Blast cabinet mask recommendation?

Giulianeo · Jun 26, 2017

Long story short I have been using for a couple months, a harbor freight cabinet to do some occasional work on vehicle parts clean them up etc... The cabinet inst the best and there are leaks of dust on some areas even tho I just recently sealed it up again with some silicone,

I have been wearing a 3M half mask respirator for extra precaution, would you guys suggest another brand? I would like to keep my lungs intact if possible.

Thank you,

rlitman · Jun 26, 2017

3m makes decent stuff. What model do you have?
A P100 (or N100) mask will filter a little better than an N95.

Giulianeo · Jun 26, 2017

rlitman said:
3m makes decent stuff. What model do you have?
A P100 (or N100) mask will filter a little better than an N95.

Hey rlitman, I bought this one: 3M 07193 Dual Cartridge Respirator Assembly,Organic Vapor/P95,Large If you would recommend a better brand I dont mind spending some money, sure would be cheaper than a lung transplant
:sad:

SilverBulletZ06 · Jun 26, 2017

N95 is viral particle sized filter. As an RT, I would say you are fine with that as it is kind of the mask standard IMHO and you aren't dealing with vapors.

I would suggest a sealed goggles if that dust is really spreading, corneal abrasions aren't fun.

Giulianeo · Jun 26, 2017

SilverBulletZ06 said:
N95 is viral particle sized filter. As an RT, I would say you are fine with that as it is kind of the mask standard IMHO and you aren't dealing with vapors.

I would suggest a sealed goggles if that dust is really spreading, corneal abrasions aren't fun.

Your an RT? nice I bet you have seen some stuff, I am also wearing glasses to keep it out of my eyes thankfully its not too bad the amount of dust, and I just sealed it up with silicone which reduced it further, but I am just paranoid about silicosis and all that stuff, do you know how long it takes to develop it?

Thanks,

Also if you have another suggestion for a mask (more expensive) id be willing.

rlitman · Jun 26, 2017

Giulianeo said:
Hey rlitman, I bought this one: 3M 07193 Dual Cartridge Respirator Assembly,Organic Vapor/P95,Large If you would recommend a better brand I dont mind spending some money, sure would be cheaper than a lung transplant

That's designed for painting. The activated carbon portion of the filter does nothing for dust.

This N95 mask will be no less effective:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/3M-N95-Paint-Sanding-Valved-Respirators-Masks-2-Pack-8511PA1-2A/202670465

I just bought a 10 pack of those for $15 on Amazon. They're one of the few disposable masks out there that don't cause my glasses to fog up. They do a good job of directing the exhaust down, and don't leave you with swamp face.

Check here for more details on what all these levels of filtration mean:
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/disp_part/default.html
Of that list, N95, P95 and P100 are most of what you encounter.

This mask will remove MUCH more fine dust, while weighing a lot less on your face (and costing less too):
http://www.homedepot.com/p/3M-Medium-Mold-and-Lead-Paint-Removal-Respirator-Mask-6297PA1-A/202078789
I have one of these in the shop.

If you use an abrasive with low silica content, then silicosis is not a risk. Just don't use sand.

What I want to know is why you're getting much dust leaking. You should have suction connected up to the cabinet so that air is flowing IN, not out at the leak points. Is your vacuum leaking dust?

Zeke · Jun 26, 2017

I have found that vacs don't work well with SB cabinets. A small blower used as a suction device will create negative pressure in the cabinet. Has to be a throw-away or something that has sealed bearings and motor. Vent to outside, of course.

Better yet, move the cabinet outside. I find that with the sun behind me that I can see really well in there. Screw that little light they give you. Junk.

Giulianeo · Jun 26, 2017

rlitman said:
That's designed for painting. The activated carbon portion of the filter does nothing for dust.

This N95 mask will be no less effective:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/3M-N95-Paint-Sanding-Valved-Respirators-Masks-2-Pack-8511PA1-2A/202670465

I just bought a 10 pack of those for $15 on Amazon. They're one of the few disposable masks out there that don't cause my glasses to fog up. They do a good job of directing the exhaust down, and don't leave you with swamp face.

Check here for more details on what all these levels of filtration mean:
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/disp_part/default.html
Of that list, N95, P95 and P100 are most of what you encounter.

This mask will remove MUCH more fine dust, while weighing a lot less on your face (and costing less too):
http://www.homedepot.com/p/3M-Medium-Mold-and-Lead-Paint-Removal-Respirator-Mask-6297PA1-A/202078789
I have one of these in the shop.

If you use an abrasive with low silica content, then silicosis is not a risk. Just don't use sand.

What I want to know is why you're getting much dust leaking. You should have suction connected up to the cabinet so that air is flowing IN, not out at the leak points. Is your vacuum leaking dust?

Hey thanks for taking the time, I just bought this one on amazon 3M(TM) Half Facepiece Respirator Assembly 6291/07002(AAD), Medium, with 3M(TM) Particulate Filters 2091/07000(AAD), P100 will it work better?

Any suggestions on low silica content media that works well on metal surfaces for rust metal removal mainly?

When it comes to the dust leaking, I am not sure I believe it wasn't properly sealed or assembled, I do not have a dust collector on it yet,

rlitman · Jun 26, 2017

Zeke said:
I have found that vacs don't work well with SB cabinets. A small blower used as a suction device will create negative pressure in the cabinet. Has to be a throw-away or something that has sealed bearings and motor. Vent to outside, of course.

Better yet, move the cabinet outside. I find that with the sun behind me that I can see really well in there. Screw that little light they give you. Junk.

I picked up a bagless upright vacuum on CL for cheap, and ripped off the floor cleaning guts. I'm using it as disposable, but the cyclone canister seems to be doing a decent job of collection. It is noisy as heck though.

Giulianeo said:
Hey thanks for taking the time, I just bought this one on amazon 3M(TM) Half Facepiece Respirator Assembly 6291/07002(AAD), Medium, with 3M(TM) Particulate Filters 2091/07000(AAD), P100 will it work better?

Any suggestions on low silica content media that works well on metal surfaces for rust metal removal mainly?

When it comes to the dust leaking, I am not sure I believe it wasn't properly sealed or assembled, I do not have a dust collector on it yet,

Yes, that P100 is better for fine dust.

I'm currently using aluminum oxide grit. Black beauty grit doesn't last that long in a cabinet, but is also low in silica. Glass beads are just about silica free, and they're ideal for cabinet use. Then you have other stuff, like walnut shell media.

If you don't have a dust collector, you WILL get a lot of dust out of the cabinet. Think about it. You're blowing all that air in there to do the blasting. That air has to get out somehow, and it's going to leave with the cloud of dust in your cabinet. Anyway, you need a dust collector to keep the visibility working in the cabinet.

Giulianeo · Jun 26, 2017

rlitman said:
I picked up a bagless upright vacuum on CL for cheap, and ripped off the floor cleaning guts. I'm using it as disposable, but the cyclone canister seems to be doing a decent job of collection. It is noisy as heck though.

Yes, that P100 is better for fine dust.

I'm currently using aluminum oxide grit. Black beauty grit doesn't last that long in a cabinet, but is also low in silica. Glass beads are just about silica free, and they're ideal for cabinet use. Then you have other stuff, like walnut shell media.

If you don't have a dust collector, you WILL get a lot of dust out of the cabinet. Think about it. You're blowing all that air in there to do the blasting. That air has to get out somehow, and it's going to leave with the cloud of dust in your cabinet. Anyway, you need a dust collector to keep the visibility working in the cabinet.

Have you tried BLACK BULL Blast Media 80-Grit Glass Beads I'm guessing it wouldn't clog up a cabinet style as long as its silica free.

In regards, to the dust collector, yes I will get one in the near future, as mentioned since I sealed up the cabinet with some good silicone the leaks are not noticeable, but again you cant really take any chances with this stuff

And of course all that dust inside the cabinet blocks my view of what I am doing if it stays inside of it.

My biggest concern is my health, since I do this mainly occasionally, for only a couple of months.

Giulianeo · Jun 26, 2017

rlitman said:
I picked up a bagless upright vacuum on CL for cheap, and ripped off the floor cleaning guts. I'm using it as disposable, but the cyclone canister seems to be doing a decent job of collection. It is noisy as heck though.

Yes, that P100 is better for fine dust.

I'm currently using aluminum oxide grit. Black beauty grit doesn't last that long in a cabinet, but is also low in silica. Glass beads are just about silica free, and they're ideal for cabinet use. Then you have other stuff, like walnut shell media.

If you don't have a dust collector, you WILL get a lot of dust out of the cabinet. Think about it. You're blowing all that air in there to do the blasting. That air has to get out somehow, and it's going to leave with the cloud of dust in your cabinet. Anyway, you need a dust collector to keep the visibility working in the cabinet.

I might add would you recommend a shop vac or dust collector?

rlitman · Jun 26, 2017

Giulianeo said:
I might add would you recommend a shop vac or dust collector?

You don't need a huge amount of airflow. Just a little more CFM than your compressor will keep the dust from exiting the cabinet, and a little more than that will keep the air clear inside. The typical woodshop dust collector moves WAY too much air for a blast cabinet.

Lots of people use shop vacs. Just remember that the dust is abrasive and very fine. Fine enough to get through most shop vac filters. So as the dust goes through the motor, it slowly destroys it.

I went with a household vacuum I found for $15 from CL. When it dies (and it will), I'll replace it with something else cheap. If you can put your cabinet inside, and your vacuum outside, any dust that gets past the vacuum filter will be outside, and you shouldn't need a respirator at all.

To be clear, all fine dust is bad, but fine silica dust is REALLY bad for you. Avoid the silica (which is easy to do, just don't use sand!), and you've already taken the biggest step for your health.

SilverBulletZ06 · Jun 26, 2017

Giulianeo said:
Your an RT? nice I bet you have seen some stuff, I am also wearing glasses to keep it out of my eyes thankfully its not too bad the amount of dust, and I just sealed it up with silicone which reduced it further, but I am just paranoid about silicosis and all that stuff, do you know how long it takes to develop it?

Thanks,

Also if you have another suggestion for a mask (more expensive) id be willing.

Sadly my new path in the field is basically telling old folks that they smoked their life away and have <6mo to live.

Silicosis is going to happen more or less depending on exposure and bodies reaction to the particles being prevalent in the lung tissue. Typically you are looking at decent amounts of exposure, more then the weekend hobbyist sporting an N95 is going to deal with. That said, any exposure is unhealthy. I agree with above, if you can have some sort of external venting it will go a long way, you may wear your mask while you are blasting and, if you are smart, while cleaning up but the residual dust when you open a drawer the next day is going to be an issue.

Also, don't forget that other activities like mowing the lawn kicks up dust and exposes your lungs to irritants, mask while you mow. :rocker:

Giulianeo · Jun 26, 2017

SilverBulletZ06 said:
Sadly my new path in the field is basically telling old folks that they smoked their life away and have <6mo to live.

Silicosis is going to happen more or less depending on exposure and bodies reaction to the particles being prevalent in the lung tissue. Typically you are looking at decent amounts of exposure, more then the weekend hobbyist sporting an N95 is going to deal with. That said, any exposure is unhealthy. I agree with above, if you can have some sort of external venting it will go a long way, you may wear your mask while you are blasting and, if you are smart, while cleaning up but the residual dust when you open a drawer the next day is going to be an issue.

Also, don't forget that other activities like mowing the lawn kicks up dust and exposes your lungs to irritants, mask while you mow.

That *****, :sad:

Yes i picked it up a P100 respirator just to be on the safer side, plus I'm switching to glass media apparently its not as toxic as sand.

Hopefully it will keep me protected it,

Thank you,

D-train · Jun 27, 2017

What about running a hepa filter on a shop vac? Will that help filtering the smaller particulates?

kctyphoon · Jun 27, 2017

Silica = bad for those wondering. I just spent 7.5 hours doing osha training yesterday and that's about as much as I walked away with..

mike93lx · Jun 27, 2017

I recently pickes up an elipse mask on amazon when my msa broke. Very comfortable and compact.

Blast cabinet mask recommendation?

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