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Chuck Fischer
11-16-2004, 9:44 AM
It could all be a coincidence but last night I was down stairs turning a Christmas ornament on my shopsmith (leopard wood, tough stuff!) and suddenly out of the blue came a throbbing headache. I had my filter mask on, so I'm pretty sure it wasn't from the dust, but have no idea. How can you tell if the filters are clogged or getting clogged on those things anyway?

I still have the headache this morning so I'm thinking it might have nothing to do with the shop, but who knows.

And darn was the leopard wood tough to turn.

Chuck

Kevin Arceneaux
11-16-2004, 9:56 AM
To figure out if your filters are clogged, you just need to take a second and see if it is harder to draw a breath. If you feel like you are struggling or forced to breath in harder, the filters need changed. A good rule of thumb - if you even think just a little that they are clogged - change them.

Check the seal - put the palms of your hands over the intake and draw a breath. If you have a good seal - you should not be able to braw in more than is trapped inside the mask. If you can easily draw a breath, you need to check the seal.

Even with clogged filters, you should not be drawing in any of the dust or fumes, it would just be harder to breath. You may need to see if there is another source of the headache. I know if I do not wear my glasses, I can get one in a hurry.

John Miliunas
11-16-2004, 10:49 AM
Strangely enough, I've been experiencing numerous headaches over the last several months. It's been happening, primarily while busy working on that red elephant (our house). I figure it's one of two things, but I guess I'll have to live with it because, I've already got too much invested in the house and the kids have kind of taken to having LOML around, so there you have it! :D :D :D (Ahhhh...guys: Tongue planted firmly in cheek! :) ) Sorry, but I just couldn't resist. It's kind of an accepted joke around our house! :) :cool:

Donnie Raines
11-16-2004, 10:53 AM
It would be smart to contact a doctor. Be it a plain ole' headache or something more serious....it would be good to know. i would hate to see something more serious involved.

I have a problem with Sassafras....I almost choke to death when useing it one day...seriously. I had an allergic reaction and my throat had swelled up......talk about scary.

Rich Konopka
11-16-2004, 11:00 AM
I agree with Donny that if the headache persist you should see a doctor.
Headaches usually go away after some sleep unless you have a history of migraines.

John Miliunas
11-16-2004, 11:08 AM
Me again, on a more serious note, this time. I worked PT with a guy a few years ago who would get drop-down to your knees headaches. He would literally pass out! Went to all kinds of specialists, had X-rays, tests...The whole nine yards. Nothing seemed to be conclusive, nor did anything help. He ended up going in to see a GP for something unrelated and the Doc just casually asked if he'd ever been tested for lime dicease? Bingo! THAT was the whole problem. Sadly, I guess the damage already done by it could not be reversed, but they could now treat it to not get any worse! Chuck, if it persists, have it checked out! That's not something to mess with! Good luck.

Donnie Raines
11-16-2004, 11:12 AM
Yeah...stuff happens. Earlier this year I kept getting really bad hartburn....I changed my diet...nothing. I finally visited a specilaist, had some test done...then had some surgery. I feel like a million bucks now.....now only if I could cash myself in......hmmmm... :rolleyes:

Jerry Olexa
11-16-2004, 11:53 AM
Be careful... I had pretty severe reaction to Cherry dust a FEW MONTHS Ago but it cleared when I starting using a respirator. If you headache persists, you should see a Dr. Take care of yourself.

Hal Flynt
11-16-2004, 12:03 PM
First, I am not a Doctor nor have I played one on TV, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express one night.

I have numerous allergies and have for most of my life. I react to my favorite wood, black walnut and the mask helps. If I suspicion that what I am feeling is an allergenic reaction, I will take 1 Benedril tablet and if it helps, then it's pretty much an allergy.

Something else that helps me a lot is staying hydrated (most Americans are slightly dehydrated). We can't store water without salt and we can't store excess salt. I have some unrefined sea salt that I mix in water at a rate of 1/2 teaspoon per quart or 1/4 Ts per pint. If it tastes sweet, I'm low on salt. If it tastes mildly salty, then I'm probably pretty close to where I need to be and if it tastes really salty, then I don't need more salt. When hydrated, the stuff in the air doesn't bother me anywhere near as much as when I am dehydrated.

My Doctor is very interested in this since my blood pressure WENT DOWN after I started drinking slat water fairly regularly 2 and a half years ago.

Chuck Fischer
11-16-2004, 12:24 PM
I won't mess with this, if the headache persists I'm going to the doctor, no doubt. I had a mask on and I have worked with leopard wood before so I'm not sure if that is the source, probably not. I'm thinking that it has to do with the eyes. I wear glasses at work when on the computer (im farsighted), but don't wear them when in the shop, I wonder if because I was working on a small orniment that perhaps I was taxing my eyes without realizing it.

Chuck

Kevin Arceneaux
11-16-2004, 12:28 PM
I do the same thing - if I do not wear my glasses when working on wood, killer headache from straining to read the rule of fine stuff. I have two pair - an inside pair for reading and an safety pair for working. It was worth the money to get a second pair.

Ernie Kuhn
11-16-2004, 11:06 PM
Chuck,
Yes, see a doctor. I found a severe respiratory reaction to cutting/sanding cedar (the oils), like a severe cold, chest hurt, coughing, etc. I don't know what kind of dust filter you use but mine has two cartridges on either side of the mouth piece (purple and yellow band) and are billed as VAPOR Cartridges. No problem since I started using it. Can't even smell shellac or any other finish thru it when I have it on.
Good luck and, see a doc.
Ernie

Pat Monahan
11-17-2004, 1:54 AM
Chuck
If you are a big coffee drinker and didn't get your recommended daily allowance of five gallons of caffeine, the caffeine withdrawal can cause headaches. I have experienced this myself, and, much to my relief, have heard this from others. If I don't get my 2-4 pots a day, I get cranky! Seriously, if this doesn't improve, see a doc.
Pat

Michael Stafford
11-17-2004, 6:48 AM
Sorry to hear about the headache. Also sorry to hear about the leopardwood being problematic to turn as just yesterday Brown made a delivery that included a piece of leopardwood. Well, I will see...

Kevin Arceneaux
11-17-2004, 9:29 AM
A run down on what the different colors mean on respirator cartridges:
Purple - Particulate aerosols
Purple & black - aerosols + organic vapors (piants, thinners ,lacquers, etc) - This is the one you should wear when finishing.
Black - organic vapors This is another to wear when finishing.
Brown - this is the super cartridge - it can be used for everything.
Purple + Yellow - this is an organic AND acid gases

You may see a prefilter - Pesticide/piant spray - R95 or N95 - This are effective against dust and some pesticides and paints under time use restrictions. They are NOT effective for urethane or other diisocyanate-containing paints.

If you can, I would recommend 2 masks. One for dust when working wood and another for when painting. This way you are replacing the lower cost filter, the dust filter, and saving the paint filter, more expensive, for when you need it.