Anyone using respirators? Dust masks?

[MikeDeuce]

Just starting my journey down the slippery slope (thanks Mr. Marino) and I'm curious...

I always used a cartridge-type respirator with my non festool circular saw, sander, router, etc. Does anyone do this with their Festools?

What about with certain tools only... sanders, but not saws? Or maybe just with certain materials (MDF)?

Thanks
mike

 

[Michael Kellough]

No respirator required with Festool saws or sanders, although when sawing MDF you should add some tape to a couple of strategic places to reduce the fine dust that escapes. Also, put a block of wood against the workpiece at the far end to stop the blast of dust the blade throws out as it exits.

Routing MDF is an operation that still requires a dust mask IMO.

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Here's my elaboration.  Whether I use a dust mask or not depends primarily on whether I anticipate generation of dust that will not be captured by the vacuum.  If I am sanding plaster overhead, or woodwork where I am frequently working with only part of the sanding pad contacting the work, e.g. using a Rotex to knock off old varnish from portions of curved wood trim the disk can reach, I use a mask.  But if I am sanding the face of a door, whether the door is installed or laying flat on the floor or my MFT, I do not use a mask because the dust collection from any of the Festool sanders togther with the C-22 (or Fein vac) eliminates any need.  When routing indoors, even my 1400, I frequently use a mask, despite Festool's decent dust collection.  Likewise with the TS 55.  Anytime I am machining MDF, I use a mask, unless I want to find myself coughing shortly thereafter.

Dave R.

 

[Ned]

Routing MDF is an operation that still requires a dust mask IMO.

Any MDF operation, except for maybe driving a screw, and it's mask time.

Simple replaceable filter mask, not a throwaway.

 

[ejantny]

No respirator with Festools.

I use a respirator while routing until I get setup with the two Festool routers I have. When I do use a Festool router it is without respirator.

 

[Matthew Schenker]

For me, I would say almost all the time I do not need a dust mask.

I do not need a mask with the plunge saws, routers, or sanders.  Especially the sanders do an amazing job with dust collection.

However, there are a couple of exceptions.  I use a mask and dust extractor with the RAS 115 rotary grinder/sander.  The other exception is routing MDF.  I don't do this very often, but if I am, I use a dust mask along with the dust extractor.

Matthew

 

[Jesse Cloud]

I rarely use a dust mask (have a beard, so respirator is useless).  There are a few occasions when Festool's excellent dc still lets enough get by that you need to worry.  For instance, this morning I was routing the ends of a tabletop to make the tenons for a breadboard.  So I'm routing on the very edge of the board, but leaving stock left for the tenon, so the snapon edge dc adaptor won't work.  The vac still captured a lot of the dust, but the floor is covered with shavings.

Normally, I don't use  mask with the TS55 or even the Rotex.  I very seldom work with MDF (yuck).

 

[mysterium]

For general sanding, sawing etc.

No respirator if connected to the CT 22 or Fein Turbo.

But...  Many "common" woods are toxic... black walnut, teak....

Sanding paint or anything toxic, grinding, painting, lathe work, sand blasting etc. (even in the shop with a JDS & HEPA filters...) Mixing epoxy, or using contact cement for laminate work...

I use a powered respirator with 40' hose & the unit sitting in a fresh air source. 

Is a powered respirator expensive....  about $450 for a stand alone unit.

But...

It's never good thing when the canary tips over....

Especially if you are the canary....

jim

 

[Dan Clark]

Most of the time, it's no mask - even when routing sheetrock.  Once in a while, I need a mask with sheetrock.  That's the only time I can think of.

I use a replacable cartridge mask.

Dan.

 

[Loz_S]

I have to say I'm shocked by the number of people who don't, or rarely, use a mask.

I would urge you all to consider always wearing at least a particle mask when routing and sanding. Ideally a cartridge type mask should be worn with all cutting operations and an air-blown full-face visor should be worn when routing or sanding MDF and many other common wood sorts (e.g. specifically Oak, Beech and Cedar).

It has been proven that wood dust (with MDF being particularly nasty) is mutagenic and carcinogenic,  potentially resulting in asthma and nasal cancer.

Simple paper masks are normally not good enough as the particulate filtration is not fine enough, so you end up breathing in the finest, most hazardous dust particles.

To paraphrase Jim, you don't have to be the canary...

Lorenz

 

[stvrowe]

I use a powered respirator when milling certain materials but not all materials.  I have tried the mask and when exhaling, it fogs safety glasses and you really don't get a good seal with a beard.  My first powered respirator was a Triton - is is bulky and uncomfortable but does a good job filtering air.  My second powered respirator is the Trend.  It is less bulky but still uncomfortable on the head.  My next powered respirator will likely be a 3M product (BTW - over $800).  I had opportunity to try it on at last years IWF and it is a significant improvement in comfort.

Regardless, when my shop (not air conditioned) is 98F and 90% RH, my bent is to not use any respirator because they are so uncomfortable.

Steve

 

[mysterium]

Steve,

You might want to take a look at what Axis Products has
https://secure.foxvalley.net/axispr...Menu&Name=Category&Value=HobbyAir-Respirators

I have their Citation unit which has the powered respirator pancaked to a 4 stage HVLP unit.

jim

 

[charley1968]

Half-mask with particulate filter when routing MDF and plywood or sanding. And of course dust-extraction in the form of Fein Turbo2.

 

[sancho57]

All the stuff I breathed in my life a little wood dust isnt going to hurt anything

 

[#Tee]

when i cut carbonfiber vac+respirator. on wood i just use vac only.

 

[Stone Message]

I always use my 3M Versaflo powered respirator when cutting MDF but...

I have recently changed the ear muffs to the cheap and cheerful 3M ones with FM radio built in. As a result I am wearing the Versaflo much more. I am hoping to be able to borrow some up market ear defenders from 3M with Bluetooth, microphone and FM radio built in. When I do get them I will do a product tour/demonstration of both sets.

You may already know this, but a while ago I conducted a workshop dust study using some quite expensive dust measuring kit that I was able to borrow. The net result was that with all of my Festool kit the dust levels were below the UK permitted maximum for prolonged exposure. The worst of the Festool tools was the Kapex but, as I said, it was below the full time permitted exposure level.

The very worst source of dust was hand sanding followed closely by workshop clean-ups. I would recommend that people wear a mask or respirator when doing either of these activities and watch the clean-up especially when using a brush rather than a vacuum sweeper.

I have read, even here on the FOG, of people using an air line to clear dust away from machines. That is very dangerous as it causes very fine dust to re-enter the workshop air space, getting into the lungs and also settling in difficult to reach spaces. Fine dust can then cover clothing and be carried home where it might even make it into children's lungs.

I can find a link to the dust study video if required.

Peter

 

[charley1968]

Yes,Peter, a link would be appreciated or can one find it on youtube?
The thread was opened in 2007. I wonder if the attitude has changed since then.

 

[Stone Message]

Yes,Peter, a link would be appreciated or can one find it on youtube?
The thread was opened in 2007. I wonder if the attitude has changed since then.

Hi Charley

I published my dust study in May 2013 and the UK regulations have not changed since then.

Here is the link:



Peter