Suggestions for sandblasting mask

[restorick]

I'll be using a pressure pot blaster outdoors, mostly for blasting trailer frames, furniture, etc. I have a great respirator to protect my nose/lungs, but am curious about using a grinder mask like this one over the respirator: https://benchmarkabrasives.com/collections/diamond-blades-accessories/products/grinding-mask

Appreciate any feedback and suggestions for a better solution.

Thanks!
Rick

 

[shafferds]

buy the best protection you can afford. Lungs are very expensive. You can go hooded unit or full face unit. 3m makes good one. Just make sure proper fit and change cartridges.

 

[Chris_Hamilton]

At the very least use something like 3M 8511. N95 rated. Change it out often. If you can afford a supplied air system then by all means go for it. Get one designed for media blasting as the paint sas's will get eaten up by blast media. ( lens etc)
Main thing you should do is not use any media that contains free silica. Sand is one that does. Crushed glass and coal slag are better and safer alternatives.

 

[restorick]

At the very least use something like 3M 8511. N95 rated. Change it out often. If you can afford a supplied air system then by all means go for it. Get one designed for media blasting as the paint sas's will get eaten up by blast media. ( lens etc)
Main thing you should do is not use any media that contains free silica. Sand is one that does. Crushed glass and coal slag are better and safer alternatives.

Thanks for the feedback. I have 2 of the 3M 5301 masks - one I use for dust control and the other for vapor cartridges. Looking for a full shield that I can use over the respirator, if feasible.

 

[Chris_Hamilton]

Thanks for the feedback. I have 2 of the 3M 5301 masks - one I use for dust control and the other for vapor cartridges. Looking for a full shield that I can use over the respirator, if feasible.

I imagine that most of the typical blasting hoods would fit over you wearing that type of mask. The mask would protect the respiratory side of things and the hood protects your eyes and head area.
When I blast its outside and I wear either the 8511 or something like you linked to. Then my 2.0 mag safety glasses and the hood. Have plenty of lenses so you can change out often . Not ideal but that's what I do.

 

[theoldwizard1]

If you sandblast a lot you need a 3M Full Face Respirator (6000 series). Not cheap, but not overly expensive either.

 

[Wamsutta]

You need a supplied air hood. If you're using a respirator for any extended length of time, you're going to suffocate yourself.

Look at 3M and Optrel.

 

[Doubled33]

Supplied air hood and a Cold air or climate control tube to go with it is the most comfortable way I know of.

 

[GeoBruin]

The Benchmark Grinder Hood is great for using over a half mask, depending on the mask/filter combination you use. Mine works with a 3M 7586 and 6502 with cartridges or filters but won't really work with a GVS 100.

All that said, I mostly just grab my full face these days.

 

[Hakeem]

If you sandblast a lot you need a 3M Full Face Respirator (6000 series). Not cheap, but not overly expensive either.

I sprung for one of these a while back and absolutely love it. Hearing protection + full face and I feel like freaking Superman — nothing can hurt me!!!

 

[mike93lx]

I use a GVS elipse respirator under a uvex bionic face shield with safety glasses for stuff like grinding. Also have a full face 3m, but I think I'd want an easily replaceable shield when doing anything with blasting/abrasives

 

[Hakeem]

I use a GVS elipse respirator under a uvex bionic face shield with safety glasses for stuff like grinding. Also have a full face 3m, but I think I'd want an easily replaceable shield when doing anything with blasting/abrasives

I don’t bother with it but you can buy these replaceable covers for the lens at less that $1/unit

https://www.amazon.com/Faceshield-Cover-Lens-Facepiece-Respirator/dp/B01MAUSBZN/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[mike93lx]

I don’t bother with it but you can buy these replaceable covers for the lens at less that $1/unit

https://www.amazon.com/Faceshield-Cover-Lens-Facepiece-Respirator/dp/B01MAUSBZN/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Thanks. Its a 3m 6900 and it cost quite a bit so I try to be a little selective in when I use it. Good to know the lenses are so chea0

 

[theoldwizard1]

I sprung for one of these (3M Full Face Respirator, 6000 series) a while back and absolutely love it. Hearing protection + full face and I feel like freaking Superman — nothing can hurt me!!!

The only thing better, is they make one where the filters are in a small back pack with a blower.

 

[Fixr]

The only thing better, is they make one where the filters are in a small back pack with a blower.

Actually, a supplied air respirator with a filtered remote a/c powered blower is pretty hard to beat.

 

[Hakeem]

The only thing better, is they make one where the filters are in a small back pack with a blower.

Yes the PAPRs are very nice to use, the helmet has a fan in it that keeps you cool and well ventilated. Stiff price tag though! Around $2k when I last checked

 

[LocalF9]

I've been working on a DIY PAPR-style blast hood for the past few weeks, taking inspiration from the 3M Versaflo. I used this Harbor Freight Media Blasting Hood as the base, along w/ a 12v 2A server blower fan, replacement HEPA filter from a vacuum cleaner, CPAP hose and my 3D Printer I came up with an air intake (designed in Fusion 360) that mounts to a belt similar to the Versaflo system. For the hood itself, I created a manifold that sits inside and connects to four 3/8" silicone tubes. These tubes then run across the top of the hood and into a distribution thing that delivers fresh, clean air over your face shield. The fan can be easily powered from a lithium power tool battery. So far it has been working like a champ, I can blast for hours without my hood fogging or sucking down a bunch of media.
I can send anyone looking to do something similar the files.

 

[JradM]

I've been working on a DIY PAPR-style blast hood for the past few weeks, taking inspiration from the 3M Versaflo. I used this Harbor Freight Media Blasting Hood as the base, along w/ a 12v 2A server blower fan, replacement HEPA filter from a vacuum cleaner, CPAP hose and my 3D Printer I came up with an air intake (designed in Fusion 360) that mounts to a belt similar to the Versaflo system. For the hood itself, I created a manifold that sits inside and connects to four 3/8" silicone tubes. These tubes then run across the top of the hood and into a distribution thing that delivers fresh, clean air over your face shield. The fan can be easily powered from a lithium power tool battery. So far it has been working like a champ, I can blast for hours without my hood fogging or sucking down a bunch of media.
I can send anyone looking to do something similar the files.

You ought to be posting more details and photos to the Homemade Tools thread!

 

[LocalF9]

You ought to be posting more details and photos to the Homemade Tools thread!

Ok ya I will check that out, I probably need to get some better photos first but for sure will do that thanks

 

[chuckledish]

I've been working on a DIY PAPR-style blast hood for the past few weeks, taking inspiration from the 3M Versaflo. I used this Harbor Freight Media Blasting Hood as the base, along w/ a 12v 2A server blower fan, replacement HEPA filter from a vacuum cleaner, CPAP hose and my 3D Printer I came up with an air intake (designed in Fusion 360) that mounts to a belt similar to the Versaflo system. For the hood itself, I created a manifold that sits inside and connects to four 3/8" silicone tubes. These tubes then run across the top of the hood and into a distribution thing that delivers fresh, clean air over your face shield. The fan can be easily powered from a lithium power tool battery. So far it has been working like a champ, I can blast for hours without my hood fogging or sucking down a bunch of media.
I can send anyone looking to do something similar the files.

Can I get the files. This looks fun to try.