Ode to a respirator...

[ersatzs2]

in 35 years of on and off working on cars in the garage, I just figured fumes and dust was part of the deal. I don't do it for a living, so likely no lasting effects, right?
But faced with a major grinding/welding/surface prep/painting of a Willys CJ chassis, almost as an afterthought, I added a mid priced respirator to my order of a case of chassis-black supreme from Eastwood. Having just come from the shop after my third time using it, all I can say is all these years I've been an idiot. These things really work. Zero dust or smell gets through, it's pretty comfortable to use. Even after today's re-formulations in the name of environment and safety, higher end rattle can products are pretty noxious. Makes a big difference!

 

[91bronc300]

I completely agree with you. Mine is a 3M. I hate blowing my nose after a few hours working in the garage and getting pitch black boogers.

 

[dwm]

Smart move. Once you're accustomed to wearing a decent one (and it sounds like you did that quickly, so good for you!), they're really not bothersome at all except in very hot weather. Especially if you change the filters as needed. And even if it's 100+F in the shop, it's still MUCH better than inhaling stuff you shouldn't!

 

[Syndicate]

Breathe Happier and you will notice when you go to bed>no headache.

 

[amolaver]

can you provide a link to the respirator you're referring to? is this something fed a pressurized source of air or are you talking about the kind with a filter hanging in front of each cheek?

ahm

 

[Matt018]

I was sanding an old 50's fridge with a DA sander and die grinder, partially without the mask, I could tell when i was going to bed my nose was irritated and I would up being very sick for a week, I'm not sure if that what it was because of the sanding because there was a cold going around, but it scared me enough to always wear the mask while doing heavy sanding or grinding without the doors up.

 

[Al Bundy]

Breathe Happier and you will notice when you go to bed>no headache.

Aren't you the same guy that was reprimanding people for commenting about safety concerns where the kids were involved? Bumps and bruises are part of them growing up I think you said. What makes it such a great idea for the OP to be using a mask but the 10 year old kid in the other thread doesn't need one?

 

[venturesomerite]

I have a good one from grainger I got years ago with replaceable pod filters, Problem is that I have no sense of smell, so I often forget to wear it. I need to make a conscious effort to wear it much more.

Good PSA!

 

[Matt018]

Aren't you the same guy that was reprimanding people for commenting about safety concerns where the kids were involved? Bumps and bruises are part of them growing up I think you said. What makes it such a great idea for the OP to be using a mask but the 10 year old kid in the other thread doesn't need one?

breathing in hazardous things can kill you, but i never died from a bruise.

 

[wreckerman5357]

I prefer the SAS disposable respirators. When you need a new one you just throw the whole thing out and get another.

Make sure you keep it sealed up in a bag or the filters will go to hell in a hurry. Scary part about charcol filters is there is no way to tell they are bad.

 

[thammel]

When I started spraying lacquer about 30 years ago I started using a respirator. Now every time I do any pipe glueing (PVC or CPVC) or painting or using any solvent, I use the respirator. I buy the best ones from HD and do replace filters when they either clog or lose efficacy.

Tom

 

[1967lemans]

I prefer the SAS disposable respirators. When you need a new one you just throw the whole thing out and get another.

Make sure you keep it sealed up in a bag or the filters will go to hell in a hurry. Scary part about charcol filters is there is no way to tell they are bad.

if you are having difficulty breathing or can smell or taste the contaminant, you should change your cartridges. A good rule of thumb with organic vapor filters (depending on the chemicals you are working with) is to change them out 30 days after opening or after eight hours of use.

 

[machine_punk]

Here here!

The N95 mask on the right is brand new. The N95 mask on the left is after 8 hours of sand/grinding aluminum. All of that would have been in my lungs, without the mask for protection. Now, if you look at the Material Safety Data Sheet for aluminum, there isn't supposed to be any hazard, but I still don't want that in my lungs...
View media item 12633

 

[ersatzs2]

can you provide a link to the respirator you're referring to? is this something fed a pressurized source of air or are you talking about the kind with a filter hanging in front of each cheek?

ahm

This one here. $20, cheaper than I recalled. Thanks to everyone for the other suggestions.

http://www.eastwood.com/sas-bandit-respirator-medium.html

 

[geologist]

breathing in hazardous things can kill you, but i never died from a bruise.

Congratulations! You probably don't have hemophilia.

 

[iroc409]

I use the 3M version with the down-turned exhale port. It helps to prevent fogging safety goggles and such.

I just use the little round filters, but mostly I'm just using it for powered woodworking, demo, etc. I haven't done much painting or anything lately, and I try not to use nasty chemicals anywhere the vapors can collect. I also try to avoid the really nasty stuff, when I can.

 

[porphyre]

Good PPE is wonderful to work with. I've got 95db ear muffs and wrap-around safety glasses. Each was purchased to fit a protective need (loud power tools and wire brush pieces flying around) but they've both just become something I put on when I go into the shop.

The ear muffs are especially great. Working in near silence really helps me get into "the zone"

 

[Macgyver_ga]

I use the 3M ones. HD will have them on clearance from time to time for $25.

Whenever I will be painting something I'll buy a new one but I hang onto the old ones and use them when I do woodworking. They still filter dust even after the charcoal has "expired" much better than those paper masks, and they're more comfortable.

 

[240sxguy]

The ear muffs are especially great. Working in near silence really helps me get into "the zone"

I find the same thing happens to me when I am using power tools, which I really noticed last night. I am just so much more comfortable when not dodging debris or using loud power tools.

 

[JASTECH]

Bruises won't kill you? Well, they can turn into blood clots later in life, dislodge and head for your Lungs, Heart or Brain. This has accured many times. So, Bruises can kill you so protect the children now!

 

[91bronc300]

breathing in hazardous things can kill you, but i never died from a bruise.

Congratulations! You probably don't have hemophilia.

Now that's funny!

 

[JASTECH]

I have a Wilson that I purchased from Grainger while at UC Davis. Do you have Pre-Filters on it? They will take the larger particles out so main filter can last longer and more efficiantly.


I keep mine in a Zip-Lock freezer bag with packets of alchohal prep pads that I disinfect it with before storing each time.


What is the ranking on resperators now days? I think it's said ablong/rectangler filters offer better view?

Now my boat has chaged so O2 is needed 24/7. I need a resperator that I can hook up to now, never heard of any so fabrication is in order or should contact Mfg's to allow them a chance.

 

[plinker]

I use a 3M 6000 series with the P99 filter's for anything from grinding to welding. I also have some organic vapor cartridges for painting. I dont see much point in the disposeable paper type (cant stand wearing them).

IMO, the biggest problem with the saftey gear is all the straps and stuff. I'd like to find a decent combination respirator/muffs/glasses unit but I doubt the make one that's inexpensive.

 

[1967lemans]

Now my boat has chaged so O2 is needed 24/7. I need a resperator that I can hook up to now, never heard of any so fabrication is in order or should contact Mfg's to allow them a chance.

We use 3M 7800S. 3M has a kit to adapt it to an air supply.
Dang, your from my home town.

http://www.shop3m.com/3m-dual-airline-supplied-air-tight-fitting-facepiece-systems-p9tbv9rf6n.html

 

[wreckerman5357]

if you are having difficulty breathing or can smell or taste the contaminant, you should change your cartridges. A good rule of thumb with organic vapor filters (depending on the chemicals you are working with) is to change them out 30 days after opening or after eight hours of use.

That is exactly what I learned in tech school. However I was also told that activated charcol repirators can be letting bad stuff in before you start smelling paint. The 30 day/8 hour rule is problematic also because cartridge life can be affected by what chemicals and quantitys you are exposed to.

This uncertainty about the effective life span of activated charcol is why PPG recomends the use of a supplied air hood with when spraying virtually all of their products. When I went to their training center last spring they had supplied air hoods for us to use during the class. That said I do not like supplied air hoods: dragging around an extra hose and having to look through a face shield while painting was not something I particularly liked.