Please recommend respirators

[Ray Schafer]

I think that I buried this request in a longer post last week. ... but I would like recommendations on a very good respirator.

I need one for general woodworking ... and if it can work for painting and finishing, that would be great.

Please let me know what you recommend.

Ray

[Judy Kingery]

Ray, I prefer the half face one by 3M 6006. Has both particulate and chemical barriars/filter. Does fine for me and comfortable and I can wear safety glasses easily with it, reasonable cost. I should be able to find a link for you or you could probably just look up 3M respirators. See what you think and hopefully others will chime in and give you additional ideas. Jude

[Mike Cutler]

Half mask, negative pressure, respirator with removable cartridges. Select the proper cartridge for the application based on the NIOSH Rating. ( Particulate, Chemical, Gas, etc.)
Graingers has a pretty good selection, and believe it or not, so does our local Home Depot. 3M is probably the most widely known and available brand.
Buy a good one. It's a one time purchase.

[Stan Welborn]

Though I didn't get it from the river...

http://www.amazon.com/3M-Respirator-Facepiece-Filters-Protection/dp/B0006ORFGW/ref=sr_1_1/103-0265679-6951009?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1189140415&sr=1-1

[Jason Roehl]

3M 7500 series half-mask respirator--much more comfortable than the 6000 series (uses the same cartridges).

[John Newell]

3M 7500 series half-mask respirator--much more comfortable than the 6000 series (uses the same cartridges).

Bought one recently and strongly concur.

Wish the various vendors or the mfr would post some useful sizing info, though! I ordered a large and it fits great, but it was a guess (I saw websites suggesting most males should use a medium).

[Bruce Benjamin]

I can't help you with the paint fumes but for general woodworking it think it's hard to beat the Resp-O-Rator Jr. http://www.hartvilletool.com/product/10997 or the regular version of the Resp-O-Rator http://www.hartvilletool.com/product/10834 . I have a beard and use the Jr. version. It works better for me than any other kind of mask that I've tried that has to seal over the face. It's pretty hard to beat .3 microns, especially for the price.

Bruce

[Joe Vincent]

Concerning the 3M 7500:
Does anyone know which cartridges are ideal for (1) woodworking and (2) painting or finishing?
Thanks!

[Josiah Bartlett]

Anything with a particulate filter is good for general sanding (the pleated ones tend to not load up as fast). You need a mask rated for VOC use for finishing, and often the MSDS or data sheet for the finish recommends which one to use.

[jason lambert]

You need the organic ones for paint they are bigger I do not have a part number but they come in a sealed package that is how you can tell. The thing to remember is they have activated charcole in them so once you open them they are only good for about two weeks, you can prolong it a bit if you put them in a zip lock bag when not in use.

[Scott Vigder]

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I bought this last month and find it very comfortable. I wear protective glasses and hearing protection, and this does not interfere with those so I can wear all three at once. It is a substantial unit with a good seal.

It is an AO brand model #95190 on Amazon for about $15.

[Mike Monroe]

3M 7500; comfortable, good fit, many cartridge options... solid, simple protection.

[Danny Thompson]

I second the AO Safety 95190 "pig snout" respirator.

[Dick Heifner]

Very good light respirator, flip it off and it hangs around your neck, pull it up and your good to go.Check it out on the wood whisper site, it can be used for paint according to one of the reviews.
Dick

[Tom Henderson2]

Hello Ray-

Masks can be a very personal thing; the mask that one person loves you may find uncomfortable, and vice versa.

I have a 3M 6000 series and it seems to be fine. I can wear it for long periods without any difficulty or discomfort.

I'm an eyeglass wearer, and find that the eyeglasses have to be set up on the mask a bit (in the nose area) but it isn't too bad. For the first couple of minutes it feels awkard but that feeling goes away after a few minutes.

As others have said, "Particulate" is the magic word for sawdust, and "Volitile organic compounds" or "VOC" is the magic word for paint.

They aren't very expensive and after a few years when the rubber starts getting hard you can replace it. Your lungs will thank you.

Filter cartridges are widely available. Buy a couple replacements when you buy the mask itself so you will hae replacements available when you need them.

Hope this helps.

-Tom H.

[jim oakes]

I can't help you with the paint fumes but for general woodworking it think it's hard to beat the Resp-O-Rator Jr. http://www.hartvilletool.com/product/10997 or the regular version of the Resp-O-Rator http://www.hartvilletool.com/product/10834 . I have a beard and use the Jr. version. It works better for me than any other kind of mask that I've tried that has to seal over the face. It's pretty hard to beat .3 microns, especially for the price.

Bruce
Hi Bruce,
Does the Resp-O-Rator Jr get all wet and drip from breath vapors? Looks like it would be more comfortable than rubber masks. That's the big downside with rubber they get full of vapor.

Thanks

[John Thompson]

My choices are: North N95 half mask for dust... ASA Advantage 2000 half mask with organic P100 filters for fumes.

Sarge..

[Matt Meiser]

I use a 3M 6000 series. Sherwin Williams stores stock them and the cartridges. Probably not the cheapest, but convenient if you have them near you.

[Ray Schafer]

Thank you for all of the great suggestions. I think I will research them based upon your recommendations and buy one this week (so that I am ready for my woodworking day with my NEW JOINTER and NEW DOWELMAX this Saturday -- Wahoo!).

[Bruce Benjamin]

Hi Bruce,
Does the Resp-O-Rator Jr get all wet and drip from breath vapors? Looks like it would be more comfortable than rubber masks. That's the big downside with rubber they get full of vapor.

Thanks

I've used mine a lot and condensation hasn't been a problem for me. The obvious downside is that you have to keep the mouthpiece in your mouth. This took a little getting used to but it's not a problem for me anymore. It comes with a clip for your nose. It's adjustable but that also took a little getting used to. Now I sometimes don't even where the nose clip because I can just breath through my mouth. (I'm not normally a mouth breather:D) But if I'm using the filter for a longer period of time I use the clip because I've found that I will sometimes forget and breath through my nose a little.

It's certainly not the ideal filter for everyone. I have the Junior version and it's so cheap and effective and it isn't effected by my beard. I have a couple of other cartridge types of filters that I've used a lot over the years but this is all I use now.

Bruce

[jim oakes]

Thanks Bruce, I'll try one.

[Jeff Mohr]

I'm an eyeglass wearer, and find that the eyeglasses have to be set up on the mask a bit (in the nose area) but it isn't too bad. For the first couple of minutes it feels awkard but that feeling goes away after a few minutes.


Anyone else wear glasses with their respirator and if you do, do you have fog up issues? I get the fog up issues less with my contacts and safety glasses combo but I like wearing my regular glasses more. Any additional suggestions on a type that works this way?

[Matt Meiser]

I don't have any with the 6000-series. But make sure you get the right size. IIRC they come in something like S, M, L, XL. Additionally, IIRC, the ones most BORGs stock are L and I found I needed an XL.