Thread: Idiots guide to extraction - Is there a 90/10 solution (performance Vs effort)

Originally Posted by jack620

The OP wanted advice on a “90/10” dust solution. I gave mine.

Well, not really. You seem reluctant to say what dust mask you’re using, so your solution isn’t all that easy to implement.

Why not build a shed that is not a dust trap, granted if you already have one that is a problem but if building from scratch that is what I would do. it seems to be a point that is ignored but is the basis of the whole dust control problem.

Originally Posted by BobL

A decent "proper" full head, positively powered mask to protect eyes as well nose and mouth as can cost as much as a half decent dust extractor.

What is a "half decent" dust extractor? Two can play at this game.

Originally Posted by Colin62

Well, not really. You seem reluctant to say what dust mask you’re using, so your solution isn’t all that easy to implement.

Nobody asked me what mask I was using, so no reluctance on my part. The mask I use is irrelevant, because we all have different faces and budgets. The shape of the wearer's face, whether they have a beard or wear glasses will influence the fit of a mask.

The OP will take what he wants from the comments in this thread and take whatever remedial action he considers appropriate, if any. Unless there is a compelling medical reason I can't see any home based woodworker making enough dust to require a positively powered full face type mask.

Originally Posted by aldav

The OP will take what he wants from the comments in this thread and take whatever remedial action he considers appropriate, if any. Unless there is a compelling medical reason I can't see any home based woodworker making enough dust to require a positively powered full face type mask.

It doesn't have to be a compelling medical reason - it just needs to be enough to prevent the woodworker from working comfortably with wood. It's all a bit of a lottery. About 10% of woodworkers start out with no symptoms but become allergic to wood dust typically from exposure to small amounts of dust.

Originally Posted by BobL

About 10% of woodworkers start out with no symptoms but become allergic to wood dust typically from exposure to small amounts of dust.

Wouldn't that be a compelling medical reason then? If that figure is correct then 90% of woodworkers are unaffected. From what the OP posted he is one of the 90%. Stop making it more complicated than it needs to be.

Originally Posted by jack620

Nobody asked me what mask I was using, so no reluctance on my part. The mask I use is irrelevant, because we all have different faces and budgets. The shape of the wearer's face, whether they have a beard or wear glasses will influence the fit of a mask.

this statement is particularly disingenuous. The shape of a user's face might mean that different masks are either a good or poor fit. BUT the performance of a mask is measured independently of the fit -- so what is the quoted performance standard of your "proper" dust mask? N95, N99, P100, ???

Originally Posted by aldav

Stop making it more complicated than it needs to be.

Best comment so far on this thread.

Originally Posted by ian

BUT the performance of a mask is measured independently of the fit

Rubbish. Are you seriously suggesting fit has no bearing on the mask's performance? A mask with the best filters money can by is totally useless if there are gaps between it and the wearer's face.

The manufacturer measures the performance of their mask independently of fit because they can't measure the fit of their mask to every face. However I measure the performance of a mask based on its fit, comfort, ability to filter dust, and compatibility with my safety glasses and hearing protection.

Originally Posted by ian

so what is the quoted performance standard of your "proper" dust mask? N95, N99, P100, ???

My mask is a Sundstrom. I have no idea what its N rating and I'm not going out to my workshop to check. I do know that it does a much better job at keeping dust out of my lungs than my DE and it was quite a bit cheaper. Which was my whole point.

I'm still waiting for Bob's definition of "half decent dust extractor".

Originally Posted by jack620

Rubbish. Are you seriously suggesting fit has no bearing on the mask's performance? A mask with the best filters money can by is totally useless if there are gaps between it and the wearer's face.

yes I am.

If you wear a mask that is a poor fit, of course it's effectiveness will be somewhere between "less than ideal" and "absolute crap". I thought I had covered that aspect within my post.
I don't have the facilities to determine if a well fitting N95 mask on a shaved face is better than a P100 mask worn with a beard. But given that a person with facial hair has a choice between a disposable paper mask (N95) and one which attempts to seal to the face (N99), I am seriously suggesting that the N99 is probably the better option.

The manufacturer measures the performance of their mask independently of fit because they can't measure the fit of their mask to every face. However I measure the performance of a mask based on its fit, comfort, ability to filter dust, and compatibility with my safety glasses and hearing protection.

in fairness, you need to share how you determine "ability to filter dust"

I'm still waiting for Bob's definition of "half decent dust extractor".

Not defending BobL, but in other posts he has waxed lyrical about a "modified 2hp dusty"

Originally Posted by jack620

Are you seriously suggesting fit has no bearing on the mask's performance?

Originally Posted by ian

yes I am.

I'm flabbergasted. I suspect you are confusing the performance of the whole mask with the performance of the filters (N rating).

Someone without knowledge won't know what a proper dust mask is without examples as starting point. So how would they know what to buy? They could easily go to the lumberyard and get a pack of cheap nuisance dust masks thinking they are safe and never know they aren't. Better would be to link them to information on masks, where to buy and suggest they be fit tested. A mask may be the perfect solution for the OP but not if he can't make an informed decision of what what to buy. No different than understanding what in needed for a DC system.

Pete

Originally Posted by QC Inspector

Someone without knowledge won't know what a proper dust mask is without examples as starting point. So how would they know what to buy? They could easily go to the lumberyard and get a pack of cheap nuisance dust masks thinking they are safe and never know they aren't.

That's true Pete, but judging by his opening post I'd say the OP is sufficiently knowledgeable to know that cheap dust masks purchased by the box are not suitable for his application.