Thread: Dust Mask

Probably worth noting RZ masks are not tested to or do not meet AS/NZS standards. OK for hobby home use but probably not suitable for commercial applications.

I use the Unimig Elipse Half-mask respirator that is quite confortable for long periods of time and with glasses I don't have any problems with fog or interference.

Thanks for your comment. I had better send it back for a refund.

John

Thanks for the heads up. They look great for extended wearing. I have a very nice Sundstrom respirator, but it's terribly uncomfortable for exteded wear. It pushes my glasses up and fills with condensation quickly. As a result, I only wear it when I'm spray painting or doing really dusty work. It would be great to have someting I can wear the whole time I'm in the workshop. These might fit the bill.

If anyone spends time on any WW machine instead of wearing a mask it's far better to put some effort into dust extraction.
Wearing a mask dust still ends up contaminating the work space so masks have to continue to be worn inside the shed for hours after making the dust.

Most Woodies dont appreciate that all it takes is this much fine dust (270mg) to contaminate 4, 6x4x2.4m sheds to above recommended OHS dust levels.
Wooddust.jpg

Its far better to extract the dust at source using a dust extractor that is either located, or enclosed in a air tight cupboard and vented) outs the shed.
If a shed is small, forced ventilation will at least get rid of the fine dust which is the most significant in terms of health.

Most masks also don't protect eyes and skin, or remove it from clothing, so significant amounts of dust ends up being carried about and breathed in by the wearer.

Masks should really only be used as a last resort when engineering solutions cannot be employed.

Red Gum,

You can probably breathe easy. RZ website says” According to latex particle challenge tests performed by the world renowned, Nelson Laboratories in Salt Lake City, RZ Mask filters 99.9% of all particulates to a size of .1 um for the F1, F2, and F3 filters.“

Timbecon’s website says they are not accepting returns at this time due to Covid concerns.

Regards,

Brian

Originally Posted by BobL

If anyone spends time on any WW machine instead of wearing a mask it's far better to put some effort into dust extraction.

Also considerably more expensive and time consuming to set up Bob.

"Perfect is the enemy of good"

Originally Posted by jack620

Also considerably more expensive and time consuming to set up Bob.

Sure

According to Bill Pentz scrollsaws only need 300 CFM - easily achievable using a stock 2HP and 4" ducting.
OR
A shop vac would cope with the chips and depending on shed size a couple of bathroom fans for forced ventilation.

It's way more comfortable than having to always wear a mask.

I am Sorry.

I thought I was contributing to a quite scrollsaw forum made up with hobby type people. I thought I had been able to assist to a hobby type dust situation.

But it seems that I am mistaken and it's a high standard factory type organisation being run as a high standard commercial operation complying to the requirments of industry standards with a union ready to pounce at any time.

Sorry for my mistake.

I will continue to use my mask and have no intention of sending it back

Red Gum

But it seems that I am mistaken and it's a high standard factory type organisation being run as a high standard commercial operation complying to the requirments of industry standards with a union ready to pounce at any time.

I'm sorry if my info upset you.

I thought my suggestion of using a shop vac and a couple of bathroom fans was clearly in the hobby space ?

FWIW, the current Aussie OHS dust standards are actually 50 years out of date.
Any DIYer (especially seniors, kids or anyone with a health condition) constantly making wood dust should consider operating closer to the WHO domestic dust standards which are a lot lower that current OHS standards.

If someone is reading this and thinks a mask will do but it tips them towards dust extraction, then I'd say it has been of some value.

Would that be my post you were looking at Red Gum?

Yes I mentioned I was looking at the RZ mask (ordered one today actually). I think a dust mask is a good idea to form "part" of a dust control/collection solution in the shop. There are some passionate people and in fact a whole forum dedicated to this subject. For me dust control is "best effort" as there is no perfect solution. Do the best you can with the money/resources/space you have available! Me personally, I have a 4 prong approach to it with a DC, a shop-vac, a room filter and a personal dust mask (without going into all the details of each, as someone will no doubt disagree with my approach and tell me I'm doing it wrong).

At the end of the day will prolonged exposure to wood dust impact your health and or kill you - maybe, but then again going out in the sun gives you skin cancer, drinking alcohol gives you liver cancer, eating anything not green & grown in the ground gives you [insert cancer type here] and/or a heart attack. For sure dust is a risk, but everyone has different tolerance levels to risk and thus different approaches to mitigate it - else we would all be living inside a controlled bubble having no fun!

For me "Something is better than nothing" - just my 2 cents worth

Originally Posted by jack620

Thanks for the heads up. They look great for extended wearing. I have a very nice Sundstrom respirator, but it's terribly uncomfortable for exteded wear. It pushes my glasses up and fills with condensation quickly. As a result, I only wear it when I'm spray painting or doing really dusty work. It would be great to have someting I can wear the whole time I'm in the workshop. These might fit the bill.

I can recommend these if you want something that seals properly and is comfortable enough to wear for several hours https://www.timbecon.com.au/half-fac...-dust-mask-kit

Wooden toys Yes

I'm finished

Originally Posted by elanjacobs

I can recommend these if you want something that seals properly and is comfortable enough to wear for several hours https://www.timbecon.com.au/half-fac...-dust-mask-kit

I agree, I have one and am quite happy with it.

Originally Posted by elanjacobs

I can recommend these if you want something that seals properly and is comfortable enough to wear for several hours https://www.timbecon.com.au/half-fac...-dust-mask-kit

Thanks Elan. That would certainly solve the condensation problem. But going by the pic, there's no way it's compatible with glasses.