Dust mask

[groeneaj]

The dusk in the garage from planning, routing etc is starting to really effect me. Especially the mdf. I have dust extraction for most of my tools, but that wont eliminate the fine dust.
I'm looking to buy a dust mask- Hoping to spend between $50-100. I'm only a hobbyist so it won't be for everyday use.

Can anyone recommend what to look for in a dust mask?
Thanks, Andy

[Sturdee]

I use the "Dust be gone " mask from Carrolls and I'm happy with that, of course that is in addition to the fine dust room filters from Carbatec.


Peter.

[groeneaj]

I use the "Dust be gone " mask from Carrolls and I'm happy with that, of course that is in addition to the fine dust room filters from Carbatec.


Peter.

Thanks Peter - I just ordered one from Carrolls.
Do you just rinse it out at the end of the day and hang it outside to dry?

[Sturdee]

Thanks Peter - I just ordered one from Carrolls.
Do you just rinse it out at the end of the day and hang it outside to dry?

No, about once a week as it doesn't get very dusty in my workshop with all the other extractions working.

However on very hot days I do it several times a day and put it on damp as it's nice to breathe in cold air.


Peter.

[RufflyRustic]

Glad to hear you invested in the Dust Be Gone mask. I got one recently and it is just brilliant!

[old pete]

Hi Groengeaj,

I use a Sundstrom SR 100. Silicon rubber mask. Fitted with primary particle filter and secondary pleated filter cartridge. I measure its efficacy in stopping dust in terms that I cannot smell Huon Pine when machining it and wearing this mask.

Very light to wear, extremely comfortable and absolutely zero problem with fogging up the glasses. I'm on my second one. I got about 10 or 12 years out of the first which was a heavier rubber model and eventually perished around the edges.

Old Pete

[Frank&Earnest]

The Dustbeegone blurb says that it works with beards also. How can they make this claim? BTW, even if it is actually good to 3 um, it is not enough to avoid the really bad stuff anyway.

[groeneaj]

I received my dust bee mask in the mail yesterday!
Quick delivery and good customer service - very happy.
I'll put it to use this weekend

[issatree]

Hi groeneaj,
What are you making with the MDF?.
Mate, if you keep sanding that stuff, you may end up 6ft. under.
It is 1 of the most Dangerous Materials you can use.
There will not be to many, if any, Masks to stop that dust.
Just trying to be helpful.
Regards,
issatree.

[Frank&Earnest]

There will not be to many, if any, Masks to stop that dust.

Not many, but they are quite available. https://www.woodworkforums.com/f8/lungs-116676/

[groeneaj]

Hi groeneaj,
What are you making with the MDF?.
Mate, if you keep sanding that stuff, you may end up 6ft. under.
It is 1 of the most Dangerous Materials you can use.
There will not be to many, if any, Masks to stop that dust.
Just trying to be helpful.
Regards,
issatree.

Hey mate,
I'm not sanding mdf. Just cutting it on the odd occasion.

[Manuka Jock]

The Dustbeegone blurb says that it works with beards also. How can they make this claim? BTW, even if it is actually good to 3 um, it is not enough to avoid the really bad stuff anyway.

Frank ,
I wear a beard , and the DustBeeGone works well for me.
They come in about 3 sizes , and the trick is to get the largest one .
I also wear specs , and they stay fog free

[Frank&Earnest]

I have no doubt that it is comfortable in any situation: it is just a piece of cloth over the face. Muslim women seem not to mind that at all, beard or not.

The problem is that where the edge is lifted from the skin by the beard there is no seal and by breathing in you could be sucking in more dust from the gaps than through the cloth. If you read the linked thread you will see that the effectiveness of the seal and the particle size issues have been canvassed extensively.

My concern is that, while it is true that some protection is better than nothing, that could lull people in taking more risks that they would otherwise. Like wearing a condom with a pinprick hole.

[Manuka Jock]

I have no doubt that it is comfortable in any situation: it is just a piece of cloth over the face. Muslim women seem not to mind that at all, beard or not.

The problem is that where the edge is lifted from the skin by the beard there is no seal and by breathing in you could be sucking in more dust from the gaps than through the cloth. If you read the linked thread you will see that the effectiveness of the seal and the particle size issues have been canvassed extensively.

My concern is that, while is true that some protection is better than nothing, that could lull people in taking more risks that they would otherwise. Like wearing a condom with a pinprick hole.

If you are afraid of dust give up woodwork .