Dust Be Gone...or not gone??

[pat_da_rat]

Aust Woodworker ran an article recently (Sept/Oct '07) about this (American?) dust mask called "Dust Be Gone". Since I have a goatee + moustache, the normal paper masks aren't particularly efficient: but this design seems to solve that issue.

Does anyone have any experience/commentary on these dust masks?

[Groggy]

Comments on site here

Actual website home page here

[ss_11000]

jim carrol sells them ( i think ). maybe ask him about them.

[hutch]

pat i have had one for about 3 months use it all the time very comfortable just make sure you follow instructions about putting it on ie not to tight

[Jim Carroll]

There is no trouble with any facial hair with these masks.

The thing that helps with these masks is that you breath through the mask and not into it causing condensation like most other enclosed masks.

By breathing through the mask there is no build up and no fogging of your glasses.

As most people who have seen me I have a reasonable moustach and have no problems with this mask.

The only thing I would not reccomend is using it if you are working with MDF as you are breathing through the mask you are also inhaling throught the mask. Most other timber particles come to the mask and fall of MDF does not and sticks to the mask clogging it up. It does not let it through but makes it very hard to breath through.

As long as you look after the mask and wash out after use and do not scrunch up it will last a long time.

If you want to spray with it it is not reccomended as the same problem with mdf applies. You clog the filament filter.

Have a look here
http://www.cws.au.com./cgi/index.cgi..._id=1107369798

Hope this helps.

[BobL]

Aust Woodworker ran an article recently (Sept/Oct '07) about this (American?) dust mask called "Dust Be Gone". Since I have a goatee + moustache, the normal paper masks aren't particularly efficient: but this design seems to solve that issue.

Does anyone have any experience/commentary on these dust masks?

The "dust be gone" is rated down to 3 micros in particle size. NB it is also not Not NIOSH or OSHA approved.

This scholarly article demonstrates that the majority of the actual volume of dust made by sawing or sanding wood, including MDF, is greater than 10 microns in size. The article also states that MDF has about the same machining and sanding dust size distribution as regular wood. However, this is only half the picture. In terms of actually numbers of particles produced there are still about 1/3 of the total numbers of particles produced below 3 microns. Given that it's the smaller dust particles that do the damage I do not think 3 microns is good enough for a serious face mask especially when working MDF.

I lost my sense of smell for 6 weeks from sanding MDF and as a beard/mustachioed person I now don't use anything less than a full respirator when dealing with this stuff.

[Harry72]

No negative pressure mask will work if you have a beard but you can get away with a mo. They are only as good as the seal achieved on your face, thats why positive pressure masks/helmets are better.

[bobsreturn2003]

have had one for about a year its ok ,not recomended for sanding as the fines get through . also elastic is no good as the washing must have stuffed it , my triton is ok if you like to work in a bucket!! winge winge , if some one comes up with a good answer i will buy one . cheers bob

[keju]

I use my dust-be gone mask every day..... and that is why I recommend it.
I have tried others and none was comfortable enough to wear... I bought them, used them a couple times and then they were laying around - not doing me any good.
The most expensive mask is no good if you don't wear it...... so to me the dust be gone one is the best, because it's comfortable enough to actually wear all the time.
We used to sell it, just sold the last one we had today, but people balk at the price... silly really... what price to put on your health? It does last a long time. mine's 3 years old now and still going strong... just remember to close the velcro before washing .. not letting it touch the fabric... I did and now have some loose fibers that keep tickling my nose!
Juvy