Shopsmith Forums

What dust masks (if any) do you guys use? I do not have a paranoid type of personality, and I know a lot of ideas are blown way out of proportion in today's gov/law umbrella of protecting ourselves from ourselves, but I do also recognize the need to limit the amount of wood dust you intake. I just don't want to go crazy. And ... I particularly dislike face masks, hoods, helmets, etc. Currently I use a cheap 3M mask (designated for the job), but even that fogs the glasses at times and is hard to use with ear muffs (as a musician I like to protect my ears ) etc.

What say you, what do some of you experts recommend?

Thanks in advance!

Dust masks with an inhalation (breathing) valve in them don't tend to fog up glasses unless there is a lot of exertion and heavier breathing. I have a mask with canisters as well, but usually rely on the paper masks with breathing valves

John

I have fairly recently purchased a 3M 6000 series mask. It has interchangeable filters so you can switch between dust, fumes, maybe other stuff. No fogging problems.

If you're decide to buy one, I saw lots of recommendations to buy the mask in person to ensure getting the right size. I bought mine at a paint store.

I use the 3M 6503QL http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IF7 ... UTF8&psc=1
The nice thing about it is you can flip a lever to move the mask down and away to talk or get a drink without taking it off.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JK7eIjiaPxA[/youtube]

This mask is very light weight and comfortable. I use the 3M 2297 filters. They run around $10 a pair but they are cheaper by the dozen. I recently paid $7 a pair for a dozen pairs.

I also use a 3M Half-Face dust mask. I have had it for 20 years, it is made of silicone and came in three sizes. It is for dust only and uses round replaceable filter elements. It is very comfortable to wear, even with my glasses.

I don't want to hijack this discussion or divert it but have some related questions. I'll post this under SAWDUST in a separate post.

OK guys, I see that some of you do wear some kind of mask. Certain wood doesn't bother me at all, and some (like cedar) kills me LOL. I will look into getting one of those 3M masks with the filters.

DB5, I sometimes spend 5 to 9 hours in the shop, and sometimes only a hour or two. I don't seem to have any issues after the long sessions (I do use DC as much as I can) and to answer your question in your thread, I don't think there is any comparison between a DC3000 and a shopvac. I was told that up front before I bought the Mark 7, that a shopvac won't work very well, but I have no practical experience, but it makes sense.

A lot of the molded mask don't fit well over my beard so I have just been using disposable surgical mask. They have been fine for me.
http://www.amazon.com/Famixyal-Disposab ... B00MLPTDG4
I have a 1.5 HP Penn State dust collector and a 2 HP HF dust collector. I need to get busy on an over-head air scrubber...

robinson46176 wrote:A lot of the molded mask don't fit well over my beard so I have just been using disposable surgical mask. They have been fine for me.
http://www.amazon.com/Famixyal-Disposab ... B00MLPTDG4
I have a 1.5 HP Penn State dust collector and a 2 HP HF dust collector. I need to get busy on an over-head air scrubber...

In my opinion they are worth every bit of what you pay for them. I have two Powermatic filters in the main shop and a JDS in the clean/finishing room that I had in the garage shop before I built the dedicated shop. The clean room is 10' X 12' and is at he back of the shop to the left of the blast cabinet in the picture.

They are mounted in opposite directions so it creates a circular air flow to hopefully create more efficiency.