Respirator Questions

[Pat O'malley]

I have a few questions. I received a MSA (model 00817662) R95 respirator from HD for Xmas.


Is this sufficient for woodworking/sanding?
What are others using, if any?
Do you wear one for other jobs in the shop?
How often do you change the filters?

Thanks in advance for your replies.…Pat

[Chuck Tringo]

1. if it is marked NIOSH95 (which I believe it is based on the model number), then yes
2. I have AO safety N95 and a cartridge filter for fumes (and an M40A2 promask for chemical and biological agents :D, but thats a different story)
3. The AO safety cartridge mask
4. havent yet (had the cartridge for 2 years and the N95 for 1 year...probably not often enough but ive only used the cartridge one and the N95 about a dozen times....I dont reach for it often enough.

[Joe Chritz]

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/respiratory/factors/factors.html

More than any one person should need to know about respirators in commercial settings. Hobby or residential needs the same stuff they just last longer between changing or take longer to reach the same level of bad stuff.

I am not familiar with that model but I assume it is similar to mine and is fine for any particulate matter. It won't protect against hazardous chemicals, like say you wander into a meth lab or something but for any spraying, sanding or general shop work they are more than adequate.

Test the fit everytime. Cover the inlets and breath in, it should suction to your face, any leak is a possible area for bad air to get in. Since I changed assignments at work I have a ZZ top style goatee and I have to tuck it up into the respirator to get it to seal properly.

I wear it when spraying finish, dumping the DC drum or filter but not much else.

Joe

[Jack Wilson50]

I wear mine most of the time I am in the shop. If you saw or route the air is going to feel with invisable dust. As far a changing the filters, I am not sure; but would like to know how to test to see if they need changing.

[Kevin Arceneaux]

Joe, I am surprised that they let you do that. On my jobs, you would not be allowed to do that.

Jack, when it gets hard to breath, that is when you change them.

For sawdust, you just need the pancake filters. They are in-expensive and easy to get.

If you want them for painting, you need to get one that will filter out the organic vapors.

http://media.msanet.com/na/usa/apr/quickguideAPR/1000-63-RP-whitepaper.pdf

http://media.msanet.com/NA/USA/APR/LowMaintenanceRespirators/AdvantageRespiratorCartridges/AdvantageResChart.pdf

http://media.msanet.com/NA/USA/APR/LowMaintenanceRespirators/ComfoCartridgeAdapter/10-00-03-Twin-Cart.pdf

[Joe Chritz]

I don't wear a respirator at work, that was a bit confusing.

I was just never allow to have any sort of beard so this is a new thing for a while.

Joe

[Jack Wilson50]

Keivn,

Thanks, that was the approach I have been going with, no problems getting enough air so far.