replacable filter from OSH. It has one filter element with one
inhalation valve and two exhalation valves. It has a one piece rubber
head/neck band. I like this mask over my old mask that had only one
exhalation valve and elastic head and neck bands that you had to hook
together. I prefer the more expensive rubber masks over the cheaper
comfort masks. I think the brand I bought is AO, but I see similar
masks in WWing catalogs.
To me the rubber is more comfortable and the fit is better. To check
if the mask is sitting properly on your face cover the exhalation
valves with your palms and gently exhale. If you feel air coming out
from the nose bridge lower the mask.
The reason I say to get two types of masks is if you just buy a
respirator for fumes and use it for finishing *and* sawing tasks the
charcoal element will prematurely wear out and that can get expensive
in the long run replacing filters. Store your respirator in an air
tight container and use it only when you're working with noxious fumes
and use the rubber dust mask for sawing jobs.
When I air brushing a painting for a college project I used a dust
mask when I sprayed the acrylic paint and switched to a fume
respirator when I cleaned up with solvents.
Layne
Yes. Mask fit is very important. 3M makes masks in different sizes.
You go to your local safety equipment dealer and they can fit you.
Thankfully for me the AO Safety dust mask I got fit well...otherwise I
would've returned it. Also, it's not ideal to use such masks with a
beard as thick facial hair creates gaps.
Layne
On 22 Sep 2003 08:54:09 -0700, [email protected] (tastbits) wrote:
>I second these ideas. I use a North (rubber) mask with dust filters,
>but also have organic solvent filters to use when painting or using
>certain finishes. I use the North mask because it fits my face the
>best, but you should try other brands also to make sure that you get a
>good fit. After all, you only get one set of lungs (usually) so the
>cost of a good mask pays for itself in the long run.
I second these ideas. I use a North (rubber) mask with dust filters,
but also have organic solvent filters to use when painting or using
certain finishes. I use the North mask because it fits my face the
best, but you should try other brands also to make sure that you get a
good fit. After all, you only get one set of lungs (usually) so the
cost of a good mask pays for itself in the long run.
On Sun, 21 Sep 2003 22:16:08 -0400, "Alexander Galkin"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>I am looking for good quality long lasting convenient dust mask or
>respirator. Any suggestions and where to buy.
>
A popular mask is the MSA 'DustFoe', available from Highland Hardware
http://www.tools-for-woodworking.com/subcatmfgprod.asp?0=335&1=338&2=-1&6=1.
Also have a look at the MSA Advantage 200 respirator
http://www.tools-for-woodworking.com/product.asp?0=0&1=0&3=1706
The price difference between the two isn't much, but the price
difference between the replacement filters is considerable.
Having said that, the MSA respirator (Advantage 200) can be fitted
with cartridges to deal with just about anything you can possibly run
across.
Cheers,
Fred McClellan
the dash plumber at mindspring dot com