Dust Respirator with a beard

M

Mr. M

Joined
Jan 3, 2011
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62
I was getting ready to do some knife scales out of G10 and micarta and decided to look into a respirator and realized I should be wearing one when I'm grinding anything. I am looking at the Resp-O-Rator and wondering if that is the best way to go for the bearded knife-maker, or what you all would recommend. (and its not 1/4" stubble, it's a beard :p )
Thank you!
 
I looked at that but don't have nearly enough cash for that puppy :D I have barely spent half that on my whole knife-making setup :p
 
I can tell you that the safety guys at my old factory did fit tests with special equipment to make sure our masks were well fitted. You could not pass the test with even a short beard, let alone a long one.

If you don't shave, make sure you cinch that sucker down very tight.

If you can buy a positive pressure system, that would be even better.


One trick you might want to try (although messy and pain in the but). When snorkeling with a goatee, or beard, you can smear petroleum jelly where the mask needs to seal. Like I said, messy, and a pain.

But you don't want to get G10 in your lungs!!!!!!
 
FYI: as taught by the US Army, the proper way to test the fit of a mask is to cover the filter with your hand and inhale. If the mask sucks up against your face, it is a proper fit. If it doesn't, then it isn't working. Make sure not to push the mask against your face, that invalidates the test. Just cover it enough to make sure air doesn't go through the filter.
 
So folks what is the best mask for grinding? I purchased one from Harbor Freight with Canisters and last week after grinding some stabilized Maple, I felt bad all the next day. My next knife is going to have G10 on it and i want to pop for the best mask with in reason price wise.
Thanks
 
I wonder if we might not be lookin at this backwards ? Admittedly fine dust of almost any sort isn't a great thing to inhale - but it's fair to figure that the average human probably has some tolerance for some dust . We know that Carbon Fibre , G-10 , fibreglass products , beryllium ,etc. in dust form are things we really don't want to breathe in. Maybe this is arguement for "tradational" handle/scale materials - got a ton of wood handled kitchen knives ( Mostly Chicago Cutlery) that get daily use - were often bought used from estate sales and hold up quite well. Do we really NEED the modern polymers to make long wearing functional tools ?
 
I would have to add another vote towards the trend airshield. Expensive yes, but it is amazing. I have horrible allergies to some of the toxins in a few exotic woods. I make pens on a lathe and needed something to help me out there.

In jest I say this : Doesnt the beard help filter out the dust particles as well? ok jokes over.
 
You are working with a respirable dust hazard, a serious respirable dust hazard. So, I recommend the following:

1. Get a medical exam and get the doc's opinion of whether you are medically qualified to use an air purifying respirator. If you are, then ...

2. Shave. Any respirator is useless if you don't get a good seal, and you will not have a good seal if you have facial hair. I know this from personal experience and from training.

3. Get trained in the effective use of an air purifying respirator. Plan to renew this training annually.

4. Go to your local safety store. Discuss your needs with them. Have them fit test you for several respirators to find one that fits your face. Overall, a full face respirator will give better protection than a half mask. Get the one that fits best and use it. Follow manufacturer's recommendations on when to change the cartridges.
 
For what it's worth...I know one chap with a full beard who fitted a welding filter to a mouth piece from a skin divers snorkel. You've only got to remember to breathe in through your mouth.
 
That's a great idea. You could use a swimmer's facemask with a valve for exhaling and not worry about breathing in through your nose.
 
Stacy has posted in other threads about a really good system he uses. I think its a positive pressure unit as well.
 
Woodcraft ( and others) sells the Aircap2 and I really like it for the shop. It is just a filter system....not a chemical respirator.....but what we are dealing with in most knife shops is particulate matter - which is exactly what this is made to deal with.

Slip on the ball cap/face shield, and drop the battery pack in your left back pocket. You can work for hours without sweat, black boogers, and coughing fits for the next day.

I don't use my Trend Airshield anymore. I ought to take it to Ashokan and trade it with someone.
 
So does anyone have any experience with the Resp-O-Rator or anything closer to that price range for someone with a beard?
The Trend and Aircap look great but I just can't swing that.
 
I have a beard and use a Resp-O-Rator all the time in the shop. On my second one now. Light weight, comfortable.

Downsides:

- You have to breath through your mouth. Not a problem for me, but a show stopper for some folks.
- Dust only, no chemical filters. Well, most of what I have to deal with IS dust. If you grind a lot of
micarta or do other things that release chemical fumes your only protection will be that the air is
coming from behind you instead of in front of you.
- The plastic wears out and breaks eventually. That's why I'm on my second one.

I had a helmet style powered respirator before the Resp-O-Rator. Heavy, unbalanced, uncomfortable.
Note that this was an old one with the motor in the helmet -- waist motors might be better.
 
I'd suggest a 3M or Bullard hood PAPR system with the appropriate cartridges.
 
I have a gotee and always had issues with poor seals on half masks. Plus, they're down right miserable. Feels like I have part of my face locked in a hot damp dungeon for hours at a time.

So after a long bout of bronchitis, I got serious about my lungs and bought a 3M Breathe Easy positive pressure system. It's pricey, but I got a good deal on ebay. It's also a bit heavy, but once you wear it for a while, you forget it's there. The motor/filter pack straps around your waist and a hose delivers filtered air to a helmet. The helmet has a face mask and tyvek seal which goes under your beard around your neck. The built in face shield is a nice plus, and with the positive pressure, you don't worry about breathing in dust. I use multi rated cartridges good for formaldehyde, organic vapors, etc as well as for dust. I don't even smell ironwood or micarta when grinding. I don't even smell alcohol when using it to clean up a blade. It's a good system.

Here's the system I picked up:

3mBE.jpg


And here's the helmet/seal I use:

helmet.jpg


It feels good in the summer. You still sweat, but the flow of air over your face can be refreshing. The biggest problem is the facemask foggin in the winter when it's really cold out if I'm breathing heavier.

--nathan
 
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