Dust Mask Recommendations

[Beltzington]

Anyone find a lightweight dust mask they would recommend? I'm not talking toxic fumes, just grinding dust, attic dust, etc. I have never liked and therefore don't use the paper disposable ones, I would need to wear safety glasses at the same time.

 

[Slipminded]

Check out RZ Reusable Air Filtration Masks 888.777.9422 – RZ Mask
I have been looking for a decent dust mask for grinding my self. I wear safety glasses all the time as well. I personally like the shop mask 2.5 model.

 

[Ford850]

My son turned me on to this one. Miller LPR-100 Half Mask Respirator (S/M) ML00894
He uses one under his welding helmet, and for all other shop uses. It's compact, comfortable, and has replaceable filters.

 

[GLyford]

I also wear glasses and hate fogging from air coming out around a mask. Any of the ones with the exhale valve help a lot, also gets less dust in around the edges and less moisture built up inside. Grabbed whatever it was the box store had last time I needed them, think they were 3M, worked well. Will see if I still have the box...

 

[HCJtractor]

I’ve tried them all! By far the best mask for general dust (sawdust, attic dust, tractor stirred up dust, pollen, grinding dust) is the Dust Be Gone mask sold at Woodcraft. It’s extremely comfortable, soft, fits under glasses, cool, washable, durable and effective. I recommend them highly! It has membrane sandwiched between two fabric layers, and doesn’t leak around the periphery. You can hand wash it in the sink in just a few seconds and it dries almost instantly! It lasts for years.

 

[tomplum]

I use these North respirators Respirator Assembly CFR-1 Half Mask for Welding Complete with One N95 Filter, Size Medium - Safety Respirator Cartridges And Filters - Amazon.com
They do quite well and fitted as they should won't fog up the glasses. I do likel the looks of that Miller one that Ford posted. Maybe next when I'm out of filters.

 

[HCJtractor]

I have the Miller one also and it’s pretty good (plus several others from the big box stores). But the Dust Be Gone is by far the most comfortable. Other masks have a rubbery seal touching your face whereas the Dust Be Gone is a soft breathable fabric. You hardly even know you’re wearing it.

 

[dstig1]

Beltz - I work in the safety industry. There are tons of approved respirators available both online and in stores. Home Depot, Lowes, Northern, Ace, etc all have them plus paint stores can be another good source like Sherwin Williams, for example. It sounds like you don't like the more basic disposable type, so you may prefer a reusable rubber-type faceseal. They are available in many styles and materials at various price points. The nicest ones tend to be made from silicone rubber but they are pricier. Silicone is a feature, so if it doesn't say silicone, it most likely is not as the manufacturer would want to tout this. Any NIOSH approved filter would do the job for general dust like you are describing, but especially at a retail level you will typically find N95 and P100 filters most commonly (95% efficient and ~100% efficient, respectively).

I believe the Miller one noted above is made from TPR (thermoplastic rubber) which is not as comfortable or durable as silicone but a lot cheaper. I'm not 100% sure but it says "silicone free" so it sure ain't silicone... The problem I have with the Dust Bee Gone and similar masks is that they are unapproved. You have no idea what is does as it meets no real standard like an approved mask does. If it is approved, you know it meets basic standards such as fit, filtration efficiency and that the supporting quality systems to ensure the standards are maintained are in place and monitored. The Dust bee gone seems to have a very loose fit which is probably why people find it so easy breathing - a lot of air will end up leaking around the perimeter and not going through the filter. That creates a false sense of security/protection.

My $0.02...

-Dave

 

[Fallon]

As Dave said, get certified ones. The smaller particles actually tend to do more damage than the bigger ones. And the uncertified ones tend to only block the bigger particles, often not even well at that.

 

[Ford850]

My son turned me on to this one. Miller LPR-100 Half Mask Respirator (S/M) ML00894
He uses one under his welding helmet, and for all other shop uses. It's compact, comfortable, and has replaceable filters.

We bought ours at a local welding shop, but I did see the same respirator labeled as GVS Elipse P100 at Woodcraft too. It's also on Amazon, etc. This is probably the true brand and Miller private labels it. Elipse P1 Mask M/L

 

[forgeblast]

I ended up going with a full face respirator. it seals better, and I find I do not have to search for safety glasses too.

 

[dstig1]

We bought ours at a local welding shop, but I did see the same respirator labeled as GVS Elipse P100 at Woodcraft too. It's also on Amazon, etc. This is probably the true brand and Miller private labels it. Elipse P1 Mask M/L

Correct.

I ended up going with a full face respirator. it seals better, and I find I do not have to search for safety glasses too.

Full face respirators are the unsung heros of respirators. Many people look at them and think they will be cumbersome and painful to wear, but the reality is the exact opposite. They are a much better mask than half masks as they seal off your entire face. This does a couple things. You will NEVER get a particle that bounces off your cheek, then off the inside of your safety glasses, and finally into your eye. Your entire face is fully sealed off, so it just can't happen. Just remember to bend down when you remove the mask so that anything stuck on the top of it doesn't fall down into your eyes. Second - the hardest part to fit on a respirator is around the nose bridge. The contour of your face changes so sharply between the cheek and the crook of your nose and then to the bridge, and back again on the other side, that is it always a pressure point on a half mask that will cause some level of discomfort. Full faces seal around the perimeter of your face, and it is much easier to do that, so the pressure points are very much lower and it is easier to obtain a good seal. The main downsides are that they are a lot more expensive, less readily available, and if you require prescription eyeglasses, they require you to buy a kit and have your optician fit them with prescriptions lenses. Those are pricey. If your employer requires a FF, then they should pay for all that, but if this is on your own, that is a big nut to crack.

If you've got questions, fire away. I do this for a living for 25+ years...

 

[tomplum]

Let us know how it works out and what you bought. I could be jiggy with a full face that would fit over my eyeglasses.

 

[dstig1]

Tom , there is NO full face that will fit over your eyeglasses. Period. The bows of the eyeglasses will break the seal and make the respirator pointless. That is why all respirator manufacturers are required to offer a prescription eyeglass kit with any full face in the US. You can buy the kit and bring to the optician of your choice to have them put your prescription in to the frame. The downside is that this is a small volume item so it tends to be expensive. Now in the home you can DO whatever you want, but not much point in doing something that will negate your protection, now is there?

 

[Fallon]

I've got a couple old PAPRs & they fit over anything. Powered air-purifying respirator - Wikipedia

They dont seal well against your head/face, but the fact they are pressurized makes that moot.

 

[Beltzington]

Thanks for everyone's comments, looked at Lowe's masks yesterday and was not impressed with their selection or prices, I may make it over to Home Depot today but will likely end up buying online. Not interested in a full face mask, brings back bad memories of gas mask training. The RZ 2.0 mask looks easy to put on and comfortable but it is curious they would mention they have been used in movies but not any industry approved certification.

 

[TractorGuy]

I use the earloop mask from Walmart. Sold in the pharmacy department. Put them on and bend the metal strip to conform to the shape of your face and they work pretty well. Very light weight and functional.

 

[Sebculb]

Cowboy bandana tied stickemup bandido style. Or a t shirt tied ninja balaclava style.

 

[Fallon]

Medical type masks are designed to keep you from getting others sick. Not to protect your lungs. They dont seal against your face well. They catch spit, particulate matter & stuff containing bacteria while letting air go on through. They work well for their intended purpose, but it's not the one most of us are looking for.

 

[dstig1]

Medical type masks are designed to keep you from getting others sick. Not to protect your lungs. They dont seal against your face well. They catch spit, particulate matter & stuff containing bacteria while letting air go on through. They work well for their intended purpose, but it's not the one most of us are looking for.

Bingo