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Thread: Face, Breathing Protection

  1. #1

    Face, Breathing Protection

    This topic may have been discussed before, but I can't get through 1000+ pages to see if it has. I am wondering what people are using to save their lungs and protect their faces while turning. I have found $2000 3M systems that I can't begin to afford - looking for solutions for an order of magnitude less. Any suggestions and specific product names appreciated.

  2. #2
    I've been using a 3M half respirator (with replaceable cartridges) and a Bionic face shield. The half respirator fits well under the shield and overall I am happy with the setup. Without looking up current prices, I want to say that the respirator was about $30, the dust cartridges roughly $10, and the bionic face shield about $30.

    If you just punch in "respirator" into the search bar at the top, you'll see more discussions on the topic with plenty of information and research.
    Licensed Professional Engineer,
    Unlicensed Semi Professional Tinkerer

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by Aatos Lehtila View Post
    This topic may have been discussed before, but I can't get through 1000+ pages to see if it has. I am wondering what people are using to save their lungs and protect their faces while turning. I have found $2000 3M systems that I can't begin to afford - looking for solutions for an order of magnitude less. Any suggestions and specific product names appreciated.
    Some items I use and some other things (at no extra cost - hey, you asked! )...

    For breathing protection:
    1) a good respirator: I use this with P100 filters: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NDN29O
    2) a good dust collector for sanding - I use a 5hp ClearVue. A collection nozzle behind the turning gets almost all of the dust for spindle turning
    3) just say NO to clouds of dust from power sanding.
    Some particulars: Sharp tools and good tool control minimizes tearout and tool marks. I use a variety of hand scrapers to remove any tool marks. I do MOST of my sanding by hand with the lathe off. Wet sanding makes no dust. When I do power sand I use a compact Grex pneumatic random orbital sander: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HFPDJQ This can be run at very low speed with the lathe off and quickly smooth the inside and outside of a bowl without creating clouds of dust.
    4) I don't use this but a friend puts his lathe near a wall in front of a big exhaust fan which blows the shavings and dust outside.
    5) What some people do: Don't turn toxic woods known to cause problems. I don't follow this one.

    For face protection:
    1) I like the Uvec Bionic face shield like this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001VY3ACE I got four for the shop for myself and visitors. I also have the Trend Airshield with built-in filtering and frankly, I don't like the construction or the filtering (or the company)
    2) Turn spindles and small things instead of big things
    3) Safety sense: when turning big things hold the work securely, keep speeds low and stay out of the line of fire!! Or use the wire safety cage.

    JKJ

  4. #4
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    I would make a small plug for the 3m 7500 mask versus the 6300 that John linked above:
    https://www.amazon.com/3M-Facepiece-.../dp/B00AR63G12

    For the nominal price difference you get a silicone mask-face interface which both seals better and is more comfortable wear long term.

    Also not a huge fan of the Trend airshield... it wasn't very comfortable for me to wear (other people feel quite differently of course).

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ryan Mooney View Post
    I would make a small plug for the 3m 7500 mask versus the 6300 that John linked above:
    Thanks, I just ordered one to try. Can't have too many respirators.

    I forgot to mention that I have these full-face respirators too: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007JZ1M10 (yikes, I see the price on this one is twice what I paid for it!) These take the same filters. I've only used it for turning a few times but it sure seems sturdy and comfortable enough. I use mine with cartridges for volatiles when spraying chemicals. I also discovered it is great for keeping smoke out of the eyes when fighting a forest fire!

    JKJ

  6. #6
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    I am relatively new to turning and use the following for overall and personal dust collection and protection:

    1. I have purchased a collection hood for my lathe which I connect via a drop from my main collection line from an Oneida V1500 cyclone with HEPA filtration. The dust collector was already set up in my shop before I started turning. It is very effective in collecting almost all fine dust from both sanding and turning. It also does grab some of the larger shavings, depending on size of the shavings. I turn this on during both turning and sanding.
    2. In addition, I usually use a Trend Airshield Pro for personal protection. The face shield isn't rated for impact but I would imagine it would protect me should something fly off the lathe. Fortunately I have not had to test it's impact resistance to this point. Since the Trend shield has battery powered internal air circulation, the face plate doesn't fog up and it keeps you cool. It's a little noisy but works well and filters well (although it is not rated HEPA).
    3. I do sometimes wear hearing protection, but turning isn't noisy and my Oneida collector, being only a couple of years old, only puts out about 70 dB of sound, so I really don't absolutely need hearing protection.

    Hope this helps. I'm not an expert, but my equipment seems to work well for me.

  7. #7
    I just lift my t-shirt over my mouth and squint.....

  8. #8
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    rather than type all the different types that are available, “search” can bring a lot of info to you to read and compare, here’s some.

    http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthre...ght=faceshield

    http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthre...ght=faceshield
    Have fun and take care

  9. #9
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    Now that's funny right there! Thanks!
    Steve

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  10. #10
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    I use and highly recommend the 3M 6800. It is a full face mask. It uses the same filters and prefilters the 6300 uses. You can find it for about $100. Look on Ebay. It fits over glasses. It has a shock absorbing feature. I have been hit in the face and the mask absorbs the blow. It has head gear that gives a great seal. I've used it with finishes and was unable to smell the finish until I took off the mask. No batteries or cords. Just plain good affordable protection.

  11. #11
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    I have used a wall fan for 30 years and love it. Gets all the dust and dumps the chips. Also gets the spraying mist and fumes outside--I finish on the lathe always. Find an old attic fan in a garage sale. They work great.

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ryan Mooney View Post
    I would make a small plug for the 3m 7500 mask versus the 6300 that John linked above:
    https://www.amazon.com/3M-Facepiece-.../dp/B00AR63G12

    For the nominal price difference you get a silicone mask-face interface which both seals better and is more comfortable wear long term.

    Also not a huge fan of the Trend airshield... it wasn't very comfortable for me to wear (other people feel quite differently of course).

    I have around 3 of these around the house and the Bionic face shield, I love the Bionic face shield I use for the lathe and also for the tablesaw. It is harder to lose then safety glasses and makes me feel better when chips are hitting the face shield instead of my face...

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ryan Mooney View Post
    I would make a small plug for the 3m 7500 mask versus the 6300 that John linked above:
    https://www.amazon.com/3M-Facepiece-.../dp/B00AR63G12
    I did get the 7500 and have been using it - I like it better than the others.

  14. #14
    Quote Originally Posted by John K Jordan View Post

    I forgot to mention that I have these full-face respirators too: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007JZ1M10 (yikes, I see the price on this one is twice what I paid for it!) These take the same filters. I've only used it for turning a few times but it sure seems sturdy and comfortable enough. I use mine with cartridges for volatiles when spraying chemicals. I also discovered it is great for keeping smoke out of the eyes when fighting a forest fire!

    JKJ


    I have really sensitive/dry eyes and am trying to limit the dust exposure to them. Roth now I am using the 3M 6300 but the full face respirator that John linked above (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007JZ1M10) seems like a reasonably priced solution and his recommendation means a lot.

    Does anyone one know if I would have a problem using this full-face respirator with glasses (fogging, fit/comfort)? Any other thoughts or comments from others that have used them?

    thanks.
    Tom
    Last edited by Thomas Wilson80; 11-04-2017 at 10:14 PM. Reason: Fixed link

  15. #15
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    With beards and glasses it's really hard to beat a PAPR (powered air purifying respirator). Mine is an ancient Airmate 3 (with the yellow hard hat) that I bought used 20+ years ago. Great both for turning and for demolition. They sell on Ebay for around $200 (look for one with the "smart charger" they introduced about 15 years ago. Battery packs and other parts are readily available, you can get new HEPA filters.

    I had a green 10" cherry bowl blank explode on me last week sending a ~1/2 lb chunk of wood into my forehead at high velocity. I was really glad to have the hard hat! There was no evidence of any cracking or structural issues in the blank, so it came as quite a surprise.

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