>I know dust collection has been worked to death. I have a dust collector that works well, small air filtration system,. works well. To get better protected form left over airborn dust I have been using cheap throw a way dust masks. I know most on this forum are not high on these, and neither am I. I note packard sells Dust B Gone masks as a permanent mask. Do you all have any comments on these, or other more effective dust masks. All comments most appreciated.
>I use a Trend airshield while I'm sanding at the lathe, but I use the Dust B gone mask for everything else. It's convenient, comfortable, and doesn't add any weight to pull against muscles while leaning over work. The mask can be rinsed and hung to dry at the end of a session.
>The Dust Bee Gone is not NIOSH approved, and the manufacturer vaguely describes its filtration as "down to 3 microns." That makes it better than nothing, but for my lungs I'll stick to a NIOSH P100 rated mask (99.97% efficient at 0.3 microns).
>Barry, The Dust-B-Gone mask is NOT a dust mask, it is just as it is advertised, a NUISANCE! My glasses fog all the time and when sanding on the lathe, I get as much dust on the inside of the mask as the outside. For $39, it's a joke! Go with a respirator and save your lungs.
>Barry, I know some swear by Dust B Gone but I did not like it. Regardless of what is advertised my glasses fogged and I don't think it filtered all that well. I have yet to find any mask I can wear that is both comfortable and works well. My next attempt will probably be a Triton.
I don't work for these people but I bought a Resp-O-Rator early on because I knew I wasn't gonna like a dust mask and I couldn't afford an powered respirator. For $40 (?) it's a good alternative. Like all solutions short of a diving bell it has it's drawbacks--namely the clip on your nose and the possiblity of a sore throat if you live in a dry climate. But no fogging of glasses and pretty good filtration, too.
>Three microns is pretty good considering that your standard dust collector bag goes only to 5 microns. If you have a local dust collector and a good ambient air cleaner, a "nuisance" dust mask should handle the rest just fine.
I don't represent this company, but I've sure tried a lot of different dust masks and this one works well. You have to buy the one that fits your face and adjust it for the shape of your nose to prevent your glasses from fogging. I had a medium size one at first, but that didn't work at all. I recently found their smallest size and it works like a charm for me.
The key is to find something that works well enough for you that you will actually wear it - all the time.
I phoned the folks at WCB (I live in the Lower Mainland) and they recommended a North 7700 respirator. I went for the expensive silicone variety (lasts longer than the rubber one). I find it comfortable and it doesn't seem to fog up my reading glasses - which I now need for shop work! You should be able to find a good selection at any of the major safety suppliers in Vancouver or you could even try Acklands.
>I have used the Dust Be Gone mask, but didn't like it because it didn't work well with my beard. Also, my glasses fogged.
I bought the Resp-I-Rator and, after half an hour or so getting used to it, never paid attention to it again. Light in weight, easy to use, no complaints at all (except for the nose plug...I can't stand the pressure on my nose, but it took only a couple of minutes to learn to breath through my mouth only).
