Which respirator

M

manny767

Joined
Aug 27, 2012
Messages
29
I have looked but could not find a positive answer in regards to the cheaper half face masks. I have only found recommendations to the more expensive full face masks. Regardless this thread will serve as a reminder to the newer guys that you absolutely need a respirator.

I have been using an old crap respirator which I realize does just about nothing so I think its time to get a good one, my health is only getting worse with age and I need my lungs.
I'm looking to go with a 3m half face but which one is best for us knife makers?

I was looking into this one here http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/...RL3FHWVK_GPD0K8BC31gv)&resultsPerPage=90&rt=d

here is a selection of all of the half face respirators they have http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/...Respirators?N=5548558&rt=c3&resultsPerPage=90

every time I see photos of people grinding they have some pink filters. If someone can guide me to a good respirator here and which filters to get that would be wonderful. Links are very helpful
 
Last edited:
I wear Scott brand p100 prefilter over activated carbon. The combo is heavy but lighter than an iron lung... I used to use p99 or p95 prefilters until I found the crap that floats right through
 
The best respirator is one that fits your face properly. No point in having filtration that works down to 1 micron particle size if you have a 20 thou gap in the face seal. Don't buy a "brand" buy one that fits. Personally, I think a powered respirator is worth saving for. It doesn't rely on a proper face seal, it doesn't matter if you haven't shaved for a couple of days, it keeps you cool in the summer, your goggles don't steam up and it doesn't restrict your breathing when your sanding,filing or sawing.
 
Looks like im going to be spending a couple hundred on a respirator after all. Really didn't want that since its putting me behind on getting some new shop tools but if its needed its needed. Theres no adequate masks priced around $30 that would work for metal dust g10 micarta that any of you use?
 
Last edited:
Manny a P100 filter on a cheap mask (as long as it fits your face and seals) is fine. It won't block vapours though, so have some airflow to blow fumes away when doing micarta/g10 etc. Or get filters that are P100 and vapour together. You can of course get the full face pressurized ones, that is even better.. but $30-60 oughta do it.
 
mgysgthath said:
Manny a P100 filter on a cheap mask (as long as it fits your face and seals) is fine. It won't block vapours though, so have some airflow to blow fumes away when doing micarta/g10 etc. Or get filters that are P100 and vapour together. You can of course get the full face pressurized ones, that is even better.. but $30-60 oughta do it.
Click to expand...

Right here for ten bucks http://www.coopersafety.com/product/3m-6000-half-face-respirator-1216.aspx
You get what you pay for...

Then I seen this one http://www.coopersafety.com/product/3m-7500-half-face-respirator-1123.aspx#reviews

That 7500 looks nice whats your opinion on that one? Cooper didnt have much of a selection if its worth looking elsewhere
 
7000 series from 3M is what Usaknifemaker carries, I'd say it should be fine. Again it really just needs to fit well, and then have the right filters. P100 for particulates and vapour for fumes, if you think you'll need that.
 
I went to Lowes and picked up a 3M half mask with the pink filters for ~$35. I think it was a 7000 series. It was rated for painting and drywall and had a n95 filter with activated carbon iirc. Fits my face great and I can't smell a thing even when I catch micarta dust on fire :eek:
 
Last edited:
Such a simple solution!!!

[video=youtube;C3YVKgOazKQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3YVKgOazKQ&feature=related[/video]

;) :p :D


In all seriousness though, I am in need of a new one myself. I want to go with the 3M 7500 series... I'm just not sure if I need a medium or large. We had to get fit-tested at my last job, but they fit us for the type of masks that they had at the mill... so it really doesn't apply to the 3M mask.

I have a full face Survivair that I use when working with carbon fibre, but it's too heavy and bulky to wear all the time. It's even got a heavy impact lense in it. Got it from a past employer, they were ordered for us and we got to keep them. Cost on that was like $450! :eek: We also wore PAPRs fairly often. They're great if you're jack hammering caked up lime dust over your head in a lime kiln all day, but I'd go crazy wearing one in my knife shop.

FWIW- since we don't have a retailer around here that stocks the 7500 series, I think I'm just going to hazard a guess and order one. I'm pretty average size, but I have a pretty fat head so I'm leaning toward the large. You can get them on ebay for $24 with free shipping. That's pretty frick'n cheap compared to the time and emotional cost of needing surgery like Ed Caffrey did a few years ago!!! :eek:
 
NickWheeler said:
Such a simple solution!!!

;) :p :D


In all seriousness though, I am in need of a new one myself. I want to go with the 3M 7500 series... I'm just not sure if I need a medium or large. We had to get fit-tested at my last job, but they fit us for the type of masks that they had at the mill... so it really doesn't apply to the 3M mask.

I have a full face Survivair that I use when working with carbon fibre, but it's too heavy and bulky to wear all the time. It's even got a heavy impact lense in it. Got it from a past employer, they were ordered for us and we got to keep them. Cost on that was like $450! :eek: We also wore PAPRs fairly often. They're great if you're jack hammering caked up lime dust over your head in a lime kiln all day, but I'd go crazy wearing one in my knife shop.

FWIW- since we don't have a retailer around here that stocks the 7500 series, I think I'm just going to hazard a guess and order one. I'm pretty average size, but I have a pretty fat head so I'm leaning toward the large. You can get them on ebay for $24 with free shipping. That's pretty frick'n cheap compared to the time and emotional cost of needing surgery like Ed Caffrey did a few years ago!!! :eek:
Click to expand...

Lol, I thought that video was a total joke, like someone just cut ear holds in a turtleneck ;)

Ya I was chatting with Ed one night and he told me how he had part of his lung removed.. that scared the crap out of me, I started taking my health much more seriously after that. No machismo is worth your lungs or your life. Very sobering.
 
NickWheeler said:
Such a simple solution!!!

[video=youtube;C3YVKgOazKQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3YVKgOazKQ&feature=related[/video]

;) :p :D


In all seriousness though, I am in need of a new one myself. I want to go with the 3M 7500 series... I'm just not sure if I need a medium or large. We had to get fit-tested at my last job, but they fit us for the type of masks that they had at the mill... so it really doesn't apply to the 3M mask.

I have a full face Survivair that I use when working with carbon fibre, but it's too heavy and bulky to wear all the time. It's even got a heavy impact lense in it. Got it from a past employer, they were ordered for us and we got to keep them. Cost on that was like $450! :eek: We also wore PAPRs fairly often. They're great if you're jack hammering caked up lime dust over your head in a lime kiln all day, but I'd go crazy wearing one in my knife shop.

FWIW- since we don't have a retailer around here that stocks the 7500 series, I think I'm just going to hazard a guess and order one. I'm pretty average size, but I have a pretty fat head so I'm leaning toward the large. You can get them on ebay for $24 with free shipping. That's pretty frick'n cheap compared to the time and emotional cost of needing surgery like Ed Caffrey did a few years ago!!! :eek:
Click to expand...

Good one with the video! Im actually about to head out right now down to lowes and see if they have the 7500 series masks and if not I will be ordering offline. I think I read in a previous post when I was looking "Ed" recommended the 7500 series masks too. It was in a post where he had showed a photo of his scar. Thanks for all of the help with this and I hope this has motivated at least one other to get a respirator. You need your health people!
 
I just got a 7512 set from lowes which is the medium 7500 and comes with organic vapour cartridges and p95 prefilter. I was concerned about whether to get medium or large, and though I haven't seen the large I would guess you'd need a really big face to have trouble with the medium. I ordered it from lowes in case I had to return the medium if it didn't fit...I don't think they even sell the large version.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top