best dust mask/respirator?

[Nick Sorenson]

Just wondering what the best dust mask/respirator for the money would be? I've noticed if I'm sanding on certain power sanding applications I get quite a bit of airborne dust. If I cover my nose with my shirt there's a big sawdust spot left on my shirt when I'm done. Time for a box of real respirators. I've used the Lowes box before and they leak so bad I wouldn't trust them. They show a guy with a push broom on the front. Might be ok for that but not for clouds of sawdust. Curious what others have found and liked.

[Dan Hintz]

I like my Trend Airshield Pro... pricey, but it's really clean air coming through.

[Josh Bowman]

+1 on the trend. I use mine all the time and my nose stays clean. I couldn't find any good test results so I did my own unscientific test using one of our labs at work.
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?146642-PAPR-stuff-or-FFTKAT&highlight=

[Kevin Womer]

Nick, Check out the podcast on the Woodwhisperer's website, it was informative to me and not too pricey. I have been happy with the one he uses for a year or so now.
Kevin

[phil harold]

I use Survivair half mask respirator
http://www.envirosafetyproducts.com/survivair-premier-s-series-halfmask-respirator.html
I have two, one is over 15 years old and the other one is 4 yrs old
Silcone face mask conforms to your face and is comfortable
I use p-110 organic vapor cartridges so I dont worry about spraying vs dust and which filter I have to use
http://www.envirosafetyproducts.com/survivair-p100-organic-vapor-cartridge-s-series.html?parentreturn=survivair-premier-s-series-halfmask-respirator.html

someday I wood like trend airshield but they are expensive and do not have a NIOSH rating
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/disp_part/

So how well does the Trend Airshield Pro protect your lungs?

[Peter Quinn]

Trend is the best. I'm using a 3-m organic vapor for WB spraying, but for sanding I use a festool and catch all the dust at the source. No reason to block what you can capture and never breath. I'd start with a better sander and vacuum rig, it may be cheaper than a trend anyway!

[Dave Lehnert]

I like this from AO safety a lot but seems they do not make it any longer.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/413AXKH7DFL._SL500_AA280_.jpg


For something cheap I like this offered by Harbor Freight.

http://www.harborfreight.com/nonwoven-dust-masks-50-pack-93482.html

[glenn bradley]

Dave and I are of a like mind. If I had known 3M was going to kill that particular model when they gobbled up AO Safety I would have bought a few extra.

[Glen Butler]

I use a 3m respirator like the one pictured http://www.uline.com/BL_992/Reusable-Respirators-Supplies and I use those pink filters rather than carbon. Its relatively light and comfortable, much preferrable to disposables, but I admit I have not tried the Trend, and part of me doesn't want to cause I tend to like things that are expensive.

[Steve Griffin]

He's looking for disposable dust masks.

Here's my favorite.

The outbreather valve is the key to not fogging up glasses and keeping a good seal. They last a long time if you spray them out clean once in a while.

[Dave Lehnert]

He's looking for disposable dust masks.

Here's my favorite.

The outbreather valve is the key to not fogging up glasses and keeping a good seal. They last a long time if you spray them out clean once in a while.

Where do you buy them?

[Steve Griffin]

Where do you buy them?

I get them from my cabinet hardware supplier, but they are also sold by Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/3M-8511-Particulate-Sanding-Respirator/dp/B0002YKBV2/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1314814263&sr=1-1

[Ole Anderson]

He's looking for disposable dust masks.

Here's my favorite.

The outbreather valve is the key to not fogging up glasses and keeping a good seal. They last a long time if you spray them out clean once in a while.

That is what I use for everything other than paint spraying. Including running my lawnmower in the fall. 3M, N95 NIOSH rating for nuisance dust. Get 'em at he BORG in 3 packs. They are kind of fuzzy on the inside and can get hot though during hard work or hot weather. Seal way better than the cheap paper ones.

[raul segura]

A note I here that exposed carbon has a shelf life especially if not sealed. Id recommend placing carbon filters in a baggy to slow the rate of expiration.
Not that we have access to what type of carbon goes into a mask but carbon from coconut shells is the best out there. It seems you could reload some of these masks with your own carbon, just a thought.