Thread: Face mask suitable for chain saw use

How about something like the triton full face mask. It has the capability for different filter cartridges and ear protection. That might suit you. May be heavy and hot.
Lyle

Originally Posted by aj_slr

For some time I have found that a petrochemical allergy has stopped me from using my chain saw. The breathing of the exhaust gas makes me as crook as. As we all know " have chain saw must use" my question is, is there a mask out there suitable for this purpose. Something that will filter out 2 stroke smoke. I do use an air wash in the workshop for paint and the like. Cheers all.

I also get a headache from chainsaw fumes if the chainsaw is not set up correctly

What brand/make of chainsaw are you using,
What ratio oil/petrol are you using, and what does your manual say to use
What is the brand name/type of the lube you are using?

I also have a Triton full face air shield which I use occasionally when milling dry logs but that is only for dust control.
Unfortunately the built in ear muffs are not the best (Peltor muffs are much better)
The Triton also uses P2 type filters which are not organic gas proof but it is very effective for dust control although I find it quite claustrophobic to use and it does not quite have enough airflow to use comfortably on hot days.
P3 filters can be used but at lower flow rates and bear in mind while these will filter out finer particles they will not filter out organic exhaust gasses.
3M make a reasonable organic vapour mask that you might get away with but just bear in mind it will not filter out gasses and to do this effectively will requires a proper gas mask.

Also if you have a petrochemical allergy you probably need to wear long pants and sleeves and gloves because the vapours go everywhere and will most likely be also getting onto your skin.

Depending on what you need to cut and where, a 2000W electric chainsaw may be an option for completely avoiding exhaust fumes, or a 4stroke powered combi brushcutter unit with pruning chainsaw head (200-250mm) might be an option away from electricity if the issue is only with 2 stroke oil vapour, rather than all IC exhaust products. I have both available to me plus a pair of 2 stroke Stihl chainsaws, and the electric and 'polesaw' get a lot of use around home and our new home site. The Farm Boss and Mini Boss come out only if the absolute grunt is required a long way from power. The electric definitely has more grunt than the Mini Boss, even at the end of a 50m long custom (4mm2) power lead.

There are some fairly weak battery powered units around as well, and having made comments about their lack of performance in the past, BobL referred me to a link to a very nice but expensive high voltage Stihl unit that appears to have good performance and endurance. That would also be an exhaust free option with good capability, expensive but cheaper than a week or more lost in hospital due to your allergy.

Thanks everyone, I have a bush block with a few acres. A chain saw is a regular requirement. We have just had 8 mature gum trees cut down and blocked up. We have a block splitter for the busting up of the blocks but there is a lot of limb wood that needs cutting hence the need to drag out the Stihl farm boss. I find that a one off use in a week dose not cause me much trouble but if I really get stuck in I am as sick as a dog for days. It would seem I have to suffer through wearing a face respirator with the right particulate filters. Was hoping for a battery powered face mask but it would appear that they are just not available with the right filters for my needs. Life can be a real bugger at times.

I may be able to make further suggestions but to do that I'll need the answers to my questions above/

Bob, the Saa is as I have said. It is a Stihl 039 farm boss. The fuel is mixed as per the manufacturers specs as in 50/1. The oil for the mix is stihl branded. Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by aj_slr

Bob, the Saa is as I have said. It is a Stihl 039 farm boss. The fuel is mixed as per the manufacturers specs as in 50/1. The oil for the mix is stihl branded. Hope this helps.

OK thanks for that info.

Here are a few suggestions that might help.

The first one is to use higher octane rating petrol and fully synthetic 2 stroke oil instead of the Stihl branded oil, which is just Mobil semisynthetic.
You will need to retune the saw to ensure it is running correctly.
This will result in a cleaner burn which means less gunk in the air around you.

Another suggestion is to see if you can organise a muffler modification.
Conventional exhausts tends to direct the exhaust forward to bounce of the side of the log and back up into the operators face.
Done right a muffler mod should do two things, it will allow the saw to breathe more easily, and you may be able to arrange so it will direct the the exhaust away from the front of the saw.
The alternative to this is to see if you can find a saw with an exhaust that faces in a different direction than the front of the saw.
One saw that does this is the 07X series saw - unfortunately they are very big saws.

This was the mod I made for my 880. Instead of bouncing off the log the redirection of the exhaust blows the exhaust past my right leg.
The downside is the noise - I need to use both plugs and ear muffs.
You need to find someone with metal working skills and retuning is a must after this sort of modification.

oldcluthc.jpg

If it wasn't such a nice saw and you were mechanically inclined you could try moving to ethanol, seems to be a few people doing it.
I don't know how much moisture ethanol can pull from the atmosphere but people seem to be pretty worried about it, if it can absorb moisture as quickly as brake fluid it could be a problem.

Could you just make a dodgy fan forced mask with something like a face shield, 5m flex hose and a 12v fan?

Originally Posted by Ubernoob

If it wasn't such a nice saw and you were mechanically inclined you could try moving to ethanol, seems to be a few people doing it.
I don't know how much moisture ethanol can pull from the atmosphere but people seem to be pretty worried about it, if it can absorb moisture as quickly as brake fluid it could be a problem.

Aside from the water issues I doubt this will solve his problem. The motor is a two stroke and will still need to have two stroke lube added. My bet his allergy comes from the gunk added to the lube.

Could you just make a dodgy fan forced mask with something like a face shield, 5m flex hose and a 12v fan?

Unless it is a windy day, 5m won't be long enough. To be safe such a long hose would be needed that 12V probably won't be able to send enough air down the hose.

A conventional compressed air supply connected to a long line, and and oil filter and regulator connected to a air mask as used by 2-pack epoxy painters would be the go, except that is not a portable arrangement.

Neither are appropriate from a safety point of view in that being tethered to such a device while wielding a chainsaw may lead to problems.

Are you sure there isn't anything wrong with your particular saw? Tried another one and getting the same results?

I was stuck behind a smokey vw jetta on hoddle Street last week. I was crying and my nose stung. Something really wrong with it. As soon as it turned off I felt much better.

In reply regarding the saw type my allergy is serious bugger of a thing. It came about from epoxy and nitrocellulose lacquer. I have been a professional furniture maker, joiner and boat repairer/build for around 40 years. In the bad old days I would be building furniture at one end of my workshop and spraying other pieces at the other end, not a mask in sight. Also like many I used epoxy glues with out any protection. For the past 15 years I have had serious allergenic attacks when I breath in any toxin that is petrochemical based. It affects my central nervous system. I am very lucky to possess a professional woodwork shop which also has a metal lathe,milling machine, welders and the like. I am a tool and machinery freak. Most of the wood gear is SCM. I just get sick to death of not being able to do what ever I like out side and in the shed. My abvice to all others is to take care of your health and USE THE BLOODY PROTECTIVE GEAR. Don't end up like me and a host of others. I am currently looking to purchase an air wash hood that will accept vapor filters. Cheers all.

I have a SOLO chainsaw that died on me recently , after 20+ years of sterling service.
It gave me grief at times , with fuel and fumes.
Anyway , for a replacement , I went electric !.
Yes , I had misgivings , but now I have an eGO electric lawnmower and line trimmer too.
Much lighter , and easier to use , and NO NOISE !. Well little , compared to the infernal combustion engines.I
've done a lot of work with them all already , with a couple of spare batteries , it works well.
So FWIW , for me , no fumes , no noise , little weight.
Regards Rob J.

Originally Posted by BobL

Aside from the water issues I doubt this will solve his problem. The motor is a two stroke and will still need to have two stroke lube added. My bet his allergy comes from the gunk added to the lube.


Unless it is a windy day, 5m won't be long enough. To be safe such a long hose would be needed that 12V probably won't be able to send enough air down the hose.

A conventional compressed air supply connected to a long line, and and oil filter and regulator connected to a air mask as used by 2-pack epoxy painters would be the go, except that is not a portable arrangement.

Neither are appropriate from a safety point of view in that being tethered to such a device while wielding a chainsaw may lead to problems.

The OP said it was a reaction to petrochemical so I thought that maybe a change to oleo may solve the issue, it also uses a different lube to normal 2 Stroke mix.

Fair call on the mask, it would be a pretty annoying contraption to use and as you say probably dangerous, I'm pretty lax with my safety.

Although I have a Trend full face mask, I find I cannot use it whilst chainsawing generally, as I am usually out in the bush. So these days I use a RZ mask from SEQ Woodworking Supplies (Woodworking Supplies S/E QLD - RZ Mask M1) under my Stihl hardhat/mask/earmuff. I also use it during woodturning sometimes if I find the Trend helmet inconvenient or the battery is flat.